Windbreaks That Work!

well-drained sites. well-drained

well in moist soils, but actually growing more rapidly on on rapidly more growing actually but soils, moist in well

best in full sunlight on a well-drained silt loam. silt well-drained a on sunlight full in best

occurs on a variety of soils, doing doing soils, of variety a on occurs Preference: Site deer.

grows grows Preference: Site twigs. spine-tipped has plum

is frequently used for nesting. It is a preferred food for for food preferred a is It nesting. for used frequently is

red-orange to blue plums mature in August. American American August. in mature plums blue to red-orange

dense foliage afford fi ne protective cover for birds and it it and birds for cover protective ne fi afford foliage dense well-drained soils, but adapts to a variety of sites. of variety a to adapts but soils, well-drained

clusters of white fl owers in May. One-inch globe-shaped globe-shaped One-inch May. in owers fl white of clusters

make the branches fl at. Its thick branching pattern and and pattern branching thick Its at. fl branches the make grows best on fertile, fertile, on best grows Preference: Site wildlife. of variety

making it very valuable for bird nesting. Produces dense dense Produces nesting. bird for valuable very it making

"–¼" long, yellowish to bright green, and appear to to appear and green, bright to yellowish long, "–¼" ¹⁄ an excellent food source for deer, squirrel, turkey and a a and turkey squirrel, deer, for source food excellent an 8

attains a height of 15 feet or more. It forms dense thickets, thickets, dense forms It more. or feet 15 of height a attains

a height of 40–50 feet. The small, scale-like leaves are are leaves scale-like small, The feet. 40–50 of height a periodically abundant acorn crops. Red oak acorns are are acorns oak Red crops. acorn abundant periodically

Wild plum is a large shrub or small tree that frequently frequently that tree small or shrub large a is plum Wild

White cedar is a compact, pyramid shaped tree reaching reaching tree shaped pyramid compact, a is cedar White fast growing tree known for its high quality lumber and and lumber quality high its for known tree growing fast Wild Plum Wild

Northern White Cedar White Northern with 7–11 sharply tipped lobes. Red oak is a moderately moderately a is oak Red lobes. tipped sharply 7–11 with

wide, smooth, light gray ridges. The leaves are 5"–9" long long 5"–9" are leaves The ridges. gray light smooth, wide,

feet tall. The bark is nearly black with shallow furrows and and furrows shallow with black nearly is bark The tall. feet

Red oak is a medium sized hardwood tree, growing 60–80 60–80 growing tree, hardwood sized medium a is oak Red

Northern Red Oak Red Northern

areas.

facing slopes. facing

avoid moist or wet sites as well as extremely droughty droughty extremely as well as sites wet or moist avoid

streams and lakes; do not plant on shallow, hot, south- hot, shallow, on plant not do lakes; and streams

prefers full sunlight, wide range of silt loams; loams; silt of range wide sunlight, full prefers Preference:

wet upland sites, but will grow on dry upland sites. upland dry on grow will but sites, upland wet

prefers cool moist sites, especially around around especially sites, moist cool prefers Preference:

Site Site cover. and food for trees hawthorne to attracted are

usually found along stream banks, on fl ood plains, and on on and plains, ood fl on banks, stream along found usually

Site Site mammals. and birds for cover escape excellent

in mid-August. Ruffed grouse and numerous songbirds songbirds numerous and grouse Ruffed mid-August. in

Preference: Site grosbeaks. and cardinals, ducks, wood

forests, the crown extends well down the trunk forming forming trunk the down well extends crown the forests,

occurs prior to leaf-out in early May. Fruits start maturing maturing start Fruits May. early in leaf-out to prior occurs

(samaras borne in clusters) are the preferred food of of food preferred the are clusters) in borne (samaras

fall soon after they ripen in autumn. Except in dense dense in Except autumn. in ripen they after soon fall

with laterally spreading thorny branches. Blossoming Blossoming branches. thorny spreading laterally with

4" long. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Its heavy seed crops crops seed heavy Its fall. the in yellow turn Leaves long. 4"

green needles with sharp points. Cones are 2" long and and long 2" are Cones points. sharp with needles green

Grows as a single-stemmed small tree, 20–24 feet tall, tall, feet 20–24 tree, small single-stemmed a as Grows

and compound, 10"–12" long with 7–9 leafl ets, each 3"– each ets, leafl 7–9 with long 10"–12" compound, and Native to northern Wisconsin, it produces short blue- short produces it Wisconsin, northern to Native

Hawthorn

furrowed with fl at, scaly ridges. The leaves are opposite opposite are leaves The ridges. scaly at, fl with furrowed White Spruce White

feet tall. The dark brown or gray bark is tinged with red; red; with tinged is bark gray or brown dark The tall. feet

Green ash is a small hardwood tree, growing 50–60 50–60 growing tree, hardwood small a is ash Green

sedge meadows. sedge

but prefers fertile well-drained soils. well-drained fertile prefers but Green Ash Green

grow on very droughty sites; is found on dry prairies to to prairies dry on found is sites; droughty very on grow

grows on sandy soils and rock ridges, ridges, rock and soils sandy on grows Preference: Site

one of the few shrubs that will will that shrubs few the of one Preference: Site cover.

rapid growth of white pine makes it ideal for wildlife cover. cover. wildlife for ideal it makes pine white of growth rapid

eat the small seeds. Ninebark makes excellent wildlife wildlife excellent makes Ninebark seeds. small the eat

robins, mourning doves, and blue jays, among others. The The others. among jays, blue and doves, mourning robins,

September. Ruffed grouse eat the buds and songbirds songbirds and buds the eat grouse Ruffed September.

the second season. White pine is a frequent nest site of of site nest frequent a is pine White season. second the

fl owers in late May develop into brownish capsules in in capsules brownish into develop May late in owers fl

are 4"–6" long and mature in August or September of of September or August in mature and long 4"–6" are

strips resembling “9s.” Numerous clusters of small white white small of clusters Numerous “9s.” resembling strips

of 5 which distinguish it from other native pines. Cones Cones pines. native other from it distinguish which 5 of including sandy soils; grows best in full sunlight. full in best grows soils; sandy including

about 10 feet tall at maturity. The bark peels into papery papery into peels bark The maturity. at tall feet 10 about

to 100 feet. Needles are 3"–5" long occurring in bundles bundles in occurring long 3"–5" are Needles feet. 100 to grows well on a variety of soil types, types, soil of variety a on well grows Preference: Site

Ninebark develops into a multi-stemmed, arching shrub shrub arching multi-stemmed, a into develops Ninebark

Native to Wisconsin, the majestic white pine can grow grow can pine white majestic the Wisconsin, to Native deer, squirrel, chipmunks, blue jays, turkey, and grouse. grouse. and turkey, jays, blue chipmunks, squirrel, deer,

Ninebark

Eastern White Pine White Eastern summer. Hazelnuts are an excellent food source for for source food excellent an are Hazelnuts summer.

in fl at, ragged-appearing husks which mature in late late in mature which husks ragged-appearing at, fl in

common throughout Wisconsin. The nuts are enclosed enclosed are nuts The Wisconsin. throughout common

although does its best in full sun. full in best its does although

Hazelnut is a medium-sized shrub, 8–10 feet tall, that is is that tall, feet 8–10 shrub, medium-sized a is Hazelnut

moist to well-drained soils in sun or shade shade or sun in soils well-drained to moist Preference:

American Hazelnut American

Site Site species. of variety a for plant cover important an

deer and a preferred food of turkey, grouse, etc. It is also also is It etc. grouse, turkey, of food preferred a and deer

to blue berry-like fruit in August. It is heavily browsed by by browsed heavily is It August. in fruit berry-like blue to

