Anyone know what this upper state NY shrub is??
#11

The Gray Dogwood is considered moderate deer browse around here, especially in the Mtns.
Based on the height of the barberry in your pic, I would say its the "Common Barberry" species.
Japanese Barberry looks very similar but doesn't get that tall, that I know of. There is some "American Barberry" that grows in my area, but it has jagged leaves. Other than songbirds, not sure much else uses it.
Here's some info on Common Barberry.
http://www.threatsummary.forestthrea...m?threatID=238
Gray Dogwood.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CORA6
Based on the height of the barberry in your pic, I would say its the "Common Barberry" species.
Japanese Barberry looks very similar but doesn't get that tall, that I know of. There is some "American Barberry" that grows in my area, but it has jagged leaves. Other than songbirds, not sure much else uses it.
Here's some info on Common Barberry.
http://www.threatsummary.forestthrea...m?threatID=238
Gray Dogwood.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CORA6
#12

It just seems as though the deer, through selective browsing, destroy all the plants they like, leaving the plants they avoid to thrive. Not sure how far this holds though... In very heavily browsed areas are the barberry and autum olive eaten??
#13
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14

You would be doing more for wildlife on your property by getting rid of the Barberry and Autumn Olive. Both are exotic invasive species that will crowd out more beneficial native vegetation. If you want shrubs for deer and other wildife I would plant shrubs from the viburnum family. Many produce berries and are popular food sources for an array of wildlife.
#14

You would be doing more for wildlife on your property by getting rid of the Barberry and Autumn Olive. Both are exotic invasive species that will crowd out more beneficial native vegetation. If you want shrubs for deer and other wildife I would plant shrubs from the viburnum family. Many produce berries and are popular food sources for an array of wildlife.
#15
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14

If or when you were to plant the shrubs you would defenitely have to tube them to protect them until they are big enough to withstand browsing. But by doing some kind of control on the invasives, you will be promoting native vegetation to grow. Just trying to say that for the long term health of the habitat on your property it would be wise to try to practice some sort of control on the Barberry and Autumn Olive. I could defenitely find the best control methods for you if you want. I know barbarry is easy to kill, but I'm not as familiar with controlling Autumn Olive.
#16

If or when you were to plant the shrubs you would defenitely have to tube them to protect them until they are big enough to withstand browsing. But by doing some kind of control on the invasives, you will be promoting native vegetation to grow. Just trying to say that for the long term health of the habitat on your property it would be wise to try to practice some sort of control on the Barberry and Autumn Olive. I could defenitely find the best control methods for you if you want. I know barbarry is easy to kill, but I'm not as familiar with controlling Autumn Olive.
I know, I know.... its just that for the shrubs/trres to reach a size/height to withstand hungry deer can be a decade of tubing and then, fencing. Its slow, expensive and a losing battle. What I've been doing is going to the nursuries in the fall and buying up their 8-10 foot fruit trees for $20 bucks apiece (they don't want to be bothered digging them in for the winter). Actually its cheaper and you get results in just a year or so (fruit not browse). I fertilize the plants which are browsed by the deer (blackberry dogwoods etc) to give them a leg up but its also a losing battle. The only thing that works is planting a winter crop like turnips which "sweeten" after they freeze and provide a favored food in late winter when deer are most aggressive.
The barberry does provide cover and the autum olive new shoots seem to get browsed in spring. what do u think kills the autom olive other than repeated mowing???
#17

Autumn Olives are not that difficult to kill, but impossible to eradicate in my opinion. Mechanical means such as digging or pulling out is probably best where applicable. Several chemicals will also kill it, some through foliar treatments, but the most effective is applying the chemical to the cut stump immediately after cutting. Glyphosate/Roundup, Imazapyr/Arsenal AC, Triclopyr are a few known chemical controls for Autumn Olive.
This site has those chemicals listed with prices to give an idea of their uses and cost: http://www.keystonepestsolutions.com/
Mowing/bushhogging might keep them under control and may even kill seedlings, but it will not always kill established shrubs. I know of a field that was not mowed for 6 years and the autumn olives became abundant. The same field, for the last 4 years has been mowed 2 times every year and the autumn olives are still living, waiting for their chance to take off.
This site has those chemicals listed with prices to give an idea of their uses and cost: http://www.keystonepestsolutions.com/
Mowing/bushhogging might keep them under control and may even kill seedlings, but it will not always kill established shrubs. I know of a field that was not mowed for 6 years and the autumn olives became abundant. The same field, for the last 4 years has been mowed 2 times every year and the autumn olives are still living, waiting for their chance to take off.
#18
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14

Autumn Olives are not that difficult to kill, but impossible to eradicate in my opinion. Mechanical means such as digging or pulling out is probably best where applicable. Several chemicals will also kill it, some through foliar treatments, but the most effective is applying the chemical to the cut stump immediately after cutting. Glyphosate/Roundup, Imazapyr/Arsenal AC, Triclopyr are a few known chemical controls for Autumn Olive.
This site has those chemicals listed with prices to give an idea of their uses and cost: http://www.keystonepestsolutions.com/
Mowing/bushhogging might keep them under control and may even kill seedlings, but it will not always kill established shrubs. I know of a field that was not mowed for 6 years and the autumn olives became abundant. The same field, for the last 4 years has been mowed 2 times every year and the autumn olives are still living, waiting for their chance to take off.
This site has those chemicals listed with prices to give an idea of their uses and cost: http://www.keystonepestsolutions.com/
Mowing/bushhogging might keep them under control and may even kill seedlings, but it will not always kill established shrubs. I know of a field that was not mowed for 6 years and the autumn olives became abundant. The same field, for the last 4 years has been mowed 2 times every year and the autumn olives are still living, waiting for their chance to take off.