View Messages

Return to Tree Planting

Understory Shrub Planting in Spruce Windbreak

[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]
From: Sam S. City: Monmouth, IL
Would like to add to my 22 year old stand of white spruce that surround our home. They form a protective wind break around the home that is three trees wide. The barrier is 300' on the West side and 200' on the North side. They are more than 40 foot tall now and beginning to thin out at the bottom. What type of understory trees could I plant within the stand to fill in and add color and texture to the stand?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Sam: I would encourage you to consider native shrubs such as hazelnut, witch-hazel, winterberry, spicebush, dogwoods, and viburnums. Check out this source from The Morton Arboretum: http://www.mortonarb.org/files/Native-Shrubs-Midwest.pdf Best of luck!
[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]