[Title: Multifunctional Windbreaks: Planting]
[Farm Treeline]
[Narrator] Planting a windbreak can have long-lasting and positive impacts on your farm by reducing
the effects of wind. They also provide multi-benefits
such as supplementary farm income as they
mature. There are essential steps when designing, establishing and maintaining a windbreak to
ensure success. Deciding the functions that your windbreak will perform is one of them.
Before windbreaks are planted it is important to conduct a farm site assessment to develop
a plan. This involves an evaluation of many factors
such as the soil type and tree compatibility at the site; Wind direction; The ideal number
of tree rows, row spacing and tree species mix; The presence of drainage ditches; Tile
drainage; Distances from buildings and access lanes; And, proximity of the windbreak to
the road. If your windbreak location is between two farms, it's important to discuss your
plans with your neighbours. Ask your Conservation Authority for help; Some assist landowners
in developing a site plan. Also, ask other farmers and foresters for their planning advice.
Farmers, like Matthew, know the benefits of windbreaks.
[Matthew Becker, Junior Farmer, Gads Hill Station] To help alleviate erosion of the soil, help retain the moisture in the soil, help with
the wildlife... so the bee populations, wild bird populations to help pollinate flowers
and just improve the fertility of the soil and increase the crop yields.
Site preparation is extremely important. Control weeds in advance.
Survey stakes should be used to mark where trees are to be planted. The rows may be marked
directly on bare soil or on black plastic mulch.
[Bill Hazen, Kollman Acres, Perth East] We're an organic farm so we have to allow 25 feet or eight metres. Now we'll have roughly
a good windbreak... not only for the wind, which is going to help the crops, but also
for to try and minimize any kind of drift from chemical sprays.
[Narrator] It is important to consider land costs when planting windbreaks. A one row windbreak takes
very little cropland out of production. One row windbreaks may consist of a mixture of
tree species. Most feature a single tree species. Multiple row windbreaks use more land but
offer greater wind protection and provide more income generating opportunities. Spacing
of trees within and between rows greatly affects the protection that a windbreak offers.
Black mulch is more costly but retains soil moisture and heat well which reduces the need
for watering. Plastic mulch also offers very effective weed control and often results in
quicker windbreak growth.
[John Enright, Forester, UTRCA] These trees are being planted at eight feet
or 2.4 metres. And that's the spacing we typically use on a field windbreak. We probably can
look at crown closure here within 10-15 years. At that spacing it still allows the trees
plenty of growing room to mature and expand a nice crown which will give us good wind
protection. Once the tree has been planted we have a precut
square, the same plastic which has a slit in it. And that slit is put around the seedling.
Then we're using two six inch pins or staples to actually close that gap as tight as possible.
If we don't do that we will start to get some grass and weeds growing up adjacent to the
seedling.
[Narrator] Planting windbreaks may be done by hand, or
by using a mechanized planter. Which method you choose depends on factors such as windbreak
length, number of trees and rows to plant? Choices other than black mulch or wood chips,
such as winter wheat under-seeded to Dutch white clover, may be used to protect the trees.
Usually winter wheat is planted the previous fall. Dutch white clover may be planted during
the same spring the windbreak is planted. The wheat reseeds itself and offers weed and
moisture protection.
[John Enright, Forester, UTRCA] It's a common prescription that we use. One,
in the long run it makes for future maintenance much easier. Two, what we find is the wheat
comes up fairly quickly in the spring and summer and actually provides some shelter
for the small seedlings. Especially on a very, very hot, dry spring/summer, with constant
wind blowing across the trees, the wheat will provide some shelter. The white dutch clover
underneath provides good ground cover, reduces the weed pressure on the site; The white dutch
is a nitrogen fixer so it's adding nitrogen to the soil at the same time and it will just
make the maintenance in the future much easier. When planting windbreaks it is important to
consider municipal drains, power lines and property lines. If windbreaks are located
incorrectly, they can be damaged or removed during ditch cleaning or drain and power line
maintenance. Check with your local Conservation Authority
or Municipality prior to planting your windbreaks to help you locate this information.
Windbreaks perform multiple functions. They protect cropland up to 10 times the height
of the windbreak in distance onto the field. They slow the wind by trapping wind-blown
soil particles. Windbreaks reduce soil erosion and retain moisture by capturing snow which
helps crops in dry weather. Windbreaks offer alternative sources of income as forest, nut
and berry products which can be sold. Ask your conservation authority or OMAF for assistance
with windbreak advice.
For more information call 1-877-424-1300 or visit ontario.ca/farmstewardship