Windbreak: Planting and Tree Selection

The beauty of it is that we truly have an incredible selection of native and exotic flora throughout Australia that is perfectly suited for screening and wind deflection. Plants with inherent strength are ideal and you can choose between many stunning species of trees, shrubs, and even hedges.

Whether you live out in the country or a residential house like me, many different types of landscapes can benefit from some form of wind protection. 

In this article, I will be sharing 20 of the best windbreak plants to grow in Australia in the hopes I can help you find the perfect fit for your property. I will be highlighting my top 10 native species as well as my top 10 introduced species to give you as much of a selection as possible. Let’s begin.

What is a Windbreak?

Put plainly, a windbreak is a row or screen of plants that function to protect sections of a garden or landscape from strong winds, simultaneously sheltering other plants as well. A windbreak can be effective in many forms – whether a succession of trees or a bushy and shrubby hedge.

Sure, a windbreak’s main purpose is to deflect air movements around your home and garden, but if you’re anything like me, aesthetics are also a crucial component to my decision-making when selecting which plants to establish in my outdoor environment. 

To this end, I will also be highlighting the ornamental qualities of the species below for those interested in distinctive foliage and colourful flowers. 

Benefits of Planting a Windbreak

• Helps to guide wind over and around the vital structures and sections of your property that you want to protect.
• Lessens the impact of direct prevailing winds or intense consistent winds on existing vegetation, essentially ensuring their wellbeing.
• Boosts the privacy of your property by making it more difficult for neighbours to look around. 
• Apart from wind protection, a windbreak can also elevate a property's overall aesthetic appeal using attractive foliage and vibrant blooms. 
• Adds additional sun protection to properties.
• Will attract local wildlife, big and small, further contributing to the biodiversity and health of your area’s ecosystem.
• Helps to control soil erosion and protect wind-sensitive crops, which will typically lead to increased yields.
• Helps to save water as moisture retention in the soil is boosted by the protection from strong, hot winds. 

Key Factors of a Good Windbreak

Whether you choose to plant windbreak trees or windbreak shrubs, there are some key components to these leafy shields that will ensure they fulfil their purpose as best they can. 

• Ideally, for larger landscapes, a windbreak should consist of a mixture of tall and medium-height trees, with lower-level shrubs and some understory of native grasses. This will ensure both height and density are achieved.
• A layered or grouped planting approach is recommended with a few species suited to your area. 
• I tend to lean towards evergreen specimens when considering windbreaks as these plants maintain denser foliage throughout the year, allowing the windbreak to function for longer periods, even in dry and cold winters. 
• A mixture of various heights and dense foliage is crucial. 
• For larger properties with intense winds, is it best to establish fast-growing windbreak trees that reach at least 8 metres or more in height with thick foliage and a low-branching habit. 
• For smaller gardens and properties, a solid hedge or a row of small trees would work perfectly. 
• In general, fast-growing plants are always best for windbreaks as their more vigorous growth allows them to protect areas at a faster rate.

1. White Bottlebrush – Callistemon salignus

I absolutely adore the white-flowering bottlebrush, Callistemon salignus. This hardy Australian native makes for the perfect windbreak when planted in groups as it can be grown as both a larger tree and as an attractive hedge.

It is prized for its dense evergreen foliage, vigorous growth habit, and its striking white bottlebrush flowers.

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 5 to 10 metres tall, up to 5 metres wide.
• Position: Requires full sun to light shade, planted in moist well-draining soil.
• Care: Fertilise with native plant food in spring and prune after flowering.

2. Magenta Lilly Pilly – Syzygium paniculatum

Not only is this one of my favourite species in the Myrtaceae family, but it is also one of my most cherished bush tuckers at home. The Magenta Lilly Pilly features perfect bushy growth for native hedging and screening, ideal as a windbreak shrub or windbreak tree around residential homes. Enjoy its pink edible fruits, fluffy white flowers, and glossy foliage.

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 3 to 15 metres tall, 2 to 10 metres wide.
• Position: I recommend full sun to light shade, planted in a well-draining loam-based soil.
• Care: Water and prune regularly until established, and mulch and fertilise in hot spells.

3. Silver Banksia – Banksia marginata

An Australian garden favourite, Banksia marginata are woody shrubs that can be grown upright as large windbreak trees or smaller windbreak shrubs. It produces dense evergreen foliage that covers most of the plant, ideal for smaller landscapes that need ground protection above all. Plant in groups for a showy floral display in spring.

