Effective windbreaks can be planted with either conifers, deciduous trees, or a mix of both. Conifer plantings do need not be as dense as plantings of deciduous trees and shrubs for the same effectiveness. Deciduous plantings should mimic a small forest, including both trees and shrubs for wind buffering function both high and low from the ground, because more deciduous plants will be needed to break the wind than are needed if planting coniferous trees.