WINDBREAK AND SHELTERBELTS

A windbreak or shelterbelt is a usually made up of one or more rows of or protect soil. They are commonly planted around the edges of fields on cost of heating and cooling and Windbreaks are also planted to help keep from providing habitat for wildlife and in some regions the trees are harvested for wood products. drifting onto roadways and even yards. Other benefits planted in such a manner as to provide shelter from the and to

farms. If designed properly, windbreaks around a home can reduce the include

- Reducing evaporation from the soil; - Reducing transpiration from plants; - Moderating extreme temperatures. Quite often, protection can be combined with production by choosing tree and shrub species that, apart from furnishing the desired sheltering effect, yield needed wood products.

Design of windbreaks and shelterbelts When considering windbreak or shelterbelt planting, three zones can be recognized: the windward zone (from which the wind blows); the leeward in which the effect of the windbreak or shelterbelt is felt) (Figure 5.1). zone (on the side where the wind passes); and the protected zone (that

Functioning of a windbreak

The effectiveness of the windbreak or shelterbelt is influenced by its pass over the top of it and cause turbulence on the leeward side due to

permeability. If it is dense, like a solid wall (Figure 5.2), the airflow will the lower pressure on that side; this gives a comparatively limited zone of effective shelter on the leeward side compared to the zone that a moderately permeable shelter creates. In the selection of tree or shrub be sought:

species for windbreaks or shelterbelts, the following characteristics should

- Rapid growth; - Straight stems; - Wind firmness; - Good crown formation; - Deep root system, which does not spread into nearby fields; - Resistance to drought;

- Desired phonological characteristics (leaves all year long or only part of the year).

Planting techniques Planting techniques for windbreaks and shelterbelts are identical to those in other tree and shrub planting programmes. However, as windbreaks and shelterbelts require a high plant survival rate, as well as uniform and rapid growth, supplementary irrigation may be required during the establishment must be prompt. phase. Gaps cannot be tolerated and, when plants are lost, replacement

Management practices Once established, the effectiveness and longevity of a windbreak or shelterbelt depends on its maintenance. As the trees and shrubs mature, they change in shape and appearance, which necessitates some level of

maintenance to ensure a continuing shelter effect. Pruning may be required to stimulate height growth, while thinning can boost diameter growth. To keep a barrier at the desired density and permeability, occasional pruning or removal of plants may be necessary. If trees or shrubs are damaged shelterbelt has a life that is dependent on the trees or shrubs of which it plan should be adopted.

by wind or pest attacks, a control is also needed. A windbreak or is composed. Therefore, to be able to furnish permanent shelter, a renewal

Planting techniques As mentioned above, planting of vegetation is the best and most

permanent method of coastal and inland sand dune stabilization; both direct and indirect benefits can be realized, including:

- Protection (of roads, canals, agricultural lands, and industrial areas); - Wood production (fuel, lumber, etc.); - Protection of watershed areas and water supplies; - Livestock grazing benefits (including fodder); - Wildlife benefits, recreation, and other amenities; - Public works to combat unemployment. The choice of vegetative species for planting should be based on studies of the natural vegetation in the area and on the environmental conditions. As planting of vegetation on sand dunes frequently consists of afforestation

practices, it is recommended that species trials be included in the planting term use.

programmes to permit an evaluation of tree and shrub species for long-

In practice, it is often necessary to plant relatively large containerized be planted further apart (2 x 2 meters) on the sheltered side. Irrigation for initial establishment may be required to help the plants survive until they

plants close together (1 x 1 meter) on the windward side, but they can

have sufficiently deep root systems. If water is not available in adequate to irrigate (at least) during the first two or three months after planting, at weekly intervals.

quantities for irrigation to take place on a long term basis, it is advisable

Concerning maintenance, hand weeding is preferred to avoid problems of other traffic should be eliminated on the sand dunes; when necessary, delimited and protected passages for livestock can be established River-bank plantations There are many areas where river lengths are considerable. The ground on either side of the river is partly within the reach of the high level of

machinery traction in the sand. As a rule, all livestock movement and

water during the period the rivers are in flood. Beyond this level - and on the fringes of the agricultural land, strip plantation can be established to produce wood, fuelwood and fodder. Amenity plantations

This type of plantation includes trees planted in gardens and parks, street planting, green belts around villages and cities, trees arid zones "beautifying the landscape" usually

roadsides to reduce noise and beautify the homestead or landscape. In countryside from its normal brown color to green, or "greening" of the landscape. means changing the

planted along

Tree planting in gardens Tree planting in gardens also enhances self-esteem. The gardener identifies with his garden and builds a personal relationship with it.

