Quick facts
Windbreaks are plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs that are planted for:
- Wind protection.
- Controlling blowing and drifting snow.
- Wildlife habitat.
- Energy saving.
- Living screens.
- Reducing livestock odor.
The effectiveness of a windbreak depends on choosing the right trees and shrubs and planting them at the right density and spacing.
Choosing the best trees and shrubs for your situation is extremely important to ensure an effective, long lasting windbreak.
- Plants need to be winter hardy and should have a good history of being suitable for the site and soils.
- Select multiple species of trees and shrubs so, if there is a failure in a row, the windbreak is still effective.
- A mix of deciduous and coniferous plants is best and should be selected based on the purpose of the planting.
- Use native plants whenever possible.
Density
How dense the planting and the number of rows depend on the purpose of the windbreak.
For protecting crops and soil and distributing snow:
- Plant at 25 to 50 percent density.
- Plant one row of deciduous shrubs and two rows of deciduous trees and shrubs.
For protecting against blowing and drifting snow:
- Plant at 50 to 65 percent density.
- Plant twin rows of deciduous shrubs then:
- 1st row, evergreen trees.
- 2nd row, evergreen trees and deciduous trees.
- 3rd row, a combination of deciduous trees and shrubs.
- See Living snow fences for more information on benefits and how to select plants.
To reduce energy costs, livestock odors and noise, or provide wildlife habitat:
- Plant at 65 percent or more density.
- Plant twin rows of evergreen trees then three or more rows in a combination of evergreen trees and deciduous trees and shrubs.
Plant spacing
Tree and shrub plant spacing affects active growth. Trees planted too close together may be stunted due to crowding, while too far apart from each other may cause gaps that reduce the effectiveness of the windbreak.
Check spacing recommendations for the specific species you want to plant.
Trees and shrubs recommended for windbreak plantings
Space shrubs 3 to 6 feet in the row and 6 to 10 feet between rows.
| Shrubs | Height | Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Cranberry bush | (Viburnum trilobum) | 10 | 12 | |
| Common Ninebark | (Physocarpus opulifolius) | 10 | 10 | |
| Dogwoods | (Cornus sericea) | Redosier | 10 | 12 |
| (Cornus racemosa) | Gray | 10 | 10 | |
| (Cornus alternifolia) | Pagoda | 30 | 20 | |
| (Cornus amomum) | Silky | 10 | 10 | |
| Elderberry | (Sambucus canadensis) | 20 | 10 | |
| Hazelnut, American | (Corylus americana) | 8-10 | 6-8 | |
| Lilac, Common | (Syringa vulgaris) | Suckers | 15 | 12 |
| Nannyberry | (Viburnum lentago) | 20-25 | 6-10 | |
| Sandbar Willow | (Salix interior) | Suckers | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Sand Cherry | (Prunus cistena) | 8 | 8 | |
| Serviceberry | (Amelanchier alnifolia) | 10-30 | 10-20 | |
| Silver Buffaloberry | (Shepherdia argentea) | For sandy soils | 8 | 10 |
| Silverberry | (Elaeagnua commutate) | Suckers | 5-9 | 3-6 |
Shrub willows have been shown to be a good choice for living snow fences.
Space 10 to 15 feet in the row and 20 feet between rows.
| Small trees | Height | Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Plum | (Prunus americana) | Can spread; suckers | 20 | 15-25 |
| Black Chokeberry | (Aronia melanocarpa) | Can spread; suckers | 10 | 6-8 |
| Chokecherry | (Prunus virginiana) | Can spread; suckers | 20 | 15-35 |
| *Crabapples | (Malus sp.) | Plant apple scab resistant varieties | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| *Hawthorn, Arnold | (Crataegus arnoldiana) | 15-20 | 15-20 | |
| Nanking Cherry | (Prunus tomentosa) | 15 | 15-35 | |
| Pin Cherry | (Prunus pennsylvanica) | 15 | 15-20 |
*Apple and hawthorn trees should not be planted near red cedar trees due to disease problems (cedar-apple rust). Plant spacing requirements depend on species and desired density. Red cedar can be aggressive and needs to be managed. White spruce and white cedar are native but not the cultivars, Black Hills or Techny (white cedar), however, these are excellent cultivars for southwest Minnesota.
