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Slowing the Wind in your Garden

One of the best ways of protecting your bonsai is to slow the wind in the local area of your trees.

Rather than trying to stop the wind thereby creating turbulence and increased wind speed, it far better to diffuse and diminish the force of the wind by partially blocking it.

By using a partial barrier such as a large plant, trellis, bamboo screen or hedge, the wind is allowed to pass through but with much less speed and force.

By allowing the wind to pass through the partial barrier but with reduced force, the wind speed and strength is radically dissipated It is estimated that a thick hedge or dense tree (such as a conifer) will gently reduce wind speed for a distance of 15-30 times its height.

In the above diagram, it is possible to see how attaching a partial barrier (a screen or trellis) to the top of a solid barrier (such as a wall or fence) can remove the problem of turbulence on the lee (sheltered) side by removing the 'drag' caused by the solid object.

In a typical English garden surrounded on 3 sides by walls or fencing, wind speeds of only 15-20 miles per hour will regularly blow over bonsai and garden plants. By planting mature trees and with the use of strategically placed bamboo screening around the perimeter of the garden, gusts of 50mph to 60mph can have little effect on your bonsai.

Extra Precautions to take in Windy Weather

• The wind causes increased moisture loss from the foliage of plants, be aware that bonsai will require more water during warm, dry winds in the Summer.
• As the moisture level in a pot is reduced, there is a tendency for the plant and pot to become top heavy and more liable to being blown over. Watering before or during strong winds will increase the weight of the pot and reduce the chances of the tree and pot toppling over.
• If very strong winds are forecast, group your bonsai closely together so they protect each other from the wind and from falling over.
• Give plants with thin leaves such as Japanese Maples, extra protection as they are at greater risk of leaf damage from the wind.
• Don't place bonsai on the floor where the wind speed is greater than higher up on a bonsai bench. Do make sure to keep bonsai placed in the middle and not the edge of their benches so that if blown over, they do not then fall onto the ground below.
• Always tie your bonsai into its pot when repotting to stop the tree being blown out of the pot during strong winds. Trees that are not secure in their pots are at greatest risk of damage.