Establishing a windbreak on an acreage - Ask Extension
I am trying to figure out how to establish a new windbreak on a small acreage, 3 some acres. I have read through some of your literature, and the amou...
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Establishing a windbreak on an acreage #900454
Asked May 07, 2025, 1:01 PM EDT
I am trying to figure out how to establish a new windbreak on a small acreage, 3 some acres. I have read through some of your literature, and the amount of space it calls for is more than I have. I would only maybe be able to do 1 or 2 rows. I was leaning towards lilacs, I would have 120 feet of a row on the west. I would also like to do the south, but do not have a measurement for the south. There is an old established windbreak on the north. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
Hancock County Iowa
Expert Response
The more rows you can plant, the more benefit you will see from this windbreak planting. Ideally, you can find room for at least three rows of trees/shrubs. If you can only do one or two, than that will certainly help some, but you will not fully realize the benefits.
The most beneficial thing to consider when planting a windbreak is to make sure you have diversity in your planting. Lilac is good, but incorporating other species (like arrowwood viburnum, dogwood, hazelnut, and elderberry) would be important to the long-term functionality of your windbreak planting. When issues arise (like disease or certain weather conditions), they tend to affect all plants of the same type in the area. If you're entire windbreak is one species, then the entire windbreak is affected. If you have several different species, then only a portion is affected and you still have a functioning windbreak.
I'm not sure which resources you've found, but below are a couple that give some good specifics on layout, distance from structures, the types of plants to use, etc.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/windbreaks-iowa
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14886
--Aaron
The most beneficial thing to consider when planting a windbreak is to make sure you have diversity in your planting. Lilac is good, but incorporating other species (like arrowwood viburnum, dogwood, hazelnut, and elderberry) would be important to the long-term functionality of your windbreak planting. When issues arise (like disease or certain weather conditions), they tend to affect all plants of the same type in the area. If you're entire windbreak is one species, then the entire windbreak is affected. If you have several different species, then only a portion is affected and you still have a functioning windbreak.
I'm not sure which resources you've found, but below are a couple that give some good specifics on layout, distance from structures, the types of plants to use, etc.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/windbreaks-iowa
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14886
--Aaron
