The Rural Voice, 1993-03, Page 44The following article has been
written by Jim Penner of rhe Saugeen
Valley Conservation Authority in an
effort to provide expertise on natural
pollutant filters and erosion control
devices — TREES. This article will
focus on windbreaks.
During the winter months, it is very
easy to see the effects of strong winds;
huge snow drifts, white-out conditions
and wind chill. The effects of strong
winds during other seasons may not be
as noticeable but they still exist.
Strong winds can carry soil and
other materials from fields which can
pollute any water body they enter.
Forceful winds can also reduce
temperatures at ground level such that
crops do not grow well and also
damage crops with delicate stalks.
Sandy textured and muck soils arc
often targets of wind erosive effects.
These effects have much more of an
impact than in the winter.
To lessen the problems associated
with windy conditions on the land, the
Water Matters
The benefit of windbreaks
flow of air must be blocked to reduce
its speed. The easiest way of doing this
is by planting trees. This can take the
form of a windbreak which is one or
more rows of trees planted along the
perimeter of a field or property.
There are two schools of thought
when considering windbreaks. You
can either block the wind completely or
just slow it down. To block the wind
completely, the trees are normally
planted six to eight feet apart in rows
with three rows making up the usual
windbreak. To slow the wind, only one
or two rows of trees are planted along
the field with the spacing a little further
apart which, in essence, allows the
wind to blow through the trees but
slows it down. Both methods have
their advantages and their
disadvantages, however the overall
effect is to improve the micro climate
for the crop and reduce the erosive
effect of the wind.
To properly establish a windbreak, it
is best to work up the strip of land
where the trees are to be planted and
keep it worked up for a year or two.
This kills off all existing vegetation and
prepares a better growing bed for the
trees. If working the land is out of the
question, then the existing vegetation
should be sprayed with glyphosate prior
to planting.
Once the vegetation has been taken
care of, the trees can be planted in the
desired spacing that you have decided
on. The most practical nursery stock
available for farm windbreaks is the
Provincial Nursery Stock obtained
through Ministry of Natural Resources
offices or Conservation Authorities at a
reasonable cost.
Next month's article will focus on
the specifics associated with
establishing a windbreak such as
preferred species and maintenance. For
more information on this topic contact
Jim Penner at the SVCA at 364-1255.0
This is another in a series of articles
highlighting information on water
quality in the rural environment.
F
E
N
C
1
N
G
HIGH TENSILE FENCE SYSTEM
We have a complete
stock for the
do-it-yourself installer
or we can quote on your
complete job.
Call us for a Free Estimate
on your Fencing Needs!
WE ARE THE DISTRIBUTORS FOR
KOLTEC
* Modular circuitry
* CSA approved
* 5 to 10 minute circuit board replacement
Whether you need fence parts or the latest in a high tensile steel installed
fence, call the experts at:
NZFS
Distributed by F. M. Brubacher Ltd
Hawkesville, Ont. NOB 1 XO
•
NEW ZEALAND FENCE SYSTEMS
Call Collect Day or Evening
519-699-4231
No Sunday Calls - Thanks
F
E
N
C
1
N
G
40 THE RURAL VOICE