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1. Windbreak & Shelterbelts- Renovation
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Windbreaks are integral parts of many Nebraska acreages. They protect you, your animals and buildings from cold winter winds, hot summer winds, and deep snows. Windbreaks prevent wind erosion and provide wildlife habitat.
All windbreaks, even well-designed ones, need regular maintenance. Some windbreaks, especially those that are older or neglected, may need more drastic treatment or renovation.
Checkout this publication on how to maintain or renovate a windbreak to keep it effective.
Windbreak Maintenance and Renovation, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/g923.htm
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2. Windbreaks & Shelterbelts- Design
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
What is the best design for a windbreak? The answer depends on the purpose of the windbreak, the benefits desired and the characteristics of the site where the windbreak will be located. The optimum windbreak will include enough trees to provide both wind and snow protection.
Checkout these websites for the best design for your location and needs.
Windbreak Design, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/g1304.htm
Windbreaks For Snow Management, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1770.htm
Windbreaks For Rural Living, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1767.htm
Windbreaks For Livestock Operations, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1766.htm
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3. Windbreaks & Shelterbelts- Management
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Windbreak management requires an understanding of how your windbreak works. Your goal is to maintain the health and vigor of individual trees and shrubs while maintaining the overall structure of the windbreak as an effective wind barrier. To accomplish this goal, practices such as weed control, protection from large animals and rodents, corrective pruning, insect and disease control, and proper chemical use in nearby fields and farmstead areas need to be included in your management plan. With proper care, a windbreak will serve a long life of protection while providing wildlife habitat and adding beauty to the landscape.
The following websites will help you understand the needs of your windbreak and how to effectively manage the trees and shrubs in it.
Windbreak Management, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1768.htm
Drip Irrigation For Windbreaks, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/irrigation/g525.htm
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4. Windbreaks & Shelterbelts- Creating Wildlife Habitat
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Windbreaks can support wildlife that add beauty and pleasure to your life. They also sustain birds that eat insect pests, improve hunting opportunities, and provide a focal point for family outdoor activities. Windbreaks help wildlife and in some areas are essential to survival of the wildlife we enjoy.
Checkout this website to learn which plants to use to encourage a variety of wildlife.
Windbreaks And Wildlife, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1771.htm
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5. Windbreaks & Shelterbelts- Planting
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
A successful windbreak planting depends on proper establishment and care during the first few years after planting. Time spent in site preparation, weed control, and replanting is repaid many times during the lifetime of the windbreak. Take no shortcuts in the planning and establishment of your windbreak.
For more information on planting a windbreak or shelterbelt, refer to:
Windbreak Establishment, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1764.htm
Tree Planting Guide, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/forestry/ec1738.htm
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6. Windbreaks & Shelterbelts- Pest Control
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
All living things, even trees and shrubs, have pests. Some can coexist with these plants but others challenge their existence and can kill them or severely scare or deform them. Check your windbreak plantings regularly for signs of pest damage and control them as soon as possible.
Sometimes you can reduce pest problems by selecting plants resistant or tolerant to some of these common pests.
Refer to the websites below to keep your windbreak healthy.
Prevention and Control of Cercospora Needle Blight Disease in Junipers and Cedars, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/plantdisease/nf396.htm
Using Burrow Builders for Pocket Gopher Control, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/wildlife/g1283.htm
Preventing and Control of Rabbit Damage, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/wildlife/g1526.htm
Pine Wilt in Nebraska, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/plantdisease/nf448.htm
Sphaeropsis Tip Blight of Pine, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/plantdisease/g646.htm
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7. Frequently Asked Questions for Winter
By John Fech, UNL Extension Educator
Q. What should I do for my newly planted trees this winter?
A. Make sure they enter the winter well-watered. Also, lean a light colored board against the southwest side of the tree trunk to prevent sunscald.
Q. I saw some of my newly planted coral bells heave out of the ground already. Should I worry?
A. Don't lose any sleep, but it would be wise to loosen the soil and replant it. Then, dump about a bushel basket full of wood chips or pine needles over it to lessen the likelihood of this happening again.
Q. How can I prevent my holly and boxwood from browning out this winter?
A. Apply an anti-transpirant such as Wilt-Pruf or Dwax or Foliocote monthly now through April. Apply it on warm days above freezing, so that it can dry on the leaves without freezing.
Q. Can I re-bloom my poinsettia or should I just toss it out?
A. Sure, re-bloom it. After Christmas, simply grow it as a houseplant. In September, start limiting the amount of light the plant receives - no more than 12 hours each day. It should start turning color in mid November.
Q. Why do my houseplants get so long and spindly in winter?
A. Lack of light. Install grow lights, or if you don't want to spend the money, ordinary shop lights. Place the bulbs about 12 inches away from the leaves.
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8. Shock Chlorination of Domestic Water Supplies
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Unlike public water supplies that are regularly tested to ensure the water is safe to drink, individuals or families using private water supplies are responsible for testing for contamination. If test results indicate that bacterial contamination is occurring, shock chlorination is the most widely suggested method of treatment. Shock chlorination is the one-time introduction of a strong chlorine solution into the entire water distribution system (well, pump, distribution pipeline, hot water heater, etc.).
Checkout this website for the why’s and how’s of shock chlorination.
Shock Chlorination of Domenstic Water Supplies, http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/water/g1255.htm
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