Street planting Street plantings are often the responsibility of local municipalities and are

made to beautify the cities, provide shade and control outdoor noise and traffic pollution . In recent years, many of the towns and cities in the world have learned through experience that paving roadways, streets, and should:

sidewalks does not complete the job For use in street planting, trees

- be easy to establish, preferably with the ability to be transplanted as advanced nursery stock, and grow relatively quickly to the stage that they provide some amenity value;

- be healthy in the environment, relatively long-lived and not subject to wind-throw or the breakage of large limbs;

- be as maintenance-free as possible. Trees requiring permanent pruning and removal of fallen leaves will have a high maintenance cost. Greenbelt planting Several cities in arid zones have established in their municipal area green belts with a number of purposes:

- to enhance the beauty of the site; - to provide a recreation area for the urban dwellers; - to reduce the harmful effect of dry winds and dust storm and control sand encroachment.

There is a wide array of trees and shrubs for greenbelt planting. Any programme of this sort, however, should be well designed in advance, planned for a number of years and carefully implemented. Roadside plantations Roadside plantations have several objectives: - trees increase the comfort of travellers by providing shade and attractive surroundings; - trees may protect the road itself against moving dunes or act as a windbreak for adjacent fields.

- trees may become an important factor by alleviating timber and fuelwood

shortage. In fact, roadside trees are frequently considered a part of the national forest planting programme. Such trees may produce edible fruit, yield pods for feeding animals, furnish food and shelter for birds or, when in bloom, be valuable in beekeeping. Farmstead Shelterbelts Farmstead shelterbelts have long been a feature of the Midwestern landscape; sheltering wildlife, livestock and farmsteads from winter's harsh grip. Without dense woody cover, winters can be deadly for farmland budgets.

wildlife. Harsh winters can be equally devastating to livestock and heating

Shelterbelt Design Shelterbelts should be designed to contain 10 or more rows of trees and

shrubs to provide maximum benefit to wildlife and homeowners. Placement is primarily on the north and west sides of farmsteads to block the lift trees, number of evergreen rows and overall width of the belt from west to east and north to south will determine the effectiveness of any shelterbelt. prevailing winds. Four important design factors: snow catch, height of the

Shrubs are planted in the outermost rows to catch drifting snow. A welldesigned snow catch stops virtually all the drifting snows without burying and damaging any of the inner rows of trees. It generally consists of two west and north of the remainder of the shelterbelt. When planning the food plot or planting a garden.

closely planted (3-6 ft.) shrub rows, located at least 30 to 50 feet to the snow catch area landowners have the option of farming it, putting in a

The Benefits of Farmstead Shelterbelts

Home Energy Conservation - Well designed shelterbelts will often cut winter heating bills, by as much as 30%. Cost Savings in Livestock Production - By reducing wind chills, shelterbelts cut feed costs because livestock require less feed to and make feeding operations easier. maintain body weight. Shelterbelts can also minimize calf losses

Snow Control - In as little as two years shelterbelts can effectively protect buildings and roadways from drifting snow.

Establishing a field windbreak or farmstead shelterbelt A successful project requires several basic steps: (1) selection and

ordering planting stock, (2) proper preparation of planting site, (3) suitable planting techniques, and (4) proper care after planting. Maintenance

The work of planning the shelterbelt, ordering trees and getting the trees in the ground is wasted if you are not committed to controlling weeds and watering your new shelterbelt for at least five years. For the purpose of

establishing a shelterbelt the most important "weed" to control is grass. More specifically, sod-forming grasses like bluegrass, brome or fescue must be eliminated.

Mulching is very effective for controlling weeds and reducing moisture loss, but it can be expensive and labor intensive. Commercially available fiber

matting can be used as an effective mulch. It allows moisture to penetrate and will last for five years.

Herbicides control weeds effectively when applied in proper amounts at the right time. Both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can be used.

When watering, it is important to provide a good soaking once or twice a the plant susceptible to drought.

week. Light watering encourages root growth too near the surface making