farm hunter

If you own a bit of land, this is the time of year to consider habitat improvement in the long run, and plant some trees/shrubs.

I order through the NY state nursery in Saratoga, [link]http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/privland/nursery/species.html[/link]

Its cheap, and simple to plant.

This will be the 3rd year of tree plantings for me, and Totals of a couple 1000 trees planted in blocks and windbreak/field dividers. Some day, I hope that my legacy will be the plantings I did at the turn of the century.

One other tip, if you have friends/family with overgrown fields, they might be open to the suggestion that you transplant some specific seedlings from the property - to yours. Where I work, the company owns 10 acres, of old gravelbed - that has been abandoned for 20 years. I obtained permission to transplant 100's of trees from seedlings - to shoulder height onto specific parts of my property. I concentrated on Spruce, red pine, and cedar - but hope to get some hardwoods this year (oak hopefully) Sure its some work, but it only costs your time.

Here is me planting in March of 2001 - These are "wild" norway spruce, I obtained from the field at work - I wish there was more!

charlieb

farmhunter - thanks for the info. You mention that you have planted/transplanted ceder. Any special preperation? What about protection from deer? I am in Delaware County and expect that what would work for you would work for me. Any and all advice is appreciated.

Rob in VT

Don't forget about your local National Wild Turkey Federation chapters for habitat items.

I am the Habitat Chairman for our Central Vermont chapter. Each spring we offer a variety of habitat items which the chapter supplements a large portion of the cost. This year we are offering 8 crabapple trees (5' to 6' in height) AND 8 highbush cranberry bushes (2' to 3' in height) for $40 . We are also offering 3' white oaks and Whitetail Institute's Imperial Clover. The money raised at the annual Super Fund banquets is usually used for the purpose of habitat improvement.

. . . Rob

farm hunter

Charlie,

One good thing about cedar is its hard to kill if the roots are kept wet. When transplanting I like to get a bunch of roots, but don't worry about cutting/breaking some roots.

The bad thing about cedar is that deer love to eat it - especially if you get snow, and its a "new addition" to your habitat. It almost has to be fenced off until its head high. You can plant it in some pretty swampy areas though, and in-between blowdowns to "hide them" from the deer.

Rob - Can you post a link to the NWTF tree/shrub sales? - I couldn't find it on line and I'd like to see it.

Thanks
Sean

Rob in VT

Sean,

These are usually put on by your local NWTF chapter. What I do is put together an order for 700 - 900 trees/shrubs in November to our local conservation office. I then send a flyer to our members telling them what is available and what the cost is. They then send in their orders with a check. The end of April is when I distribute the packages. The crabapples I get are one which the fruit doesn't drop in the fall, it persist all winter.

Here is the link for the NY State Chapers: http://www.turkey-talk.com/nys-nwtf/

Email your local chapter to see if they are doing anything. Hopefully they are.

I have also dug up trees and transplanted them. I cheat a little as I have a Kubota with a backhoe. The hoe works nice getting the rootball out intact.

. . . Rob

colomabuck

This will be my 14th year in planting trees on my hunting land. 1600 Red, White, and Jack Pines this spring. We make it a Family weekend!

charlieb

Farmhunter - thanks for the response. About the offerings of the NY Chapter of NWTF, they are offering Special Purpose Strut & Rut seed. They will pay half the cost of up to 3 bags ($21 each, includes shipping). additional bags are available at $42 each, I don't know if that includes shipping.

This is a mix of pre-inoculated, warm and cool season grasses & clovers. Each 20 pound bag covers approximately one acre. Additional questions can be addressed to Mike Joyner, President of the NYS Chapter of NWTF. Mike can be reached at [email protected].

farm hunter

Thanks Charlie -

I will give Mike a shout - Heck maybe I'll join too - We have a good turkey population, and I'd like to help make sure it stays that way.

Sean

doughboysigep

Also don't forget to contact your local Soil & Water Conservation District (shameless plug). Orders are being taken now. Almost every District in the state(s) has a tree program with a very good selection of tress (& generally better quality than the State nursery). We have over 50 species of trees & shrubs. Most transplants (3-5 yr. old trees go for $1 - 1.40/tree. Bulk seedlings are much less.

Happy planting.

Dan O.

farm hunter; those "seedlings" that you're planting are absolutely amazing. The ones that I've been putting in are about as big as the top growth shoot on your trees. They only cost $.35 but I'll have to wait a few more years than you before the plantings close in. This is going to be an off year for my planting (only 500 trees). Although I am planning on growing about 2,000 seedlings (oak, hickory and chestnut) for transplanting this fall.

Dan O.