Human food is harvested from several species of NFT in various parts of the world, in some instances supplying important seasonal staples. Depending on local needs and preferences, a variety of different planting schemes with NFTs can be utilized yielding a wide variety of products and staples. Living fences and hedges protect crops from large pests such as wildlife, domestic animals, and man, and are often managed for fuelwood and fodder production. Trees are arranged densely, or planted as fence posts, and trimmed frequently to attain the desired form. Pithecellobium dulce is a favored hedge species in coastal East Africa.
Windbreaks are single or multiple rows of trees planted on windward field boundaries.
Windbreaks help prevent soil desiccation and yield secondary tree products. Consistent foliage closure is achieved by choosing trees with dense canopies and by managing the canopy to encourage lateral branching. Erythrina variegata is commonly planted as a windbreak in Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. Alley farming, or intercropping, is a labor intensive management system which leads to major crop yield increases through alternating rows of tree hedges and crops. Cut leaves and green twigs are incorporated into or laid on top of the soil for multiple benefits of green manuring, soil and water conservation, and weed control.