Living Snow Fences and Windbreaks

The County of Wellington Living Snow Fence Programme subsidizes the planting of potted trees with a planting incentive programme. The Green Legacy is working with the County Engineering Services Department on locating sites and pairing volunteers with landowners to create Living Snow Fences. A good example of the effect of tree wind breaks can be seen at the University of Guelph Experimental Farm on Wellington Road 7 south of Elora. There is evidence of significant cost savings in winter road maintenance, as well as increased road safety and environmental benefits from these trees to both the community and the farmer.

The Grand River Conservation Authority is our partner in the Programme and makes site visits and organizes the Living Snow Fence planting.

Photograph of a living snow fence. Young trees planted between crops

How can the County of Wellington help you?

  1. Assist with planning windbreak, and living snow fence projects
  2. Trees are provided by the Green Legacy to the landowners for free
  3. Assist in developing partnerships between local schools and organizations to plant the trees free of charge

Benefits of Living Snow Fences and Windbreaks

  • Help Farmers adapt to climate change
  • Durability of food production
  • Trees are a production tool, just like seed, soil and machinery
  • Potentially raise crop yields 10 - 25% in some areas
  • Improve road conditions
  • Erosion control
  • Moderation of soil and air temperatures
  • Increase Carbon Sequestration
  • Water Conservation
  • Can reduce heating cost (as much as 30%) when planted around buildings
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Potential revenue from wood products and maple syrup
  • Landscape beauty, Agri-tourism

 

Click the links below for information provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs.

Videos

Webpages

Documents