The land I'm hunting doesn't have any fields, I had to make do with what I had; a plot in the woods. I cleared an area of 30x15yds in a beautiful creek bottom scattered with rubs and scrapes. I got the leaves cleared and most of the small trees taken out and now just have to lug a tiller back there and get it tore up and level. I'm going with the Imperial Whitetail No-Plow but just recently I thought about planting a fruit tree or two. What do you y'all think about the location (based on the pics), the seed choice and the idea of a fruit tree - Persimmon, apple or pear.
It's one thing to clear the ground level for planting...but that thing won't see hardly any light when canopy fills out on all the trees around it. I would recommend hinging at minimum along the southern edge of the opening...this will extend the time your area sees light and hence encourages good growth. If planting a food plot, get a soil test done, tell them what you hope to plant and ask what they would recommend for lime and fert....then get busy! Hinging the trees or cutting the southern side (I would hinge) is huge though, hinging will bring more light in, drop the trees but not kill them getting more browse to the deer's eye level and it will provide some secure feeling instead of the open forest floor park feel otherwise present.
Thank you for your input tynimiller. 20 yards to southern side of the plot is 20 foot pines that run down the entire length of a creek. So I think they will have plenty of cover and feel safe as well as offer plenty of sunlight once I take a few limbs off that are casting shadows over the plot. Furthermore, I have already contacted and asked for Imperial Wildlifes advice on what to plant and they suggested that I planted this seed since clover doesn't require or tolerate much sun during the hot summer months; it will burn up.
Only way anything will burn up is due to droughts. Clover is a great seed, and a mixture is an awesome plot mix. In future adding to this one or one close with another offering whether it be winter cereal grains (oats, rye and such) or a brassica blend will really keep the deer active and happy in and around this spot all year long...the brassicas only get more desireable in cold and snow where other plants die or go dormant. Just some thoughts, good luck! Also don't skip the lime option, while sun is the #1 thing to good growing anything if the soil's PH is terrible nothing with thrive...yeah it may grow but to thrive it needs proper PH levels.
