United States Department of Agriculture

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**Indiana -- March 2007** (ver. 1.0)

**Living Snow Fence**

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Living snow fences are linear plantings of trees and/or shrubs
established to manage snow deposition. Living snow fences intercept snow
to protect roads, lanes, railroads, etc. and also provide travel
corridors, nesting sites, food, and escape cover for many wildlife
species.

**CRP POLICY**

To be eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the acreage
offered must be cropland that meets eligibility requirements as
determined by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Living snow fences will be installed according to the
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Standard (380) in the local Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office.

**[Design Information:]{.underline}**

When designing a living snow fence, the density will determine where the
snow deposits. Very dense (60 percent plus air porosity) barriers will
cause most snow to drift within 50 feet of the leading edge of the
barrier. With less density (50 percent to 40 percent), snow will spread
farther.

Locate living snow fences so that they intercept blowing snow. The
windward row shall not be closer than 75 feet nor more than 150 feet
from the windward edge of the road or other features where drifting snow
is undesirable. Living snow fences shall be designed to prevent snow
drifting and ice hazards.

**Living snow fences shall contain a minimum of 3 rows of plants with at
least 2 of the rows in conifers or designed using a twin-row
high-density configuration.**

Plant trees and shrubs a minimum of eight feet from property lines, crop
fields, and fences or the distance of the mature plant drip line,
whichever is greater.

Do not plant woody vegetation that will interfere with fences,
utilities, roads, legal drains or other easement areas.

Table. 1 Plant Spacing

+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Within Rows                                   | Spacing (ft.)         |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Shrubs                                        | 3-8                   |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Narrow Crowned Trees                          | 6-10                  |
|                                               |                       |
| (Cedar and columnar varieties)                |                       |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Normal Crowned Trees                          | 12-16                 |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Between Rows                                  | Spacing (ft.)         |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Shrub Rows                                    | 6-8                   |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Tree Rows                                     | 12-16                 |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Tree/Shrub Rows                               | 8-16                  |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Twin Row High Density                         | 4-12                  |
+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------+

**PLANTING**

Site-specific requirements are listed on the attached Specifications
Sheet. Any changes to these specifications should be approved by NRCS.

All acreage must be planted within 12 months of contract approval to
remain in compliance. If circumstances beyond the landowner's control
prohibit the planting within the first 12 months, the local FSA County
Committee may approve an extension to the next planting season.

It is very important to plant the vegetation into a weed-free seedbed.
Weed control efforts should begin prior to planting, and may require
multiple applications in both the fall and spring prior to planting. Use
herbicides or tillage ([however do not use spring tillage for tree
planting]{.underline}) to eliminate competing vegetation. If necessary
for erosion control, seed a temporary cover. Eliminate the temporary
vegetation at planting time with tillage or herbicides.

Bare rooted stock (seedlings) shall not be planted when the soil is
frozen or dry and will be planted with the root collars approximately at
or slightly below the ground line. Bare rooted stock shall be planted in
the spring after the ground thaws, but no later than June 1.

**Weed Control** **During Establishment Period:** For information on
herbicide controls, contact a local consultant or Purdue Extension
Specialist. [Always apply herbicides according to labeled
directions.]{.underline}

**Weed Control** **After Establishment Period:** Weed control is also
important to ensure survival and maximum growth of the trees
[after]{.underline} they are planted. Nine (9) ft^2^ around each tree
should remain weed-free to maximize tree growth. [Mowing is not
recommended for weed control for trees.]{.underline}

CRP cost share is authorized for one weed control application within 24
months after planting a living snow fence.

**Operation and Maintenance**

Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, insects, and pests shall be
controlled, including such maintenance as necessary to avoid detrimental
effects to the surrounding land.

