weekender21
Well-Known Member
I planted 60+ trees on our new property in North West NC this summer and did so without much site prep. The pears, persimmons, and chestnuts were are strategically planted in areas I plan to bow hunt in the future but they are basically planted in and around regrowth from a 2 year old cut over. I put weed mats around some trees and sprayed the rest. It will take me a few years to figure out what surrounding native brush I need to remove and what can stay.
The rest of the areas I plan to turn into fruit and nut orchards are in brand new clear cuts. I'm planning to move all the tops and other trash myself or hire someone to do the work for me with a dozer. These orchards will all be used as a kill plot or a way to influence deer movement.
Since I'm starting from scratch, I want to do this right. I've learned just enough from this site, other sites, and books to be dangerous. I have a pretty good idea of what I think I want but would like to see what you all think.
THE PLAN:
There is a big (~14 acre) destination apple orchard along one of my property borders, at least I like to think of it as a destination orchard. Realistically it's a creek bottom loaded with wild apples and deer are using the area to feed and bed, I definitely have some work to do with regard to deer movement. The creek bottom runs the entire length of the only side of the property that provides access. I'm hoping to influence deer to bed deeper in the property so I can access areas to hunt more effectively.
I'd like to plant several nut and fruit orchards further from the border to intercept deer movement as the deer move from the clearcut regrowth that I'm hoping will be prime bedding cover in the next 3-5 years. The biggest question I have at the moment is what to plant for ground cover in the orchard.
THE PROBLEM:
I live a very long way from my property at the moment so anything that requires constant maintenance is pretty much out. I'm picturing these trees surrounded by white clover at some point in the future or at least a clover/annual rotation. I have an opportunity to lime a small plot or two this winter which will be required, current PH is 5.6 on the area I've tested. This will only be possible in areas I'm able to clear. I might be a little too ambitious to think this is even possible the few days I have on the property this winter.
Should I attempt a clover plot this spring (April or May) after liming in late December or try something else? I've thought about letting native plants like blackberry and pokeweed take over naturally but my fear is they and other plants might make it too hard to reclaim the land ~5 years form now when I move to the area and have everyday access.
Would putting lime on the soil and controlling future plots with annual herbicide application be better than planting something I can't maintain?
A FEW KEY POINTS:
Thank you!
The rest of the areas I plan to turn into fruit and nut orchards are in brand new clear cuts. I'm planning to move all the tops and other trash myself or hire someone to do the work for me with a dozer. These orchards will all be used as a kill plot or a way to influence deer movement.
Since I'm starting from scratch, I want to do this right. I've learned just enough from this site, other sites, and books to be dangerous. I have a pretty good idea of what I think I want but would like to see what you all think.
THE PLAN:
There is a big (~14 acre) destination apple orchard along one of my property borders, at least I like to think of it as a destination orchard. Realistically it's a creek bottom loaded with wild apples and deer are using the area to feed and bed, I definitely have some work to do with regard to deer movement. The creek bottom runs the entire length of the only side of the property that provides access. I'm hoping to influence deer to bed deeper in the property so I can access areas to hunt more effectively.
I'd like to plant several nut and fruit orchards further from the border to intercept deer movement as the deer move from the clearcut regrowth that I'm hoping will be prime bedding cover in the next 3-5 years. The biggest question I have at the moment is what to plant for ground cover in the orchard.
THE PROBLEM:
I live a very long way from my property at the moment so anything that requires constant maintenance is pretty much out. I'm picturing these trees surrounded by white clover at some point in the future or at least a clover/annual rotation. I have an opportunity to lime a small plot or two this winter which will be required, current PH is 5.6 on the area I've tested. This will only be possible in areas I'm able to clear. I might be a little too ambitious to think this is even possible the few days I have on the property this winter.
Should I attempt a clover plot this spring (April or May) after liming in late December or try something else? I've thought about letting native plants like blackberry and pokeweed take over naturally but my fear is they and other plants might make it too hard to reclaim the land ~5 years form now when I move to the area and have everyday access.
Would putting lime on the soil and controlling future plots with annual herbicide application be better than planting something I can't maintain?
A FEW KEY POINTS:
- I want to plant tress now so they will draw deer 6-10 years from now.
- I plan to lime as soon as the areas are cleared; just seems like a no brainer.
- I want a "place holder" for the plots, not necessarily something I want to hunt over. The draw to animals is of less importance than something that will prep the plots for the future. I have no intention to deer hunt the land in 2017 or 2018.
- I need to plant something that won't "require" any TLC. I understand clover needs herbicide application and or mowing to thrive but what happens if it gets neither?
- I brought this topic up in September when I thought I might be able to plant this past fall and most recommended cereal rye, winter wheat, and red clover. Knowing the situation I'm in, is that still a better idea than clover? Can those be planted in the spring too?
Thank you!
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