blueKYstream
5 year old buck +
I am considering planting some seedlings (maybe 300 max), likely persimmon, pawpaw and/or chinese chestnuts. From what I understand, deer feed heavily on the leaves of chestnuts, so some sort of protection is a must. It's hit or miss in some areas I've read with persimmon. Deer don't eat Pawpaw leaves. For that reason, I was going to buy tubes I suppose to protect the chinese chestnuts. I'm debating it with the persimmon. I know a friend has seen a persimmon while mowing, but I haven't seen any (though that doesn't mean they aren't there).
Those tubes are what I consider to be expensive at about $3 a 5' tube per 100 for Miracle tubes. I was considering going with the Protex tubes at about $0.40 less. I hear they are more work though both in assembly and maintenance. After that, the stakes would be about $1 per stake if I were to buy 1/2" PVC conduit at Lowes or Home Depot. All said and done, that's probably $1,000 for 300 tree seedlings, tubes and stakes. That's a tough pill to swallow. I have a boatload of tobacco sticks. Would those be suitable to use as stakes?
My questions: Has anyone had luck (I'd consider 30-50% survival) with planting chestnuts, pawpaw or persimmon without protection? Are there hardy trees or shrubs that can be planted for deer that they wouldn't wipe out (not interested in oaks or hickories because I have plenty)? This is a stupid question, but I'm thinking unless I fence it off, planting with cattle is a bad idea. I'm open to other tree suggestions if they don't require protection (except I have plenty of oaks and hickories).
Those tubes are what I consider to be expensive at about $3 a 5' tube per 100 for Miracle tubes. I was considering going with the Protex tubes at about $0.40 less. I hear they are more work though both in assembly and maintenance. After that, the stakes would be about $1 per stake if I were to buy 1/2" PVC conduit at Lowes or Home Depot. All said and done, that's probably $1,000 for 300 tree seedlings, tubes and stakes. That's a tough pill to swallow. I have a boatload of tobacco sticks. Would those be suitable to use as stakes?
My questions: Has anyone had luck (I'd consider 30-50% survival) with planting chestnuts, pawpaw or persimmon without protection? Are there hardy trees or shrubs that can be planted for deer that they wouldn't wipe out (not interested in oaks or hickories because I have plenty)? This is a stupid question, but I'm thinking unless I fence it off, planting with cattle is a bad idea. I'm open to other tree suggestions if they don't require protection (except I have plenty of oaks and hickories).