For the past nineteen years, the Laramie County Conservation District has offered low-cost seedling trees and shrubs, technical assistance and information to Laramie County citizens in an effort to encourage the establishment of conservation tree plantings such as shelterbelts, field or livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, and/or wildlife habitat areas.

Seedling Tree Sales
We currently accepting applications for 2008 seedling tree plantings.  For an application, please call the District Office at 772-2600. 

Planning a Windbreak
The conservation district provides free technical assistance to design a windbreak for your property.  In addition, the district provides consultations as requested to determine tree health concerns for Laramie County residents. For windbreak design assistance, call Shaun Kirkwood at 772-2600, or e-mail Kirkwood@lccdnet.org to make an appointment.

If you want to plan your own windbreak, below are some general tips to follow: 

1. Generally, the primary tree planting objective of rural landowners is protection from the wind.  A windbreak  planting of trees and shrubs creates a "wind shadow" on the leeward (downwind) side.  The protected area extends to a distance of 15 to 20 times the height of the windbreak's tallest trees; the most effective area extends to about 10 times the height (10XH) of the windbreak.  For example, if a windbreak is 30 feet tall, wind speed is reduced by 50 percent 300 feet downwind from the windbreak.
2. Because wind eddies form around the ends of a windbreak, the planting should extend 100 feet beyond the area you want protected.  Any gaps or openings in the windbreak will create a wind funnel, accelerating the wind and reducing windbreak effectiveness.
3. Windbreaks should be planted on the sides of your property that face prevailing winds.  (In Laramie County, this usually means west and north sides).
4. Do not plant trees closer than 150 feet from roads, driveways, buildings, or other areas being protected. Most snow will be deposited in the windbreak and within the first 100 feet downwind of it.   Note:  snow can drift at a distance of approximately ten times the height of the windbreak.
5. The maximum distance from your windbreak to the area you wish to protect should be no more than 300 feet.
6. Finally, remember to keep your trees at least 50 feet from your leach field.

Tips On Planting Tree Rows
An average planting by the conservation district consists of at least three rows to achieve good wind protection.  A typical planting consists of shrubs or shorter trees comprising the outer rows, while evergreens (the foundation of the windbreak) should make up at least one inside row.  Your tallest trees should be in the inside row(s).

You should not make all your tree rows the same species (i.e. three rows of juniper). This will help protect your windbreak if a disease or insect destroys all of one species.

Planting different types of trees in the same row can create gaps and reduce windbreak effectiveness.

Spacing Within and Between Rows
The district suggests the following tree spacing distances to use when planting trees and shrubs in a row. Windbreak rows should be planted 20 feet apart.  Always leave enough distance between rows and around your windbreak to allow cultivating equipment passage.

Suggested Tree Spacing:
Shrubs (i.e., Caragana, Lilac, Cotoneaster, Buffaloberry, Native Plum, Chokecherry, Serviceberry) plant 3-6 feet apart
Smaller evergreen species (i.e., Rocky Mountain Juniper, Eastern Redcedar) plant 6-12 feet apart 
Large evergreen species (i.e., pine and spruce) plant 10-12 feet apart 
Deciduous trees (i.e., Bur Oak, Green Ash, Hackberry, Golden Willow, Siberian Elm, Cottonwood)  plant 10-14 feet apart 

Remember that the above spacing recommendations are simply guidelines, depending on how you want to utilize your planting.  For example, for a windbreak, trees will be spaced closer.  Trees in a wildlife planting are spaced a little farther apart.  If you have questions, please call the district for further information.

Checklist For Preparing Your Planting Site
Proper site preparation is very important for windbreaks.  Plows, disks, or rototillers can be used to achieve necessary tillage and are available at rental equipment stores and landscape companies.  The district also has a list of contractors who do site preparation work.  Please call 772-2600  to receive a copy of this list.  Fallowing the fall before planting is essential for dry land windbreaks to allow moisture to accumulate during the winter.  Rows should be 8 feet wide and 6-8 inches deep.

1. It is advisable to mow the planting areas before site preparation is done if tall grass is present.
2. One week before site preparation work is to be done telephone "One Call" at 1-800-348-1030 to complete a utility location check.  This check will be done in two business days.
3. In the spring, prior to planting your trees, check your site preparation by completing a shovel test.  If the shovel does not go into the soil easily, rototill the site again.
4. If livestock will be present in the area of your windbreak, your trees should be fenced to protect them from damage.

If You Order Seedling Trees From The District
Your seedlings will be available the last week in April .  If we are not planting your trees, you will receive a green postcard in the mail approximately the second week in April indicating when and where to pick up your trees.  Please note that the card will come to the mailing address you have provided on your order form, so be sure and provide the district with your correct mailing address.

Seedlings come from the nursery packaged in protective wraps or containers as either bareroot or potted stock.

Bareroot stock is packaged in plastic wrap in quantities of 50 per species with a moisture holding medium, usually sphagnum moss or polymers, to keep the roots moist.  Exposure to air and sunlight for even a brief period can kill a tree's root system and eventually, the tree. Immediately upon receiving seedlings, add water to the moss for absorption.

Potted stock, as they come from the nursery beds, are placed in special potting soil and encased in individual 2" x 2" x 7" tar paper pots or styrofoam blocks of 30.  Trees range in top height from 4 to 10 inches.  The soil in the pots should be thoroughly moistened after you receive your seedlings.

