Just wanting advise on creating thickets on our property. We have 60 acres in central IL. Last year, we planted 14 acres of tillable into NWSG and forbs. The inner portion of the property is abandoned horse pasture with a creek running through the center. There are existing trees along the creek, mostly Osage, Hawthorne, willows, and honey locust. The hillsides and open parts in the bottom are solid fescue and cocklebur and other noxious weeds. I want to get some oaks established, remove fescue and noxious weeds, and create some thickets. I would like to plant evergreens, but am open to suggestions. I was thinking either red cedars or white pines. I need opinions on species, methods, and info on the best pricing. Thanks! Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk
Any trees that arent beneficial to wildlife, hinge cut them. If you cut several unwanted trees in one location, it will get fairly thick and be a good get-a-way area for deer. As for planting trees, id go with the evergreen and some cedars. It will provide thermal cover for the deer and they will use it as a bedding area. I recently planted evergreens and white pines on my farm and the area was fairly wide open CRP grass. Oaks are a great idea, as well as apple trees. I heard sawtooth oaks begin to produce acorns rather fast and make a lot of 'em. Good luck to you.
Your native grasses you planted will be a great bedding area for deer in a couple years. Maybe Hinge cut along the creek but try to avoid cutting within 50 yards to reduce sedimentation ruining your water quality. Planting white pines with 6X6 spacing would create good thermal cover as well as a wind break. However, dont let them get too tall and block the sunlight to the forest floor. If they get to that stage, cut them off neck high and leave the tops lay.