Spring fl owers typically bloom in May and produce white white produce and May in bloom typically owers fl Spring

on heavier soils. heavier on development. from underground stolons and attain heights of 4–10 feet. feet. 4–10 of heights attain and stolons underground from

light, acid, sandy soils, occasionally attaining large size size large attaining occasionally soils, sandy acid, light, best for sites moist to well-drained requires Preference: Wisconsin and extremely winter hardy. All species spread spread species All hardy. winter extremely and Wisconsin

³

thrives on on thrives Preference: Site state. the of ²⁄ northern the Site winters. severe in source food emergency valuable a The dogwoods (Silky, Red-osier, and Gray) are native to to native are Gray) and Red-osier, (Silky, dogwoods The

is a favorite food of the pine siskin. Red pine does best in in best does pine Red siskin. pine the of food favorite a is it makes persistent is it that fact the However, birds. most Dogwoods

4"–6" long in bundles of two. Cones are 2" long. Its seed seed Its long. 2" are Cones two. of bundles in long 4"–6" to palatable very not is it suggests winter the throughout

bark as the tree matures. The dark green needles are are needles green dark The matures. tree the as bark fruit the of persistence The September. in fruits red

name from the large reddish brown plates visible on the the on visible plates brown reddish large the from name orange- bright producing May in clusters ower fl white

Species Descriptions Species

Red pine usually grows 60–80 feet tall. Red pine gets its its gets pine Red tall. feet 60–80 grows usually pine Red attractive with maturity, at tall feet 10–13 shrub, large A

Red Pine Red Cranberry Highbush American

Table 1. Recommended species and spacing for windbreak plantings. For More Information

Shrubs—space plants 4 feet apart in rows and 6 feet apart between rows For additional information on the benefi ts of windbreaks and ordering seedlings, contact your local Dogwoods American Highbush Cranberry American Hazelnut DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS District Conservationist. Ninebark The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you plan an effective windbreak for Small Trees—space plants 8 feet apart in rows and 10 feet apart between rows your farmstead or fi elds. NRCS provides technical assistance to private landowners at no charge. Wild Plum Hawthorn The Farm Services Agency (FSA) may cost-share with agricultural producers on establishing Conifers—space 8 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows windbreaks. White Pine White Spruce White Cedar Red Pine Most counties have access to mechanical tree planters through the county Land Conservation Hardwoods—space 10 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows Department (LCD). The local DNR foresters usually coordinate the rental of the mechanical tree Green Ash Red Oak planters. Many LCDs also have tree and shrub seedling programs. To fi nd out how to get in touch with your local DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS, contact: Table 2. Recommended species for each row in windbreak planting. DNR, Division of Forestry or The Wisconsin Department of Natural Windward Row (Row 1) Bureau of Wildlife Management Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut Box 7921 functions under an Affi rmative Action Plan. Ninebark Wild Plum American Highbush Cranberry Madison, WI 53707-7921 If you have any questions, please write to www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry Equal Opportunity Offi ce, Department of Interior Row (Row 2) www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. White Pine Red Pine (northern ²⁄³ of state only) Green Ash NRCS This publication is available in alternative Red Oak format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc) 6515 Watts Road upon request. Please call 267-7494 for more Windbreaks Leeward Rows (Rows 3, 4, and 5) Madison, WI 53719 information. White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut www.nrcs.usda.gov/ Wild Plum Hawthorn American Highbush Cranberry Ninebark Acknowledgments Snow Trap (optional) that Work! Original text, 1992, by Renae Anderson, Dick Camp, Alan Crossely, Dogwood Ninebark American Hazelnut Trent Marty, and Tom Thrall Edited in 2003 by Jim Storandt, Greg Edge, and Kristin Peterson Long Term Maintenance Photos in brochure provided by University of Wisconsin Arboretum; Professor Ed Hasselkus, Department of Horticulture, University of Like children, windbreaks require a little nurturing and maintenance in the early years. Protect Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Natural your planting from livestock and fi re. These young plants are especially attractive to cattle. Your Resources Conservation Service; Minnesota Department of Natural investment of time and money is worth protecting with a fence. Resources and Minnesota Extension Service Weed control in the fi rst three years after establishment is very important. Within the fi rst U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation year, invading grasses and weeds can threaten a young windbreak. This weed control is best Service–Wisconsin accomplished with herbicides, but cultivation, mowing, mulches, and hand weeding are all effective alternatives. The reduction of heavy grass buildup around the plants reduces habitat for PRINTED ON RECYCLED mice and voles. PAPER Replace dead trees and shrubs every spring until you have 100 percent survival. Normally, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources replacement is made the following season and requires hand planting. Division of Forestry Newly planted windbreaks are subject to invasion by many undesirable species such as willow, box elder, elm, honeysuckle, and buckthorn. Hand removal in the seedling stage with a sharp grub hoe is the most effi cient way to remove them. PUBL-FR-070 2003 JG

well-drained sites. well-drained

well in moist soils, but actually growing more rapidly on on rapidly more growing actually but soils, moist in well

best in full sunlight on a well-drained silt loam. silt well-drained a on sunlight full in best

occurs on a variety of soils, doing doing soils, of variety a on occurs Preference: Site deer.

grows grows Preference: Site twigs. spine-tipped has plum

is frequently used for nesting. It is a preferred food for for food preferred a is It nesting. for used frequently is

red-orange to blue plums mature in August. American American August. in mature plums blue to red-orange

dense foliage afford fi ne protective cover for birds and it it and birds for cover protective ne fi afford foliage dense well-drained soils, but adapts to a variety of sites. of variety a to adapts but soils, well-drained

clusters of white fl owers in May. One-inch globe-shaped globe-shaped One-inch May. in owers fl white of clusters

make the branches fl at. Its thick branching pattern and and pattern branching thick Its at. fl branches the make grows best on fertile, fertile, on best grows Preference: Site wildlife. of variety

making it very valuable for bird nesting. Produces dense dense Produces nesting. bird for valuable very it making

"–¼" long, yellowish to bright green, and appear to to appear and green, bright to yellowish long, "–¼" ¹⁄ an excellent food source for deer, squirrel, turkey and a a and turkey squirrel, deer, for source food excellent an 8

attains a height of 15 feet or more. It forms dense thickets, thickets, dense forms It more. or feet 15 of height a attains

a height of 40–50 feet. The small, scale-like leaves are are leaves scale-like small, The feet. 40–50 of height a periodically abundant acorn crops. Red oak acorns are are acorns oak Red crops. acorn abundant periodically

Wild plum is a large shrub or small tree that frequently frequently that tree small or shrub large a is plum Wild

White cedar is a compact, pyramid shaped tree reaching reaching tree shaped pyramid compact, a is cedar White fast growing tree known for its high quality lumber and and lumber quality high its for known tree growing fast Wild Plum Wild

Northern White Cedar White Northern with 7–11 sharply tipped lobes. Red oak is a moderately moderately a is oak Red lobes. tipped sharply 7–11 with

wide, smooth, light gray ridges. The leaves are 5"–9" long long 5"–9" are leaves The ridges. gray light smooth, wide,

feet tall. The bark is nearly black with shallow furrows and and furrows shallow with black nearly is bark The tall. feet

Red oak is a medium sized hardwood tree, growing 60–80 60–80 growing tree, hardwood sized medium a is oak Red

Northern Red Oak Red Northern

areas.

