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