Haloxylon ammodendron is a critical species for the establishment of protection forests in the arid regions of China. To explore the optimal density and configuration of Haloxylon ammodendron forests that would enhance their wind protection effectiveness, wind tunnel simulations were conducted under controlled conditions. The study examined the wind velocity and flow characteristics across three different stand densities and four distinct configurations, resulting in a total of 12 different forest models. The experiments were carried out under a wind speed of 10 m/s, with the goal of providing a solid scientific basis for the optimal design and arrangement of protection forests in arid zones. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows: (1) When stand density was held constant, the area of wind speed deceleration zones was largest in uniformly distributed stands (A3, B3, C3), and the degree of wind deceleration was more pronounced in these areas. Additionally, when the configurations were kept the same, increasing stand density did not result in a strictly proportional change in the size of the wind speed deceleration zones. Although there were variations in the densities that were most suitable for different configurations, these differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, increasing stand density resulted in a larger range of wind speed deceleration zones. (2) Under conditions of low to medium tree density, configurations involving one row and one band, or two rows and one band, provided better wind protection. In high-density conditions, configurations of two rows and one band, or a uniform distribution of trees, significantly improved the wind protection effectiveness. The variations in wind speed within the forest belts were most noticeable at the canopy level. Beneath the canopy, it was found that higher stand densities led to a lower average wind speed. Specifically, the forest belt with a configuration of two rows and one band at high density (C2) exhibited the lowest mean wind speed, recorded at 2.30 m/s. (3) At heights of 30 cm, 15 cm, and 3 cm above the ground, the wind protection efficiency of the forest belts ranked as follows: C>B>A. Among all the configurations tested, the forest belt with high density, consisting of two rows and one band (C2), provided the most effective wind protection. In conclusion, this study successfully identified the optimal stand density and configuration for planting Haloxylon ammodendron forests. These results not only contribute to the scientific understanding of wind protection mechanisms but also provide a valuable foundation for the development of windbreaks and sand-fixing forests in arid regions. Furthermore, the findings support the formulation of strategies aimed at optimizing the structure and arrangement of protection forests, offering practical guidelines for the sustainable management of arid zone ecosystems.