facing slopes. facing

avoid moist or wet sites as well as extremely droughty droughty extremely as well as sites wet or moist avoid

streams and lakes; do not plant on shallow, hot, south- hot, shallow, on plant not do lakes; and streams

prefers full sunlight, wide range of silt loams; loams; silt of range wide sunlight, full prefers Preference:

wet upland sites, but will grow on dry upland sites. upland dry on grow will but sites, upland wet

prefers cool moist sites, especially around around especially sites, moist cool prefers Preference:

Site Site cover. and food for trees hawthorne to attracted are

usually found along stream banks, on fl ood plains, and on on and plains, ood fl on banks, stream along found usually

Site Site mammals. and birds for cover escape excellent

in mid-August. Ruffed grouse and numerous songbirds songbirds numerous and grouse Ruffed mid-August. in

Preference: Site grosbeaks. and cardinals, ducks, wood

forests, the crown extends well down the trunk forming forming trunk the down well extends crown the forests,

occurs prior to leaf-out in early May. Fruits start maturing maturing start Fruits May. early in leaf-out to prior occurs

(samaras borne in clusters) are the preferred food of of food preferred the are clusters) in borne (samaras

fall soon after they ripen in autumn. Except in dense dense in Except autumn. in ripen they after soon fall

with laterally spreading thorny branches. Blossoming Blossoming branches. thorny spreading laterally with

4" long. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Its heavy seed crops crops seed heavy Its fall. the in yellow turn Leaves long. 4"

green needles with sharp points. Cones are 2" long and and long 2" are Cones points. sharp with needles green

Grows as a single-stemmed small tree, 20–24 feet tall, tall, feet 20–24 tree, small single-stemmed a as Grows

and compound, 10"–12" long with 7–9 leafl ets, each 3"– each ets, leafl 7–9 with long 10"–12" compound, and Native to northern Wisconsin, it produces short blue- short produces it Wisconsin, northern to Native

Hawthorn

furrowed with fl at, scaly ridges. The leaves are opposite opposite are leaves The ridges. scaly at, fl with furrowed White Spruce White

feet tall. The dark brown or gray bark is tinged with red; red; with tinged is bark gray or brown dark The tall. feet

Green ash is a small hardwood tree, growing 50–60 50–60 growing tree, hardwood small a is ash Green

sedge meadows. sedge

but prefers fertile well-drained soils. well-drained fertile prefers but Green Ash Green

grow on very droughty sites; is found on dry prairies to to prairies dry on found is sites; droughty very on grow

grows on sandy soils and rock ridges, ridges, rock and soils sandy on grows Preference: Site

one of the few shrubs that will will that shrubs few the of one Preference: Site cover.

rapid growth of white pine makes it ideal for wildlife cover. cover. wildlife for ideal it makes pine white of growth rapid

eat the small seeds. Ninebark makes excellent wildlife wildlife excellent makes Ninebark seeds. small the eat

robins, mourning doves, and blue jays, among others. The The others. among jays, blue and doves, mourning robins,

September. Ruffed grouse eat the buds and songbirds songbirds and buds the eat grouse Ruffed September.

the second season. White pine is a frequent nest site of of site nest frequent a is pine White season. second the

fl owers in late May develop into brownish capsules in in capsules brownish into develop May late in owers fl

are 4"–6" long and mature in August or September of of September or August in mature and long 4"–6" are

strips resembling “9s.” Numerous clusters of small white white small of clusters Numerous “9s.” resembling strips

of 5 which distinguish it from other native pines. Cones Cones pines. native other from it distinguish which 5 of including sandy soils; grows best in full sunlight. full in best grows soils; sandy including

about 10 feet tall at maturity. The bark peels into papery papery into peels bark The maturity. at tall feet 10 about

to 100 feet. Needles are 3"–5" long occurring in bundles bundles in occurring long 3"–5" are Needles feet. 100 to grows well on a variety of soil types, types, soil of variety a on well grows Preference: Site

Ninebark develops into a multi-stemmed, arching shrub shrub arching multi-stemmed, a into develops Ninebark

Native to Wisconsin, the majestic white pine can grow grow can pine white majestic the Wisconsin, to Native deer, squirrel, chipmunks, blue jays, turkey, and grouse. grouse. and turkey, jays, blue chipmunks, squirrel, deer,

Ninebark

Eastern White Pine White Eastern summer. Hazelnuts are an excellent food source for for source food excellent an are Hazelnuts summer.

in fl at, ragged-appearing husks which mature in late late in mature which husks ragged-appearing at, fl in

common throughout Wisconsin. The nuts are enclosed enclosed are nuts The Wisconsin. throughout common

although does its best in full sun. full in best its does although

Hazelnut is a medium-sized shrub, 8–10 feet tall, that is is that tall, feet 8–10 shrub, medium-sized a is Hazelnut

moist to well-drained soils in sun or shade shade or sun in soils well-drained to moist Preference:

American Hazelnut American

Site Site species. of variety a for plant cover important an

deer and a preferred food of turkey, grouse, etc. It is also also is It etc. grouse, turkey, of food preferred a and deer

to blue berry-like fruit in August. It is heavily browsed by by browsed heavily is It August. in fruit berry-like blue to

Spring fl owers typically bloom in May and produce white white produce and May in bloom typically owers fl Spring

on heavier soils. heavier on development. from underground stolons and attain heights of 4–10 feet. feet. 4–10 of heights attain and stolons underground from

light, acid, sandy soils, occasionally attaining large size size large attaining occasionally soils, sandy acid, light, best for sites moist to well-drained requires Preference: Wisconsin and extremely winter hardy. All species spread spread species All hardy. winter extremely and Wisconsin

³

thrives on on thrives Preference: Site state. the of ²⁄ northern the Site winters. severe in source food emergency valuable a The dogwoods (Silky, Red-osier, and Gray) are native to to native are Gray) and Red-osier, (Silky, dogwoods The

is a favorite food of the pine siskin. Red pine does best in in best does pine Red siskin. pine the of food favorite a is it makes persistent is it that fact the However, birds. most Dogwoods

4"–6" long in bundles of two. Cones are 2" long. Its seed seed Its long. 2" are Cones two. of bundles in long 4"–6" to palatable very not is it suggests winter the throughout

bark as the tree matures. The dark green needles are are needles green dark The matures. tree the as bark fruit the of persistence The September. in fruits red

name from the large reddish brown plates visible on the the on visible plates brown reddish large the from name orange- bright producing May in clusters ower fl white

Species Descriptions Species

Red pine usually grows 60–80 feet tall. Red pine gets its its gets pine Red tall. feet 60–80 grows usually pine Red attractive with maturity, at tall feet 10–13 shrub, large A

Red Pine Red Cranberry Highbush American

Table 1. Recommended species and spacing for windbreak plantings. For More Information

