MeMo

I'm ruling out the following because they are roosting habitat for either owls or hawks: Austrian Pine, Scots Pine, Norway Spruce. I'd like to have a few chickens and I can't do that when I'm knowingly providing habitat for hawks and owls. I guess you can take the farm girl to town but you can't take the farm out of the girl. Ha!

MeMo

Kathy

What you will be doing sounds lovely. Sorry I don't have any input or suggestions, but sounds like you are on the right track. Can't wait to see pictures!
Marylu

Something to think about - where you could, if you can manage to spend, where you can save a bit, and how long it will take you to realize.

I also agree with the staggering, especially of decideous over story trees. It will look beautiful when you are done, I'm sure!!

Lots of good ideas here!

Mickie

So that's all I know about the three I mentioned. I love the mixed look idea.

Am I understanding that you are planting the windbreak with the deciduous trees amongst the windbreak? Or are you planting a windbreak and then having a larger area (tree border)? I'm not sure if I follow if the windbreak is the "tree border" or if they are 2 separate entities.

I found when planting a large area that it was very helpful to get paths in first which then broke up the area into smaller workable sections. Then in each "section" I placed a tree, some shrubs and will add some perennials, etc.

If you are planting the deciduous trees in the windbreak amongst the evergreens, I think you would be fine to find trees that you really like and plant one of each. Assuming that you have one or two "main" evergreens being repeated. The evergreens should give enough of a cohesive look in the border allowing you to enjoy many varieties of deciduous trees.

Have fun! It sounds like a great project!

Okay so the idea is to set up a natural background. I usually view things in terms of colour.. So to me, take the deepest green hued and the tallest trees and set these way in the back. It won't be a problem if these back row trees are set in a row. They are meant to disappear in the background. The trees you should be setting down in random patterns are contrast trees such as Blue spruces which have a silvery hue, would pop out, and also other lighter hued evergreens. Put understory trees in between trees. Keep the choices of trees varied and keep it simple. So take a sampling of bows or twigs to help determine your colour scheme in the same way you put up paint colours in your home. Get the combination to your satisfaction. Keep in mind too that the winds will shape the growth direction of these trees. It may look rather strange if all trees grew in one direction. Perhaps you can stagger the planting and set up the first row of protective trees and later set up the other trees so they could grow straight.

With regards to understory trees - I'm not familiar with your area but do check with your area, maybe you could add poplars or other kinds that can grow between these trees. I was thinking of birch becuase it's bark will stand out beautifully but I don't know if these will do well in your zone.

Oh, since there are mostly ever green trees, be aware that they will take up a huge amount of water so don't over plant if this area requires frequent watering.

Row one next to the fence: Thickly planted lilacs of various varietes. I loved the idea of putting down paths first and this will allow me to make the paths meet at the lilacs so I can pick them ;)

Row two just in from the lilacs: A staggered row of Black Hills Spruce.

Row three: A mixture of Green Ash, Little Leaf Linden and Flame Leaf Maple. I'm staggering the spruce trees to allow more head space for the deciduous trees. I think these trees should give a good mix of fall color but if I'm wrong let me know.

Row four: A staggered row of Colorado Blue Spruce.

Row five: I will use a variety of flowering trees, groups of flowering shrubs and perennials. These will be spaced much more freely in a long island fashion. Then to really give that park like feel to the rest of the yard. I'll add more small flowering trees here and there through out the yard. Not so may as to shade the yard but enough to add shady sitting spots here and there and give different vantage points to sit and view the garden from.

All the tree choices except the flowering trees will reach mature heights of 40-60 feet. Tall enough to keep the heaviest winds above the height of my house. If I stop the wind break on the west just barely past the edge of the house then when the wind and snow finds the end of the windbreak and whips around it, it should dump all the snow into the front yard, keeping the road in front of the house fairly clear. My house is the only house on my road. I'm basing these assumptions on my years of watching the wind and snow patterns around all of the windbreaks out here on the ranch. I mentioned fencing above, right now there is barbed wire on the north and east sides of the yard. I hope to put up 2x4 woven wire with single barbed line across the top with neighbor and city approval. ON the west and south sides that don't border anyone elses property I'm planning to use woven loop wire fencing. Creosote or cedar posts (depends on cost)on the north and east and peeled cedar posts on the west and south.
Comments anyone?

MeMo