Cedar Hedges as Windbreaks

Cedar hedges can make excellent windbreaks. In today’s blog article we are going to discuss windbreaks, their advantages, and why cedar hedging is so effective. 

What Is a Windbreak? 

A living windbreak is a row or multiple rows of trees or shrubs that act as a barrier to cut down on wind blowing towards a structure—like your house. 

Why Are Hedge Cedars Effective? 

Hedge cedars like Western Red Cedar and Emerald Cedars make great windbreaks for a couple of reasons. First, they are evergreen. Since they do not drop their leaves, they will protect against wind all year round. 

Second, hedge cedars are thick from the ground up. A tree or shrub that is shaped like lollipop, may add visual interest, but it will not protect from wind. The most effective windbreaks are trees and shrubs that are equally thick starting at ground level. 

How to Plant a Windbreak 

Spacing your hedge cedars is important if you want to use it as a windbreak. They need to be close enough together to block the wind, but far enough apart that they will not suffer as they grow, widen, and mature. Roots need enough room to grow. How far apart you plant depends on the variety of cedar you choose. 

Windbreaks are most effective on the north or northwest side of a building because that is the direction from which cold wind typically comes in the winter in our area. In large open areas, sometimes multiple rows are planted. However, in a suburban environment, one row can be very effective, not just protecting from wind, but also as a privacy screen and a noise break as well. Windbreaks can even help insulate your house and cut down on heating bills. 

Remember that hedge cedars need time to mature to reach their peak effectiveness as a windbreak. Fortunately, everything grows fast here on the Lower Mainland, so you will not have to wait long. 

For new cedar hedging, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (778) 241-5664. This is our business and area of expertise. 

Pacific West Cedars, based in Langley, British Columbia, farms, supplies, and installs cedar hedging on the Lower Mainland. They offer two kinds of cedars plus boxwoods: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), and Emerald Cedars (Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”). They work with landscapers, contractors, and also directly with the public. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about cedars, we encourage you to call us at (778) 241-5664.