Space 12 to 20 feet in the row and 20 feet between rows.
| Deciduous trees | Height | Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch, River | (Betula papyrifera) | 40-60 | 40-60 | |
| Buckeye, Ohio | (Aesculus glabra) | 'Autumn Splendor' (seeds toxic) | 20-40 | 20-45 |
| Catalpa, Northern | (Catalpa speciosa) | 50-80 | 20-40 | |
| Cottonwood, Eastern | (Populus deltoides) | Male tree does not release cotton | 50-100 | 40-75 |
| Elm, American 'Princeton' | (Ulmus Americana 'Princeton') | Plant Dutch Elm Disease resistant varieties | 45-65 | 30-50 |
| Hackberry | (Celtis Occidentalis) | Bare root trees need to break bud before planting | 40-60 | 25-45 |
| Hickory, Shagbark | (Carya ovata) | 75-100 | 40 | |
| Honeylocust, Common | (Gleditsia triacanthos) | 30-50 | 30-40 | |
| Kentucky Coffeetree | (Gymnocladus dioica) | 50-70 | 45 | |
| Linden, American | (Tilia Americana) | 50-75 | 30-50 | |
| Linden, Little Leaf | (Tilia cor data) | 30-45 | 20-30 | |
| Maple, Autumn Blaze | (Acer x freemanii) | 40-70 | ||
| Maple, Silver | (Acer saccharinum) | 40-70 | 30-50 | |
| Oak, Bur | (Quercus macrocarpa) | 50-80 | 35-60 | |
| Oak, Red (Northern) | (Quercus rubra) | 60-70 | 45 | |
| Oak, Swamp White | (Quercus bicolor) | 50-60 | ||
| Oak, White | (Quercus alba) | 50-70 | ||
| Walnut, Black | (Juglans nigra) | 50-70 | 60 |
Space 20 to 25 feet in the row and 20 to 25 feet between rows.
| Conifer trees | Height | Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Eastern Red Cedar | (Juniperus virginiana) | Use native species; can be aggressive | 50 | 10-20 |
| **Eastern White Pine | (Pinus strobus) | 100 | 50-80 | |
| Meyer Spruce | (Picea meyer) | Blue spruce, disease tolerant | 40 | 30 |
| **Ponderosa Pine | (Pinus ponderosa) | 100 | 25-60 | |
| **Red Pine | (Pinus resinosa) | 80 | 20-40 | |
| White Cedar | (Thuja occidentalis) | Protect from deer | 50 | 10-20 |
| White Spruce (Black Hills) | (Picea glauca 'densata') | 50 | 20-30 | |
| **White Spruce | (Picea glauca (moerch) voss) | 100 | 20-30 |
*Apple and hawthorn trees should not be planted near red cedar trees due to disease problems (cedar-apple rust). Plant spacing requirements depend on species and desired density. Red cedar can be aggressive and needs to be managed. White spruce and white cedar are native but not the cultivars, Black Hills or Techny (white cedar), however, these are excellent cultivars for southwest Minnesota.
**Large tall and sparsely branched pines (white, Ponderosa and red) may not be recommended for your region or landscape. Native plants should always be considered first, but there are also approved non-native varieties that may add superior habitat for specific sites. Review habitat plans with local specialists.
Red Cedar: Friend or Foe? Exploring Management and Markets (Video: 05:14)
Red cedar is known as an aggressive native. If not managed well, the species can spread and become a nuisance, potentially causing a negative impact on the landscape. Yet, if managed well, red cedars offer many benefits. Red cedars improve soil quality, sequester carbon, survive extreme weather conditions, provide shelter and food for wildlife, produce rot-resistant wood used for streambank stabilization, are a valued timber product, and produce chemical compounds that could be used in medicine.
Financial help
Cost-sharing and annual land payments for land planted to trees as windbreaks, wildlife plantings, shelterbelts and living snow fences may be available.
The USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) continuous sign-up offers cost-share, annual payments and incentive payments. Contact your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for more details.
Local sources of funding include Soil and Water Conservation Districts, watershed and conservation organizations.
Check with area or county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, National Resources Conservation Service, Department of Natural Resources and Extension staff to get a recommended list of plants suitable for your area.
Reviewed in 2020