My oak plantation project

[Chipdasqrrl]

I am working on converting 2.5 acres of scotch pine into mast producing trees. So far I have been able to plant 25 white oak trees this past Spring. I plan on adding blocks of Swamp White oaks, Northern Red oaks, Chinkapin oaks, Dwarf Chinkapin oaks, Bur oaks, Burgambel oaks and Bur oaks, along with small blocks (12-ish trees) of apple trees, chestnut trees and pear trees. Any thoughts or advice on my plan is greatly appreciated. I will keep this updated with my progress and thoughts.

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Here is a diagram and time frame of the project

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Here is a picture taken after I finished caging all of the white oaks this spring. I planted the trees every 10 ft, with 30ft spacing between the rows. 24/25 of them survived so far.

Here’s a couple pictures of the trees. The bigger one was planted last year.

 

[gut_pile]

Lookin good

 

[Nebraskaz71]

I dont have much experience with dwarf chinkapins but I know they are pretty slow growing and small, they produce fast but not in mass quantities since they are a smaller tree. Personally not huge on the idea of them but otherwise looks like a good plan to me!

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

I dont have much experience with dwarf chinkapins but I know they are pretty slow growing and small, they produce fast but not in mass quantities since they are a smaller tree. Personally not huge on the idea of them but otherwise looks like a good plan to me!

More of a variety thing. Planting them just because. Nothing is set in stone though, so I might end up planting something else. you made a good point about small quantities of acorns and that may change my mind. Thanks for the input!

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Before & after of today’s progress. Trying to carve out the space for the Swamp white oaks.. It’ll take a while to do it myself

 

[buckdeer1]

The sooner you can get planted the sooner they are grown.They look further apart than that but what I would plan on doing is finding someone with a tree spade in a couple years and work a deal with them to work by the hour so that if you have high survival you can move some and gain spacing.If they are 2-3 inches diameter they won't know they have been moved

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

The sooner you can get planted the sooner they are grown.They look further apart than that but what I would plan on doing is finding someone with a tree spade in a couple years and work a deal with them to work by the hour so that if you have high survival you can move some and gain spacing.If they are 2-3 inches diameter they won't know they have been moved

What spacing do you think they should have?

 

[Nebraskaz71]

I plant all my oaks on 25-30ft spacing, but planting thicker is better imo cause then you can thin out the junk ones or the dead trees later on in a mass planting like that

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

I plant all my oaks on 25-30ft spacing, but planting thicker is better imo cause then you can thin out the junk ones or the dead trees later on in a mass planting like that

25-30ft between rows and trees in a given row? 30 x 30 seems a bit thin to me but I really wouldn’t know what’s best


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[buckdeer1]

In the end I would say thats about right,I think the state had me plant 15 ft apart and rows 15-20 ft apart and even my sawtooths that are around 10 shade everything on the ground.I don't think you should change plans right now but have a plan to thin and not just have to cut down trees.Don't wait until too big

 

[TreeFan]

I would expect that the variety of oak/chestnut would have a bearing on the density. For example - DCO would be 15X15, Chestnut 20X20, White/Red oak 30X30..

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Thanks guys, I’ll start increasing my spacing now. Less trees will make it easier and cheaper, so that’s a bonus


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[Chipdasqrrl]

Looking for some advice. What are some shrubs I could plant throughout my clearing? I want to make sure this clearing isn’t wide open and deer feel comfortable feeding here in daylight.. in 20 years when the oaks are producing.


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[TreeFan]

Ninebark are hardy and easy to grow - deer love them - caged until 6 feet and they will be happy. Uncaged and they will stand up to vigorous browse but, will not grow over a foot tall.
Autum olive is a no-no. Wildlife like them so much that the seed is spread far and wide and they can take over the landscape.

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Ninebark are hardy and easy to grow - deer love them - caged until 6 feet and they will be happy. Uncaged and they will stand up to vigorous browse but, will not grow over a foot tall.
Autum olive is a no-no. Wildlife like them so much that the seed is spread far and wide and they can take over the landscape.

What kind of ninebark? I looked it up and there seems to be a variety of ninebark shrubs, some even unattractive to deer. Thanks

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

What kind of ninebark? I looked it up and there seems to be a variety of ninebark shrubs, some even unattractive to deer. Thanks

Nevermind, I’d assume it’s just common ninebark. A local nursery sells them at 2-3’ for $1.35 in orders of 25-100. That will be perfect, thank you

 

[TreeFan]

Wow.. I looked it up and there are lots of different kinds! Mine look like this -
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=ninebark+shrubs+ninebark+shrub+varieties&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001&imgurl=http://www.sproutswyo.com/uploads/2/7/8/2/27829043/s329859440226174507_p165_i1_w640.jpeg#id=7&iurl=http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ninebark-shrub.jpg&action=click
I tried to find the technical name unsuccessfully.
I got my ninebarks from the Alcona County Conservation District and I see they are still listed in their offerings - 2 year - ranging from 5, 10, 25 and 50 bushes for $9 to 43$.