I am thinking about starting a food plot in the timber. The area I am looking at is about 40 yds wide by about 150 yds long. It is an area that is mostly small elm trees and deadfalls. It was logged about 8 years ago and has grown back up. The area sits between a pine grove on the east side, and real brushy draws heading away from it on the west. I know I am going to have to clear everything off of the area, but I am wondering if I have to pull the stumps from the trees I cut down or just leave them alone. Also what kind of seed blends has anyone had luck with in a wooded area. I am located in Southern Iowa. The area is near the top of a ridge and should get pretty good sunlight during the afternoons. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Iknow this is going to take a lot of work, so I would appreciate any pointers that will help me not waste time.

Thanks,

Dan

That would be about 1.2 acres so it is a good size plot. I would go ahead and bite the bullet and get a JD 650 or so size dozier and clean it up. If there are many stumps over 10 or so inches you may needan excavator. Should be plenty of sunlight to plant most anything you want to.

You are probably going to have to really fertilize it if it is a ridgetop though. Make sure you get a soil analysis done before doing any planting; it will save you a lot of grief from a 'failed' plot and money for having to plant again.