Shrubs—space plants 4 feet apart in rows and 6 feet apart between rows For additional information on the benefi ts of windbreaks and ordering seedlings, contact your local Dogwoods American Highbush Cranberry American Hazelnut DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS District Conservationist. Ninebark The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you plan an effective windbreak for Small Trees—space plants 8 feet apart in rows and 10 feet apart between rows your farmstead or fi elds. NRCS provides technical assistance to private landowners at no charge. Wild Plum Hawthorn The Farm Services Agency (FSA) may cost-share with agricultural producers on establishing Conifers—space 8 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows windbreaks. White Pine White Spruce White Cedar Red Pine Most counties have access to mechanical tree planters through the county Land Conservation Hardwoods—space 10 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows Department (LCD). The local DNR foresters usually coordinate the rental of the mechanical tree Green Ash Red Oak planters. Many LCDs also have tree and shrub seedling programs. To fi nd out how to get in touch with your local DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS, contact: Table 2. Recommended species for each row in windbreak planting. DNR, Division of Forestry or The Wisconsin Department of Natural Windward Row (Row 1) Bureau of Wildlife Management Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut Box 7921 functions under an Affi rmative Action Plan. Ninebark Wild Plum American Highbush Cranberry Madison, WI 53707-7921 If you have any questions, please write to www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry Equal Opportunity Offi ce, Department of Interior Row (Row 2) www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. White Pine Red Pine (northern ²⁄³ of state only) Green Ash NRCS This publication is available in alternative Red Oak format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc) 6515 Watts Road upon request. Please call 267-7494 for more Windbreaks Leeward Rows (Rows 3, 4, and 5) Madison, WI 53719 information. White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut www.nrcs.usda.gov/ Wild Plum Hawthorn American Highbush Cranberry Ninebark Acknowledgments Snow Trap (optional) that Work! Original text, 1992, by Renae Anderson, Dick Camp, Alan Crossely, Dogwood Ninebark American Hazelnut Trent Marty, and Tom Thrall Edited in 2003 by Jim Storandt, Greg Edge, and Kristin Peterson Long Term Maintenance Photos in brochure provided by University of Wisconsin Arboretum; Professor Ed Hasselkus, Department of Horticulture, University of Like children, windbreaks require a little nurturing and maintenance in the early years. Protect Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Natural your planting from livestock and fi re. These young plants are especially attractive to cattle. Your Resources Conservation Service; Minnesota Department of Natural investment of time and money is worth protecting with a fence. Resources and Minnesota Extension Service Weed control in the fi rst three years after establishment is very important. Within the fi rst U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation year, invading grasses and weeds can threaten a young windbreak. This weed control is best Service–Wisconsin accomplished with herbicides, but cultivation, mowing, mulches, and hand weeding are all effective alternatives. The reduction of heavy grass buildup around the plants reduces habitat for PRINTED ON RECYCLED mice and voles. PAPER Replace dead trees and shrubs every spring until you have 100 percent survival. Normally, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources replacement is made the following season and requires hand planting. Division of Forestry Newly planted windbreaks are subject to invasion by many undesirable species such as willow, box elder, elm, honeysuckle, and buckthorn. Hand removal in the seedling stage with a sharp grub hoe is the most effi cient way to remove them. PUBL-FR-070 2003 JG Introduction Site Preparation

As any woodland owner knows, growing trees is gratifying. But tree growers must be patient. The single most important part of establishing after the trees are planted and before the This is especially true in planting windbreaks. It takes awhile to establish a good windbreak, Mechanical Site Preparation Chemical Site Preparation a windbreak that works is protecting the existing grass cover has “greened up.” but you will fi nd the benefi ts well worth the investment. small bare-root seedlings from existing, You can set back grass competition in a Weedy or grassy competition can be Herbicides should not be allowed to come in competitive vegetation. This factor cannot planting site with a heavy sod by rototilling, controlled with selective herbicide use. contact with the tree roots. be over emphasized. Not only do these plants fall-plowing and/or discing in 6 foot wide Effective control depends on four factors: What is a Farmstead Windbreaks strips leaving undisturbed sod between rows. Very dry conditions will limit the effectiveness compete for light and water, many grasses M timing of application By minimizing the amount of soil you disturb, of most herbicides. Be sure to follow label windbreak? Farmstead windbreaks provide wind produce natural chemicals which suppress M herbicide selected you reduce the threat of soil erosion and directions for application rates, as rates differ protection for the home, farm buildings, feed tree and shrub growth. If you don’t plan to do M weather conditions A windbreak is a tall, weed seed invasion by such things as Canada depending on soil type and herbicide. Consult lots, and livestock enclosures. The coldest any site preparation, you should not bother M dense, continuous wall application rate with your local DNR forester for specifi c and most damaging winds come from the planting a windbreak. Heavy competition thistle. Spring plowing is discouraged as it of vegetation. The height Heavy sod can be controlled by a fall herbicide recommendations. NOTE: All north and west. You will want to orient your from weeds, grasses, and existing woody will introduce air into the soil which can lead determines how far wind application of herbicide in the year prior herbicides must be applied in accordance windbreak perpendicular to the wind, on cover will choke out your planting in short to desiccation (drying) of the roots of newly protection extends, and to planting. Alternatively, a pre-emergent with label recommendations and their the north and west sides of your home or order. planted stock. the density determines herbicide can be applied in the spring just registered use. farmstead. the degree of protection. The general rule is that a windbreak will reduce Advantages of Windbreaks wind to a distance Windbreaks block a driving wind so that Figure 1 Figure 2 10 times its height working outside becomes more comfortable Good Planting and reduce wind speed 70 to 80 percent in summer and in winter. A good windbreak immediately inside the barrier. There are two can reduce home heating costs 10 to 15 Procedures Typical windbreak layout in relationship to wind direction Cross-section of a standard 3-row windbreak with the addition of rows 4 and 5 as a wildlife kinds of windbreaks—fi eld windbreaks and percent. Building maintenance costs are and farmstead. option and an optional snow trap. farmstead windbreaks. reduced, too, as a windbreak lessens the sandblasting effects of wind on house paint. A Care of Nursery Stock Field Windbreaks windbreak is also a sound barrier, since a tall Prev dense windbreak will dull the noise of traffi c, Prior to Planting ailing The primary purpose of a fi eld windbreak Storm machinery, and animals. Once lifted and packaged at the nursery, bare- is to control soil erosion, conserve soil and Winds root seedlings are very perishable products. Snow Trap Standard Wildlife Option plant moisture by lowering evaporation rates, Shrubs and trees attract wildlife, are pleasant Extreme care is needed to avoid drying and prevent crop damage and loss caused by to look at, and add variety to the landscape. out the root system and overheating the wind. Field windbreaks are one of the most Windbreaks provide a cool escape in summer, seedlings prior to planting. Most windbreak important conservation practices in areas a shelter in winter, and as a living snow fence packets are shipped in a sealed, 3-ply Kraft with relatively fl at landscapes and light sandy will keep the snowdrifts off your driveway. All 65 ft. paper bag with a poly-coated liner. No root or organic soils. Field windbreaks commonly in all, a windbreak is a valuable asset to any or more have only 1–3 rows of plants due to space wrapping material is added. Therefore, a tear White Small property and a sound investment. SpucePine SpuceTree Shrub limitations but will protect the soil a distance in the bag should be repaired immediately, of up to 10 times the height of the trees. as air entering the bag will dry out the roots With a fi eld windbreak, not only will you quickly. Ideally, the bags of seedlings should Shrubs save valuable topsoil, you will likely see an be kept in a cooler at 34–38° F until planting. increase in crop yield in the area protected. Otherwise, short-term storage in a cool cellar is acceptable.

