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Post by kooch on Feb 17, 2022 20:28:13 GMT -6
This is why I’m leaning toward switch grass and shrubs. I don’t care if the deer hang out all winter, just as long as I can kill one now and then in the fall.
If I’ve got a few acres of cattail, a few acres of thick switch, and a couple acres of food once all the crops are out, surely I’ll have a chance at a StabCamp 11 pointer now and then. Or a trophy spike. Assuming solid access and a cozy box blind with propane heat and glass windows of course.
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Post by benmnwi on Feb 17, 2022 20:37:12 GMT -6
Nothing beats conifer bedding areas, so I'd sure plant an acre for sure. You could always plant other stuff between the trees while you wait for the conifers to mature.
I have crappy deer numbers at my rusk county place, but I still have a few deer bedding in my 15 year old visual screen by the highway. They really like that southern exposure on a cold snowy day.
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Post by Reagan on Feb 17, 2022 21:09:02 GMT -6
I’m 48. I’ve planted several hundred spruce. I’m going with pine this year and moving forward. I don’t have time to wait on spruce and figure I’ll be old before the pine lose too many lower branches.
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 17, 2022 23:27:31 GMT -6
It’ll just take so darn long to be anything if I plant from scratch at 53 years old. The Christmas tree growers here figure 7 years from planting plugs to harvest. What’s the grow time there in the Midwest? |
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 18, 2022 5:38:27 GMT -6
So at 67 plus this spring, I should not plant half a dozen spruce?
I would plant at least a few clumps of spruce. You won’t regret it.
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Post by Reagan on Feb 18, 2022 6:10:54 GMT -6
So at 67 plus this spring, I should not plant half a dozen spruce? I would plant at least a few clumps of spruce. You won’t regret it. You should plant them. Is planting trees ever bad? If I had more time for habitat work or lived on the property, I’d probably plant a bigger variety of everything. But I only have so many weekends to get stuff done. My spruce that went into the ground 2 years ago have hardly grown. I’d like to see some results in the next 5 -10 years and I’m not sure spruce will provide that. |
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 18, 2022 6:43:35 GMT -6
So at 67 plus this spring, I should not plant half a dozen spruce? I would plant at least a few clumps of spruce. You won’t regret it. You should plant them. Is planting trees ever bad? If I had more time for habitat work or lived on the property, I’d probably plant a bigger variety of everything. But I only have so many weekends to get stuff done. My spruce that went into the ground 2 years ago have hardly grown. I’d like to see some results in the next 5 -10 years and I’m not sure spruce will provide that. on my soils, spruce rest for about two years and then begin to grow. I suspect you will be happy about five years from now, unless they are in an understory of hardwoods or crowded with Reed Canary grass. Five or six feet high spruce are attractive in a seas of grass. They are also great for pheasants in areas where winter storms hit. |
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Post by smsmith on Feb 18, 2022 6:57:41 GMT -6
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Post by Tooln on Feb 18, 2022 6:57:56 GMT -6
I planted Norway Spruce in my clear cut. No prep to the ground just found an open spot and put them in. I used root gel and it was a bad dry year. When planted they were a 6-9" bare root. First year was slow after that they grew 12"+ a year. I had pics on Photo Bucket but they are long gone as PB didn't get my $$$$.
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Post by Reagan on Feb 18, 2022 7:46:29 GMT -6
You should plant them. Is planting trees ever bad? If I had more time for habitat work or lived on the property, I’d probably plant a bigger variety of everything. But I only have so many weekends to get stuff done. My spruce that went into the ground 2 years ago have hardly grown. I’d like to see some results in the next 5 -10 years and I’m not sure spruce will provide that. on my soils, spruce rest for about two years and then begin to grow. I suspect you will be happy about five years from now, unless they are in an understory of hardwoods or crowded with Reed Canary grass. Five or six feet high spruce are attractive in a seas of grass. They are also great for pheasants in areas where winter storms hit. Most of mine are crowded by goldenrod and probably marestail. Each year I wonder if I should put a bucket over them and spray. So far I just leave ‘em. |
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Post by Bwoods11 on Feb 18, 2022 9:00:30 GMT -6
Kooch--I think you will do well with some pine if caged. A Norway or Scotch Pine should jump up pretty fast, if you cage them. I know a lot of work, but it will be worth it.
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Post by mnaaron on Feb 18, 2022 10:15:30 GMT -6
I would recommend planting some conifers in fabric and then planting native grasses in between rows. Talk with your local PF Farm Biologist on programs to pay for some or most of it.
Planting trees now will for sure give you deer viewing options like Art when you retire.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Feb 18, 2022 10:43:33 GMT -6
Good point Aaron and if you put out corn/hay in the late season, you will have deer and pheasants in there all the time. Fun to watch.
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 28, 2022 14:48:58 GMT -6
 . I planted this clump of about six spruce as a bedding pocket. They bed behind the spruce, between them and the popple woods. Escape path is either way. |
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 28, 2022 14:53:16 GMT -6
 This must be there night time bedding area. When I got up at 3 AM, three were bedded here. One had it’s head down and two had their heads up. This is just beyond the mowed part of our lawn. |
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