The oaks liking a lower PH is one of the reasons I've seen people not understand why their oaks aren't growing. Not that they won't still grow in sweeter soils they just won't flourish as fast or as robust.
If I started Oaks today there is a very good chance they will never even produce acorns while I am alive. You are looking at 25 years or so before they start producing acorns Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While true for the big producers, one can expect some of the chestnuts or hybrids to produce. I completely understand some peoples' hesitations on using these...but I've heard of very good success with chestnuts and some variety will produce under 10 years...and depending on the size you order you could very well have nuts in 5 or less from planting.
Can't speak for Chestnuts as I can't say I've ever seen one. But I definitely have with Oaks. I think planting trees where there isn't any is always a good idea, I would just temper expectations on them becoming big providers anytime soon. If I was planting, It would be so my kids had better food sources for hunting after I am done.
I found this article very interesting. I have thought a lot about planting some Oak or Chestnut trees in our hunting area. We have about 250 acres that we hunt and I have never seen an Oak on it. I had worried about how long it would take to start producing. I guess 5-10 years isn't too bad.
For sure. I think far too many habitat guys only think the now and soon...hence why food plot screens are so popular but planting hedgerows or tree lines are not...both is a huge plus to the habitat. I plan on hopefully putting a couple chestnuts out but also I am protecting all my long term Oaks as well..if I hang on to this 22 acres I actually should see the Saplings get to maturity eventually...granted I might be in my 50's but still if not me as you said my children (Lord willing).
False............. I have native Oak and hybrid plantings from seedlings producing acorns planted 11 years ago here in Va. I have planted right around 15 different Oaks, ( about half of them hybrids) and only one variety has not produced, I get acorns out the ying yang!
As my last post eluded to, do a mixture. There are hybrids (not a Sawtooth Oak fan personally though) out there that produce faster others will take the traditional 15 years minimum before production starts if not 25 or so (lot of factors). Do a mixture. And since they enjoy a low PH, very low treatment costs to the soil unless you have very naturally sweet spots and would need to up the acidity. Some berry bushes and thornbushes love more acidic soils as well, and native browse/weeds as well. Instead of killing the area around the trees entirely like the article says (sure maybe right around the tree) I recommend just keeping competition from maturing ever with maybe a brush hogging a year or two times a year...keep the native brows content high around the trees, add diverse food and yet keep it as natural as possible.
I planted some Dunstan (sp?) Chestnuts 4 yrs ago. Have 7 trees and had my first Chestnut, although only 1 this year. Still waiting for the Apple trees to produce and have my fingers crossed on that for next year Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
another good place to get trees, check your DNR. I know Missouri has a tree farm program where you can buy seedings for like $00.30 each https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings/order-seedlings
Burchestnut, Englishlive Oak, Schuettes Oak, Bebbs Oak . My Sawtooth Gobbler's are the biggest producers so far . Deer in my patch are after them every day until they're gone. All of my hybrids came from Oikos Tree Crops.
How big were the Sawtooths when you purchased? What year are you in with the oldest ones and what year did you see actual production? Thanks in advance.
I'm doing something slightly different. I have a ton of acorn trees on my property. I want to generate more cover so, I keep planting a variety of pine trees. So far, it is only one year so...no real results. I can tell which ones have died though! I've planted about 25 trees and want to plant a few hundred over the next 3 years.
I have some clumps on the new property of sapling size oaks...I'm planning on hinge cutting say if there is 4 - 3 of them over for cover and browse which will live on for years if hinge holds (oaks typically hinge great!). This will allow the remaining saplings to flourish and provide cover/sight blocking and brows at the deer's level.
My $.02 worth, don't forget soft mast. Apples will start to produce in a few years and pears in 5-7. But full size trees, protect them while young then when the deer prune them there will be plenty of tree left to produce. You'll have hundreds of apples and pears and the deer love them. It's a great supplement to nuts.
Oh without a doubt...and the nice thing is most soft mass enjoy similar PH requirements as our food plots...so really avoid discing or tilling too close and they can be incorporated right into your plots if protected from rubbing annilation.