It is not recommended that the seedlings 55 50 0 15 30 45 35 be taken out of the bag and heeled in. The Blow-up 65 ft. or more Getting Started more you handle these bareroot seedlings, showing Optional width in feet staggered the more damage is done to the hair-like spacing Soils taller. For the interior row, use a tree species root structures. The bags can be opened to 12345 that will add height, so choose something at inspect the seedlings for temperature buildup Row Most of the tree and shrub species available least as tall as the outside row. White pine, or dryness. If a temperature buildup of 60° F today are suited for well-drained, loamy soils red pine, or green ash are good choices. Refer or more is observed, the seedlings should be for best development and growth. If you to Tables 1 and 2 for additional information taken out of the bags, cooled with cold water, have shallow soils (6" or less to bedrock), on recommended species and spacing for and placed back in the bags. sandy soils with very low fertility, or poorly your windbreak planting. drained soils, contact the local DNR forester Figure 3. Hand Planting or Natural Resources Conservation Service Planting Time (NRCS) for appropriate species information. Windbreaks for Wildlife April is tree planting time in Wisconsin. Plant Many windbreaks would be considered after the frost has left the ground, but before Plan for Growth complete with three rows, however the heavy bud break and shoot elongation (late addition of a fourth and fi fth row using small May). Prior to planting, it is best to stake out As your windbreak grows, the taller trees trees and shrubs substantially increases the rows to keep the planters oriented and can create hazards if they are too close to the wildlife value of a windbreak (Figure on line. the road. Plantings must be at least 30 feet 2). Adding small trees and shrubs provides During planting, keep the roots moist. from the edge of a roadway to prevent winter ground level shelter, seasonal food, and more However, do not soak them in a bucket of icing in shady spots and to prevent obscuring diverse nesting habitat. By increasing the water. A wet “gunny” sack laid over the roots motorists vision. A windbreak that will be width of the windbreak, you also increase in a tub or bucket is suffi cient. In Wisconsin, north or west of a building or road must the nest density and nest success of wildlife tree planting machines are available (at a be planted at least 65 feet from the edge to species living in the windbreak. All of these nominal rental fee) in most counties from the eliminate snow drifting (Figure 1). things mean you will have more opportunity County Land Conservation Department or to view wildlife using your windbreak. Watch out for overhead utility lines. Trees the DNR. These planters have a large plow- and tall shrubs need to be at least 20 feet from Adding 1–2 rows of shrubs 50 feet from the like shoe that penetrates the soil and forms utility lines to allow maintenance vehicles to windward side of the windbreak will act as a a narrow trench. The roots are placed in the pass and to prevent branches from interfering trap to catch snow before it gets to the main trench and as the trench closes, the tree is with lines. Remember not to plant over the body of the windbreak. By trapping snow held fi rm by packing wheels. It usually takes a Insert planting bar at an angle, Place seedling at correct depth. Push bar forward, fi rming the Fill remaining hole. Step on easement on underground utilities. before it gets to the windbreak, you increase 40–50 h.p. tractor to pull these planters, plus then push forward to an upright Vertically insert bar 2" from remainder of the hole. soil around seedling to fi rm. the winter cover value of the windbreak and a 3-person crew. The great advantage is that position. seedling. Pull bar back, fi rming this system can plant 500–800 trees per hour. soil at bottom of hole. Designing Your Windbreak reduce tree damage from heavy snowloading. A. Slit Method Hand planting can be accomplished using a A standard farmstead windbreak has at least Generally the location of a windbreak is spade, #2 round shovel, or planting bar. The three rows: the outside or windward row; determined by factors other than potential planting hole should be deep enough to keep one or more interior rows; and the inside or wildlife benefi ts. There are, however, some the roots from curling and the tree should be leeward row. Four to six rows provide greater locations that are more benefi cial for wildlife. planted at the same depth as it was growing protection, but even one or two rows are Placement of the windbreak on the north side in the nursery (Figure 3 a & b). Pack the soil benefi cial. of row crop fi elds that will not be fall-plowed fi rmly so that there is no air space around the will increase the winter food value of such The standard DNR windbreak packet contains roots. stubble by reducing the likelihood of the 200 spruce and 100 white or red pine— stubble being snow-covered. Also, tying the enough stock to plant a 3-row windbreak that windbreak to existing permanent cover such is 800 feet long. The ideal planting design as woody draws or woodlots will improve for your windbreak packet is illustrated in its usefulness to wildlife by allowing the Figure 1. Plan on leaving 10–15 feet between windbreak to serve as a travel lane between Lift out soil wedge. Place seedling rows so you will have room to get in with cover types. Insert a sand Insert against vertical side of hole, mowing equipment long into the life of your shovel vertically shovel at replace soil wedge, then windbreak. Distance required between plants There can be instances though where into soil. an angle to create step on wedge to fi rm. within a row varies by species (Table 1). To establishing a windbreak would actually be B. Wedge Method B. Wedge a wedge of soil. offer wind protection earlier in the life of the detrimental to wildlife. For example, there Figures courtesy of Nita Upchurch and Iowa Department of Natural Resources planting, the second row should be offset are some areas in the Central Sands region (staggered in spacing) from the plants in the of the state where there are still healthy fi rst and third rows (Figure 1). populations of prairie chickens that require large open areas. A windbreak of shrubs For the windward and leeward rows, plant would be a better choice in these areas than a shade-tolerant conifer that won’t lose its tall conifers. Likewise, large open grassland lower limbs as it matures. White spruce is areas would be more valuable to wildlife if a good choice because it will still provide Slightly depress surface soil for water left unplanted. Consult with your local DNR a barrier near the ground even as it grows penetration. Pack soil, removing all air wildlife manager for recommendations. pockets. Use soil to help spread the roots.

well-drained sites. well-drained

well in moist soils, but actually growing more rapidly on on rapidly more growing actually but soils, moist in well

best in full sunlight on a well-drained silt loam. silt well-drained a on sunlight full in best

occurs on a variety of soils, doing doing soils, of variety a on occurs Preference: Site deer.

grows grows Preference: Site twigs. spine-tipped has plum

is frequently used for nesting. It is a preferred food for for food preferred a is It nesting. for used frequently is

red-orange to blue plums mature in August. American American August. in mature plums blue to red-orange

dense foliage afford fi ne protective cover for birds and it it and birds for cover protective ne fi afford foliage dense well-drained soils, but adapts to a variety of sites. of variety a to adapts but soils, well-drained

clusters of white fl owers in May. One-inch globe-shaped globe-shaped One-inch May. in owers fl white of clusters

make the branches fl at. Its thick branching pattern and and pattern branching thick Its at. fl branches the make grows best on fertile, fertile, on best grows Preference: Site wildlife. of variety

making it very valuable for bird nesting. Produces dense dense Produces nesting. bird for valuable very it making

"–¼" long, yellowish to bright green, and appear to to appear and green, bright to yellowish long, "–¼" ¹⁄ an excellent food source for deer, squirrel, turkey and a a and turkey squirrel, deer, for source food excellent an 8

attains a height of 15 feet or more. It forms dense thickets, thickets, dense forms It more. or feet 15 of height a attains

a height of 40–50 feet. The small, scale-like leaves are are leaves scale-like small, The feet. 40–50 of height a periodically abundant acorn crops. Red oak acorns are are acorns oak Red crops. acorn abundant periodically

Wild plum is a large shrub or small tree that frequently frequently that tree small or shrub large a is plum Wild

White cedar is a compact, pyramid shaped tree reaching reaching tree shaped pyramid compact, a is cedar White fast growing tree known for its high quality lumber and and lumber quality high its for known tree growing fast Wild Plum Wild

Northern White Cedar White Northern with 7–11 sharply tipped lobes. Red oak is a moderately moderately a is oak Red lobes. tipped sharply 7–11 with

wide, smooth, light gray ridges. The leaves are 5"–9" long long 5"–9" are leaves The ridges. gray light smooth, wide,

feet tall. The bark is nearly black with shallow furrows and and furrows shallow with black nearly is bark The tall. feet

Red oak is a medium sized hardwood tree, growing 60–80 60–80 growing tree, hardwood sized medium a is oak Red

Northern Red Oak Red Northern

areas.

