Spending quality time with our trees often gives us a warm feeling— and it’s not just on the inside. One of the many ways trees work hard to keep us happy is by warming our landscapes in winter. Rows of wind-blocking trees cut down on wind and heat up your home in the process.
The best windbreaks take time and planning, but they pay us back in cozy comfort. Read on to find out the best windbreak trees for your area trees for your area and tips on how to plant them.
Planting Trees for Energy Efficiency
Windbreaks don’t just warm us up in winter. All year, they keep our yards at a steady temperature, lowering heating and cooling costs for our home. To maximize the benefits, plant …show more content…
Plant windbreaks on the north and northwest sides of your home where it gets coolest in the winter.
Windbreak Tree Spacing
It might seem like planting trees close is the best way to keep the wind out. But tightly packed trees will become a problem once they mature. The more space you put between trees in the beginning, the longer your windbreaker does its job.
• If you’re planting rows of shorter trees, leave about 10 feet of space between each tree–and 15-to-20 feet between each row.
• If you’re planting rows of taller trees, leave 15 feet between each tree, and 25 feet of space between rows.
• Remember as these trees grow the space, they’ll fill in that space.
Best Wind-Blocking Trees: Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9 and Zone …show more content…
If you plant rows of the same tree, you can risk losing your windbreak to a single pest or disease. Alternating between two or three tree types will help keep the windbreak up and running.
Ready to start planting? Here’s how to do it