Which feature makes a shrub an effective windbreak?

• A. Broad leaves and thick foliage
• B. The shine of the leaves
• C. How the plant looks against the sky
• D. How they are cut

Answer: (A)

When a shrub acts as a windbreak, the important idea is that wind is slowed by a dense, intercepting canopy. Broad leaves and thick foliage create a large surface area and a continuous barrier, which soak up wind energy and reduce wind speed on the sheltered side. That density directly translates to better protection for soil, plants, and structures. Shiny leaves don’t impact wind energy, how the plant looks against the sky is about aesthetics, and how they are cut doesn’t determine wind blocking unless it seriously affects density—so the key factor is having a dense, broad-leaved canopy.