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Renovation techniques

Virtual Windbreak

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Root pruning

Trees planted in windbreaks often compete with adjacent crops for water, nutrients and sunlight.  And although windbreaks provide for increased crop growth and yield across the entire field, crop growth right next to the windbreak is often reduced.  Tree roots can be pruned – cut back – to minimize their competition with crops.  Pruning branches requires a saw; pruning roots requires that plows or vertical bars be drawn through the soil, severing the roots. 

While this technique will result in more available water for crops, and increased crop growth, there are several potential drawbacks.  First, some trees may sprout from the wounded roots, sending up hundreds of new suckers.  Each tree species is different in its suckering ability, so contact a local forester before applying this practice.  Second, since the trees will lose a portion of their root systems, their growth will slow down because of the reduced water supply.  This is a disadvantage for the trees, though, not for the crops.  Third, the wounds created by cutting the roots may serve as infection sites for decay fungi.