Wildlife, and the people who watch them, benefit from windbreaks
Tree windbreaks do a lot for protecting homes, people and
livestock, but also have an added benefit of supporting
wildlife. The color, sounds, tracks and mystery of wild
creatures living in and around a windbreak can add enjoyment to
people's lives, said Ritch Nelson, wildlife biologist for the
Natural Resources Conservation Service. "For best wildlife
benefits, a windbreak should have a developed tree canopy, and
an understory that includes shrubs and herbaceous plants for
food and cover. The ground layer is critical in providing winter
wind protection, especially for species that nest or feed near
the ground. Upper canopy layers provide wildlife with nesting
and foraging sites," added Jim Brandle, University of Nebraska-
Lincoln forester and co-author of "Windbreaks and Wildlife", an
Extension circular. Design of a windbreak for controlling air
movement doesn't have to be altered much to include wildlife
benefits. Brandle lists several options