***After*** the Final Status Review or 3 years (whichever comes first),
maintain the planting according to your CRP conservation plan.
Maintenance activities are allowed only on a spot basis and only if
necessary to maintain stand health, maintain stand diversity, or control
pests that will damage the CRP cover or adjacent lands. MOWING and other
maintenance activities are not authorized between April 1 to August 1 to
protect ground-nesting wildlife (i.e. - the Primary Nesting and
Brood-Rearing season). If maintenance activities are needed during these
times, the FSA County Committee **[must]{.underline}** approve the
maintenance activity **[prior to]{.underline}** the activity occurring.

**Mowing for generic weed control or for cosmetic purposes is
prohibited.**

Exclude all acres from haying and grazing year round, unless authorized.
Fences may need to be constructed and maintained to exclude livestock
throughout the entire year.

The contract area cannot be used for field roads or other uses that will
damage or destroy the cover. Living Snow Fences should be inspected on a
seasonal basis and following major storm and runoff events. Any damages
or sediment accumulation that would adversely impair the function of the
living snow fence must be corrected immediately, at the landowner\'s
expense.

The landowner will replace dead trees and shrubs as needed to insure
that the living snow fence functions as intended. The landowner is
responsible for replacing dead plants (cost share may be available if
approved by FSA). In addition, trees should be pruned to maintain
central stems and eliminate forks and multiple leaders.

**Table 1. Common Living Snow Fence** Species

  --------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
  Species                           Soil               20 Year Ht. Ave.
                                    Drainage**^1^**    (feet)**^2^**

  **Conifer Species**                                  

  Baldcypress**^3^**                VPD-WD             35\>

  White Pine                        MWD-WD             35\>

  Virginia Pine**^4^**              MWD-ED             16-25

  **Dense Conifer Species**                            

  Eastern Red Cedar                 SPD-ED             16-25

  Northern White Cedar**^5^**       PD-WD              16-25

  Norway Spruce                     SPD-WD             26-35

  **Deciduous Hardwood Species**                       

  Black Gum                         PD-WD              26-35

  Oak, Black                        MWD-ED             26-35

  Oak, Bur                          PD-ED              26-35

  Oak, Pin                          VPD-WD             35\>

  Oak, Red                          MWD-WD             26-35

  Oak, Shumard                      SPD-WD             26-35

  Oak, Swamp White                  VPD-WD             26-35

  Oak, White                        MWD-WD             26-35

  River Birch                       VPD-WD             35\>

  Silver Maple                      VPD-WD             35\>

  Sycamore                          PD-WD              35\>

  Tulip Tree                        MWD-WD             35\>

  **Shrub and Small Tree Species**                     

  America Plum                      MWD-ED             16-25

  Black Chokeberry                  SPD-WD             \<8

  Blackhaw                          MWD-WD             8-15

  Buttonbush                        VPD-WD             \<8

  Dogwood, Flowering                MWD-WD             8-15

  Dogwood, Gray                     SPD-WD             \<8

  Dogwood, Silky                    VPD-WD             \<8

  Elderberry                        VPD-WD             \<8

  Hazelnut                          MWD-WD             8-15

  Highbush Cranberry                VPD-WD             \<8

  Ninebark                          VPD-WD             \<8

  Redbud                            MWD-WD             8-15

  Smooth Sumac                      MWD-ED             8-15

  Washington Hawthorn               SPD-ED             16-25
  --------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------

**^1^** VPD=very poorly drained, PD=poorly drained,

SPD=somewhat poorly drained, MWD=moderately well drained, WD=well
drained, ED=excessively drained

**^2^** On sites where the species are well adapted

**^3^** Recommended in Central and Southern Indiana as documented in
eFOTG Sect. II Windbreaks

**^4^** Recommended in Southern Indiana as documented in eFOTG Sect. II
Windbreaks

**^5^** Recommended in Northern and Central Indiana as documented in
eFOTG Sect. II Windbreaks

  ---------------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ----------
  **CP17A                                                                                                
  SPECIFICATIONS                                                                                         
  SHEET**                                                                                                

  **Landowner:**               **     **                                       **County:**   **     **   

  **Farm:**        **     **   **Tract:**           **Field(s):**              Acres:        **Date:**        
  ---------------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ----------

