ampsucker
Platinum Member
not trying to be testy, but if you actually read the attachment i posted, most of your questions will be answered by professionals who actually did the research on this topic. this is based on research in the kansas plains - a very windy place where crops, buildings and livestock need long term protection.
no windbreak is going to stop all the wind. what you are looking for is a reduction and break up of large gusts. a windbreak's distance from what you are trying to protect and it's ability to reduce the wind is roughly proportional to it's height. thus, a 20 foot tall windbreak can produce effective wind speed reduction 50 - 150 feet away, with the wind gradually increasing back up to it's normal speed about 200 feet away (10 times the height of the break).
the longer the rows, the more effective the wind reduction will be as the wind shifts from different directions.
multiple rows are going to do you the most good with type of plant selection being important as mentioned by others. you want a combination of low bushy shrubs and taller evergreen and deciduous trees. a few trees here and there will do something, but not much.
k-state offers very good pricing on seedling trees each year (50 trees for 30 bucks for example) and i imagine other universities offer similar programs. you want trees that grow natively in your area so they require little or no babysitting. what works for me here in kansas may not work as well in ohio soil or with your types of insects, diseases or deer population, etc.
a windbreak is a long term investment. if you plan to stay for awhile, it is worth the time and money and a little reading and research. your windbreak can do more than break the wind. it can also provide year round scenery (blooms in spring, berries in summer, colorfull fall leaves, etc.) and cover and food for wildlife. i don't think your should consider it a ruin of your view so much as an adjustment.
another thing to consider is where the noise is coming from in your house. if you have 2x6 walls, you have modern, efficient construction most likely. most of your noise may be coming from a single roof pipe or chimney corner that just happens to create the right turbulence to whistle or resonate. a well placed corner guard or some foam pvc insulation may go a long way to making things quieter for you and the family. when the wind is howling, you might spend a few minutes and go outside to see if you can identify where, exactly, most of the noise is coming from. antenna? satellite dish? plumbing vent? etc....
good luck...
amp
no windbreak is going to stop all the wind. what you are looking for is a reduction and break up of large gusts. a windbreak's distance from what you are trying to protect and it's ability to reduce the wind is roughly proportional to it's height. thus, a 20 foot tall windbreak can produce effective wind speed reduction 50 - 150 feet away, with the wind gradually increasing back up to it's normal speed about 200 feet away (10 times the height of the break).
the longer the rows, the more effective the wind reduction will be as the wind shifts from different directions.
multiple rows are going to do you the most good with type of plant selection being important as mentioned by others. you want a combination of low bushy shrubs and taller evergreen and deciduous trees. a few trees here and there will do something, but not much.
k-state offers very good pricing on seedling trees each year (50 trees for 30 bucks for example) and i imagine other universities offer similar programs. you want trees that grow natively in your area so they require little or no babysitting. what works for me here in kansas may not work as well in ohio soil or with your types of insects, diseases or deer population, etc.
a windbreak is a long term investment. if you plan to stay for awhile, it is worth the time and money and a little reading and research. your windbreak can do more than break the wind. it can also provide year round scenery (blooms in spring, berries in summer, colorfull fall leaves, etc.) and cover and food for wildlife. i don't think your should consider it a ruin of your view so much as an adjustment.
another thing to consider is where the noise is coming from in your house. if you have 2x6 walls, you have modern, efficient construction most likely. most of your noise may be coming from a single roof pipe or chimney corner that just happens to create the right turbulence to whistle or resonate. a well placed corner guard or some foam pvc insulation may go a long way to making things quieter for you and the family. when the wind is howling, you might spend a few minutes and go outside to see if you can identify where, exactly, most of the noise is coming from. antenna? satellite dish? plumbing vent? etc....
good luck...
amp
