Shelterbelts

Important Wildlife Habitat and Wind Protection

Used extensively throughout areas of the prairies where there are scouring winds from a predominant direction, many pioneers on the prairies learned first hand about the stress of constant, unvarying wind, and found relief only after planting the first shelterbelts and windbreaks around their farmhouses.

There is a considerable temperature difference, and even with an almost gale force wind blowing above the shelterbelt, it can be a warm calm day inside it.

Many plants thrive in the warmer microclimate; soil conservation is an added bonus.

Plants to use for shelterbelts

Many fast growing shrubs have been used successfully for shelterbelt planting. This list of fastest growing trees will help get your shelterbelt off to a flying start:

Some of the best to use in cold windy areas are poplar (Populus) or willow (Salix), among others. Blue spruce (Picea glauca) and many pines (Pinus species, as well as larch (Larix species) combine with deciduous trees to provide winter shelter for birds, cones for wildlife and crafts, and more wind protection during winter storms.

A mixture of different species and types will give you a managed woodlot for firewood production, twig furniture, bio-char production and many other uses.

Many varieties of shelterbelt trees are available as seedlings or cuttings from mail order companies.

Fast growing trees can act as a nurse crop for slower more valuable trees, providing a canopy of shade, protection from wind and animal damage, and some such as alder, Alnus species, also have bacteria on their roots to enable them to store nitrogen from the air.

When the fastest growing trees are cut down, this nitrogen is released into the soil as a natural fertilizer. The more valuable types of trees can be maple (Acer species) oak (Quercus) and other hardwoods, which can eventually be harvested for furniture or other uses.

Planting Shelterbelts

Planting shelterbelts is most successful if done in the spring, to give the young saplings or cuttings a chance to establish before winter.

They are best planted in several staggered rows, as this has been shown to be the most effective in slowing down the wind and deflecting it over top.

Use a closer spacing if you plan to eventually thin them out for use in twig fences, bean poles or crafts.

A supply of water is essential for the first year, either by a temporary waterline, or buckets. A temporary above ground cistern running a gravity fed drip irrigation system is a labour saving device you can install cheaply.

Mulching is beneficial too, but keep the mulch away from the stems, especially in the fall as it can be a magnet for mice which will girdle the stems over the winter. Using a metal tree guard under the snow cover will prevent damage from mice, rabbits and other vermin.

Benefits of Shelterbelts

If this seems like a lot of effort, it is; but the advantages will be evident as soon as the plants are established and growing well. A good shelterbelt is worth its weight in reduced wind speed.

• Many plants that struggle in high wind areas will produce good crops inside a shelterbelt. Your growing season will be longer, enabling you to grow crops not rated hardy for your zone.

• The reduction of heating costs in outbuildings and dwellings will amaze you.

• Animals will use much less feed if sheltered from the wind, and be less stressed from the loss of body heat.

• Snow capture being slowly released over a longer period in the spring is a benefit too, contributing to more soil moisture, as well as reducing erosion from rapid run-off.

• There will be less wind erosion due to slower wind speed, as well as less moisture loss from the soil.

• Animals such as pigs will benefit from being allowed to root around under the shelterbelt once it’s established. If oaks (Quercus) or other nut bearing trees are planted, they’ll find the acorns or nuts delicious.

Shelterbelts can provide many more benefits;

• A bird sanctuary, providing many songbirds with a place to nest, rest and feed during migration, as well as giving shelter to game birds such as quail and pheasant will be a beautiful spot to relax and watch our feathered friends.

• A place for children to learn about nature in all its wonder – why not incorporate a blind to watch and photograph wildlife?

• A quiet place to install a twig bench for relaxation for the busy gardener or farmer.

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Sustainable Gardening

Hedgerows

Habitat Edges

Wildlife Habitat

Xeric Garden Birds