Windbreaks & Large Plantings
The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District is committed to helping district residents and landowners see the benefits available through windbreak planting. That’s why we offer low-cost trees, planning and planting services. Orders are collected from November 1 to March 30 and trees arrive in mid-April, just in time for spring.
There are cost-share funds available through the district’s Land Treatment Program (see Windbreak Planting NC-12) for qualifying landowners for the installation or renovation of a windbreak, as well as for the installation of weed barrier fabric mulch around a new planting.
Get started by completing this form or sending an email to trees@upperbigblue.org. Questions? Feel free to give us a call at (402) 362-6601.
2025 Pricing
- Trees only: $1.18/tree
- Trees and installation: $2.36/tree
- Fabric: $0.88 per linear foot + tax (+$25 pull fee per site)
Cost-Share Funding Opportunities
Windbreak Installation
This practice provides for planting new or replacement windbreaks. As part of the district’s seedling sales program, applicants may purchase seedlings from the district for spring planting under this practice. Cost-share payment is made once the planting is completed and an NRCS or NRD technician certifies that the planting meets NRCS specifications.
Cost-Share Rate
The cost-share rate will be either 75% of the estimated cost (minus other cost-share funds) or 75% of the actual cost (minus other cost-share funds), whichever is less. The maximum cost-share is $7,500 per landowner per year, including all NSWCP and NRD cost-share received for the fiscal year. The minimum cost-share payment is $100.
Windbreak Renovation
This practice provides site preparation and clearing for the renovation of farmstead and field windbreaks that have been rendered substantially ineffective due to the death of trees from weather, disease or other natural causes. This practice includes a commitment to replant the windbreak. Unlike other Land Treatment practices, the applicant for this practice has 18 months to complete the project from the time he or she is authorized. The 18-month completion time allows for removal of old trees and replanting new trees.
Windbreak Planning
Specifications are to be based on NRCS Technical Guides. The windbreak renovation plan is to be reviewed and approved by a forester of the Nebraska Forest Service. The forester is to certify that the windbreak has lost its effectiveness, should be renovated, and approve the plan of renovation.
Practice Limits
- In no instance will a cost share payment be based on a cost greater than the statewide average cost per acre adopted by the FSA-USDA for this practice.
- Items of work to be cost-shared will be determined in accordance with NRCS Technical Guidelines for windbreak renovation.
- This practice does not include replanting the windbreak. Those costs could be eligible for cost-share under Practice NC-12. Otherwise, windbreak replanting costs must be paid from other sources.
- A landowner will not become eligible for cost-share on a windbreak renovation practice unless the landowner also agrees to replant the windbreak. No cost-share payment for a windbreak renovation practice will be made until the windbreak has been replanted.
Cost-Share Rate
NRD Cost-Share: The cost-share rate will be either 75% of the state average cost (minus other cost-share funds) or 75% of the actual cost (minus other cost-share funds), whichever is less. The maximum cost-share $7,500 per landowner per year, including all NSWCP and NRD cost-share received for the fiscal year. The minimum cost-share payment is $100.