If you are tired of using skinny poplar trees to provide a narrow windbreak or screen, you may want to try Prairie Sentinel Hackberry.  While our native Hackberry is a tough shade tree growing to a very tall and wide size, Prairie Sentinel Hackberry, introduced by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery, has similar versatility for various soil types, but matures to a compact size of 45 feet tall by 12 feet wide.

Prairie Sentinel can do well in moist soils, as well as better drained areas, but do take care to avoid chronically waterlogged areas.  With good care and watering during its first year of establishment, Prairie Sentinel Hackberry should be able to take care of itself thereafter, and provide a nice lone sentinel tree, or a good screen when planted in a cluster or a line.