eddiee

Two years ago i planted 250 white spruce seedlings on my property in western ny. This spring i am looking to intermix some white pine seedlings into my spruce patch this year. My question is will either of these trees introduce diseases to one and other? I am looking to give my pine tree patch more of a natural look buy planting white pine where the spruce trees have died and also adding a few more, roughly 100. Right now they are spaced about 8' apart each way. Any Thoughts or suggestions???? Ohh yeah i am trying to create a bedding area for deer.

Thanks for the help

eddie

TimberPig

I cant offer you any specific advice other than to say that the DNR wildlife specialist who came to my property advised planting Norway spruce and White pines together in the same planting, as well as additional species. I wouldnt think it would be a problem, in fact every nursery I talked to recommended planting several different types of trees just for the purpose limiting the impact any particular disease might have. That way if a disease does hit you only loose part of your planting rather than an entire planting of a single species. Hope that helps some.

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PILOT

Hi Brian, Did you plant your trees as seedlings? If so how much growth did you get in 5 years? Did you cage up your white pines to prevent browsing? Ive considered spending the money on 5' trees at $25 apiece in order to avoid the expense of protecting the seedlings and the obvious time factor. I may plant some bigger trees on the perimeters and seedlings in the interior part of the planting areas. What spacing would you recommend now that you see this growth 10-12 feet?

Dan O.

Pilot; The recommendation for 3 row windbreaks in my area is cedar, pine, spruce. They' ve done fine for me. As for the seedlings; plant a few big trees for show but the seedlings are much more cost effective down the road. My price is .25 cents for a seedling so that would end up as 10 large trees vs 1,000 seedlings.

Dan O.

WV Hunter

Pilot....I planted 250 white pine seedings last year. I was worried about the deer eating them too, but up through mid winter, they hadn' t. We' ve had a tough winter , so we' ll see how we made out. I planted ours along a state road (for an eventual screen). I spaced mine about 10 ft apart. I can only hope they make it and take off big time this year. I was actually suprised how much they grew last year, considering they were seedlings.(some grew like 8" )
I had originally thought of planting trees a few feet tall also, but they just weren' t cost effective for me. I can get 1,000 seedlings delivered to my home, for about $100. Can' t beat that.

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PILOT

Thanks for the info. guys. The seedlings are much more affordable and I definitely have more time than money. Anyone know if there is any cause for concern with atrizine in the ground when planting seedlings. Atrizine was used in the field last spring, being a herbicide Im guessing it wouldnt effect the trees since they already have root systems but Im not sure and its alot of effort for nothing.

farm hunter

Hello Eddiee,

I do not think it will hurt anything either to mix in some white pine, where the spruce may have died back. Keep in mind that white pine will grow nearly 2 times as fast as spruce (depending on which type) also that white pine should be spaced at 15 ft apart if possible for " more bushy" results. They' ll grow closer together, but will have few branches once over 10 ft tall, and will grow high, and " pole straight" .

Pilot -

As far as atrazine in the soil - It is not a good thing but depends on the amount of residual remaining. If by fall last year, you still had some weed growth, especially small weeds, you' d probably be OK to plant pines. Last fall I planted where Atrazine had been the year before, with no loss. However, it was a rather weak application of the chemical. I think it will come down to a best guess desicion on your part - if in doubt, do not plant.

PILOT

Thanks farmhunter I may go out and look to see if there was much weed growth from last year. However I may just wait until fall or possibly next sping to begin planting. This really throws a wrench in my plans as far as food plots aswell. Im going to try some clover/alfalfa with wheat or oats this fall and hope for the best.