What are the little fences that are along the interstates in states like Kansas, Wyoming or Mo.? I also noticed lines of trees with fence in front of them. The fence has like wooden pieces sticking down in the fence all along the whole thing. That looks like lots of work. But they are just up near the road. I don't really see why they are there. What good are they? It seems like they are for snow drifts maybe? The tree lines were in Col.
Kris
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 5:22:55 PM
Are you talking about the ones that are about 20 ft high and about 100 feet long? Those are to help control drifting snow in winter.
The fences I saw were only about 3 or 4 feet high. And didn't look very sturdy at all. And they weren't very long, just here and there, too. Not long stretches of fence.
Alee, I do remember seeing those high ones in Wy. several years ago. But these are smaller and not that long. And the rows of trees I were near the roads, too.
I would have to say they are snow breaks too. Even if they're not very tall they can sure help a bunch. We had them in IL and they were usually around 5 feet. When I was going to Utah last summer I saw the big ones they have in the mountains - those had to be at least 10 feet!
I know that farmers will even plant small bushes or trees along their fields to keep their soil from blowing away. Sometime even in the winter the ground might not be covered with snow but the hard winter winds can still blow the top soil around and even completely off their fields. Those flimsy orange fencing is also used in some states for snow control. It's to help keep the roads somewhat clear of snow drifts. Notice I didn't say they keep the roads completely clear of snow drifts. The ones that you saw Kris could also be wind breaks for any livestock out on that range or field.
Wind Breaks?
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 5:14:56 PM
