The Journey of Building a Shelter Belt: Tackling Prairie Winds and Tree Planting Challenges

(Photo from USDA Forest Service dogwood shrubs and spruce) 

The Journey of Building a Shelter Belt: Tackling Prairie Winds and Tree Planting Challenges

This adventure isn’t solely mine; it’s something my husband and I have been tackling together since 2018 when we built our beautiful home on a hill in a grazing pasture, surrounded by wheat fields. Transitioning from apartment living to homeownership was monumental for us, and the chaos of building a home and working on the landscape added layers to that adventure.

The Importance of Shelter Belts in the Northern Prairie

Shelter belts and tree rows are vital in the northern prairie, not just for protecting homes from the relentless winds but also for providing shelter to local wildlife. The importance of these rows became even clearer after the record-breaking winds in July 2022, when Wildrose, ND, saw gusts reaching 98 mph during a severe thunderstorm. Around here, windy days with 20-30 mph winds are pretty common, making these natural barriers essential.

Initial Planting Efforts: Learning from Experience

After chatting with several farmstead neighbors, we learned that single-row plantings were the recommended method for our area. The concept seemed simple: dig a hole and plant a tree. But if it were truly that easy, why were our trees dying year after year? We planted about 50 trees annually, only to find them lifeless by the following year. They were taproot trees, watered on a schedule, but something was clearly off. Some folks suggested tilling the area, but we’re not farmers with access to heavy machinery, and we didn’t want to burden our neighbors or hire someone for the task.

Considering State Programs: Balancing Benefits and Risks

We also explored state programs that offer shelter belt services, but we encountered a significant concern. The program we were considering included a habitat reserve option, which initially seemed promising. However, we discovered that enrolling in this program could lead to the state taking control of that portion of our property, leaving us with little say over its use. Once the land was part of the program, we would no longer have control over it. This loss of autonomy over our own land was a deal-breaker for us. So, despite the challenges, we decided to stick with single tree plantings and manage the process ourselves.

The Problem with Tilling: Weeds and Soil Health

One major issue with tilling is that it promotes weed growth. Our neighbors to the west often till large strips of land to plant hundreds of trees, only to spend countless hours weeding by hand or mowing to keep growth in check. While using plastic sheeting can suppress weeds, it’s costly and unsightly. From a permaculture perspective, tilling disrupts the soil and gives weeds the perfect environment to thrive, which can hinder tree growth by competing for nutrients.

Winter Research: Understanding Soil Composition

(photo from NDSU Soil Testing website)

During the winter, I took the time to do some research, consulting with local nurseries and diving into books on northern prairie gardening, particularly Successful Gardening on the Northern Prairie and Let’s Grow on the Northern Prairie by Eric Bergeson. These resources emphasized the importance of understanding soil composition, so I reached out to my local county conservation office for a free soil sample test.

Soil Testing: Uncovering the Real Issue

In March, on a day when the snow had melted enough to reveal the ground, I collected some soil and sent it off to the state lab. The results revealed that while our soil had plenty of nitrogen, it was severely lacking in phosphorus—a key nutrient for photosynthesis, energy storage, and cell development in plants. The lab report recommended adding a triple phosphate fertilizer, which I struggled to find locally and eventually ordered online. Despite the high shipping costs, I opted to apply about half a cup per tree.

Spring Inspections: Evaluating Survival and Adjusting Techniques

Curious about why our trees kept dying, I inspected the failed plantings. Trees in the middle of the row, extending southward, were dry as a bone, often snapping off and leaning at precarious angles. This suggested severe drought stress. Trees on the northern end, while not as brittle, hadn’t grown beyond their taproots. Clearly, we needed to rethink how we were digging and watering these trees.

Without buying new bare-root trees this year, I wanted to assess which saplings had survived the winter. To my surprise, about seven trees were still alive. I checked their vitality by lightly scratching their trunks—if the bark beneath was green, the tree was alive. Cottonwoods and a few spruce trees had made it, a significant improvement over previous years. We usually buy trees from the local county conservation office for about $1 each, but even these affordable option hadn’t fared well. However, with the few survivors, I felt encouraged to use my newfound knowledge to nurture them.

Watering and Weed Control: Improving Our Approach

In early spring, I mowed extensively around the trees, giving them a competitive advantage over weeds and grass. I also sprayed a natural weed and grass killer around the base of each tree, safe to use before the trees budded. After hoeing around the trees, I applied the granulated phosphate, hoping that spring rains would gradually dissolve it into the soil.

Water Management: Understanding the Water Table and Groundwater Flow

I closely monitored the trees throughout April, May, and June, refining our watering schedule to better suit off-grid living and permaculture principles. Hauling 5-gallon buckets of water was time-consuming and inefficient, and the idea of dragging hoses across hundreds of feet wasn’t appealing. Instead, I focused on understanding the water table and how groundwater flows across our prairie land. I learned that the sandy soil in our area doesn’t retain water well, causing it to drain away before the trees can absorb it. By studying the topography, I realized that groundwater flows northeast, so I reused old nursery containers, drilling holes in the bottoms to create makeshift water reservoirs. These containers, placed strategically to the south of each tree, help retain water long enough for the trees to drink before it seeps away.

Protecting Against Beavers: Dealing with New Challenges

This approach, combined with diligent weeding, has paid off—our trees are thriving and showing real progress. Yet, the battle isn’t over. The creek in our backyard on the north side of the property has attracted beavers, who have been gnawing at the trees. To protect them, I used chicken wire and garden stakes to secure fencing around each tree. So far, this has been successful in deterring the beavers.

Celebrating Success: Seeing the Fruits of Our Labor

With all this information and effort, I’m thrilled to see the trees growing. We’ve gone from losing nearly all our plantings to maintaining 17 thriving trees in our shelter belt. Although it’s not perfect, and we’re still far from our goal, the progress is worth every bit of effort. Each surviving tree is a testament to our persistence, research, and learning.

If you're passionate about sustainable living and want to learn more about planting and nurturing trees in challenging environments, join our growing community of like-minded individuals. Share your experiences, ask questions, and let's grow together! Whether you're just starting your journey or have years of experience, there's always something new to discover in permaculture and tree planting. Visit our blog for more tips, stories, and practical advice on creating a thriving landscape.

Sources and More Information:

Windbreaks of the Great Plains