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 have a good history of suitability for the site and soils.
- Select multiple species of trees and shrubs so that 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 planting's purpose.
- Use native plants whenever possible.
Density
The density of the planting and the number of rows depend on the purpose of the windbreak.
To protect crops and soil and distribute snow:
- Plant at 25-50 percent density.
- Plant one row of deciduous shrubs and two rows of deciduous trees and shrubs.
To protect against blowing and drifting snow:
- Plant at 50-65 percent density.
- Plant:
- 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, deciduous trees, and shrubs.
Spacing:
Tree and shrub plant spacing affects active growth. Trees planted too close together may be stunted due to crowding, while those planted 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.
Climate-ready woodlands
As Minnesota’s climate changes, agroforestry practices will face pressures from tree diseases and pests, heavier and more frequent rainfalls, warmer temperatures and prolonged drought. You can foster healthy, resilient green infrastructure by adding species predicted to adapt well to these changes. See Creating climate-ready woodlands to learn more.
The lists below include climate-ready windbreak recommendations, drawn from local agroforestry experts’ and practitioners’ knowledge to refine species lists and develop practice recommendations. The plant lists are available on this print-only handout.
Trees and shrubs recommended for windbreak plantings
Space shrubs 3 to 6 feet in the row and 6 to 10 feet between rows.
| Common name | Scientific name | Notes | Height (ft.) | Spread (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Cranberry bush | Viburnum trilobum | n/a | 10 | 12 |
| American plum | Prunus americana | Climate-ready | 15 | 20 |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | Climate-ready | 25 | 20 |
| Common Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | n/a | 10 | 10 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea | n/a | 10 | 12 |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | Climate-ready | 10 | 10 |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus alternifolia | n/a | 30 | 20 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus amomum | n/a | 10 | 10 |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | n/a | 20 | 10 |
| Hazelnut, American | Corylus americana | Climate-ready | 8-10 | 6-8 |
| Lilac, Common | Syringa vulgaris | Suckers, non-native | 15 | 12 |
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier sp. | Climate-ready | 4 | |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | n/a | 20-25 | 6-10 |
| Osage-orange | Maclura pomifera | Climate-ready, near native | 25-70 | 20-60 |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix interior | Suckers | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Sand Cherry | Prunus cistena | n/a | 8 | 8 |
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier alnifolia | n/a | 10-30 | 10-20 |
| Silver Buffaloberry | Shepherdia argentea | For sandy soils | 8 | 10 |
| Silverberry | Elaeagnus commutata | 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.
| Common name | Scientific name | Notes | Height (ft.) | Spread (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | See notes | 15-20 | 15-20 |
| Nanking Cherry | (Prunus tomentosa) | n/a | 15 | 15-35 |
| Pin Cherry | (Prunus pennsylvanica) | n/a | 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 trees 12 to 20 feet apart in the row and 20 feet between rows.
