Landscape Windbreaks
Properly selected and placed landscaping can provide excellent wind protection, or
windbreaks, which will reduce heating costs considerably. Furthermore, the benefits
from these windbreaks will increase as the trees and shrubs mature.
To use a windbreak effectively, you need to know what landscape strategies will work
best in your regional climate and your microclimate.
Basically, a windbreak can lower the wind chill near your home. Wind chill occurs when
wind speed lowers the outside temperature. For example, if the outside temperature
is 10°F (-12°C) and the wind speed is 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour), the
wind chill is -24°F (-31°C).
A windbreak will reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 30 times the
windbreak's height. But for maximum protection, plant your windbreak at a distance
from your home of two to five times the mature height of the trees.
The best windbreaks block wind close to the ground by using trees and shrubs that
have low crowns. Dense evergreen trees and shrubs planted to the north and
northwest of the home are the most common type of windbreak.
Trees, bushes, and shrubs are often planted together to block or impede wind from
ground level to the treetops. Evergreen trees combined with a wall, fence, or earth
berm (natural or man-made walls or raised areas of soil) can deflect or lift the wind
over the home. Be careful not to plant evergreens too close to your home's south side
if you are counting on warmth from the winter sun.
If snow tends to drift in your area, plant low shrubs on the windward side of your
windbreak. The shrubs will trap snow before it blows next to your home.
In addition to more distant windbreaks, planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to
your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and
summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between
full-grown plants and your home's wall.
Summer winds, especially at night, can have a cooling effect if used for home
ventilation. However, if winds are hot and your home is air conditioned all summer,
you may want to keep summer winds from circulating near your home.
Properly selected and placed landscaping can provide excellent wind protection, or
windbreaks, which will reduce heating costs considerably. Furthermore, the benefits
from these windbreaks will increase as the trees and shrubs mature.
To use a windbreak effectively, you need to know what landscape strategies will work
best in your regional climate and your microclimate.
Basically, a windbreak can lower the wind chill near your home. Wind chill occurs when
wind speed lowers the outside temperature. For example, if the outside temperature
is 10°F (-12°C) and the wind speed is 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour), the
wind chill is -24°F (-31°C).
A windbreak will reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 30 times the
windbreak's height. But for maximum protection, plant your windbreak at a distance
from your home of two to five times the mature height of the trees.
The best windbreaks block wind close to the ground by using trees and shrubs that
have low crowns. Dense evergreen trees and shrubs planted to the north and
northwest of the home are the most common type of windbreak.
Trees, bushes, and shrubs are often planted together to block or impede wind from
ground level to the treetops. Evergreen trees combined with a wall, fence, or earth
berm (natural or man-made walls or raised areas of soil) can deflect or lift the wind
over the home. Be careful not to plant evergreens too close to your home's south side
if you are counting on warmth from the winter sun.
If snow tends to drift in your area, plant low shrubs on the windward side of your
windbreak. The shrubs will trap snow before it blows next to your home.
In addition to more distant windbreaks, planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to
your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and
summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between
full-grown plants and your home's wall.
Summer winds, especially at night, can have a cooling effect if used for home
ventilation. However, if winds are hot and your home is air conditioned all summer,
you may want to keep summer winds from circulating near your home.
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