facing slopes. facing

avoid moist or wet sites as well as extremely droughty droughty extremely as well as sites wet or moist avoid

streams and lakes; do not plant on shallow, hot, south- hot, shallow, on plant not do lakes; and streams

prefers full sunlight, wide range of silt loams; loams; silt of range wide sunlight, full prefers Preference:

wet upland sites, but will grow on dry upland sites. upland dry on grow will but sites, upland wet

prefers cool moist sites, especially around around especially sites, moist cool prefers Preference:

Site Site cover. and food for trees hawthorne to attracted are

usually found along stream banks, on fl ood plains, and on on and plains, ood fl on banks, stream along found usually

Site Site mammals. and birds for cover escape excellent

in mid-August. Ruffed grouse and numerous songbirds songbirds numerous and grouse Ruffed mid-August. in

Preference: Site grosbeaks. and cardinals, ducks, wood

forests, the crown extends well down the trunk forming forming trunk the down well extends crown the forests,

occurs prior to leaf-out in early May. Fruits start maturing maturing start Fruits May. early in leaf-out to prior occurs

(samaras borne in clusters) are the preferred food of of food preferred the are clusters) in borne (samaras

fall soon after they ripen in autumn. Except in dense dense in Except autumn. in ripen they after soon fall

with laterally spreading thorny branches. Blossoming Blossoming branches. thorny spreading laterally with

4" long. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Its heavy seed crops crops seed heavy Its fall. the in yellow turn Leaves long. 4"

green needles with sharp points. Cones are 2" long and and long 2" are Cones points. sharp with needles green

Grows as a single-stemmed small tree, 20–24 feet tall, tall, feet 20–24 tree, small single-stemmed a as Grows

and compound, 10"–12" long with 7–9 leafl ets, each 3"– each ets, leafl 7–9 with long 10"–12" compound, and Native to northern Wisconsin, it produces short blue- short produces it Wisconsin, northern to Native

Hawthorn

furrowed with fl at, scaly ridges. The leaves are opposite opposite are leaves The ridges. scaly at, fl with furrowed White Spruce White

feet tall. The dark brown or gray bark is tinged with red; red; with tinged is bark gray or brown dark The tall. feet

Green ash is a small hardwood tree, growing 50–60 50–60 growing tree, hardwood small a is ash Green

sedge meadows. sedge

but prefers fertile well-drained soils. well-drained fertile prefers but Green Ash Green

grow on very droughty sites; is found on dry prairies to to prairies dry on found is sites; droughty very on grow

grows on sandy soils and rock ridges, ridges, rock and soils sandy on grows Preference: Site

one of the few shrubs that will will that shrubs few the of one Preference: Site cover.

rapid growth of white pine makes it ideal for wildlife cover. cover. wildlife for ideal it makes pine white of growth rapid

eat the small seeds. Ninebark makes excellent wildlife wildlife excellent makes Ninebark seeds. small the eat

robins, mourning doves, and blue jays, among others. The The others. among jays, blue and doves, mourning robins,

September. Ruffed grouse eat the buds and songbirds songbirds and buds the eat grouse Ruffed September.

the second season. White pine is a frequent nest site of of site nest frequent a is pine White season. second the

fl owers in late May develop into brownish capsules in in capsules brownish into develop May late in owers fl

are 4"–6" long and mature in August or September of of September or August in mature and long 4"–6" are

strips resembling “9s.” Numerous clusters of small white white small of clusters Numerous “9s.” resembling strips

of 5 which distinguish it from other native pines. Cones Cones pines. native other from it distinguish which 5 of including sandy soils; grows best in full sunlight. full in best grows soils; sandy including

about 10 feet tall at maturity. The bark peels into papery papery into peels bark The maturity. at tall feet 10 about

to 100 feet. Needles are 3"–5" long occurring in bundles bundles in occurring long 3"–5" are Needles feet. 100 to grows well on a variety of soil types, types, soil of variety a on well grows Preference: Site

Ninebark develops into a multi-stemmed, arching shrub shrub arching multi-stemmed, a into develops Ninebark

Native to Wisconsin, the majestic white pine can grow grow can pine white majestic the Wisconsin, to Native deer, squirrel, chipmunks, blue jays, turkey, and grouse. grouse. and turkey, jays, blue chipmunks, squirrel, deer,

Ninebark

Eastern White Pine White Eastern summer. Hazelnuts are an excellent food source for for source food excellent an are Hazelnuts summer.

in fl at, ragged-appearing husks which mature in late late in mature which husks ragged-appearing at, fl in

common throughout Wisconsin. The nuts are enclosed enclosed are nuts The Wisconsin. throughout common

although does its best in full sun. full in best its does although

Hazelnut is a medium-sized shrub, 8–10 feet tall, that is is that tall, feet 8–10 shrub, medium-sized a is Hazelnut

moist to well-drained soils in sun or shade shade or sun in soils well-drained to moist Preference:

American Hazelnut American

Site Site species. of variety a for plant cover important an

deer and a preferred food of turkey, grouse, etc. It is also also is It etc. grouse, turkey, of food preferred a and deer

to blue berry-like fruit in August. It is heavily browsed by by browsed heavily is It August. in fruit berry-like blue to

Spring fl owers typically bloom in May and produce white white produce and May in bloom typically owers fl Spring

on heavier soils. heavier on development. from underground stolons and attain heights of 4–10 feet. feet. 4–10 of heights attain and stolons underground from

light, acid, sandy soils, occasionally attaining large size size large attaining occasionally soils, sandy acid, light, best for sites moist to well-drained requires Preference: Wisconsin and extremely winter hardy. All species spread spread species All hardy. winter extremely and Wisconsin

³

thrives on on thrives Preference: Site state. the of ²⁄ northern the Site winters. severe in source food emergency valuable a The dogwoods (Silky, Red-osier, and Gray) are native to to native are Gray) and Red-osier, (Silky, dogwoods The

is a favorite food of the pine siskin. Red pine does best in in best does pine Red siskin. pine the of food favorite a is it makes persistent is it that fact the However, birds. most Dogwoods

4"–6" long in bundles of two. Cones are 2" long. Its seed seed Its long. 2" are Cones two. of bundles in long 4"–6" to palatable very not is it suggests winter the throughout

bark as the tree matures. The dark green needles are are needles green dark The matures. tree the as bark fruit the of persistence The September. in fruits red

name from the large reddish brown plates visible on the the on visible plates brown reddish large the from name orange- bright producing May in clusters ower fl white

Species Descriptions Species

Red pine usually grows 60–80 feet tall. Red pine gets its its gets pine Red tall. feet 60–80 grows usually pine Red attractive with maturity, at tall feet 10–13 shrub, large A

Red Pine Red Cranberry Highbush American

Table 1. Recommended species and spacing for windbreak plantings. For More Information

