Snow fence

Illiniwek · Nov 6, 2001

Just moved to a rural area and need some advice on snow fences. How well do they work, how far away from the house or driveway should they be placed, and what's the best way to anchor them into the ground? Thanks!

rdln · Nov 6, 2001

I have too much tall vegetation that catches snow to cause a problem around my house.
and if it did I would just have to get on my tractor /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I just started seeing
fence going up around here, it appears to be the a orange excavation warning type fence
wire tied to steel t-posts spaced about 15feet apart. In one harvested field it appears that
the landowner is just being a nice guy and keeping drifts away from the public road. He kept it
at least 100feet from the shoulder. I (not being one for government handing out my money) would
like to see a tax break for landowners that plant hedges to prevent drifting and blowing snow
on roads to save maintenance dollars. Two rows of russian olive plants in high wind areas
could prevent black ice and save lives on certain highways and freeways.
If you find your fence does solve a problem this winter and it is practical you could create a
hedge by planting yew bushes in a row or evergreen trees.

dummy · Nov 6, 2001

What effect do the russian olive plants have?

rdln · Nov 6, 2001

they are a shrubby tree, grow fast but not tall two rows make a great snow trap and
are great windbreaks for supporting wildlife, Autumn olive is similar and could be used.

Bird · Nov 6, 2001

I spent a week once in Kanab, UT, in an RV park; had a nice little tree right by the door to the RV, but I'd never seen one like it; had to ask the park manager what it was, and I was told it was a Russian Olive. I don't think we have any of 'em in my area.

TxBilly · Nov 6, 2001

Bird
From what I have read about them, we don't want any!
Bill

Bird · Nov 6, 2001

Oh? I haven't read about them; just thought that one was pretty nice. Are they like Mesquite; once one you have one, you'll never get rid of them?/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Egon · Nov 6, 2001

Snow fence:
They work best if you buy an airplane ticket to warm southern climes and return when the snow is gone.
Egon

beenthere · Nov 6, 2001

bill_w
I was surprised at your comment, but then did some research and found this article.
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/fselum.pdf
Apparently their are some problems. Thanks for the heads up.

ejb · Nov 6, 2001

I used to use a snow fence to keep the snow of my driveway...had 3 50 foot sections, each about 20 feet apart, and the closest one to the driveway was about 30 feet.

Used the regular green metal garden posts to hold them up and also fastened them every 10 feet or so front and back with oak stakes with wire lines (kind of like tent tie-downs) to keep them from blowing over...

I stopped using them because I work from home and really don't mind doing any extra plowing in the winter. Less work than setting up and taking down the fence...and more fun/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird · Nov 6, 2001

Bill, after looking at the site beenthere gave us, I think you're right! Oh well, it looked good in Utah anyway./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

RobS · Nov 6, 2001

From what I have read about them, we don't want any! 

You guys talking about the Russian Olives or the snow fence /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird · Nov 7, 2001

talking about the Russian Olives or the snow fence

Both./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Von · Nov 7, 2001

I live on a privite drive that is about 1/2 mile long on top of a hill ( read as: wind blown drifts!). We put up over 1/4 mile of snow fence to keep the drifts off the road. We use 6 ft. T-post to hold it up spaced about 12 ft. apart, and use old coat hanger wire to tie it to the post. The fence has to sit a min. of 60 ft. off the road, otherwise the drifts will be in the road. All the homeowners pitch in and we can put up all the fence in about 2-3 hours. Use the bucket of the FEL to drive the post in, so it goes pretty fast.

MikePA · Nov 7, 2001

Could you describe the technique you use for driving in the t posts with the FEL? When I tried it, the post kept slipping off.

Von · Nov 7, 2001

I put a 500 lbs. counter weight that I made for the 3 pt. hitch in the bucket. Someone holds the T-post until it is started and with the added weight the bucket just pushes the post in. We slide a cap over the top of the post that is nothing more than 8" of pipe with a flat plate welded to it. This spreads out the load and saves the bottom of the bucket from dents!