ODNR Division of Forestry NW OH Windbreak Program

2011 WINDBREAK PLANTING SEASON SUMMARY

7 new windbreaks were planted in four counties totaling 95,940 row feet (18.2 miles), covering approximately 41.5 acres.

County # WB’s Row Feet Acres
Crawford 1 2,776 0.9
Henry 2 67,930 30.4
Ottawa 2 9,480 4.1
Wyandot 2 15,754 6.1
Total 7 95,940 41.5

9,968 seedlings were used to plant new windbreaks:

  • 7,012 conifers (70%)
  • 2,956 hardwoods & shrubs (30%)
  • Approximately 1,160 seedlings were use for windbreak replacements.  There were 18 windbreak replants from 2010, using approximately 12,400 seedlings.
  • 12 planting days  were needed from March 22 through May 12.
  • Two planting crews were used with Division of Forestry personnel.
  • Precipitation at Maumee State Forest:  February 4.71 inches, March 2.74 inches, April 7.01 inches, and May 6.93 inches.
  • Second year that seedlings were purchased from outside nursery.
  • First year using Sureguard herbicide (flumioxazin) on windbreaks.

Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program

With fewer fence rows, less woodlots and fall plowing, Ohio farms lose more and more soil due to wind erosion. The Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program is a turnkey tree planting program in which participating landowners receive a complete service from the design of a windbreak to the planting of the trees.



This Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program is an inter-agency effort that began in 1977 with the objective to get field windbreaks planted in Northwest Ohio to reduce soil erosion, protect crops from wind damage and enhance wildlife habitat. Since the program's beginning in 1977, more than 1,500 windbreaks have been planted, covering more than 6.6 million row feet or 1,260 row miles.

Cooperating Agencies and organizations include: local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in 17 northwest Ohio counties, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Divisions of Forestry, Soil & Water, and Wildlife, and Pheasants Forever.

Windbreaks planted through the Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program must be at least 1,000 row feet in total length, and be protecting agricultural land. Landowners have from one to six rows of trees and shrubs planted through the program.

Spring 2011 marked the 35th planting season for the Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program.  Due to the unusually wet Spring season, planting was limited to 7 new windbreaks planted in 4 counties.  Laid end to end the windbreaks would cover 95,940 row feet.  Nearly 10,000 seedlings from 11 different species were planted in 2011.  Six conifer species made up approximately 70% of the seedlings planted, while 5 harwood and shrub species accounted for 30%.  


The Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) continues to be a key factor in the success of the program.

Also check out the recently published Ohio Windbreak Guide (pdf) for additional information on windbreak design, maintenance, planting, and species selection.

For more information on the Northwest Ohio Field Windbreak Program email or call Gregg Maxfield, Ohio Division of Forestry at (419) 424-5004.