Shrubs—space plants 4 feet apart in rows and 6 feet apart between rows For additional information on the benefi ts of windbreaks and ordering seedlings, contact your local Dogwoods American Highbush Cranberry American Hazelnut DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS District Conservationist. Ninebark The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you plan an effective windbreak for Small Trees—space plants 8 feet apart in rows and 10 feet apart between rows your farmstead or fi elds. NRCS provides technical assistance to private landowners at no charge. Wild Plum Hawthorn The Farm Services Agency (FSA) may cost-share with agricultural producers on establishing Conifers—space 8 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows windbreaks. White Pine White Spruce White Cedar Red Pine Most counties have access to mechanical tree planters through the county Land Conservation Hardwoods—space 10 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows Department (LCD). The local DNR foresters usually coordinate the rental of the mechanical tree Green Ash Red Oak planters. Many LCDs also have tree and shrub seedling programs. To fi nd out how to get in touch with your local DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS, contact: Table 2. Recommended species for each row in windbreak planting. DNR, Division of Forestry or The Wisconsin Department of Natural Windward Row (Row 1) Bureau of Wildlife Management Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut Box 7921 functions under an Affi rmative Action Plan. Ninebark Wild Plum American Highbush Cranberry Madison, WI 53707-7921 If you have any questions, please write to www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry Equal Opportunity Offi ce, Department of Interior Row (Row 2) www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. White Pine Red Pine (northern ²⁄³ of state only) Green Ash NRCS This publication is available in alternative Red Oak format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc) 6515 Watts Road upon request. Please call 267-7494 for more Windbreaks Leeward Rows (Rows 3, 4, and 5) Madison, WI 53719 information. White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut www.nrcs.usda.gov/ Wild Plum Hawthorn American Highbush Cranberry Ninebark Acknowledgments Snow Trap (optional) that Work! Original text, 1992, by Renae Anderson, Dick Camp, Alan Crossely, Dogwood Ninebark American Hazelnut Trent Marty, and Tom Thrall Edited in 2003 by Jim Storandt, Greg Edge, and Kristin Peterson Long Term Maintenance Photos in brochure provided by University of Wisconsin Arboretum; Professor Ed Hasselkus, Department of Horticulture, University of Like children, windbreaks require a little nurturing and maintenance in the early years. Protect Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Natural your planting from livestock and fi re. These young plants are especially attractive to cattle. Your Resources Conservation Service; Minnesota Department of Natural investment of time and money is worth protecting with a fence. Resources and Minnesota Extension Service Weed control in the fi rst three years after establishment is very important. Within the fi rst U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation year, invading grasses and weeds can threaten a young windbreak. This weed control is best Service–Wisconsin accomplished with herbicides, but cultivation, mowing, mulches, and hand weeding are all effective alternatives. The reduction of heavy grass buildup around the plants reduces habitat for PRINTED ON RECYCLED mice and voles. PAPER Replace dead trees and shrubs every spring until you have 100 percent survival. Normally, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources replacement is made the following season and requires hand planting. Division of Forestry Newly planted windbreaks are subject to invasion by many undesirable species such as willow, box elder, elm, honeysuckle, and buckthorn. Hand removal in the seedling stage with a sharp grub hoe is the most effi cient way to remove them. PUBL-FR-070 2003 JG

well-drained sites. well-drained

well in moist soils, but actually growing more rapidly on on rapidly more growing actually but soils, moist in well

best in full sunlight on a well-drained silt loam. silt well-drained a on sunlight full in best

occurs on a variety of soils, doing doing soils, of variety a on occurs Preference: Site deer.

grows grows Preference: Site twigs. spine-tipped has plum

is frequently used for nesting. It is a preferred food for for food preferred a is It nesting. for used frequently is

red-orange to blue plums mature in August. American American August. in mature plums blue to red-orange

dense foliage afford fi ne protective cover for birds and it it and birds for cover protective ne fi afford foliage dense well-drained soils, but adapts to a variety of sites. of variety a to adapts but soils, well-drained

clusters of white fl owers in May. One-inch globe-shaped globe-shaped One-inch May. in owers fl white of clusters

make the branches fl at. Its thick branching pattern and and pattern branching thick Its at. fl branches the make grows best on fertile, fertile, on best grows Preference: Site wildlife. of variety

making it very valuable for bird nesting. Produces dense dense Produces nesting. bird for valuable very it making

"–¼" long, yellowish to bright green, and appear to to appear and green, bright to yellowish long, "–¼" ¹⁄ an excellent food source for deer, squirrel, turkey and a a and turkey squirrel, deer, for source food excellent an 8

attains a height of 15 feet or more. It forms dense thickets, thickets, dense forms It more. or feet 15 of height a attains

a height of 40–50 feet. The small, scale-like leaves are are leaves scale-like small, The feet. 40–50 of height a periodically abundant acorn crops. Red oak acorns are are acorns oak Red crops. acorn abundant periodically

Wild plum is a large shrub or small tree that frequently frequently that tree small or shrub large a is plum Wild

White cedar is a compact, pyramid shaped tree reaching reaching tree shaped pyramid compact, a is cedar White fast growing tree known for its high quality lumber and and lumber quality high its for known tree growing fast Wild Plum Wild

Northern White Cedar White Northern with 7–11 sharply tipped lobes. Red oak is a moderately moderately a is oak Red lobes. tipped sharply 7–11 with

wide, smooth, light gray ridges. The leaves are 5"–9" long long 5"–9" are leaves The ridges. gray light smooth, wide,

feet tall. The bark is nearly black with shallow furrows and and furrows shallow with black nearly is bark The tall. feet

Red oak is a medium sized hardwood tree, growing 60–80 60–80 growing tree, hardwood sized medium a is oak Red

Northern Red Oak Red Northern

areas.

facing slopes. facing

avoid moist or wet sites as well as extremely droughty droughty extremely as well as sites wet or moist avoid

streams and lakes; do not plant on shallow, hot, south- hot, shallow, on plant not do lakes; and streams

prefers full sunlight, wide range of silt loams; loams; silt of range wide sunlight, full prefers Preference:

wet upland sites, but will grow on dry upland sites. upland dry on grow will but sites, upland wet

prefers cool moist sites, especially around around especially sites, moist cool prefers Preference:

Site Site cover. and food for trees hawthorne to attracted are

usually found along stream banks, on fl ood plains, and on on and plains, ood fl on banks, stream along found usually

Site Site mammals. and birds for cover escape excellent

in mid-August. Ruffed grouse and numerous songbirds songbirds numerous and grouse Ruffed mid-August. in

Preference: Site grosbeaks. and cardinals, ducks, wood

forests, the crown extends well down the trunk forming forming trunk the down well extends crown the forests,

occurs prior to leaf-out in early May. Fruits start maturing maturing start Fruits May. early in leaf-out to prior occurs

(samaras borne in clusters) are the preferred food of of food preferred the are clusters) in borne (samaras

fall soon after they ripen in autumn. Except in dense dense in Except autumn. in ripen they after soon fall

with laterally spreading thorny branches. Blossoming Blossoming branches. thorny spreading laterally with

4" long. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Its heavy seed crops crops seed heavy Its fall. the in yellow turn Leaves long. 4"

green needles with sharp points. Cones are 2" long and and long 2" are Cones points. sharp with needles green

Grows as a single-stemmed small tree, 20–24 feet tall, tall, feet 20–24 tree, small single-stemmed a as Grows

and compound, 10"–12" long with 7–9 leafl ets, each 3"– each ets, leafl 7–9 with long 10"–12" compound, and Native to northern Wisconsin, it produces short blue- short produces it Wisconsin, northern to Native

Hawthorn

furrowed with fl at, scaly ridges. The leaves are opposite opposite are leaves The ridges. scaly at, fl with furrowed White Spruce White

feet tall. The dark brown or gray bark is tinged with red; red; with tinged is bark gray or brown dark The tall. feet

Green ash is a small hardwood tree, growing 50–60 50–60 growing tree, hardwood small a is ash Green

sedge meadows. sedge

but prefers fertile well-drained soils. well-drained fertile prefers but Green Ash Green

grow on very droughty sites; is found on dry prairies to to prairies dry on found is sites; droughty very on grow

grows on sandy soils and rock ridges, ridges, rock and soils sandy on grows Preference: Site

one of the few shrubs that will will that shrubs few the of one Preference: Site cover.

