Windbreaks and the Environment

Windbreaks reduce wind speed and create sheltered zones for growing crops and raising livestock. Windbreaks also protect living and working areas, and provide critical wildlife habitat in a landscape dominated by agricultural crops.  This set of four Extension Circulars explains how to plant windbreaks to improve the local environment for wildlife, field crops, and fruit and vegetable crops.

Windbreaks and Wildlife (EC1771) provides an overview of how windbreaks can benefit wildlife and what trees, shrubs, and planting designs to consider for various wildlife habitats.

Windbreaks in Sustainable Agricultural Systems (EC1772) contains information on field, livestock, and farmstead windbreaks and how to integrate these with agroforestry practices to create sustainable agricultural systems that enhance the local environment and add profitability.

Field Windbreaks (EC1778) explains how field windbreaks can increase crop yields while reducing inputs and improving both environmental quality and production efficiency.

Windbreaks for Fruit and Vegetable Crops (EC1779) contains information on how wind affects vegetable and fruit crops and how to use windbreaks to improve growing conditions, yield, and quality of fruit and vegetable crops.

Format: One eight-page, one four-page, and two six-page Extension Circulars