Project Overview // Windbreak

The current status of my land is severely depleted. My area in general was clear cut, then the government threw CREP grass seed on it, and that’s been its general state since.

A windbreak and trees in general will be useful in rehabilitating the land. The root system will help break up the hard pan of mostly sandy soil, helping to integrate the rainfall. When the tree dies, the root system will provide organic matter to the depleted soil.

Due to the aggression of the wind here, I intend to have several rows of trees in several different locations. The outside row will first be austee hybrid willows. These trees aren’t native, but they’re fast growers. And as such, they also die quickly, with a lifespan of about 10 years. However, within that 10 years, the inside row of trees will be fully mature. This will allow the land some relief from the wind without waiting several years for the native trees to reach maturity. The austee willow row will also provide wind protection for the more permanent native trees, allowing them to grow straight and strong. Once they reach their end of life, they can be replaced with native trees.

They’re also quite cheap, and can be propagated through pruned cuttings. I plan on pruning every year to encourage bushiness, which can also provide entire new trees for other locations where I’d like a windbreak. Or, the cuttings can be offered to others who would like to have a quick and temporary windbreak while growing a more permanent one

The inside row will be Eastern Red Cedar. This is a native plant and a lover of dry, sandy, rocky soil. That’s exactly what I have. It also provides berries for local birds. These are subsidized by the New Mexico government and are offered as seedlings for pennies. They take 6-7 years to reach a height of 8ft, and have a fairly long lifespan.

I should like another row of windbreak in the form of a bush or shrub. I haven’t yet settled on a species, but I would like one that provides berries or other edibles for wildlife, like the New Mexico olive shrub. I may add several different species of flowering / fruiting shrubs to this area.

I would also like windbreak along walking paths to make it less miserable to walk anywhere. Along the various walking paths, I should like some mix of native plants, perhaps even ones that are edible. Mesquite trees are an excellent candidate. This will make outdoor areas more palatable, and encourage outdoor enjoyment.

Currently the austee willows are scheduled to be planted in March. Eastern Red Cedars can potentially be planted at that same time, if funds are available.