Hedgerow and Shelterbelt Planting
Source: PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 34
What it is
Hedgerows and shelterbelts are one or more planted rows of evergreens, deciduous trees and/or shrubs, placed strategically and grown to a chosen height and density. They are used to:
- reduce wind,
- control erosion,
- create wildlife habitat.
In PEI’s fragmented landscape, hedgerows also work as treed corridors that let wildlife move between forest patches (see Introduction).
What a well-designed shelterbelt delivers
Properly designed shelterbelts — especially those more than 10 rows wide:
- In summer, provide shade and reduce air-conditioning costs.
- In winter, act as a windbreak that can cut heating costs by as much as 30%.
- Year-round, catch drifting snow.
Eligibility
A site map showing the features that affect design:
| Built features | Land and exposure |
|---|---|
| Buildings · septic tanks · overhead lines (power, cable, telephone) · roadways · satellite dishes | Crops · soil type, drainage and fertility · wind exposure · salt spray · sand and silt movement |
Plus any other relevant features.
Expertise and a plan:
- knowledge of landscape planning and tree silvics, and
- a management plan that meets the Department’s minimum requirements.
Standards and assessment
- Meet the eligibility requirements above.
- Meet the Department’s planting standards (see Planting Standards).
- Monitor and report on how well the planting works.
Based on the PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 34. Where this guide and the manual differ, the manual governs.