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Wind break options

My parents live in a house at the top of a hill with fantastic views across the countryside. My mother however complains that she can't sit out even on the nicest of evenings due to the fact she gets blown to bits with prevailing winds.There is an area to the side of the house where the garage meets at a 90 degree angle (but doesn't touch (around 5m gap)) so there is shelter almost on two sides except a wind tunnel effect with the gap.I have suggested hedging some of the area to create a secluded sheltered spot. I thought yew would be good. Problems I have with that is I can't hedge right to against the house. Father also not keen as it'll take time to establish.Bearing in mind this house is in country so nothing industrial looking as well as the winds are very strong at times what could you experts suggest?

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  • This from the Guardian over the weekend might prove helpful:

    Alys Fowler: tough plants for windy plots

    http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/04/tough-plants-fo...

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    You can buy larger plants to get an instant mature hedge e.g Photinia x compacta 'red Robin' grows to about 2m3314726495?profile=original

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    How About a Perspex fence ?

    transparent so will not block the view and very strong & durable.

    I did one many many years ago (about 15) for a similar application but back then we had to get fixing brackets made up and panels which we cut to size but a quick google shows a few places now doing stuff ready to go

    • How about a woven willow or hazel fence, sadly they do not last very long (approx. 6-8 years) or Jackson Fencing do a very nice woven fence using pressure-treated softwood laths which they guarantee for, I think, 25 years. All these fences filter the wind so would be ideal in an exposed position where a solid panel would create turbulence and probably be blown over eventually.

  • It's a long time since I was trained, so this is from memory!

    Solid fencing, or dense hedges like yew or other conifers, actually create more wind on the inside. You need to create a filter for wind or noise, not a barrier.

    You can build fences with alternate planks to create a wind break, or use more open planting such as a row of trees, or hedging that doesn't become a solid block. The old fashioned mixed hedge is perfect for the British weather, or something like rosa rugosa.

    I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but the modern solid barriers don't keep wind or cold out:they actuallly increase wind speed, and create a cold spot inside them. They are only designed to block the view of the neighbours. If you think about it, look at any part of the country where they have huge, flat, open fields, and a row of poplars is the most common windbreak.

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