![]() This suggests that native willow shrubs may be just as suitable as bioenergy willows for LSFs.One native willow, Salix petiolaris, had similar growth to the top performing bioenergy willows, “Fish Creek” and “Oneonta.”.In the variety experiment, all willow varieties exceeded the growth of the traditional LSF species (American Cranberry, Gray Dogwood).Therefore, the willow LSF could potentially trap all of the blowing snow before it reaches the road.However, willow growth models predicted that after the following growing season (2 nd growing season) they would be able to exceed the average amount of blowing snow.Based on climate models, the snow storage capacity of the willow LSFs one growing season post-coppice did not yet exceed the average amount of blowing snow at the study site.This suggests that multiple willow varieties/species adapted to similar growing conditions could be used for LSFs.All varieties produced multiple, small-diameter stems and had similar porosity values.No significant difference in snow capture was found among the three willow varieties used in the experiment.This was likely due to lower porosity values (i.e., denser shrubs) in the four-row arrangements.Four-row arrangements tended to catch about 20% more snow than two-row arrangements during the 2014-2015 winter.The average amount of snow caught by the willows was around 2.5 metric tons per linear meter of snow fence.All willow varieties and planting arrangements (2 and 4 rows) were observed to be capturing snow after one growing season post-coppice (2014-2015 winter).Height and porosity are both important predictors of the snow trapping effectiveness of snow fences.50% porosity is optimal, which could be reached the 2nd year.The average optical porosity (the percentage of open space) in willows was 89%. Willows in the LSF demonstration had average heights of approximately 1 m (3.3 ft) one growing season after coppice.This is a standard practice for growing willows. Willows were coppiced (cut at the base) after the first growing season to generate multiple stems.A MnDOT traffic safety study found LSFs that protect curves in roadways can reduce crash severity by 40 percent. MnDOT traffic safety data suggest that using LSFs can reduce snow and ice-related accidents. Standing corn rows can also act as a windbreak. To address these problems, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) operates a program that pays landowners in identified problem areas to plant living snow fences of trees and shrubs to reduce the volume of snow blowing or drifting onto roadways. These issues can be especially problematic near farmlands, where snow can drift onto roadways from harvested fields. It can cause accidents and require expensive winter roadway maintenance. ![]() Wildlife and pollinator food and habitat.īlowing and drifting snow on roadways is a major transportation safety and mobility concern.Travel time savings and driver visibility.Living snow fences offer multiple benefits: These fences form a wind barrier that slows the wind, causing the snow to drop in and downwind of the planting, protecting the road or property downwind. Living snow fences (LSF) are plants such as trees, shrubs and native grasses, planted to manage blowing and drifting snow and protect roadways, farmsteads, livestock facilities and communities. Shrub willows are efficient and cost effective plants for living snow fences.Financial assistance programs are available for interested landowners.Plants in a living snow fence need to be winter hardy and should be suitable for the climate, site and soils.Living snow fences can increase driver visibility, reduce road maintenance costs and create wildlife habitat.In the cleared areas the light streams in and promotes a burst of ground flora from dormant seeds, plus its an opportunity for other species of trees like young oaks to get established. Coppiced woodland also usually allows for far greater biodiversity due to the constant re-growth of different ages of wood. This renews constant fresh growth and the removal of old wood, allowing the tree to live for a lot longer than if it were left un-coppiced. Temporary, easily moveable fencing systems are useful for coppice management, so the fence can be relocated as coupes (areas of coppice) are successively cut. ![]() After 7-15 years, these are then harvested, restarting the cycle once more. It is the oldest known form of woodland management, there’s evidence that British woods have been coppiced for some 8,000 years.Ĭutting an established tree down to it’s base instigates the fresh growth of many smaller shoots, which quickly grow upwards towards the light. Our woodiest space is Vincent Wood, a traditionally coppiced woodland primarily of hazel wood.Ĭoppicing is creating vigorous growth of multi stemmed trees, ensuring a sustainable supply of timber for future generations, through cutting small patches of suitable woodland on a regular cyclical basis.
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