Three Evergreen Trees That Make Good Windbreaks
If you live on wide, open land in a windy area, you may be tired of wind ripping at your windows, gutters, and roof. One way to help curtain the breeze is to plant a line of trees, known as a windbreak, to block the prevailing winds. While most any species of tree can technically be used for this purpose, there are some trees that make better windbreaks than others. Here are three varieties to strongly consider.
White Spruce
These evergreen trees can reach 80 feet in height when mature. The flexibility of their branches makes them an excellent choice for a windbreak, since they won't snap off when the gusts catch them. White spruce trees look like your classic Christmas tree. They have a cone-like shape, blue-green needles, and long cones. They do best in full sunlight and acidic soil, but they will tolerate some drought, making them a good choice if rain is sometimes scarce where you live.
Norway Spruce
If your windbreak will be placed near a road, Norway spruce trees are a great choice since they are tolerant of the salt that often rinses off the road after the winter de-icing treatments. They also grow rather quickly and can be up to 100 feet tall when mature. That will surely guard your home against the wind! These trees have a wide base and narrow tip; their branches sweet upward and are dark green in color.
Norway spruce trees are tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels and will even thrive in partial shade. However, they will not survive in overly moist or flooded soil. If your land is wet and you have your heart set on Norway spruce trees, you may need to have a drainage system installed first.
Juniper
If you want a fast-growing, but shorter windbreak, juniper trees are a good bet. They can add two feet in height each year, and while they only reach about 30 feet tall when mature, they make a very effective windbreak since their branches are so densely packed. Junipers do need to be pruned every year or so when they are young; this helps them maintain their shape.
Junipers are somewhat tolerant of road salt. They are very narrow, so you'll need to plant them every 3 or 4 feet to create a cohesive windbreak. They do require full sunlight and do best in acidic soil, though they will grow in neutral to slightly alkaline soil. If you have any questions or don't feel like you're up for the task, contact a Certified Arborist like R. L. Elliott Enterprises, Inc. to address your needs.