Wind break

[imcamod36]

Just got started beekeeping this year.  We are keeping our hives in a field behind our house.  For this year, we have a temporary wind break to protect our hive from the winter wind.  As we expand, we would like to plant shrubs or trees for the wind break.  What tree/shrub would work best and is bee friendly?  We live in zone 4.  Thanks!

[OldMech]

   I have planted rows of pines in some places. In others, the fence rows where I have outyards supply the wind break.. and up here by the house I usually stack big round bales in a row to make a wind break.
   When your setting up a wind break, remember, that the SNOW will pile up behind it..  About three feet behind a double row tall of big round bales I will have a 12 foot snowdrift. If you dont mind your hives being buried (and insulated) this is not a problem... but if for some reason you need to get TO those hives... to check for reserves for example, it can be a problem.
   If your "normal" winter winds are not 20 to 50mph like they are here, it may also not be a problem.

[iddee]

If you have SHB in your area, you won't want a natural windbreak that will shade the hives in the summer. SHB love shady hives.

[Michael Bush]

Anything that flowers and produces nectar would be good.

[Cricket]

I'm not sure how far north privit hedge will grow but it's a big boom in zone 7 in early spring. Grows thick and is a good low wind block.

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[imcamod36]

Thanks for the info!  Definitely don't want any SHB problems!!

[Hi-Tech]

I typically make a small windbreak from square hay bales. Easy to build and easy to remove in the summer...