LIVING SNOWFENCES... PROTECTION THAT KEEPS GROWING Two-Year Growth Responses Davenport WA Demonstration Gary Kuhn, USDA NRCS, Spokane WA Donald P. Hanley, WSU Extension Dennis Robinson, USDA NRCS Spokane WA.

What is a Living Snowfence? A windbreak specially designed to trap and hold snow

Windbreaks are common in the great plains

But not so common in Eastern Washington

Structural Snow Fence in Wyoming where soils are poor

“Michelin Wind-Hugger” Windbreak

Michelin Wind-Hugger Windbreak So what wildlife species will use this windbreak habitat?

Michelin Wind-Hugger Windbreak may provide excellent habitat ? Crotalus viridis

Living Snow Fence Demonstration along I-84 in Southern Idaho

Rocky Mountain Juniper under dryland conditions in Eastern Washington

Note the clean cultivation and fabric mulch

LSF Demo is located in NE Washington – West of Spokane in Dryland Wheat.

Living Snow Fence Design-- Davenport WA Each row of trees contains 133 trees--- (Planted April 1, Initial Measurements, October 1, 2003)  NORTH _______________________________________________________________ ______________Hwy 25 - approx 9 miles North of Davenport WA______ 100 feet from Road to leeward row E2X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X-- X- E1 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X-- Sample Tree #1 at this end 42 feet between twin rows W2X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X-- X- W1 X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X-- Sample Tree #1 at this end Windward Side Sampled every 5 th tree. Measured (total height, crown width, and stem caliper) so that we can determine any differences between any rows. We also looked for differences within the row.

RESULTS After one growing season: Mean height was 22” (14” growth) with no significant difference in rows Mean diameter was 0.23” with leeward rows better than windward rows Mean crown-width was 12” with leeward rows better than windward rows Mean crown volume was 730 cubic-inches with leeward rows better than windward rows Within row interactions were inconclusive

RESULTS After two growing seasons: Mean height was 40” (32” growth) with the windward row of the East pair significantly smaller. Variation in the field was evident with the “south position” being generally less than the center or north positions. Mean crown-width was 24” with leeward rows better than windward rows for both pairs Year ONE Year TWO

Second year tree height results by year and twin-row location, (Measurement 1 or 2; and Row (West or East), for Davenport WA Living Snow fence Demonstration Planting

Second year tree height results by year, row, and row position. (Measurement 1 or 2; Row (West or East); and Row Position (North, Middle, South).

Second year tree crown width results by year and twin-row location, (Measurement 1 or 2; and Row (West or East)

Second year tree crown width results by year, row, and row position. (Measurement 1 or 2; Row (West or East); and Row Position (North, Middle, South)

In conclusion Living Snowfences show promise in dry land conditions of Eastern Washington Rocky Mountain Juniper appears to do well Growth rates were excellent and generally consistent for two years Mean crown widths were smaller on the windward side of the twin-rows and mean heights appear to be smaller. Functionality may be achieved in as little as 5 years

What is next? New demonstrations started in Anatone, WA and Athena OR with cooperation of the WA and OR Departments of Transportation respectively An Interagency Living Snowfence Workshop is Planned for Spokane WA in October Continued measurements and maintenance at all three sites will continue until functionally is achieved and beyond

USDA-NRCS Washington and Oregon State Offices USDA National Agroforestry Center Washington State University Extension Washington Department of Transportation Oregon Department of Transportation Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lincoln County Conservation District and the landowner – Bill Reibold Sponsors Include

For additional Information See the USDA-NRCS National Agroforestry Website: Trees Against the Wind from WSU Extension (