| Common name | Scientific name | Notes | Height (ft.) | Spread (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American beech | Fagus grandifolia | Climate-ready, near native | 60-80 | 40-80 |
| Birch, River | Betula papyrifera | n/a | 40-60 | 40-60 |
| Black cherry | Prunus serotina | Climate-ready | 60 | 35 |
| Buckeye, Ohio | Aesculus glabra | Autumn Splendor' seeds toxic | 20-40 | 20-45 |
| Catalpa, Northern | Catalpa speciosa | n/a | 50-80 | 20-40 |
| Cottonwood, Eastern | Populus deltoides | Climate-ready. Male tree does not release cotton. | 50-100 | 40-75 |
| Elm, American 'Princeton' | Ulmus Americana 'Princeton' | Climate ready. Plant Dutch Elm Disease resistant varieties. | 45-65 | 30-50 |
| Hackberry | Celtis Occidentalis | Climate-ready. Bare-root trees need to break bud before planting. | 40-60 | 25-45 |
| Hickory, Bitternut | Carya cordiformis | Climate-ready | 70 | 50 |
| Hickory, Black | Carya texana | Climate-ready, near native | 30-60 | 80 |
| Hickory, Mockernut | Carya tomentosa | Climate-ready, near native | 60-80 | 40-60 |
| Hickory, Pignut | Carya glabra | Climate-ready, near native | 60-80 | 25-40 |
| Hickory, Shagbark | Carya ovata | n/a | 75-100 | 40 |
| Honeylocust, Common | Gleditsia triacanthos | n/a | 30-50 | 30-40 |
| Ironwood | Ostrya virginiana | Climate-ready | 65 | 25 |
| Kentucky Coffeetree | Gymnocladus dioica | n/a | 50-70 | 45 |
| Linden, American | Tilia Americana | n/a | 50-75 | 30-50 |
| Linden, Little Leaf | Tilia cordata | n/a | 30-45 | 20-30 |
| Maple, Autumn Blaze | Acer x freemanii | n/a | 40-70 | n/a |
| Maple, Boxelder | Acer negundo | Climate-ready | 50 | 40 |
| Maple, Red | Acer rubrum | Climate-ready | 55 | 45 |
| Maple, Silver | Acer saccharinum | n/a | 40-70 | 30-50 |
| Maple, Sugar | Acer saccharum | Climate-ready | 80 | 60 |
| Oak, Bur | Quercus macrocarpa | Climate-ready | 50-80 | 35-60 |
| Oak, Chinkapin | Quercus muehlenbergii | Climate-ready, near native | 40-60 | 50-70 |
| Oak, Post | Quercus stellata | Climate-ready, near native | 40-50 | 35-50 |
| Oak, Red (Northern) | Quercus rubra | n/a | 60-70 | 45 |
| Oak, Swamp White | Quercus bicolor | Climate-ready | 50-60 | n/a |
| Oak, White | Quercus alba | Climate-ready | 50-70 | n/a |
| Pecan | Carya illinoensis | Climate-ready | 70-100 | 40-75 |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | Climate-ready, near native | 30-60 | 25-40 |
| Sugarberry | Celtis laevigata | Climate-ready, near native | 40-70 | 30-60 |
| Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | Climate-ready, near native | 75-100 | 75-100 |
| Walnut, Black | Juglans nigra | Climate-ready | 50-70 | 60 |
Space 20 to 25 feet in the row and 20 to 25 feet between rows.
| Common name | Scientific name | Notes | Height (ft.) | Spread (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashe Juniperus | Juniperus ashei | Climate-ready, near native | 20 | 20-30 |
| aEastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | Climate-ready. Use native species; can be aggressive | 50 | 10 to 20 |
| Eastern hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | Climate-ready. Endangered species; planting requires a permit. | 40 | 25 |
| bEastern White Pine | Pinus strobus | May not be recommended for your region. | 100 | 50-80 |
| Jacke Pine | Pinus banksiana | Climate-ready, near native | 60 | 30 |
| Meyer Spruce | Picea meyer | Blue spruce, disease tolerant | 40 | 30 |
| bPonderosa Pine | Pinus ponderosa | May not be recommended for your region. | 100 | 25-60 |
| bRed Pine | Pinus resinosa | May not be recommended for your region. | 80 | 20-40 |
| bSlash Pine | Pinus elliotti | Climate-ready, near native | 24-60 | 12-24 |
| bVirginia pine | Pinus virginiana | Climate-ready, near native | 40-80 | 10-30 |
| White Cedar | Thuja occidentalis | Protect from deer | 50 | 10-20 |
| White Spruce (Black Hills) | Picea glauca 'densata' | n/a | 50 | 20-30 |
| bWhite Spruce | Picea glauca moerch voss | May not be recommended for your region. | 100 | 20-30 |
aApple 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.
bLarge 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 harming 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 funding sources include Soil and Water Conservation Districts, watersheds, and conservation organizations.
Check with area or county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, National Resources Conservation Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Extension staff to get a recommended list of plants suitable for your area.
Reviewed in 2025