Planting trees

[Band-it]

Hello Guys,

What would be best type hardwood to plant for ducks? I do have control of the water, so that will not be an issue.

Thanks!

[strmchzr]

i've been considering a similar green tree reservoir project in s.e. kansas.

imo, there are significant obstacles to consider when undertaking such a project.

1. Will planted trees flourish under wet conditions if not started in place as seed? Many hardwoods take on totally different physiological characteristics depending on where they germinate and establish....Flood a potted Maple and it will die. Start one from seed in wet peat and it will flourish under water. (dakota31400, waterfowler.com)

2. water control is paramount to most trees survival. (i.e. only flood pin oaks when dormant)

3. what planting methods should be utilized to prevent large scale loss of seedlings (deer browse, weather, etc.)?

this was my conclusion when considering the feasability of the project:
the flood of 1993 resulted in numerous reforestation projects in the mississippi river flood plain that should further our understanding of variables associated w/ successful tree plantings in seasonally flooded compounds.

here's a few interesting articles i've found on the 'net:
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/doc ... t/mast.pdf

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/forest/f_plain.pdf

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/n_res ... /toler.htm

http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/200 ... ey_003.pdf

http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/forestry/ ... tation.htm

http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/0002.pdf

considerations for establishing mast bearing trees in seasonally flooded compounds
when creating a green-tree reservoir, the natural fluvial processes will be changed, such as soil and hyrdrology patterns, which could affect oak tree reforestation in crop lands. successfully planting seedlings doesn't necessarily correspond to establishing a green tree reservoir for migrating waterfowl. additional research of the proposed site, seedling selection, and planting methods should be investigated before attempting to create a wetland oak tree woodlot.

based upon similar reforestation efforts along the mississippi river (primarily in missouri), i still believe it is possible for a private landowner in eastern ks. to create a g-t reservoir for waterfowl hunting. biologists at the Smoky Waters and Plowboy Bend conservation areas in Missouri should be consulted to determine the feasability of the project.


hope this helps!

[billjohnson]

You darn well better have control of your water and you'd better not leave if on there for more than about 80 to 90 days. Damn beavers will ring every tree in your pond if you do. Pesky little critters plug up our pipes and have virtually destroyed 15 acres of sawtooth oaks that we planted in our duck field.

[strmchzr]

have you flooded the surviving sawtooths?

will sawtooths tolerate brief fall/winter flooding?

[Double R 2]

Strmchzr
Sawtooths will take dormant season flooding just fine. Welcom to msducks.

Band-it
Hardwood restoration is my forte. To keep it simple: Get a copy of the soil survey for your area and look up your site. Reference the woodland suitability table for recommended species to plant. If it's a floodplain site in the delta, Nuttall oak will do great. Located on a minor floodplain (and soil survey pending) Nuttall will do good to but you may be able to plant cherrybark oak with equal success. Get the water off before cessation of tree dormancy. In this part of teh world (have no idea where you're located) the blooming of red maple and elms is indicative of this event.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks has a SUPER program called "Mississippi's Acorns for Wildlife Program" where you can purchase hardwood "super seedlings" in bundles of 50 complete with fertilizer packs. planted with a post hole digger instead of a dibble bar, the root system on teh se seedlinsg are amazing and make acorn production within 10 years acheivable with management and a little luck. Because the program is sponsored by the NWTF, these seedlings are available to landowners well below cost. Call them to reserve yours.

[Band-it]

Thanks Guys!