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Willows
Apr 29, 2017 22:46:30 GMT -6
Post by mnfish on Apr 29, 2017 22:46:30 GMT -6
I am looking to possibly use willow for screening around my newly created food plots. I am hoping the willows can draw a lot of moisture, provide screening, and ideally browse. Is this a good or bad idea? Any and all suggestions welcome!
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 3:56:49 GMT -6
Post by nhmountains on Apr 30, 2017 3:56:49 GMT -6
MNF,
What's current setup? Are they part of larger fields? Surrounded by woods, swamps, etc? Any aerials?
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Post by Sandbur on Apr 30, 2017 6:23:31 GMT -6
I like willows. I like the idea better with some spruce mixed in there!
Use the spruce to focus deer movement to specific locations around the foodplot. This works better after leaf fall.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 30, 2017 6:43:29 GMT -6
I have not seen willow activly browsed by deer. There are so many different types that there may be varieties that deer browse but I have never heard of them.
I like willow as once its estblished it grows very well.
You could try ROD but as deer browse it but you will have to protect it until its established.
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 8:27:39 GMT -6
Post by mnfish on Apr 30, 2017 8:27:39 GMT -6
MNF, What's current setup? Are they part of larger fields? Surrounded by woods, swamps, etc? Any aerials? - These are smaller plots around 1/2-3/4 acre. Long and narrow and positioned thur areas that had tag alders. - To Jerry's point, there are so many different types of Salix not sure how to narrow it down or where to buy them. I was thinking about doing cutting with the ROD since it grows so well at my place. Has anyone done cuttings with ROD? - I like the spruce idea...a lot
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 9:32:20 GMT -6
Post by sd51555 on Apr 30, 2017 9:32:20 GMT -6
I'd try to find some willows in the neighborhood that look like the ones you want and try the cuttings route. I'm kicking around the idea of trying some willow cuttings off my place that show the bush tendency. I'm gonna try to get them going in my leftover styro 6 blocks and try to come back later in summer and plant in between my spruce rows by the road. I'm also trying ROD cuttings myself right now, although, not direct planting: deerhabitat.freeforums.net/thread/565/red-osier-dogwood-super-potsThis is two weeks in and looking pretty good so far.
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 10:05:02 GMT -6
Post by mnfish on Apr 30, 2017 10:05:02 GMT -6
I'd try to find some willows in the neighborhood that look like the ones you want and try the cuttings route. I'm kicking around the idea of trying some willow cuttings off my place that show the bush tendency. I'm gonna try to get them going in my leftover styro 6 blocks and try to come back later in summer and plant in between my spruce rows by the road. I'm also trying ROD cuttings myself right now, although, not direct planting: deerhabitat.freeforums.net/thread/565/red-osier-dogwood-super-potsThis is two weeks in and looking pretty good so far. Very cool! Thanks for the info
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Post by smsmith on Apr 30, 2017 10:21:12 GMT -6
Sandbar and Purple Osier willows are very common around here. Sandbar seems to get taller by 5 feet or so. Purple osier tends to make thicker clumps, and seems to be more common on wetter ground. All willows like moisture, but some deal better with year round moist soil than others.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 30, 2017 16:20:09 GMT -6
One thing about Willow is you can graft it. If you have a variety that does well on your soil but later find a variety the deer browse you can graft to the existing rootstock.
If you find a variety deer like let us know.
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 18:05:45 GMT -6
Post by Bwoods11 on Apr 30, 2017 18:05:45 GMT -6
For me, willows have only done well on wet soils. I have not tried many varieties, so I'm no expert.
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 18:22:04 GMT -6
Post by mnfish on Apr 30, 2017 18:22:04 GMT -6
For me, willows have only done well on wet soils. I have not tried many varieties, so I'm no expert. What type(s) have you tried? From cuttings? Growth rate?
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Willows
Apr 30, 2017 18:45:11 GMT -6
via mobile
mnfish likes this
Post by coop on Apr 30, 2017 18:45:11 GMT -6
I cut a couple hundred willows locally and planted them on my property in a stream bank. They thrived until the grass got tall. They started die off in July. I looked them over and mice had them girdled. I know it was mice cause I found numerous nests around girdled cuttings. If ever I try it again, I'd pay more attention to year 1grass/weed control.
I might have 12 survivors.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 30, 2017 19:13:00 GMT -6
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Post by Bwoods11 on May 1, 2017 10:40:54 GMT -6
For me, willows have only done well on wet soils. I have not tried many varieties, so I'm no expert. What type(s) have you tried? From cuttings? Growth rate? Well cuttings off my own farm, but mostly let them grow up naturally. I think sandbar willow, I could take pic in a few weeks, they are really growing up nice in my low land area.
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