Yes, there are chances of rain next week, and I need 3-4 inches.
The Brushpile
- Thread starter Brushpile
- Start date
On the old forum, buried deep in "The Brushpile", I discussed fast hard mast. Since we're starting new I'll address the subject again. Lots of hunters are 50+ and want hard mast in a hurry, and even younger hunters want quick results. So I started with The Concordia, then the Chinkapin, and there are others.
This time of year I really don't want to go off the mowed plots and paths to take pics because ticks and chiggers eat me alive, but be assured those Persimmon are doing great! Persimmon are no fail, rain or no rain. I'm wondering when I'll see fruit?
The Concordia Oak is a triple cross that includes Dwarf Chinkapin Oak (DCO). DCO is the fastest oak to produce acorns, and most of mine produce acorns within two years. The acorn produced is identical in appearance and taste to a Chinkapin Oak, can be gathered for food and is preferred by wildlife because of it's palatability. DCO is a bush/small tree that only reaches 18 feet at maturity, but it is a prolific producer of acorns.
I've found that any tree that produces sweet fruit or nuts is targeted for browse by deer and gnawing by rodents, so DCO requires protection. DCO can be purchased from nurseries that grow trees for wildlife, like Wildlife Group or Superior Trees in FL. This is a DCO:
I've found that any tree that produces sweet fruit or nuts is targeted for browse by deer and gnawing by rodents, so DCO requires protection. DCO can be purchased from nurseries that grow trees for wildlife, like Wildlife Group or Superior Trees in FL. This is a DCO:
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This a Swamp White Oak (SWO). Swamp White Oak is a vigorous fast growing oak, and is part of the triple cross Concordia Oak. Notice that this young SWO has acorns, and like the Chinkapin Oak and DCO, the acorns can be eaten raw. This SWO acorn production is an exception. Some of my SWO produced acorns in three years and some 8 year old SWO have yet to produce an acorn
SWO reaches 100 feet at maturity, grows in both wet and dry locations, and tolerates periodic flooding. SWO grows predominately in the Midwest, and is one of three large oaks that produce acorns at an early age. The other two that produce early are Chinkapin Oak and Bur Oak. Some, but not all of my Bur Oaks produced acorns in 3-4 years. I bought my SWO from the MDC for $8 a bundle of 25.
SWO reaches 100 feet at maturity, grows in both wet and dry locations, and tolerates periodic flooding. SWO grows predominately in the Midwest, and is one of three large oaks that produce acorns at an early age. The other two that produce early are Chinkapin Oak and Bur Oak. Some, but not all of my Bur Oaks produced acorns in 3-4 years. I bought my SWO from the MDC for $8 a bundle of 25.
I believe that my cages are 4 feet, and I know that browse height extends to about 5 feet. For some reason rabbits target DCO in the Winter and will girdle unprotected trees.
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Brush, so glad to see you starting your thread back over here. You provide so much wonderful information and inspiration to me and others.
Thanks Native Hunter, we both share very similar interests, so your thread was/is one of my favorites.
Southern Bur Oak acorns are huge. Bur Oak is in the White Oak family so their acorns aren't as high in tannin and bitter as red oak acorns. Deer can hear these babies go thud as they hit the ground. Bur Oak acorns drop around the end of October making them idea for bow hunting.
With the cap on, Bur Oak acorns are the size of golf balls, but I'm not sure how far north they'll grow? Bur Oaks In Northern locations produce normal size acorns. I have a few bur Oaks that produced large acorns in 3-4 years, while I have other larger Bur Oaks that have yet to produce.
So, ranked in order of speedy acorn production are.
1. Dwarf Chinkapin Oak- 1-2 years
2. Concordia Oak 2-4 years
3. Chinkapin Oak 2-5 years
4 & 5 Swamp White Oak and Big Bur Oak. 3- 8+ years
Expensive Hybrid Oaks that I planted 8 years ago are eeking along and have produced nothing.
Sawtooth Oak is a fast growing Oak, but my 7 year old Sawtooth Oaks have yet to produce an acorn.
1. Dwarf Chinkapin Oak- 1-2 years
2. Concordia Oak 2-4 years
3. Chinkapin Oak 2-5 years
4 & 5 Swamp White Oak and Big Bur Oak. 3- 8+ years
Expensive Hybrid Oaks that I planted 8 years ago are eeking along and have produced nothing.
Sawtooth Oak is a fast growing Oak, but my 7 year old Sawtooth Oaks have yet to produce an acorn.
