The residents of Sussex County, Del., have been concerned about poultry houses being retrofitted with powerful fans for tunnel ventilation--the latest technology for quality poultry production. On a visit to a farm to consider solutions, George "Bud" Malone, UD Cooperative Extension specialist for poultry, came up with an idea that would both benefit the grower's operation and preserve good neighbor relations.

The solution: Trees--lines of trees--surrounding the poultry house. Limited studies suggest that planting trees around livestock facilities may offer a number of benefits, including more efficient production and increased income; improved soil, air and water quality; and even better relationships with nonfarming neighbors.

Update: A tree initiative for tunnel-ventilated poultry farms was undertaken. For the past three years, UD scientists have implemented studies to verify the benefits of the tree program. Interest in the Delaware research and this innovative best- management practice has grown regionally and nationally.

FAQs: Why are trees a natural for protecting resources?

• Planting trees around poultry houses creates a natural filter, a cost-effective way to reduce odors, feathers, noise and ammonia-laden dust particles that are part of any poultry operation.
  
  
• Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, store the carbon in their wood and release oxygen back into the air. A single-row, evergreen windbreak one mile long traps and stores carbon equivalent to 60 tons of carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Trees filter nutrients in surface water and groundwater. A tree windbreak can take up from groundwater 200-300 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year.
  
  
• Strategically placed trees reduce poultry facilities' heating costs; trees protect houses from winter winds and, by providing shade in summer, cut down cooling costs.
  
  
• Trees help promote a positive image of agriculture. They contribute to a pleasing view and increase property values, and everyday poultry activities are screened from a neighbor's view. 

If trees are known to benefit the environment and the farm's bottom line, why has no one come up with this solution before?

• They have, but until recently, poultry houses were ventilated by fresh air that came in through the windows, and trees blocked air circulation. The switch to tunnel ventilation changed
  all that.
  
  
• Interest in the tree program has grown as neighbor-relations and emissions concerns have escalated.