Wind, like sun and water, can also have a destructive effect on a food forest. It can dry out crops, crack branches, cause fruits to drop prematurely and topple trees. The climate is also becoming more extreme, making us obliged to protect ourselves against it.

Determine the wind buffers in your food forest

The dominant wind direction in the Benelux is southwest. If you have space, it is best to use a wind barrier of at least 7 meters in the southwest. A wind barrier in the north has a double function. It keeps out the cold north wind and retains the warm air from the south on the property. This is called a 'heat trap' or heat trap. A wind barrier in the east can also be useful. This stops the dry wind. The warm wind from the south is welcome, but too much wind is not, so it is best to place a wind barrier here too.

Remember to combine different functions each time. Your wind barriers can also produce fruits, nuts and tree poles, attract biodiversity, become part of your interior and so on.

1. Southwest wind: serious buffer

2. North wind: very cold wind

3. Less dominant wind

The ideal wind barrier for your food forest

The wind is a fascinating phenomenon and you can make it your life's work to study all aspects of it. If you build a wall, it only blocks the wind slightly, because turbulence arises behind the wall.

The ideal wind barrier consists of several rows of shrubs and trees that differ in height, albeit in a stepped shape. First there are some shrubs, followed by lower trees and then taller trees. The taller the trees are, the more wind they block, but also the more shade you create. The use of shrubs and trees allows some wind to pass through. This means you get less or no turbulence. The maximum protection is within six to eight times the height of your tallest tree, yet the windbreak will protect approximately twenty times the height in distance. To optimally keep the wind and turbulence above your field, plant tall trees here and there in the food forest if possible. This way the turbulence will never go all the way down to the production trees.

A stepped windbreak is ideal for biodiversity

In addition to the stair shape, you have other arrangements that block the wind. We are big fans of the stepped shape because it creates a forest edge which is very good for biodiversity.

Prevent mold with a little wind

The wind can never completely stop you anyway, a little wind obviously doesn't hurt. What's more, wind is good for ensuring that too much moisture dries up, which plays a role in preventing mold.

Would you like to learn more about food forest design? Then read 'Design your own food forest' by Commensalist founder Louis De Jaeger or book a no-obligation phone call with one of our Commensalists.