Drip Irrigation Design and Management Considerations for Windbreaks

A windbreak or shelterbelt typically is made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted as to provide shelter from wind and prevent soil erosion. Properly designed and placed windbreaks can help slow, direct and block winds, resulting in many benefits to farmers, ranchers and rural residents.

Irrigation can help establish successful tree plantings and help them become effective windbreaks at an earlier date than non-irrigated trees. Drip irrigating windbreaks is more feasible than other methods and can help reduce soil evaporation, requiring less water application. Surface drip irrigation is commonly used for windbreaks.