Shelterbelts: Protect homes, soil, wildlife and livestock from wind

Great Falls' residents boast about living in the fourth windiest city in the country. And while we make jokes about the level of gusts we endure, the reality is the wind impacts our daily lives. It takes a toll on all living things, yet thankfully there are ways to mitigate its effect.

"The wind really sucks the energy out of things," said Peter Kolb, PhD., MSU Extension Forestry Specialist out of Missoula. Throughout his career he's helped homeowners, farmers and ranchers create shelterbelts to slow down the wind and minimize the problems it causes.

"We have prevailing winds in the winter. Those winds come down from the North Pole," he says. During the winter they usually hit from the north or the west. As a result, the most effective placement for a wind break is to accommodate those winter gales.

Protecting homes and animals from extremely cold winds can make a significant financial impact. Kolb said installing a proper wind break around a home can lower heating costs by 30 percent, and for ranchers, it reduces livestock feeding requirements by the same amount.

In open fields, Kolb said there was a case study at a farm near Shelby where they looked at the impact a single row of caragana had on the surrounding crop. "Within a 50-foot strip of those single rows, the wheat productivity was 30 percent higher," he said.

Besides slowing down the wind, the row of caraganas trapped snow resulting in more soil moisture.

Not just for farmers

Planting a wind break isn't just for large operations. Rose Malisani, MSU Cascade County Extension Agent said she receives numerous calls from homeowners, many of whom built new homes, who need to slow down the wind.

"Wind breaks are phenomenal. Some people plant the garden on the inside (of the shrubs)," she said.

Veteran gardeners in the area understand how hard the wind is on a vegetable or flower garden. Many people position their garden near a house or outbuilding specifically to reduce the wind impact, while others build fences or plant shelterbelts to protect the garden.

The wind can be particularly hard on newly planted seedlings. Some gardeners protect them by placing plastic gallon planting containers with the bottom cut out over the plants, or even securing cardboard boxes around them. A floating row cover, the lightweight polyspun fabric, is also useful in protecting tender transplants.

And besides protecting structures, plants and livestock, shelterbelts are a safe haven for upland game birds, deer and other wildlife who find food and shelter within the rows.

"It's kind of cool because you do get the wildlife factor," Malisani said.

How to get started

Creating a shelterbelt that will last generations is more than simply plugging trees and shrubs into the ground.

"It's a lot of work, and if you don't do it right it's a lot of work for nothing," said Kolb.

Considerations into the design of the wind break, including the species you use as well as the placement and number of rows, is critical in building a shelterbelt that will be effective and long-lasting.

Malisani said many people plant lilacs within their shelterbelt for a beautiful spring hedge of sweet scented blooms. Other people might opt to plant chokecherries for jam or wine making, and by including species with fruit it naturally encourages wildlife to take up residence.

Some of the more popular species include lilacs, caraganas, ponderosa pine, chokecherries, Siberian elm, green ash and burr oaks. Kolb said in situations with a fairly high water table, the hybrid poplars can also be effective.

Montana is blessed with the Department of Natural Resources Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery Program, which raises species specifically grown for regional conditions.

"The state of Montana has the nursery in Missoula that runs entirely on the seedlings it sells," Kolb said. It is not funded by tax subsidies, and the entire purpose is to provide proper varieties for conservation.

Anyone can purchase seedlings from the DNRC nursery, however, Kolb said, "They have to have a conservation plan to buy from the nursery." The minimum order is 250 seedlings.

Malisani often works with property owners to create this plan and place an order, as a county extension agent is authorized to sign it off.

Once you have your plan and seedlings in hand, it's crucial to take the right steps to ensure their success. "The hardest part (is caring for the seedlings the first) three to four years. Grass and weeds will kill them," said Kolb.

The seedlings also need to be routinely watered, and they absolutely must be protected from wildlife. This might require erecting a fence of some sort around each individual seedling, or setting up a barrier system around the entire shelterbelt. Repellents, such as PlantSkydd, can also be used to discourage deer, although frequent applications are often required.

Kolb explained the wind protection extends 5 times the length of your tallest tree species. For example, once your tallest rows are 10 feet tall, it'll provide 50 feet of wind protection.

With care, a properly designed shelterbelt will provide years of wind protection. In some areas, shelterbelts have been there close a century, and even with these old stands, a lot can be done to rejuvenate the species within them, Kolb said.

Shelterbelts not only slow down the wind, they provide visual appeal and wildlife habitat. And with a little planning and care, it's something that will last more than a lifetime.

"It's very rewarding," said Kolb.

Free shelterbelt workshop

For anyone interested in creating a shelterbelt or improving an existing one, MSU Cascade County Extension is offering a free workshop on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Montana ExpoPark's Paddock Club. No lunch is provided, but there will be a break.

During this hands-on workshop, Montana State University Extension Forestry Specialist Peter Kolb will share his 30 years of experience and give participants practical information on everything they need to know to create a successful wind break on their property.

"Consider this a forum where people can share experiences," said Kolb.

No registration is required. But for more information call the MSU Cascade County Extension office at 406-454-6980.