Fruit/nuts for turkeys

chad whittington

chad whittington

Member
I’m in charge of property management at our land. We are looking a fruit and nut trees for deer and turkey.
Planning on some Japanese persimmon and pecans but looking for turkey specific (bonus if deer will eat)

Thinking about mulberries and chinkapin.

Any other suggestions? Like to have something that fruits spring and fall


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One thing to note & you're 1,000 miles south of me is what time the Mulberries drop in your area (if you want them dropping during spring turkey season). They're just starting to drop here in VA (right after our turkey season ended). With that being said, they are some HARDY trees & can take a beating! This should be a good topic, will be following!
 
coolbrze0 said:
One thing to note & you're 1,000 miles south of me is what time the Mulberries drop in your area (if you want them dropping during spring turkey season). They're just starting to drop here in VA (right after our turkey season ended). With that being said, they are some HARDY trees & can take a beating! This should be a good topic, will be following!
Click to expand...

Think they drop April May here depends on variety


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Any flowering plant that attracts bugs. I have had many a day watching turkeys chase bugs through early blooming clover. It can be rather hilarious. Buckwheat is another really good one if you can get it to bloom early enough. The bugs attract the turkey and then the seeds are one of their favorite treats, right up there with chuffa.
 
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Clover plots are the best thing for turkeys. What kind of native oaks do you have---I'm betting water oaks for sure. Also, do y'all lease or own?
 
Nice to see a fellow member from Mississippi. I am down on the coast. I would stay away from Asian persimmons. They have a tendency to hang on the tree and not drop for the turkeys to access. I agree with you that mulberries would be good. I just started learning about them earlier this year and now have several 2-3" seedlings started from this year's crop. I am sure that you already have plenty of water oaks. Willow oaks have small acorns that turkey can eat. Allegheny chinquapin are native and turkey, deer and squirrel would all love them. Dogwood, blackgum, Chickasaw plum, and black cherry would also produce fruit at different times of the year that will benefit turkey.
 
THE LLC said:
Clover plots are the best thing for turkeys. What kind of native oaks do you have---I'm betting water oaks for sure. Also, do y'all lease or own?
Click to expand...

There are white and red oaks. Not sure of variety. It’s my brothers place. We do 4-5 smaller plots in just clover.


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Fishman said:
Nice to see a fellow member from Mississippi. I am down on the coast. I would stay away from Asian persimmons. They have a tendency to hang on the tree and not drop for the turkeys to access. I agree with you that mulberries would be good. I just started learning about them earlier this year and now have several 2-3" seedlings started from this year's crop. I am sure that you already have plenty of water oaks. Willow oaks have small acorns that turkey can eat. Allegheny chinquapin are native and turkey, deer and squirrel would all love them. Dogwood, blackgum, Chickasaw plum, and black cherry would also produce fruit at different times of the year that will benefit turkey.
Click to expand...

There’s some pears and plums already down there. Picked up some seeds to try and sprout. Think this local tree place splices female persimmons so May go that route. They have variety that both male and female drop.

Definitely going to do elderberry
Mulberry and chinkapen


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I will give you one that nobody ever thinks about - Witch Hazel. It shoots out a small flavorful nut kernel that humans can eat as well. When I say shoots out I mean that literally. The nuts can fly out several feet from the bush.

I laid some of the nuts on a table in my basement once and when I came back in a few days several of the nuts had popped out and they were scattered everywhere. :)

Read about Witch Hazel on the internet.
 
Here’s what we planted. There are plenty of white and red oaks. This is mostly for deer but I am also trying to make sure I have plenty for turkey as well. Blackberry and some blueberry bushes. Couple pear trees and plum. Added what’s in pic. They were out of chinkapen. Any other turkey specific hardy trees anyone can suggest? Not really concerned about dropping in spring. We plant clover in spring/fall and do sunflower and rye or some other grain for doves

c9cbd5e00939b8f35246cc8e944f78ac.jpg



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Another vote for gobbler sawtooth oaks. Also I would consider hazelnuts for turkey. Beech trees in the South are considered a hit or miss tree for nut production but when they do bear I’ve seen turkey swarm them in the fall going after beech nuts.


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