Yield increases will vary depending upon annual weather patterns, crops and location, but studies have documented 6 percent to 44 percent increases. The first few rows of a field will show reduced yields due to competition with the trees, but increased yields over the rest of the field more than make up for these losses and the acreage taken up by the trees. Good windbreak management, such as periodic tree root pruning, will help minimize tree-crop competition. Living snow fences trap blowing snow, keeping roads open and work areas free of drifts. Time and fuel spent plowing snow in northern areas can be greatly reduced.
All windbreaks provide scenic beauty and habitat for wildlife.
By careful species selection, windbreaks can also be an income source. Nut-producing trees or shrubs, such as walnut, pecan, chestnut or hazelnut, can provide an annual crop for people or wildlife. Fine-quality hardwoods, such as oak, ash or cherry, can eventually provide sawlogs or veneer logs. Where fuelwood has a market, spruce, pine and poplar thinnings can provide an early income source. Sugar maple can provide a source of syrup, and flowering trees and shrubs provide forage for honeybees.