All regions of the country may experience strong winds at one time or another. Still, there are certain regions where severe winds are worst than any other regions in the country.
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So, what’s the remedy? No doubt you are already thinking trees. That’s correct. But can you name the most ideal trees that can serve as windbreakers? Moreover, did you know that wind-breaking trees offer other solutions than just breaking the wind?
Wind-breaking trees can reduce erosion, can save on heating and cooling costs when the trees are located near a home, and, of course, they provide shade.
So which trees are ideal for breaking the wind?
Here are six tree species that are just what the tree doctor ordered to prevent strong winds from affecting your property.
- American Arborvitae
- Eastern Red Cedar
- Norway Spruce
- Ponderosa Pine
- Redbud
- Little Walnut
American Arborvitae
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An ideal tree to serve as a windbreaker, the American Arborvitae features a classic pyramid shape and flourishes in zones 5, 6, and 7 (refer to the USDA Hardiness Plant Zone Map). Other features that make them ideal as windbreakers is that they are very bushy with dense foliage and that they can grow up to 40-feet to 60-feet tall. Take note, however, that they do need a lot of time to grow.
Eastern Red Cedar
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A conifer, this tree grows to a height of 25 through 50-feet and lasts for years. It thrives in zones 2 through 9. Plant trees 15-feet to 25-trees apart to ensure that they don’t crowd each other out.
Norway Spruce
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Described as an evergreen, the Norway Spruce thrives in zones 3 through 7. It grows in just about any type of soil and is just a good-looking tree. The one caveat about this tree is that you have to take care that it is not crowded out. You need to give this tree, as well as the other wind breaking trees discussed here some space to grow over time. This particular specie grows to a height of 80-feet. It can be shaped through pruning.
Ponderosa Pine
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Also a pine tree, the Ponderosa Pine grows to a height of 35-feet or higher and wide in their natural habitat. The branches are close to the ground, so they can screen out the wind down to the ground. It should be noted, however, that many people who have this tree cut off the lower branches for aesthetic reasons. It should be noted that this tree is less dense than other tree species that are ideal as windbreakers.
What makes this tree better for wind breaking than other trees described here is that you can see through the canopy to the other side of the tree in patches. They thrive it zones 3 through 7. So they are a great option for the coldest regions of the country.
Redbud
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A tree species that sheds its leaves every year, the Redbud grows to a height of 15-feet. Flowery in springtime, they do best in full sunlight and, like all the other windbreaks described here, needs time to grow. The Redbud offers a busy enough group of branches and flowers that will slow down brisk breezes.
Little Walnut
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The Little Walnut is another tree that sheds its leaves in the fall. They grow to a height of 30-feet or so, and have characteristics of a pecan tree. However, the nut it produces is more of a shell. Although the nutshells don’t assist in breaking the wind, they do attract squirrels and other woodland critters. It is heat and drought tolerant and thrives in zones 5 through 9. It does best when planted in the Southwest region of the country, which happens to be its natural habitat.
As is the case with any tree, these trees need adequate amounts of water, light and space to flourish. Again, don’t plant wind-breaking trees too close together. Their roots need space in which to grow. You also need to be sure that weeds don’t overrun these trees. The weeds compete with the trees for water and their presence could at best slow the growth process of the trees.
(Source: davesgarden.com)
