Grounded Newsletter, September 2015

My husband and I planted windbreak rows of Caragana and SpartanJuniper in 2010.The view of Soap Lake and the coulee to the north was important to us, so the planting on that end of the property is only minimally effective.Our neighbors to the south, though, really appreciate the Spartan Juniper row we planted there!Clearly we need to continue 'adjusting our sails.'Perhaps it's the ocean-like whitecaps on Soap Lake, or the clouds of dust on the horizon, or maybe even the "Halloweenesque" howling coming from the garage, but I've been thinking about wind lately.We're actually natives of the area, but have been gone for almost 40 years, living near the Canadian border.The wind is proving to be one of the challenges of readjustment, especially on a barren bluff.So, in the spirit of realism, it seems wise to learn about windbreaks."A windbreak is a planting, usually of both trees and shrubs, designed and established to reduce undesirable effects of strong winds."(Hanley, WSU Extension Forester, from an excellent publication, Trees Against the Wind, available from WSU).Windbreaks provide multiple benefits: Reduced wind speed downwind 10 to 20 times their height.Plantings also filter wind-blown particles from the air. Crop protection that can increase yields up to 44%, while reducing water use, helping pollination, improving quality.Of course, this is only one variable influencing yield. Energy conservation of up to 40%! Wildlife habitat, especially in open areas with little woody cover.Windbreak plantings increase biodiversity. Aesthetic improvements like variety in the landscape, visual and sound barriers, not to mention the pleasant flowering, foliage, bark, smells of many species.With all these benefits, I'm tempted to start throwing some shrubs and trees into the weedy ground.Like many farmers and gardeners before though, this approach would likely meet with little success.Research indicates that to thrive, windbreak plantings require careful planning and adequate maintenance. PLANNINGDesign: Where will the planting go?Windbreaks work best when oriented at right angles to the prevailing winds.This requirement means the homeowner needs to note when the most damaging or annoying winds occur and what direction they usually come from (NW for our property, which means taking into account both our neighbor's and our own view).For greatest effectiveness, windbreaks should be no more than 100 feet from the home, garden, or other area needing protection.This planting distance is impacted by the mature height of species selected.Consider openings (driveways, roads, etc.) and arrange with offset rows to avoid the dreaded 'wind tunnel' effect.Obviously, the space available will influence how many rows of what species are planted.There are many options from the traditional five-row mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, to newer twin-row, high-density methods requiring less space.Always consider visual safety clearance at driveways and intersections.Species Selection: Climate and soil obviously impact the types of trees and shrubs that can be grown on a particular site.Most of us in the Columbia Basin have cold, windy winters and hot, windy summers, which can limit options.Since we are not prone to much rainfall, we need to consider less thirsty species, along with types of irrigation for water efficiency.Ideally, most trees prefer deep, well-drained loams.Reality for most Grant-Adams County homeowners is much different.For instance, our site has relatively shallow soil over basalt.Much of the ground in our area tends to be a little alkaline, but soil tests are the best indicator.Once design considerations (how many rows of what height are possible) and climate and soil constraints are taken into account, lists of shrub, evergreen, and deciduous options are available from many resources, including the ones listed here.Many of these note mature height and crown width, life spans, moisture requirements, species characteristics, etc. Site Preparation and Planting:According to the experts, the single most important aspect of successfully establishing a windbreak is site preparation.Basically, this means giving the new shrubs and trees a fighting chance.Eliminating the competition is critical in this effort.A mechanical approach (tilling, plowing or disking) in the fall is one recommended method.Minimizing the amount of soil disturbed by leaving strips of sod between rows reduces erosion and weed seed invasion.Chemical site preparation may be done with selective herbicides (always in accordance with label recommendations).Herbicides should not be allowed to come in contact with tree roots, and some have limited effectiveness under dry conditions.The use of mulch is highly recommended as a method to control weeds and conserve moisture and nutrients that young trees need for growth.Planning for irrigation is another critical component of site preparation.For at least the first three years, young trees require regular, deep watering.In windy, arid regions like ours, drip irrigation is best.For many species, regular irrigation must be continued for healthy trees and shrubs.Planting correctly, with specified distance between individual plants based on mature plant size, and between rows is also important.Tree-planting directions are widely available, and should be followed carefully.Staking may be necessary until root systems are well established. Junipers thrive at Nesse residence

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