Shelterbelts are nature-based solutions for reducing soil erosion, increasing soil moisture and preventing wind damage to crops. Incorporating native plant species into the design of shelterbelts has the added benefit of providing shelter for wildlife and supporting local insect and bird populations.
Native plant species have evolved for life on the prairies and will provide a low maintenance, non-invasive community of plants for your shelter belt. Not only can a shelter belt benefit your agricultural land, but they also provide added support for wildlife and improve the viability for grassland species at risk.
Canada’s prairie grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. By choosing native species for your shelterbelt, you are helping to preserve those species on the landscape and provide beneficial food sources for native insects, birds and mammals. While non-native species such as lilac and caragana can still provide shelter and limited resources for pollinators, native species support a broader range of native insects and birds, providing more resources for our local wildlife.
Some of our native species like Choke Cherry and Saskatoon Berry can also provide some seasonal abundance to landowners interested in collecting and preparing berry preserves or baked goods.
A combination of fast-growing deciduous trees & willows, slower growing evergreens and shrubs will make for an effective shelterbelt. Below are some native species that can be planted together for an effective shelterbelt and beneficial native plant community.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) - This medium-sized shrub grows to a height of 1-3m and prefers moist areas such as forested or riparian areas. Young branches are a beautiful bright red. Dogwood can provide dense cover for wildlife and provides good quality browse for livestock and game, especially deer and moose. Often occurs with Balsam Poplar in natural areas.
Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) - Saskatoon shrubs can grow up to 8 m tall and form large thickets. Saskatoons provide moderate forage, palatable to both game and livestock. Their spring flowers provide an essential early season food source to pollinators and their berries later in the season are enjoyed by humans and small mammals and birds alike.
Silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) - This large shrub can reach heights of 3-4m and forms dense thickets over time. Plants with bright yellow-red betties are attractive yet not very palatable for game and livestock and berries are a good food source for birds. Thickets provide good habitat and nesting areas for birds.
Western chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) - This large shrub prefers rich, moist soils but can tolerate drier conditions. It can grow up to 8m tall, spreads through suckering and is well known for stabilizing disturbed soil. Choke cherries provide some forage value but are often avoided due to bitter tasting leaves and twigs. New growth can be harmful to livestock if eaten in large amounts. Birds often seek out the fruit in the fall.
Wood’s rose (Rosa woodsii) - This medium sized shrub can grow in a wide range of conditions and soil types, reaching heights of 3m tall. Wood’s Rose provides moderate browse often preferred by sheep, deer and elk. The shrubs produce beautiful Alberta roses in the later summer and their rose hips provide a winter food source for native birds.
Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) - Balsam Poplar are native to the prairies, quickly growing to up to 25m tall with broad crowns. Common in upland sites where there is moisture, or near waterways on drier sites. Not very palatable to livestock or game compared to other native species, with new shoots providing some browse. Provides habitat and shelter for wildlife.
Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) - Trembling Aspen are ideal for shelterbelts where moisture is available. Trees grow up to 15-20m and spread through suckering to form groves, quickly filling in space in the shelter belt. Aspen provide important fall and winter browse. The tree is well-named with its bright orange leaves quaking in the wind in the fall.
Bebb’s Willow (Salix bebbianna) - Native willows like Bebb’s willow are a great addition to shelterbelts as they grow very quickly and establish large thickets. Bebb’s willow typically grows in open woods, moist grassland and shorelines and provides good forage value to livestock and game. All native willow species provide important food and habitat for wildlife.
White Spruce (Picea glauca) - White Spruce is native to the foothills of Alberta and has a long lifespan of 80-100 years, growing up to 40m tall. The shallow root systems of White Spruce make it useful in stabilizing disturbed soils. For the first several years it establishes, it prefers moist rich soil and is best planted in Black Soil regions. White Spruce provides poor forage value for livestock and game but are important habitat and food source for other smaller species.
Below are some helpful resources on how to implement and maintain your shelterbelt.
Government of Alberta ‘Agri-Facts’ Field Shelterbelts for Soil Conservation
Government of Canada Shelterbelt Design & Guidelines
