Shelter & Hedging

Shelter

Porosity is important as the aim is to form a wind filter rather than a wind block. A filter will minimise wind speeds creating more effective shelter on the lee of the shelter belt. A wind block will just change the course of the wind and dump it elsewhere
How tall, formal or natural, mixture of plants or one plant type repeated
Row or is there space for a deeper planting
Wind direction – if wind is diverted, where will it flow to
Soil type – clay, sandy, etc
Soil moisture – consistently wet or dry, a mixture throughout the year
Climate – high rainfall, coastal winds, frosts

Fence the area to be planted so stock is not able to damage the trees.
Clear weeds and grass from the area to be planted. For larger areas, spot spraying with herbicide is the quickest method.
In very exposed areas we recommend erecting a fence height line of shelter cloth to allow plants to establish more quickly.
Mixed species can be used usually when planting two or more rows deep in a zigzag fashion to provide an excellent filtered windbreak and a more natural look. With these mixed species borders/shelterbelts, there are many more plants that could be used other than what is listed.
Firewood crops could be planted in a mixed shelterbelt, or a fast-growing hardier species used on the windward side with a slower-growing but more desirable plant used on the sheltered side, with the first species being cut down (or used for firewood) once the others are established.
A mixed shelterbelt is also another excellent way to provide habitat for wildlife.
Once planted, some time spent each year on trimming and fertilising will give excellent results.

Single rows - plant shelter trees 1 to 1.5m apart
Space double rows 1.2m apart and plant the trees 2m apart in the lines
For multiple rows, space the rows 1.5m apart and the trees 2.5-3m apart in the lines
Randomise the spacing of the trees in the lines and between the rows to achieve a more natural appearance

Keep plants clear of weeds for the first year or two
If you are intending to trim your shelter trees, this is better done each year to achieve a desirable shape
An annual application of general fertiliser is recommended in the first few years

Hedges can be practical or purely aesthetic and have been used for centuries in formal gardens, as hedgerows to divide paddocks, to provide shelter or as a food crop
Borders and low hedges tend to consist of one species, as do some shelter belts
Clipped formal, garden edging – tall or low, preferred final height
Soft, loose, defining a border or back edge of a garden or paddock
Purely for privacy, fast growing
Wind direction – if wind is diverted, where will it flow to
Soil type – clay, sandy, etc
Soil moisture – consistently wet or dry, a mixture throughout the year
Climate – high rainfall, coastal winds, frosts

Taking the above information to us or your landscaper will ensure the correct choice of plant