First post but have been lurking for years. Looking to improve a new 40 acre hunting property in central WI, Adams County (Zone 4/5). Soil is very sandy, "Wisconsin Central Sand". Property is located on the very crest of the hill. Several glacial kettles. There is good ag in the area and moderate deer density.
Property mix-
60% mature hard woods consisting of primary Black Oak
30% is pine, mostly white. Much of this is mature. There is a few acres that are younger w/ decent bedding but those area's won't be great in a few more years at the lower limbs are starting to drop.
5% Red Cedar and grass
5% open grass
Long term 10-12 acres of TSI / logging will take place in 2027 and again in 2037 as the red oaks and pines are ready for harvest. Forester recommended clear cutting 1-2 acre patches as that works best for oak regeneration vs select cut. Short term we are in need of improved bedding and some food. We are not interested in food plots, have done that in the past and it's alot of work. Plus I don't want to complete with the near by ag fields. So the focus is on habitat improvement.
Last spring we planted in the open grass land;
12 wild apple trees from North 4O in 5' tubes. These are doing well.
25 chestnut in 5' tubes. At least 50% die off. I think the soil is too dry.
12 American plum in 5' tubes. Planted in semi shade/edge. Seems to be doing well.
50 white pines. These are doing well.
This coming spring the current plan is to plant:
12 crab apples, a mix of translucent and Whitney from a local nursery.
25 American Plum
100 Hazelnut
200 White Spruce
I have several questions as I prep for next spring. Goal is to continue converting open grass land to bedding.
Apples & Plums in tubes
1. Do I need to be concerned about mice getting into the wild apples this winter? Should I add aluminum screen around the tube or will the tube be sufficient protection so long as it's in the ground a bit?
Hazelnuts
2. I'm planning to replace the dead Chestnuts with Hazelnuts. Anyone in the area have feedback in Hazelnuts that they can share?
3. The Hazelnuts are $1/piece from the state tree sale so I might try some w/o protection. Is anyone successful w/o protection in areas w/ good ag? No bear in the area.
4. Is this more hassle and cost (having to protect them) vs planting white spruce? Seems like many on here don't think the deer get to them and we have a ton of squirrels. It's probably not too late to change my order to spruce and perhaps bump the plums to 50 as these will at least sucker off and spread.
Protection Fencing vs tubes vs screen -
5. Is there a reason to go to fences instead of tubes or screen? Again, we don't have bear.
Sorry for the novel, this helps to get some thoughts on paper! Any feedback on is appreciated.
Property mix-
60% mature hard woods consisting of primary Black Oak
30% is pine, mostly white. Much of this is mature. There is a few acres that are younger w/ decent bedding but those area's won't be great in a few more years at the lower limbs are starting to drop.
5% Red Cedar and grass
5% open grass
Long term 10-12 acres of TSI / logging will take place in 2027 and again in 2037 as the red oaks and pines are ready for harvest. Forester recommended clear cutting 1-2 acre patches as that works best for oak regeneration vs select cut. Short term we are in need of improved bedding and some food. We are not interested in food plots, have done that in the past and it's alot of work. Plus I don't want to complete with the near by ag fields. So the focus is on habitat improvement.
Last spring we planted in the open grass land;
12 wild apple trees from North 4O in 5' tubes. These are doing well.
25 chestnut in 5' tubes. At least 50% die off. I think the soil is too dry.
12 American plum in 5' tubes. Planted in semi shade/edge. Seems to be doing well.
50 white pines. These are doing well.
This coming spring the current plan is to plant:
12 crab apples, a mix of translucent and Whitney from a local nursery.
25 American Plum
100 Hazelnut
200 White Spruce
I have several questions as I prep for next spring. Goal is to continue converting open grass land to bedding.
Apples & Plums in tubes
1. Do I need to be concerned about mice getting into the wild apples this winter? Should I add aluminum screen around the tube or will the tube be sufficient protection so long as it's in the ground a bit?
Hazelnuts
2. I'm planning to replace the dead Chestnuts with Hazelnuts. Anyone in the area have feedback in Hazelnuts that they can share?
3. The Hazelnuts are $1/piece from the state tree sale so I might try some w/o protection. Is anyone successful w/o protection in areas w/ good ag? No bear in the area.
4. Is this more hassle and cost (having to protect them) vs planting white spruce? Seems like many on here don't think the deer get to them and we have a ton of squirrels. It's probably not too late to change my order to spruce and perhaps bump the plums to 50 as these will at least sucker off and spread.
Protection Fencing vs tubes vs screen -
5. Is there a reason to go to fences instead of tubes or screen? Again, we don't have bear.
Sorry for the novel, this helps to get some thoughts on paper! Any feedback on is appreciated.