Trees for shelter belts or Windbreak Trees are widely used in farming areas to provide protection to livestock and crops. In many areas of Australia it has been common to plant windbreaks around rural houses as well. Coastal areas are another where windbreak trees serve a useful purpose.
Even in the home garden, trees can be used as windbreaks to protect plants that are more susceptible to wind damage as well as provide a generally more sheltered environment.
The choice of trees will depend on the climate, soil and area, as well as the height that is required. Trees that are suited to inland areas, may not be suited to coastal conditions.
In very open areas it is not uncommon to plant trees of different heights to direct the wind up and over, rather that planting a single line of trees.
Choosing windbreak trees
Not all trees are suited for use as windbreaks. Trees that have inherent strength are required. In ideal circumstances a windbreak will consist of a numb of line of trees, smaller trees in front of taller ones facing the prevailing wind, this cause winds to be deflected.
Windbreaks need to be long to be effective, otherwise the wind will just deflect around and eddy at the back of the windbreak. You may also be looking at fire resistant species and frost resistant species.
Varieties of trees for windbreaks
In most Australian States The Department of Primary Industry is the best place to obtain advice on varieties of windbreak trees best suited to specific applications.
Windbreak Tree Varieties
Some trees used as windbreak trees include :
- Acacia Melanoxlyon (Blackwood)
- Acacia Saligna(Golden Wreath Wattle)
- Agonis Linerifolia(Swamp Peppermint)
- Allocasuarina verticillata
- Casuarina Cunni nghamiana(River Sheoak)
- Corymbia maculata (Spotted gum)
- Dodonaea viscosa (low growing)
- Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum)
- Eucalyptus leucoxylon (SA blue gum)
- Eucalyptus Horistes
- Grevilleas (low growing)
- Juniperus chinenis
- Leylandii conifers
- Thuja plicatta fastigiata
Consult with your states Department of Agriculture before planning any Windbreak planting. They can provide appropriate advice on suitable tree varieties for your area, windbreak trees for sandy soils, growth rates, planting formations to maximize wind deflection and othe factors.
Windbreak trees are available for sale from the following nurseries and growers
WINTER HILL TREE FARM Ph: 02 4878 9193 Fax: 02 4878 9109
NSW Southern Highlands
Retail & Wholesale. Advanced trees & hedging. Grown in pots for year-round planting. 45 litre - 1000 litre available. Great range. Great Quality. Delivery available.
www.winterhill.com.au
Advanced container grown trees & shrubs. Large range of native plants & ornamentals ranging from 14cm to 45 litre. Specialists in indigenous plants and supply for Urban development. Supply & deliver all states.
www.talltrees.com.au
1750 Westernport Rd Heath Hill VIC 3981
Australias largest grower of semi advanced native and deciduous trees. .9 - 2.6mts high. Supplying councils, developers and landscapers. Includes Acacia implexa, acacia melanoxlylon.
www.dream-time.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
ACT & Southern Tablelands Native Tubestock Nursery– phone: 0407224490
Oakey Creek Road Hall Canberra ACT 2618
Wholesale, growing local species of trees and shrubs in forestry tubes for farms, windbreaks and re-vegetation