The WACD Program

The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Tree Program enables farmers, ranchers and other landowners to obtain trees at nominal cost.  The purpose of the program is to encourage the owners to plant effective wind barriers to protect buildings, cropland and feedlots and for erosion control, other conservation practices, reforestation, and Christmas tree plantings. 

These trees cannot be resold as living trees (the roots must be severed).  It is mandatory that the order form be completed in full and that all information be legible.

Plan Before You Plant

A planting plan should be prepared before trees are ordered or planted.  The planting plan will show the proper location for the planting, the best species for your site, spacing between rows, spacing between trees in the row and the correct number of trees and shrubs needed.  The plan will also point out requirements for proper planting to gain initial survival and how to keep trees in a vigorous growing condition.

For planting plan assistance contact the Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist, or the publication entitled “The Farmstead Windbreak” which provides helpful information on tree planting and maintenance care.

Seedling Trees

1. Farmstead protection requires 3 or more rows of shrubs and trees. Field protection can be obtained with 1-3 rows of shrubs and trees with proper design and protection.

2. Spacing between rows should be at least 4 feet wider than the cultivation equipment to be used, usually 12’ to 16’ for irrigated land and 20’ for dry land.

3. Spacing in the rows varies with the species.  For small to medium shrubs - 2’ to 4’, tall shrubs - 4’ to 6’, small to medium trees - 8’ to 10’, medium to tall trees - 10’ to 14’, pines and spruce - 12’ to 14’, and junipers - 6’ to 8’.  A tight row of deciduous shrubs on the windward side is desirable to trap snow in the windbreak.

4. The land should be cultivated and fallowed in the fall prior to planting the windbreak.  Weed control of the planting is a must operation to maintain survival.

5. For lasting performance, better protection and greater aesthetic value, two or more rows should be evergreen species.

Tree Description

Although the species listed have proven adaptable to Wyoming conditions, each species may have limited adaptability to local soil types and conditions.

Shrubs

CARAGANA: Medium to tall shrub; drought resistant and tolerant of alkaline soils; good wildlife species.

COTONEASTER: Medium, grows well on most soils up to 8,000 feet.

BUFFALOBERRY: Medium to tall shrub; drought resistant and tolerant of alkaline soils; good wildlife species.

CHOKECHERRY: Medium shrub, plant up to 8,000 feet.  Preferred by a variety of wildlife species.

EUROPEAN SAGE: Medium shrub, good alkaline tolerance, plant up to 6,000 feet.

GOLDEN CURRANT: Small to medium shrub, fairly drought and alkali tolerant.  Good cover for small wildlife.  Plant up to 8,000 feet.

LILAC: Tall, one of the better shrubs for windbreak purposes, to 8,500 feet.

NANKING CHERRY: Medium and hardy, does well on most soils statewide.  Edible fruit relished by wildlife; to 7,500 feet.

PLUMS: Tall shrub or short tree.  Does well on moist soils (excluding alkali) up to 8,000 feet.

RED OSIER DOGWOOD: Small to medium sized; tolerant of flooding; tolerant of cold; plant up to 8,000 feet.

SAND CHERRY: Small shrub; best on sandy to loamy soils; plant up to 7,500 feet.

SERVICEBERRY: Tall shrub.  Does well on moist soil up to 9,000 feet.  Excellent wildlife species.

SUMAC: Medium, excellent alkaline tolerance; does best at elevation ups to 8,000 feet.

WAX CURRANT:  Small Shrub; high wildlife value; grows 5,000 to 11,500 feet.

Trees

ASPEN: Tall tree, poor drought resistance, hardy in cold temperatures, plant up to 11,000 feet.

COYOTE WILLOW: Medium height, requires moist soil, good wildlife value.

BUR OAK: Medium to tall tree; hardy and drought resistant; tolerant of a wide range of soils; good food value for wildlife, to 7,000 feet.

COTTONWOOD HYBRID (COTTONLESS): Tall, fast growing plant in moist soils or in areas with supplemental water below 6,000 feet.

COTTONWOOD NARROWLEAF: Tall, requires moist soils or in areas with supplemental water, above 6,000 feet.

GOLDEN WILLOW: Medium to tall, plant same as cottonless cottonwood but up to 7,500 feet.

GREEN ASH: Medium to tall, on most soils, up to 8,000 feet.

PEACHLEAF WILLOW:  Small to medium tree or large shrub, shade tolerant, tolerates alkaline soils.

HACKBERRY: Tall tree, grows well in most soils; to 7,500 feet.

HONEYLOCUST: Medium to tall, on most soils in the plains.

LOMBARDY POPLAR: Medium to tall columnar tree, need permanent sub-irrigation, not recommended as a component row species in windbreak, up to 8,000 feet.

SIBERIAN ELM: Tall and drought resistant, on most soils stateside below 6,500 feet.

Conifer Trees

AUSTRIAN PINE: Tall, on most soils of low pH up to 7,000 feet, a good windbreak tree.

COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE: Tall, on moist soils but will grow on drier sites if watered for establishment, to 9,500 feet.

DOUGLAS FIR: Tall, on east and north slopes above 6,000 feet.

EASTERN RED CEDAR: Medium, on most soils in the plains below 6,000 feet; drought resistant when established, good windbreak species.

LODGEPOLE PINE: Tall, on most soils above 6,000 feet.

PEACHLEAF WILLOW: Medium-sized tree, shade tolerant, tolerates alkaline soils.  Plant up to 7,500 feet.

PINION PINE: Medium tree, grows well and arid, droughty sites when established, to 7,500 feet.

PONDEROSA PINE: Tall, on most soils of low pH except heavy clay, up to 8,500 feet. Tolerates alkaline soil, high wildlife value. One of the better windbreak trees.

ROCKY MT. JUNIPER: Medium tree, does well on most soils; 8,000 feet; drought resistant when established; excellent windbreak species.

SCOTCH PINE: Tall, on most soils of low pH and below 7,000 feet; not advisable for windbreaks because of brittleness and not winter hardy at maturity; good Christmas tree.

ENGELMANN SPRUCE: Tall tree; requires shade; plant only above 8,000 feet.