WV Hunter

I have a 1 acre pond that sits about 100 yds from a state road. There is a large creek about half way between the road and the pond. The woods around the pond are fairly open(hardwoods)...although a few areas were starting to brush up.
I want to plant something that will grow fast and brushy to block the view of the pond and the open area around the pond, from the road. We apparently have a new resident (Mr. Beaver), that decided he would take down every sappling and peice of hardwood brush he could find, and build a hut.<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle> I just noticed he was there about a week ago. He can't have been there more than a month, and already the area is at least twice as open as it was. We've been hoping the area would thicken up on it's own, and it looked like it was beginning to, until now.
Last year I got 250 white pines from the Va forestry dept, and planted them along the road...in two rows. Also I planted another two rows in between the road and our small fieldy area near the pond. They are doing well, but I'm sure it will take quite a while for them to grow to any size, and do any good.
Is there anything I could plant that would grow in fairly open woods, or the field edges that would grow thick and fast? I'd like to create a strip of thicket between the road and pond if I can. I'm not sure what would work. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Our forestry dept has a wide variety of trees that are available, I just don't know what would work best in this situation. I do know one thing...as soon as the ice melts off the pond, I'm gonna have a nice beaver pelt!!!! <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> Man is this frustrating.

Thanks
Mike

Tree climber

first I would check with the forestry dept. and see what they say and what they have.
pines and cedar always work good in my neck of the woods for wind breaks and cover.
cedar works best,they will have limbs all the way to the ground.

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

timbercruiser

I would try Eastern Redcedar. They definitely will make a thick blind from a road, are relatively cheap and should have good survival. Plant two rows for best coverage.

farm hunter

The beaver could be a good situation, the pond edges should become
very thick. But you may wish to control that yourself if you know what I mean.

As far as a cover strip, Pines are about the best for the cover as you have already done. For a quick fix, if the field edges get enough light, corn, sorghum, or Biologic Biomass, can all get the job done in one season. You will need ALOT of Nitrogen to get the highest growth. Use Silage corn for screening, as it will grow 8 ft or more. Remember, The Nitrogen is the key for high growth.

Dan O.

The quickest trees for coverage are poplar and willow. Unfortunately as I found out, a family of beavers can drop more than a dozen large trees in no time at all. Also; these are their prefered food trees. I would go for white spruce and white cedar as long term cover. An ornamental grass like Pompus Plume will grow to about 8' tall and form a good cover.

Dan O.

WV Hunter

Thanks guys. I've looked into the eastern red cedar for planting in other areas also, but our forestry dept doesn't offer them.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> All the places I have found them, they are a little too pricey for my budget. Does anyone know where they are available cheap?

Is there any type of bush/shrub type plant that might work well?

FH, I don't think I would be able to put any corn/sorghum in due to the topograpy. I would have to clear some woods, and I don't want to do that.