Planting Plan(s)

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------- --------------- ------------
  **Living Snow                                                   
  Fence (Site ID or                                               
  Description^1^)                                                 
       **                                                         

  **Soil Type(s)**  **     **                                     

  **Length**        **     **                                     

  **Width**         **     **                                     

                    **Species**       **Total     **Plant Spacing 
                                      Needed**    (Ft)**          

  **Row 1**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  1**             

                    **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                  1&2**           

  **Row 2**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  2**             

                    **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                  2&3**           

  **Row 3**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  3**             

                    **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                  3&4**           

  **Row 4**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  4**             

                    **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                  4&5**           

  **Row 5**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  5**             

                    **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                  5&6**           

  **Row 6**         **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                  6**             

                    **     **         **     **                   
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------- --------------- ------------

  --------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
  **Total                                                               
  Trees/Shrubs                                                          
  Needed by                                                             
  Species**                                                             

  **Species**     **Number**   **Species**   **Number**   **Species**   **Number**

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **
  --------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------

  ---------------- ----------------- ----------- --------------- ------------
  **Living Snow                                                  
  Fence (Site ID                                                 
  or                                                             
  Desription^1^)                                                 
       **                                                        

  **Soil Type(s)** **     **                                     

  **Length**       **     **                                     

  **Width**        **     **                                     

                   **Species**       **Total     **Plant Spacing 
                                     Needed**    (Ft)**          

  **Row 1**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 1**             

                   **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                 1&2**           

  **Row 2**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 2**             

                   **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                 2&3**           

  **Row 3**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 3**             

                   **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                 3&4**           

  **Row 4**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 4**             

                   **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                 4&5**           

  **Row 5**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 5**             

                   **     **         **     **   **Between Rows  **     **
                                                 5&6**           

  **Row 6**        **     **         **     **   **Within Row    **     **
                                                 6**             

                   **     **         **     **                   
  ---------------- ----------------- ----------- --------------- ------------

  --------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
  **Total                                                               
  Trees/Shrubs                                                          
  Needed by                                                             
  Species**                                                             

  **Species**     **Number**   **Species**   **Number**   **Species**   **Number**

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **

  **     **       **     **    **     **     **     **    **     **     **     **
  --------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------

**^1^** Indicate on plan map

+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Before Planting**                         |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Tillage Methods**: **     **              | Dates **     **        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~1~ (per label)** **     **      | Dates: **     **       |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~2~ (per label):      **         | Dates: **     **       |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Alsike Clover (if desired):** 2 lbs./acre | Dates: **     **       |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Other:      **                            |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Planting Method in Year**                 |                        |
| [    ]{.underline}                          |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Tree Planting Method**: **     **         | **Dates:** **     **   |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~1~ (per label):** **     **     | **Dates:** **     **   |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~2~ (per label):** **     **     | **Dates:** **     **   |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Other:      **                            |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Post Planting Maintenance and Weed        |                        |
| Control**                                   |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Maintain** a 3-ft. weed & grass-free      |                        |
| radius for up to 3 years around each tree   |                        |
| for optimal growth                          |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~1~ (per label):** **     **     | Dates: **     **       |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Herbicide~2~ (per label):** **     **     | Dates: **     **       |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Other** (corrective pruning, replacement  |                        |
| of dead trees etc.):                        |                        |
|                                             |                        |
| NOTE: [after]{.underline} the Final Status  |                        |
| Review has been issued, all maintenance     |                        |
| activities will not occur between April 1   |                        |
| to August 1, and will occur on a "spot"     |                        |
| basis [only]{.underline}, unless prior      |                        |
| approval is granted by the County           |                        |
| Committee.                                  |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **Mid-Contract Management**                 |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+
| **The predominant cover will be trees so    |                        |
| Mid-Contract Management is not required.**  |                        |
+---------------------------------------------+------------------------+

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:      **