Windbreaks for Farm and Home

What does a windbreak do?

A windbreak is a planting of trees and shrubs arranged to slow the wind. By reducing wind speed, it can cut heating and cooling costs for a house, reduce stress on livestock, protect crops and soil, and help control snow drifts across driveways and roads.

Windbreaks can also provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, screen views, and reduce dust and odor. USDA agencies and extension programs have promoted them for generations, and their designs are well studied.

Old windbreaks that are failing are worth attention as well. Trees in a long-established row may be dying of age. Ask a forester whether to renovate, replace in stages or add a new row alongside the old one.

How should I plan the layout?

Planning starts with the wind. Notice which direction the strongest winds come from in each season and what you want to protect. Winter winds, summer winds and snow-bearing winds can come from different directions.

Layout involves the number of rows, the species, the spacing and the distance from the thing you protect. These details depend on your region and goals, so I will not give numbers here. Your NRCS office or state forestry agency can help design a layout for your land.

• Identify the prevailing winds in winter and summer.
• Decide what you are protecting: house, animals, crops or road.
• Mark underground and overhead utilities before planting.
• Leave room for equipment and future growth.

What trees and shrubs should I choose?

Choose species adapted to your soil and climate, with a mix of evergreens and deciduous plants where suitable. Variety reduces the risk that one pest or disease will wipe out the whole planting. Avoid species known to be invasive in your area.

Ask your state forestry agency or conservation district about local tree sales and recommended species. I do not recommend any specific nursery. Buy from sources that can tell you where the seedlings came from.

Keep the design in mind when you buy plants. Cheap, small seedlings in good condition often outperform larger, stressed ones. Ask the nursery about root quality and when and how to plant.

How do I get them to survive?

The first few years decide success. Young trees need site preparation, weed control, protection from deer and rodents, and often watering during dry spells. Many windbreaks fail because the work stopped after planting day.

Plan how you will water, mulch and check the trees. Keep records of what you planted and where, and replace losses early. A planting with gaps lets wind funnel through and does less good.

What about safety, utilities and the neighbors?

Plant away from power lines, underground pipes, septic fields and wells. Before digging, call the national 811 number to have underground utilities marked. Tall trees grow into overhead lines, so ask your utility about clearance.

Think about roads and visibility. A planting that blocks a driver's view at an intersection is a hazard and may break local rules. Check with your county, and if your windbreak sits on a boundary, talk to the neighbor first.

Take photos of the planting each year from the same spot. A series of pictures shows growth and gaps better than memory does, and it helps when you talk to a forester about renovation.

Are there programs that help?

NRCS and some state forestry agencies and conservation districts offer technical help, and some run tree programs or cost-share for conservation plantings. The details change, and I will not state any amounts or deadlines. Ask what is available now and what you would have to maintain.

Contracts can last years, so read them carefully and ask a licensed professional if you have questions. Keep photos and receipts of your work.

What about snow, drifting and roads?

A windbreak can also be a snow fence of sorts, holding drifts in a planned spot instead of across a driveway. The right distance and density depend on your region and snowfall. Ask your NRCS office or county road department for guidance, since a poorly placed row can make drifting worse.

If you live where wildfire is a concern, ask your state forestry agency or local fire department about the placement of trees near buildings. Dense evergreens close to a house may not be wise in some places. Ready.gov and the U.S. Forest Service offer general safety information on wildfire preparation.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.