Winter De-Fence

     This time of year many of us are receiving garden seed catalogs in the mail.  It can be fun to page through them and imagine what great vegetables we could grow this coming summer.  Personally, I find greater enjoyment paging through the tree catalogs that also arrive this time of year.  I like to imagine the mature trees that could one day shade large areas or produce large quantities of fruit.  I have planted my share of fruit and shade trees; however, the most successful trees that I have planted have been windbreaks.

     Windbreaks are plants (or structures) that protect homes, driveways, and planted areas from the wind.  They are common around many old homesteads.  The use of windbreaks was once common knowledge, but now, it seems to be, well, uncommon. 
      It is suggested in some publications that well-placed windbreaks can save a homeowner nearly 50 percent on heating and cooling bills.  Even a savings of 20 percent, makes a windbreak a major component of an energy conservation strategy.  Most of us can relate to wind chill.  As the wind speed increases, the air feels colder - and so do we.  Reducing the wind velocity around a home reduces the chill factor and lowers home heating costs.
     In the late 1990s, I planted a variety of evergreen trees behind the house at Terra Dei Homestead, here at Lutherlyn.  Some were small pine and spruce seedlings that I transplanted from the forest nearby.  A few were trees that were given away by the Butler Garden Club for Arbor Day.  None were taller than 18 inches.  However, fifteen years later these trees are taller than the house at Terra Dei and they are doing a great job of blocking the northern winds.

Terra Dei's 15-year old windbreak

     Windbreaks also provide cover for wildlife.  Many birds select evergreen trees as shelter in the winter.  It is difficult keeping those little bodies fueled all winter long, so any way of reducing the chill of the wind increases their ability to survive.

      In 2006, my wife and I (along with our church's youth group) planted 200 white and red pine trees along our driveway.  The trees were two years old when we planted them and about twelve inches tall.  Coming up on seven years, most of the trees are over 10 feet tall and have formed a substantial barrier to the wind.  Six years ago, we could count on our driveway drifting shut when there was snow on the ground.  Now, we have very little drifting and a beautiful row of evergreens.

    As you are looking at those seed and tree catalogs that are arriving in the mail, stop to consider energy conservation, as well as food production.  For a very small investment of time and energy, you can end up with substantial energy savings down the road.  There is nothing like a strong "de-fence" against the winter winds.
    For more information about Terra Dei Homestead, please visit LEEP's website:  www.lutherlyn.com/EE and follow the link to Terra Dei Homestead.