Living Snow Fence Program

The Living Snow Fence program is a partnership between Grey County and rural landowners. The primary goal of the program is to make use of the natural environment to help prevent drifting snow and hazardous driving conditions on County roads. Using trees and shrubs, living snow fences create a physical barrier that acts as a windbreak, causing blowing snow to settle in a designated area.

What are the benefits of living snow fences?

• improved public safety by reducing snow drifting on roads and keeping roads open longer in drift-prone areas
• Reduced snow removal costs through reduced fuel and salt use
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from snow plowing  
• Creating natural carbon sinks, sequestering roughly 5.5 tonnes of carbon per km
• Improved wildlife habitat
• Moderated soil and air temperatures  
• Improved farm crop yields - According to data from Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, windbreaks can reduce wind erosion on farms and improve crop yields by up to 15%

Grey County covers all costs of planting and maintaining the trees. Landowners who participate in the program will be providing a public service, helping to keep the roads safer while enhancing the natural environment.

Who can participate?

Landowners with property in high-need areas may participate. To enter into the program, contact roads [at] grey.ca (roads[at]grey[dot]ca) or call 519-376-7337 to find out if you are in an eligible area.  

How does the program work?

• Landowner identify where they are willing to have trees planted
• Grey County staff work with the landowner to determine the number and location of trees and addresses any questions or concerns.
• Landowners enter into a 20-year agreement with the County that includes the number and location of the trees.
• Once the agreement has been finalized, the County covers sole responsibility for planting and maintaining the trees.

What if the property is sold?

The agreement is with the current landowner. The agreement does not transfer. 

Are corn rows also an option?

Yes, while planting trees is preferrable, the use of corn crops (pending crop rotation) may be a potential alternative. Farmers are required to leave a minimum of 12 rows of corn crop standing throughout the winter season. Grey County will pay a fair market value for the crop remaining in the field.

The following factors are used in determining an appropriate "fair market value":

• Forecasted December corn futures price per bushel;
• Canadian US dollar exchange rate;
• Expected yield in Grey County (bushel/acre) and
• Standard row separation of 30 inches. 

Where should snow fences go?

Barrier locations are strategically chosen and designed to trap snow as it blows across fields before it can reach the road. Snow fences force wind to go over and through the fence, causing the wind to lose energy and speed. The snow settles as the speed slows, forming a drift adjacent the snow fence rather than on the road. The height of the fence determines how much snow a fence can trap, and the distance installed from the road.

How to apply to the snow fence program

If you live along a Grey County Road and are interested in participating in the living snow fence program, contact Grey County by:

     Email: roads [at] grey.ca (roads[at]grey[dot]ca)
     Phone: 519-376-7337