Farm Shelter Planting
Well designed, planted and appropriately maintained shelter will require low maintenance and reduce wind speed.
Benefits
- provides stock shelter
- provides shade for stock
- reduces the risk of soil erosion
- increases grass growth and crop yields
- can provide timber and firewood
- can provide fruit, nuts and honey
- improves living and working conditions
- enhances the landscape.
Siting
- Shelter belts should be as near as possible to right angles to the wind.
- Distance between shelter belts should be 200-400m.
- A combination of mixed species in rows and groups of trees which are maintenance compatible creates a more interesting landscape.
- Avoid creating winter shade on roads and buildings.
- Plant on the north side of a stream to shade the water and protect aquatic life. A grass sward and trees filters out contaminants from farm fertiliser and effluent runoff. Tall deciduous trees will provide shelter in the paddocks beyond.
- Ripping (minimum 60cm deep) breaks up soil pans, increases drainage and improves tree growth, survival and stability by promoting better root development.
Design
- Reduce winter shading by using tall evergreen trees on north/south lines and tall deciduous trees on east/west lines.
- Make shelter belts as long and continuous as possible.
- Ensure shelter belts are tall and permeable (50%) and the sheltered zone will extend 10-15 times the height of the shelter belt.
- Provide at least two rows of trees, one fast growing and the other slow growing.
- Allow 2-3m between rows of trees and 2m between the tree and the fence.
- Select species that suit site conditions - species may change along the shelter belt in response to wet gullies or hard bony ridges.
Maintenance
- Reduce maintenance by using our Combo Tree Protectors
- Control weed and grass growth around trees for 2-3 years to ensure high survival and rapid early growth.
- Replace any trees that have died so there are no gaps.
- Check fences regularly.
- Form prune trees at 2-3 years to ensure good tree form in the future.
- Maintain permeability by side trimming, especially with naturally dense trees such as Pinus radiata and Cypresses macrocarpa and Leylands
- Side trimming increases stability and eliminates overhanging branches which lead to fence damage and stock camping.
- Avoid topping trees unless necessary for power wire clearance. Topping greatly reduces the sheltered area.
- Clear fell trees before they are over mature.
