AT-90-24-2 -- Mean Wind Speed Below Building Height in Residential Neighborhoods with Different Tree Densities

There is little available knowledge of the absolute or relative effects of trees and buildings on wind at or below building height in residential neighbourhoods. In this study, mean wind speed was measured at a height of 6.6 ft (2 m) in neighbourhoods of single-family houses. In a neighbourhood with similar building density and 77% tree density, reductions in approach wind by both trees and buildings averaged 65% in winter and 70% in summer. Empirical models were derived to predict the effect of trees on wind separately from the effect of buildings. The models were based on tree and building geometry derived from map measurements, aerial photos, and fisheye photos from wind-measuring points.

KEYWORDS: wind speed, buildings, domestic, housing, trees, measuring, winter, summer, calculating, wind barriers, plants.