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• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 4
• Mature Size: 1 to 12 metres tall, up to 8 metres wide.
• Position: Needs daily dappled sunlight and thrives in sandy soils.
• Care: Only fertilise to boost poor soils and water well during establishment.

4. Tallowwood – Eucalyptus microcorys

A larger-than-life native evergreen tree, the Tallowwood features a sturdy straight trunk, vigorous root system and a dense crown, all befitting of an excellent windbreak specimen. Ideal for larger landscapes or farms, this eucalyptus tree produces vast clusters of linear leaves, perfect for blocking and deflecting intense winds. 

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 5
• Mature Size: 15 to 20 metres tall, 10 to 12 metres wide.
• Position: Loves full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soils.
• Care: Water, fertilise and mulch well in summer. Prune to keep the main trunk vigorous.

5. Hickory Wattle – Acacia implexa

To be fair, most of our acacias make for excellent windbreaks. The Hickory Wattle is an upright medium tree that sports a lovely open crown once mature. Its slender green leaves and perky yellow flowers certainly add to its ornamental appeal.

Plant them in rows for use as windbreak trees. Acacia longifolia is a fantastic substitute for coastal landscapes. 

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 5 to 15 metres tall, 4 to 10 metres wide.
• Position: Ideal for full sun, planted in organically enriched, well-draining soil.
• Care: Maintain moderate soil moisture during development and try not to prune heavily.

6. Brush Cherry – Syzygium australe

Another beloved Lilly Pilly tree, Syzygium australe is noted for its striking pink new growth, glossy pink fruits, and overall decorative appeal in natural spaces. It is a popular bush tucker, producing edible berries perfect for making jams, jellies, and sauces.

These trees make for ideal windbreak shrubs thanks to their dense evergreen foliage and bushy growth habit. 

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 4 to 6 metres tall, 2 to 3 metres wide.
• Position: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Plant in open, deep, and enriched soil.
• Care: Water well to keep the soil moist, feed with organic slow-release fertiliser in spring and prune regularly to keep tidy and shapely.

7. Illawarra Flame Tree – Brachychiton acerifolius

Native to NSW, these spectacular and iconic trees are noted for their flaming-red blossoms, beautiful palmate foliage, and their silhouetted canopies. Perfect as a windbreak in larger outdoor spaces, the Illawarra Flame Tree performs best when planted in rows or groups, offering exceptional wind protection and shade throughout the garden.

• Growth Rate: Rapid
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 5
• Mature Size: 10 to 30 metres tall, 5 to 10 metres wide.
• Position: Pick a sunny spot and plant in enriched, well-draining soil.
• Care: Mulch each spring, water young flame trees regularly and only prune in winter to avoid bird nests.

8. Cedar Wattle – Acacia elata

Boasting fragrant yellow flowers in summer, textured fern-like foliage, and an ideal habit for use as a windbreak tree, Acacia elata is an excellent pick for almost any Australian garden.

This long-lived specimen grows a glorious crown, dense with foliage and flowers, which offers great windbreak potential, regardless of your landscape's size. 

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: Up to 12 metres tall and 6 metres wide.
• Position: Position in full sun and plant in deep, fertile soil with good moisture retention.
• Care: Water well when young, mulch well in summers, and prune after flowering.

9. Common Lilly Pilly – Syzygium smithii

Syzygium smithii is a great pick for smaller gardens that still need some protection from the wind. Although it doesn’t produce edible berries like its relatives, it does still feature vibrant foliage that changes colour with the seasons, as well as an ideal form for windbreak shrubs.

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 3 to 5 metres tall, 1 to 3 metres wide.
• Position: Can tolerate full sun to shade but prefers well-draining sandy-loam soil.
• Care: Water and prune regularly until established and fertilise and mulch in hot summers.

10. Coastal Rosemary – Westringia fruticosa

I would highly recommend this shrub for any coastal gardens that require a windbreak. It is tough, adaptable, and produces dense evergreen foliage that forms along the entire plant, creating an effective wind barrier.

White flowers will accent the shrubs from spring to summer. Plant in rows for optimal wind protection.

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 1 to 2 metres tall, 2 to 4 metres wide. 
• Position: Needs full sun to part shade, planted in light soil that retains moisture. 
• Care: Care can be detailed so be sure to see our in-depth Westringia fruticosa guide.

1. Indian Coral Tree – Erythrina variegata

While these trees are deciduous, they are still commonly used as windbreak trees globally thanks to their strong root systems, massive crows of dense foliage, and their branching habit.

The coral tree is endemic to the tropics, boasting a thick, rigid trunk that helps the tree conserve water. These showy specimens make for excellent fast growing windbreak trees and can be propagated with little effort.

