Texas A&M Forest Service

Windbreaks are trees and shrubs systematically planted adjacent to fields, homesteads, or feedlots as a barrier to reduce or redirect the wind. Overall, windbreaks enhance aesthetics, increase land value, reduce soil erosion, protect buildings and/or equipment and establish wildlife habitat.

Six different types of windbreaks are recommended by Texas A&M Forest Service West Texas Nursery for protection:

	Homestead/Farmstead Windbreaks enhance the aesthetics and increase the heating and cooling efficiency of homes
(no photo available)	Livestock Windbreaks protect cattle in severe weather conditions by reducing the amount of energy cattle utilize to keep warm, thus increasing weight gains and decreasing the producer’s feed costs
	Field Windbreaks protect crops and soil from wind erosion and moisture loss
	Dry Corner Windbreaks establish wildlife habitat, increase watering efficiency of adjacent center pivot irrigation systems, protect grazing livestock
	Living Snow Fence Windbreakskeep snow from drifting onto farm roads and highways, protect grazing livestock and establish wildlife habitat
(no photo available)	Wildlife Windbreaks create permanent vegetation with tree and shrub species which will provide food and cover for wildlife

Windbreaking Resources

Windbreaks... Design and Location, Circular 234
A brochure describing design and location of homestead, field and livestock windbreaks and living snow fences. Planting dimensions such as recommended spacing between tree rows and spacing between the windbreak and the structure being protected are listed along with examples of windbreak design.
How to Plant Windbreak Tree Seedlings, Circular 211
A windbreak planting brochure with tips concerning: site preparation; planting by hand or with a mechanical tree planter or dibble bar; tree care while planting; proper storage of seedlings; when to plant; and protection and maintenance. This informative brochure also includes a helpful planting check list.
Practices for Windbreak Establishment, Circular 277 (to be printed this fall/winter)
Though nothing can guarantee windbreak seedling success, practices are available that will enhance seedling establishment and survival. This brochure discusses techniques such as: drip irrigation (placement) and watering (how often, how much and when); synthetic fabric (what it is, advantages, how it works and how to apply); fencing (advantages, placement, what kind and length of maintenance); and initial seedling protection (plastic tubing, mesh screens, shingles and poultry netting, and pest control tips). A well established and maintained windbreak creates the potential for a lifetime of protection!
Bare-root handling tags and Evergreen handling sheets
The handling tags and sheets are brief but essential tips that will enhance the probability of seedling establishment and survival prior to, during and after the seedlings are planted. Both resources include drawings and descriptions on how to plant the one year old bare-root and evergreen trees.
Wildlife Packet Information Sheets, Planting Design
Information sheets describing habitat needs and management, and land conservation practices for deer, pheasant, quail, turkey and squirrel. Recommended planting designs with pictures and descriptions also are included. (Wildlife packets are sold through WTN windbreak seedling program in bundles of 100 deciduous trees and shrubs with species that cater specifically to the habitat needs of quail/pheasant, deer, turkey and squirrel.)

Windbreak Planting Assistance

Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) West Texas Nursery (WTN) offers hands-on assistance to High Plains cooperators, with 160 acres or more, in the actual planting of multiple row windbreaks. Upon request of the producer, TFS WTN will meet with him/her, discuss the protection needs and design a windbreak according to those needs. Those willing to comply with the required TFS guidelines, will be personally assisted in the planting process by WTN personnel.

WTN provides a tree planter and fabric layer. The tree planter will plant 400 to 500 seedlings per hour.

Often WTN assists in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and/or Texas Department of Transportation.

In 1997, WTN assisted producers in planting 12 miles of windbreaks throughout the High Plains.

Landowners wishing to plant conservation windbreaks on their own initiative may purchase seedlings through their Soil and Water Conservation District or contact the Texas A&M Forest Service West Texas Nursery.

For the latest in windbreak information call the Texas A&M Forest Service West Texas Nursery.

Tree Planting Process

Fall site preparation...
Field preparation prior to planting windbreak seedlings is vital to the success of the windbreak.

Site prep requires deep plowing, 18 inches deep, which will allow the soil to quickly absorb and store any winter moisture that may fall.

Two things result from fall preparation: it breaks down soil clods created by deep plowing and leaves the soil loose, which will allow for ease when planting the trees.

Tree planter...
A tree planter is a tractor drawn implement. If the site prep is done in advance, 400 to 500 seedlings can be planted per hour.

Fabric layer...
A fabric layer, also a tractor-drawn implement, is used to apply a black UV synthetic fabric, once the seedlings are planted. The fabric layer rolls out a 6 foot by 300-500 foot roll of fabric in about two minutes. The fabric retains soil moisture and enhances weed control for about five years.

Spacing...
Each row within the windbreak is planted at least 20 feet apart. Within each row, the evergreens and deciduous trees are planted 10 to 25 feet apart and the shrubs five to six feet apart, to allow room for the species to grow and spread outwardly.

Misc...
Wind-screens are used to protect the one year old evergreens against the harsh winds until they become more established. Rodent protection tubes also are placed around the