Windbreak Trees

Slowing the wind, minimizing livestock odor, controlling the snow drift and creating a visual barrier can all be done with the correctly designed plantings.

Farmers know that trees and shrubs around their livestock facility can have a great impact on their operation.

Arborvitae, Techny

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS ‘TECHNY’

Our favorite outside row evergreen in windbreaks. Techny is very popular for windbreaks and visual screens. This plant is cold hardy, which is necessary for our Midwest Winters.

Mature Height: 20ft

Mature Spread:10ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Shape: Upright oval

In-row Spacing: 10ft

Cedar, Eastern Red

JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA

A tough, native tree. Grows well in sandy soils. Not a common specimen tree but great for windbreaks, wildlife and conservation areas.

Mature Height: 35ft

Mature Spread: 20ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Shape: Upright pyramidal, irregular

In-row Spacing: 15 – 20ft

Fir, Concolor

ABIES CONCOLOR

Soft, rounded tip needles make Concolor an easy tree to handle. Must have well drained soils. Will temporarily brown/ winter-burn with below average, cold temperatures.

Mature Height: 50ft

Mature Spread: 25ft

Growth Rate: Moderate to slow

Shape: Broad pyramid

In-row Spacing: 20 – 25ft

Larch, European

LARIX DECIDUA

Unique tree because it drops its needles in Winter months, much like a shade tree. Yellow green needles grow back in Spring, changing to a dark green, before turning yellow again in Fall. Fast grower, that will tolerate occasionally wet areas.

Mature Height: 750ft

Mature Spread: 25 – 35ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 25ft

Pine, White

PINUS STROBUS

Midwest native. Hardy, fast growing. 100+ year lifespan. Soft, three inch needles. Prefers moist, well drained soils.

Mature Height: 60ft

Mature Spread: 35ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 25ft

Spruce, Black Hills

PICEA GLAUCA ‘DENSATA’

Nice hardy conifer with dark green color. Will tolerate dryer soil and will withstand extreme seasonal conditions. Native to the Black Hills, South Dakota.

Mature Height: 30 – 40ft

Mature Spread: 15 – 20ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 20 -25ft

Spruce, Colorado Blue

PICEA PUNGENS

Blue to dark green. Commonly used as an accent or ornamental tree. Susceptible to disease problems in areas with little airflow, or when spaced too close to other trees.

Mature Height: 30 – 40ft

Mature Spread: 20ft

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 30ft

Spruce, Norway

PICEA ABIES

Our favorite and most popular windbreak tree. Very hardy, rapid grower. 100+ year lifespan. Prefers moist, well drained soils.

Mature Height: 60ft

Mature Spread: 20 – 25ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 20 – 25ft

Spruce, Serbian

PICEA OMORIKA

Dark green needles with white underside and purple cones. Will tolerate temporally dry soil. More commonly used as a specimen tree but can be used as a middle row windbreak tree.

Mature Height: 50ft

Mature Spread: 20 – 25ft

Growth Rate: Slow

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 20 – 25ft

Spruce, White

PICEA GLAUCA

A hardy windbreak and specimen tree. Good alternative to the Colorado Blue in mass plantings but needs good airflow and space between trees.

Mature Height: 40ft

Mature Spread: 20ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Shape: Pyramidal

In-row Spacing: 25ft