rapid growth of white pine makes it ideal for wildlife cover. cover. wildlife for ideal it makes pine white of growth rapid

eat the small seeds. Ninebark makes excellent wildlife wildlife excellent makes Ninebark seeds. small the eat

robins, mourning doves, and blue jays, among others. The The others. among jays, blue and doves, mourning robins,

September. Ruffed grouse eat the buds and songbirds songbirds and buds the eat grouse Ruffed September.

the second season. White pine is a frequent nest site of of site nest frequent a is pine White season. second the

fl owers in late May develop into brownish capsules in in capsules brownish into develop May late in owers fl

are 4"–6" long and mature in August or September of of September or August in mature and long 4"–6" are

strips resembling “9s.” Numerous clusters of small white white small of clusters Numerous “9s.” resembling strips

of 5 which distinguish it from other native pines. Cones Cones pines. native other from it distinguish which 5 of including sandy soils; grows best in full sunlight. full in best grows soils; sandy including

about 10 feet tall at maturity. The bark peels into papery papery into peels bark The maturity. at tall feet 10 about

to 100 feet. Needles are 3"–5" long occurring in bundles bundles in occurring long 3"–5" are Needles feet. 100 to grows well on a variety of soil types, types, soil of variety a on well grows Preference: Site

Ninebark develops into a multi-stemmed, arching shrub shrub arching multi-stemmed, a into develops Ninebark

Native to Wisconsin, the majestic white pine can grow grow can pine white majestic the Wisconsin, to Native deer, squirrel, chipmunks, blue jays, turkey, and grouse. grouse. and turkey, jays, blue chipmunks, squirrel, deer,

Ninebark

Eastern White Pine White Eastern summer. Hazelnuts are an excellent food source for for source food excellent an are Hazelnuts summer.

in fl at, ragged-appearing husks which mature in late late in mature which husks ragged-appearing at, fl in

common throughout Wisconsin. The nuts are enclosed enclosed are nuts The Wisconsin. throughout common

although does its best in full sun. full in best its does although

Hazelnut is a medium-sized shrub, 8–10 feet tall, that is is that tall, feet 8–10 shrub, medium-sized a is Hazelnut

moist to well-drained soils in sun or shade shade or sun in soils well-drained to moist Preference:

American Hazelnut American

Site Site species. of variety a for plant cover important an

deer and a preferred food of turkey, grouse, etc. It is also also is It etc. grouse, turkey, of food preferred a and deer

to blue berry-like fruit in August. It is heavily browsed by by browsed heavily is It August. in fruit berry-like blue to

Spring fl owers typically bloom in May and produce white white produce and May in bloom typically owers fl Spring

on heavier soils. heavier on development. from underground stolons and attain heights of 4–10 feet. feet. 4–10 of heights attain and stolons underground from

light, acid, sandy soils, occasionally attaining large size size large attaining occasionally soils, sandy acid, light, best for sites moist to well-drained requires Preference: Wisconsin and extremely winter hardy. All species spread spread species All hardy. winter extremely and Wisconsin

³

thrives on on thrives Preference: Site state. the of ²⁄ northern the Site winters. severe in source food emergency valuable a The dogwoods (Silky, Red-osier, and Gray) are native to to native are Gray) and Red-osier, (Silky, dogwoods The

is a favorite food of the pine siskin. Red pine does best in in best does pine Red siskin. pine the of food favorite a is it makes persistent is it that fact the However, birds. most Dogwoods

4"–6" long in bundles of two. Cones are 2" long. Its seed seed Its long. 2" are Cones two. of bundles in long 4"–6" to palatable very not is it suggests winter the throughout

bark as the tree matures. The dark green needles are are needles green dark The matures. tree the as bark fruit the of persistence The September. in fruits red

name from the large reddish brown plates visible on the the on visible plates brown reddish large the from name orange- bright producing May in clusters ower fl white

Species Descriptions Species

Red pine usually grows 60–80 feet tall. Red pine gets its its gets pine Red tall. feet 60–80 grows usually pine Red attractive with maturity, at tall feet 10–13 shrub, large A

Red Pine Red Cranberry Highbush American

Table 1. Recommended species and spacing for windbreak plantings. For More Information

Shrubs—space plants 4 feet apart in rows and 6 feet apart between rows For additional information on the benefi ts of windbreaks and ordering seedlings, contact your local Dogwoods American Highbush Cranberry American Hazelnut DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS District Conservationist. Ninebark The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you plan an effective windbreak for Small Trees—space plants 8 feet apart in rows and 10 feet apart between rows your farmstead or fi elds. NRCS provides technical assistance to private landowners at no charge. Wild Plum Hawthorn The Farm Services Agency (FSA) may cost-share with agricultural producers on establishing Conifers—space 8 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows windbreaks. White Pine White Spruce White Cedar Red Pine Most counties have access to mechanical tree planters through the county Land Conservation Hardwoods—space 10 feet apart in rows and 10–15 feet apart between rows Department (LCD). The local DNR foresters usually coordinate the rental of the mechanical tree Green Ash Red Oak planters. Many LCDs also have tree and shrub seedling programs. To fi nd out how to get in touch with your local DNR forester, wildlife manager, or NRCS, contact: Table 2. Recommended species for each row in windbreak planting. DNR, Division of Forestry or The Wisconsin Department of Natural Windward Row (Row 1) Bureau of Wildlife Management Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut Box 7921 functions under an Affi rmative Action Plan. Ninebark Wild Plum American Highbush Cranberry Madison, WI 53707-7921 If you have any questions, please write to www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry Equal Opportunity Offi ce, Department of Interior Row (Row 2) www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. White Pine Red Pine (northern ²⁄³ of state only) Green Ash NRCS This publication is available in alternative Red Oak format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc) 6515 Watts Road upon request. Please call 267-7494 for more Windbreaks Leeward Rows (Rows 3, 4, and 5) Madison, WI 53719 information. White Cedar White Spruce Dogwoods American Hazelnut www.nrcs.usda.gov/ Wild Plum Hawthorn American Highbush Cranberry Ninebark Acknowledgments Snow Trap (optional) that Work! Original text, 1992, by Renae Anderson, Dick Camp, Alan Crossely, Dogwood Ninebark American Hazelnut Trent Marty, and Tom Thrall Edited in 2003 by Jim Storandt, Greg Edge, and Kristin Peterson Long Term Maintenance Photos in brochure provided by University of Wisconsin Arboretum; Professor Ed Hasselkus, Department of Horticulture, University of Like children, windbreaks require a little nurturing and maintenance in the early years. Protect Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Natural your planting from livestock and fi re. These young plants are especially attractive to cattle. Your Resources Conservation Service; Minnesota Department of Natural investment of time and money is worth protecting with a fence. Resources and Minnesota Extension Service Weed control in the fi rst three years after establishment is very important. Within the fi rst U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation year, invading grasses and weeds can threaten a young windbreak. This weed control is best Service–Wisconsin accomplished with herbicides, but cultivation, mowing, mulches, and hand weeding are all effective alternatives. The reduction of heavy grass buildup around the plants reduces habitat for PRINTED ON RECYCLED mice and voles. PAPER Replace dead trees and shrubs every spring until you have 100 percent survival. Normally, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources replacement is made the following season and requires hand planting. Division of Forestry Newly planted windbreaks are subject to invasion by many undesirable species such as willow, box elder, elm, honeysuckle, and buckthorn. Hand removal in the seedling stage with a sharp grub hoe is the most effi cient way to remove them. PUBL-FR-070 2003 JG