LIVING SNOWFENCES . . . PROTECTION THAT KEEPS GROWING

Two-Year Growth ResponsesDavenport WA Demonstration

Gary Kuhn, USDA NRCS, Spokane WA

Donald P. Hanley, WSU Extension

Dennis Robinson, USDA NRCS Spokane WA.

What is a Living Snowfence?

• A windbreak specially designed to trap and hold snow

Windbreaks are common in the

great plains

But not so common in Eastern Washington

Structural Snow Fence in Wyomingwhere soils are poor

“Michelin Wind-Hugger” Windbreak

Michelin Wind-Hugger WindbreakSo what wildlife species will use this windbreak habitat?

Michelin Wind-Hugger Windbreakmay provide excellent habitat ?

Crotalus viridis

Living Snow Fence Demonstration

along I-84 in Southern Idaho

Rocky Mountain Juniper under dryland conditions in Eastern Washington

Note the clean cultivationand fabric mulch

LSF Demo is located in NE Washington – West of Spokanein Dryland Wheat.

Living Snow Fence Design-- Davenport WAEach row of trees contains 133 trees---

(Planted April 1, 2003 - Initial Measurements, October 1, 2003)NORTH

_____________________________________________________________________________Hwy 25 - approx 9 miles North of Davenport WA______

100 feet from Road to leeward rowE2 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--

X-E1 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--

X--Sample Tree #1 at this end

42 feet between twin rowsW2 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--

X-W1 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--

X--Sample Tree #1 at this end

Windward Side

Sampled every 5th tree. Measured (total height, crown width, and stem caliper) so that we can determine any differences between any rows.

We also looked for differences within the row.

RESULTSAfter one growing season:• Mean height was 22” (14” growth) with no significant

difference in rows• Mean diameter was 0.23” with leeward rows better

than windward rows• Mean crown-width was 12” with leeward rows better

than windward rows• Mean crown volume was 730 cubic-inches with

leeward rows better than windward rows

• Within row interactions were inconclusive

RESULTSAfter two growing seasons:• Mean height was 40” (32” growth) with the

windward row of the East pair significantly smaller. Variation in the field was evident with the “south position” being generally less than the center or north positions.

• Mean crown-width was 24” with leeward rows better than windward rows for both pairs

Year ONE

Year TWO

Second year tree height results by year and twin-row location, (Measurement 1 or 2; and Row (West or East), for Davenport WA Living Snow fence Demonstration Planting

Second year tree height results by year, row, and row position. (Measurement 1 or 2; Row (West or East); and Row Position (North, Middle, South).

Second year tree crown width results by year and twin-row location, (Measurement 1 or 2; and Row (West or East)

Second year tree crown width results by year, row, and row position. (Measurement 1 or 2; Row (West or East); and Row Position (North, Middle, South)

In conclusion• Living Snowfences show promise in dry land

conditions of Eastern Washington• Rocky Mountain Juniper appears to do well• Growth rates were excellent and generally

consistent for two years• Mean crown widths were smaller on the windward

side of the twin-rows and mean heights appear to be smaller.

• Functionality may be achieved in as little as 5 years

What is next?• New demonstrations started in Anatone, WA

and Athena OR with cooperation of the WA and OR Departments of Transportation respectively

• An Interagency Living Snowfence Workshop is Planned for Spokane WA in October 2005.

• Continued measurements and maintenance at all three sites will continue until functionally is achieved and beyond

•USDA-NRCS Washington and Oregon State Offices

•USDA National Agroforestry Center

•Washington State University Extension

•Washington Department of Transportation

•Oregon Department of Transportation

•Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

•Lincoln County Conservation District

•and the landowner – Bill Reibold

Sponsors Include

For additional Information

• See the USDA-NRCS National Agroforestry Website:

http://www.unl.edu/nac/

• Trees Against the Wind from WSU Extension(www.wsu.edu)