• Growth Rate: Fast in good conditions
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 12 to 20 metres tall and wide.
• Position: Requires full sun in well-drained soil.
• Care: Water to keep the soil consistently moist and prune to encourage the main branch.

2. Laurustinus – Viburnum tinus

I adore this plant’s colourful displays! Laurustinus produces delicate clusters of small pink buds that encompass the shrub, eventually opening out into fragrant white blooms.

It creates an ideal hedge or screen for border plantings, perfectly highlighting its windbreak capabilities. It’s easy to enjoy the vivid displays in its foliage and flowers as well.

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 4
• Mature Size: Up to 4 metres tall and wide.
• Position: Tolerates a range of soil types but needs full sun to partial shade.
• Care: Water regularly, protect from hard frosts, and prune in spring to keep tidy and encourage new shoots.

3. Mock Orange – Murraya paniculata

Another Australian favourite for hedging and screening, Murraya paniculata sports gorgeous dark green foliage and produces an abundance of orange-scented white flowers from spring to summer.

I’ve personally seen a few of these hedges and they are absolutely stunning, so I can highly recommend them to anyone who needs some charisma in their garden.

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 2 to 4 metres tall, 1 to 4 metres wide. 
• Position: Prefers sunny spots in warm gardens and moist, rich, well-drained soil.
• Care: Responds well to trimming and only requires feeding once a year in spring.

4. Hedge Bamboo – Bambusa multiplex

Alphonse Karr bamboo is perfect for those looking to establish a windbreak in little time. It can be fully grown within only 20 months and features a perfect clumping and vase-shaped habit for windbreaks.

They are low maintenance, highly ornamental and grow with a bushy habit. This species can suit both small and large landscapes superbly.

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 3 to 4 metres tall and wide.
• Position: Loves full sun to part shade and grows best in loamy acidic soil, rich in nutrients.
• Care: Can be trimmed to desired height and requires only occasional watering once established.

5. Japanese Photinia – Photinia glabra

Photinias make for fantastic privacy plants, but this species, in particular, is instantly recognisable thanks to its gorgeous globose crown and pinkish-red new growth.

Its dense habit, upright form, and topiary functionality make it an ideal windbreak shrub for any garden. 

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 3 to 4 metres tall and wide.
• Position: Grows best in a sunny spot with good air circulation, and requires rich, well-drained soil.
• Care: Water minimally once established and prune regularly to maintain shape and tidiness.

6. Cupressus x leylandii

My mum has a few of these spectacular conifers at home so they are a must-have in my opinion. Conifers are notoriously good windbreaks thanks to their very dense form, pyramidal growth habit, and their extremely textured foliage.

They can be kept small with regular trimming or can be left to grow out, meaning this species is suitable for all garden sizes. Also suitable for coastal environments. 

• Growth Rate: Fast (Leylandii is the fastest-growing conifer species)
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 3
• Mature Size: 10 to 30 metres tall, 8 to 20 metres wide.
• Position: Prefers well-drained soil but tolerates many soil types. Plant in full sun to part shade.
• Care: Prune 3 to 4 times per year and avoid overwatering once established.

7. False Olive Tree – Buddleja saligna

A South African native, the False Olive tree is a large pioneer tree that makes for an ideal quick-screening plant. It is very hardy, sports dense evergreen foliage and is drought resistant.

Its massive clusters of pale-yellow flowers and its upright form further elevate its windbreak capabilities. 

• Growth Rate: Fast
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 5
• Mature Size: Up to 15 metres tall, up to 8 metres wide.
• Position: Thrives in full sun to semi-shade, planted in loamy, slightly acidic soil.
• Care: Water once the soil has dried and prune a couple of times per year to maintain dense foliage.

8. Wild Olive Tree – Olea europaea subsp. africana

This species is used as a windbreak for its spreading crown, dense tapered foliage, and impressive trunks. It functions best when planted in groups along property boundaries and features attractive glossy grey-green foliage. Hardy in windy and coastal areas.

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 5
• Mature Size: Up to 12 metres tall, up to 9 metres wide.
• Position: Full sun to part shade is recommended, planted in sandy soil.
• Care: Water well weekly and prune during its active growing seasons. Fertilise annually.

9. Japanese Privet – Ligustrum japonicum

An evergreen ornamental shrub to small tree with dark-green leaves sometimes variegated in greens and yellows. This species is a popular choice for screening in the US, growing with a lovely, rounded form, dense canopy, and an upright trunk, perfect for deflecting wind.

