Windbreaks can help alleviate this problem. Increased spray efficiency Windbreaks reduce spray drift, this increases the efficiency of pesticide applications. Reduction of wind speeds also increases the number of days in the year when spraying is possible. The benefits of windbreaks have to be weighed against possible disadvantages. Money and time are needed to plant the trees, and the area in which the windbreak is planted is lost to production.
Windbreaks require maintenance if they are to function properly.
Roots and branches may need to be pruned to prevent competition with the crop and the windbreak needs to be irrigated and possibly fertilised. In most situations on the coastal plain the advantages of a well designed and maintained wind break outweigh the disadvantages. However, on properties where the production area is in a more protected location or where land is limited windbreaks may not be warranted. Before planting trees considerable thought must go into planning the design of the windbreak. Poorly designed and sited windbreaks interfere with farm operations and may need to be removed at a later date.