Windbreaks: the history, function, and benefits of diminished wind speeds

[@jmam500]

Thank you for this information - very interesting about the height of the trees and the wind shadow. Do you have any suggestions how to keep the chemical drift coming off the field surrounding our house from killing our windbreaks we have planted on the north and west of our five acres? Unfortunately we don't have room for multiple layers. It's really sad all the area farmers in Vermilion Co. have spent the last 30 years ripping out all the windbreaks that our grandparents and great grandparents planted in the 30s-40s. I guess modern farmers know better.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to protect your windbreak from chemical drift. Some species like spruce can be more sensitive to herbicide drift than others. You can try talking to your farming neighbors to make them aware of the situation. If you want to file complaint, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has a drift complaint form: agr.illinois.gov/pesticides/pesticides-uses-misuses.html