I would recommend planting some shrubs and understory beneath this plant to ensure wind protection to ground level. 

• Growth Rate: Fast when young
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 2 to 5 metres tall, 1 to 2 metres wide.
• Position: Place in full sun to partial shade and plant into well-drained soil. 
• Care: Water to keep slightly moist but never soggy, prune and fertilise bi-annually.

10. Sweet Viburnum – Viburnum odoratissimum

And lastly, I had to include the ever-beautiful Sweet Viburnum. Noted for its bright pink buds, evergreen lanceolate leaves, and desirable form, this species is perfect for use as windbreak shrubs or windbreak trees depending on how you train them.

Its branching habit allows the plant to cover itself with dense foliage from top to bottom, offering excellent wind protection when planted along fence lines or boundaries. 

• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Effective Windbreak From: Year 2
• Mature Size: 2 to 4 metres tall, up to 3 metres wide.
• Position: Requires full sun to light shade, planted in light, enriched soil.
• Care: Prune regularly for shapeliness and water once the soil has dried to the touch.

Tips for Planting a Windbreak

• For larger trees, I recommend spacing them at least 5 to 10 metres apart when selecting your planting sites. Younger specimens may need to be staked for additional support until established. (Read our guide on plant staking for more details.) 
• For shrubs and smaller specimens, a plant spacing of 2 to 3 metres will suffice. 
• For privacy purposes, it is best to plant along your main fence lines. 
• Plant no less than 2 rows of windbreak trees on larger properties and 1 thick row in smaller gardens. 
• Whether native or introduced, select plants that suit the temperature and climate of your area. 
• A windbreak will typically protect a distance from 2 to 10 times its height, meaning a 5-metre-high windbreak would shelter a distance of up to 50 metres away. 
• For optimal effectiveness, orientation is also vital. Be sure to orientate your windbreak as close to perpendicular to the prevailing winds as you can. Meaning that the prevailing winds should come at about a 90-degree angle for the most part. 
• If you’re unsure which direction your prevailing winds come from, just have a look at established trees around your area, they will normally grow and lean away from these winds. 

Important Considerations When Planting a Windbreak

Before planting your windbreak, be sure to consider the areas you want to shelter, the topography of your property, and the direction of the prevailing winds as they cause the most damage. 

It is important to consider spacing from structures and other buildings or paving if you intend to plant a large tree. 

I would also recommend checking with your local municipality if you intend to grow exotic plants or natives that aren’t usually found in your area. This would mainly be to make sure they cause no unwanted damage to local flora and fauna. 

Lastly, I would like to emphasise the importance of growing a few different species in your windbreak. This will vastly limit the spread of possible pests and diseases between species, as well as offer a more textured and architectural appeal to your landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windbreaks

What is the best kind of windbreak?

The best kind of windbreak would include a good mix of height and density. This means planting both tall and medium-height trees with some lower-level shrubbery and some understory.

Typically, evergreen plants are preferred as well as conifers and other specimens with a dense growth habit.

What is the fastest growing windbreak?

This would largely depend on your area, climate, and landscape. For fast-growing windbreak trees and shrubs, I usually recommend choosing plants that are endemic to your environment.

So native plants that are suited to the specific climate conditions of your area. 

What is the best windbreak for a house?

The best windbreak for a residential house should block winds close to the ground. Use low-growing trees and shrubs with dense foliage to ensure optimal wind protection. Be sure to also prioritise planting along the fence most perpendicular to the prevailing winds in your area. 

What is the best hedge for wind protection?

We have an abundance of native Australian hedge plants to choose from. These plants would offer ideal wind protection as they are fast-growing, suited to our climates, and can usually be pruned for denser foliage and growth to the ground level. 

What Australian shrubs are wind tolerant?

There are many spectacular wind-tolerant Australian shrubs. The most popular are bottlebrushes, banksias, and coastal rosemary. 

How wide should a windbreak be?

I recommend planting at least 2 rows of plants, spaced 2 to 5 metres apart depending on their mature sizes. Regarding the length, a windbreak should ideally exceed the height by about 10 to 1. 

How should you position a windbreak?

Is it essential that a windbreak faces the prevailing winds in your area. So, aim to plant your windbreak as perpendicular (90 degrees) to the prevailing winds as possible. 

Can trees grow strong in the wind?

This would largely depend on the species, but yes, trees can grow stronger in the wind. Windbreak trees specifically can adapt their root systems and produce more protective top growth if they are subject to frequent winds and poor weather.

I would endorse staking young trees to ensure proper growth until they mature.