For best success trees should be planted as soon as possible.  If trees are not planted right away, place them in a shady area out of direct sunlight.

Weed and Moisture Management
Weed control is an extremely important factor for tree growth and survival.  Weed and vegetative competition control should be provided for at least five years.   Remember that weeds are better competitors than seedlings for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight.  They also provide fuel for fires and habitat for tree-injuring pests.

Mulch, cultivation, and herbicides are three basic methods for controlling weeds.   The district sells polypropylene fabric mulch in 300 ft. rolls for $110 plus tax.  These materials are also available at local nurseries. Fabric mulch has significantly improved the survival of tree plantings.  Fabric mulch allows moisture to pass through to the soil but minimizes moisture loss through evaporation.   Mulch should be installed after seedlings have been planted.  Pull seedlings through "X" shaped holes (no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches) cut into the fabric.  ("X" cuts ensure the fabric will not rub against the seedling stem.)  The edges of the fabric can be secured with a covering of soil.  Wire staples, rocks, etc. can also be used to hold fabric down in place.

Watering
Irrigation may be needed at planting time and is often helpful throughout the first several growing seasons.  Generally, the district recommends 10 gallons of water for every inch in tree diameter.  Also, it is recommended that you quit watering your trees at the end of August to allow the tree to harden off.  If you water after this date, this can cause die back of new growth from an early freeze.

Contact the district (772-2600) if you would like to have a free drip irrigation design prepared in the fall or winter prior to installing your tree planting.   The district also has a list of drip irrigation contractors and parts suppliers available.  Please call the office if you would like a copy of this list.

Insect and Disease Control
Examine trees for insect and disease problems during the growing season while weeding and watering.  Insects and diseases can severely set young trees back.  If you suspect that your trees have insect or disease problems, call the district for information on identification and treatment.

Banded Bark Beetle - A new pest has been found in the Cheyenne area that is thought to primarily attack stressed trees.  The Banded Bark Beetle (Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov) originally came from parts of Russia, Mongolia, China and Korea and is known to affect various species of elm, willow, Caragana (peashrubs), and some fruit trees.  At this time, it is not known if this bark beetle carries the Dutch elm disease fungal spores.  Recommended control for Banded Bark Beetle includes removing infected wood and burning it immediately, chipping the wood into small chips, or burying the wood in a landfill.  Recommended chemical control for borers is a surface application on the trunk to the point of runoff with Astro (Pyrethroid insecticide) coinciding with adult egg laying.

Winter Care
Snow cover is helpful to the young trees.  A snow fence on the windward side of the windbreak the first year or two will protect plants from desiccation and add soil moisture.

Protection from the wind.  Most evergreen species require protection from wind, especially during winter months.  Sunlight reflected off snow and wind can quickly dry unprotected conifer foliage.  It is recommended to install wind protection for evergreen trees the first three years of establishment or until the trees are taller than the protectors.  The conservation district sells the green mesh, bi-fold protectors for $1.70 each.  Please note that the district has no control over inventories of these protectors.  Call first to find out our current inventory.  Other items that can be used for wind protection include wood shakes and bales of straw.

Anti-transpirants applied to young or newly established evergreen trees can be very beneficial.  Cold winter winds can dry out needles on evergreen trees causing water stress and possible die-back on tip growth.  Anti-transpirant spray can be purchased through a local nursery.  These materials serve to reduce winter stress on newly planted trees.  Application of these materials is also available through the district for $.25 per foot, up to 8 feet.  Contact the district office for an appointment.

Replanting Trees
If you need to replace trees in your windbreak, count your dead trees in September or October each year to know what species you will need to replant.  Customers are encouraged to place an order early, as species sell out rapidly.  If purchasing trees for replanting through the district, you still must order the minimum that the district offers (30 for potted or 50 for bareroot).   

The district DOES NOT order extras and sells only what is left over in the late spring from our own plantings.  Never allow a windbreak gap to remain; replant as soon as possible.

The district encourages ordering extra plants when first establishing your windbreak.  They can be grown in a separate nursery area for a year or two.  This will ensure that the replacement trees, if needed, will be the same age as the tree and shrubs in your windbreak.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR TREE PLANTING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE at (307) 772-2600. The district provides this technical assistance FREE to Laramie County residents.

The district provides a tree planting and fabric mulch application service for Laramie County residents.  This service is on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Last year the planting schedule filled up quickly so order your trees and sign up for tree planting services as soon as possible so you don't miss out on this service.

In order to be placed on this list for these services, a paid tree order must be received first.  Installation of the fabric and trees is also contingent on a district approved windbreak plan.  The fabric mulch application and tree planting services are billed upon completion.  Only fabric purchased through the district can be applied by the district.   

Costs for these services are as follows:

Fabric mulch only installation fees:

Up to 1,500 ft. - flat fee of $150 plus $.40/lineal foot for fabric mulch 
Over 1,500 ft. - $.50/lineal foot (includes fabric mulch)

Planting only fees:

30-250 trees - flat fee of $125* 
251 + trees - $.50/tree* 

*trees are purchased separately

**Utility checks are required prior to contracting work with the conservation district and are the responsibility of the landowner**

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