Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What is the total cost of windbreak installation?
A:  The average cost for tree windbreaks is $1.80/foot, and $1.50/foot for
      shrub windbreaks.  These figures are before any cost sharing is applied.

Q:  Is cost sharing available for installing windbreaks?
A:  Up to 70% cost sharing is available to those who meet qualifications.  These 
     qualifications are based on a ranking by the County Land Conservation
     Department and/or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
     The projects that have a higher resource concern, which rank highest will
     be approved first.

Q:  Are demonstration plots available for review?
A:  Yes, we have demonstration plots located around the Hancock Ag Research 
     Station ranging from tree windbreaks to multi-species windbreaks.

Q:  Can landowners be involved in windbreak design?
A:  Yes, the landowner has the choice on how he/she wants the windbreak 
     designed and what species they would like used.

Q:  What are the long range benefits of windbreaks?
A:  Windbreaks have a variety of benefits such as controlling blowing dust and
     sand, acting as privacy and noise barriers, serving as living snow fences, 
     livestock and farmstead shelterbelts, wildlife habitats, and they are
     aesthetically pleasing to the public.

Q:  What kind of trees/shrubs do you plant?
A:  We have different nurseries located throughout the U.S. that provide us with
     our stock, ranging from tall growing conifers and deciduous trees, such as      pine, spruce, cedar, ash, poplar, maple, and oak, to short growing shrubs,      such as dogwood, ninebark, and crabapple.

Q:  How much land is protected by a windbreak?
A:  The magic number is 10 times the height of the windbreak.  For example,
     if you have a windbreak 30 feet high, the distance protected is 300 feet
     on either side.

Q:  How large an area can be seeded with your equipment?
A:  We have smaller equipment that works best for smaller sites.  Our equipment 
     works well for seeding plots of about 20 to 30 acres, i.e-buffers, food plots,
     and other wildlife seedings and prairie restoration.  On larger plots, we
     cannot compete in price against companies with bigger equipment.  If there
     are any other questions about our equipment or what we can do, feel free
     to give us a call.