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Post by jbird on Jul 2, 2019 13:59:08 GMT -5
OK - I have a 1/2 acre near the house that is a hillside that is mostly fescue and mulberry trees at the moment. I used to mow this area, but the springs and ruts and the like make it fairly dangerous so I hate doing it. Its just steep enough that I don't feel comfortable mowing across the slope. Slope faces north.
I finally got the wife to give in and allow me to plant trees (plantation style) in this area. So based on typical reforestation populations I am looking at roughly 700 trees an acre or 350 trees for this little project.
I have no interest in making it deer habitat as it's pretty close to the house and barn and the like, so I am thinking of planting it in walnut. Walnut already grows well in that area and the higher water-table in that area I think will work well. I also have a means to simply collect walnuts and put them in the ground if I choose not to plant actual bare root trees. I doubt the trees will ever grow to a size for a timber harvest in my lifetime, but that would be icing on the cake. Recent timber sale prices still show walnut as being one of the more prized hardwoods of Indiana.
So - am I missing an opportunity with this or overlooking something?
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Post by parrothead on Jul 2, 2019 16:58:26 GMT -5
Just get a dibble bar and do like 75 or 100 per day.
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Post by greyhair on Jul 2, 2019 17:08:21 GMT -5
I reforested a couple acres with red oak, white oak, walnut and yellow poplar seedlings. A few odds and ends like cypress and cherry too.
I tried something different. You have seen the hybrid or instant poplars I am sure. I planted some of them in this area on the theory that they would grow quickly, not reproduce, and for the first few years would make shade, a leaf drop, and an aerial network for birds, coons, squirrels etc. After a very few years they just die, and the woodpeckers have a field day.
To my surprise, my plantings did well, and a lot of other things appeared as volunteers. Hickory, pawpaw, sycamore, burr oak, cedar, sugar maple, beech and some I don't know.
A forester told me that those instant trees really helped keep the ground cool in the hot summer, which is critical for seedlings to establish and thrive for the first few years. Now they have all died, leaving a very diverse young forest.
I got my seedlings through the DNR program. I was very happy with them, but you need to order early.
We have been here 27 years and I have gotten great pleasure from this.
I have trails cut through my 8 acres of total woods, and have transplanted mayapples and other woods plants into the new section too
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Post by duff on Jul 2, 2019 19:23:09 GMT -5
Similar to gray hair, I just quit mowing a lot of pasture area and the seed bank and tree rats did my planting. Walnut, oaks, persimmon tulips etc. I just go in and remove what I dont want or free up the ones I want to promote. These areas are thick as anything. I cut lanes where I want them but have no desire to mow or maintain around individual trees back there.
Plantation of single species opens up risk for disease. Imagine if your plot was all ash planted 20 yrs ago or more. Next blight is around the corner.
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Post by greyhair on Jul 2, 2019 19:40:42 GMT -5
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, all my ash trees are toast
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Post by gumbootbill on Jul 3, 2019 3:26:34 GMT -5
Apple and pear trees also.
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