United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Agroforestry Center
Working Trees (USDA-NAC)
Accessibility Remediation
If you are unable to use this item in its current form due to accessibility barriers, you may request remediation through our remediation request form.
Date of this Version
5-2012
Citation
Working Trees Info, May 2012
United States Department of Agriculture, National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
Abstract
What is a windbreak?
Windbreaks are plantings of single or multiple rows of trees, shrubs or grass that protect crops, livestock, wildlife or people from wind’s harmful consequences.
Historically, Windbreaks were planted for a single purpose, such as protecting homes from cold winds or soil from erosive winds. Today, Windbreaks are being used to address numerous other problems and provide a variety of other benefits. When properly designed, located and managed Windbreaks can produce one or more environmental and economic benefits. It is important to remember that not all potential benefits can be realized from every Windbreak. In fact, some Windbreak purposes will require conflicting design characteristics.
Comments
United States government work