Can you tell us about the savanna a liitle more? Do you have pics? With the savanna Do you have more turkey use? I seen where Dr Craig Harper stated that he thought an oak tree savanna may be the best overall habitat for wild turkeys.
I purchased a 56 acre parcel of ex Christmas tree plantation that sat fallow for 2 decades and a year later started to transform it into a oak savanna dry mesic type prairie habitat. Oak savanna's can vary by definition especially when the amount of oaks per acre is considered. I mention this because some might say, "thats not oak savanna, too many or not enough oaks!".
Started the process by forestry mulching 28 of the acres in a somewhat random pattern following the natural topography. This plan yielded a LOT of edging and transitional vegetation which I think makes a huge difference in deer and turkey populations. After the mulching and spraying for invasive species, namely spotted Knapweed , we seeded with a very diverse mix of native forbs and grasses.
When we forestry mulched we left a lot of oaks, primarily consisting of red oaks, with some whites and burr's. We also left the native shrubs , hazelnuts and American plum and some white pine and wild cherry trees.
Now that the native species have established themselves pretty well I am concentrating on removing oaks in areas that are too dense leaving the white and burr's.
First picture is right after we forestry mulched one of the "units" as I call them.
Second picture is a aerial view showing the "units" that was mulched and seeded. The blue is approximate property lines, the small red circle is a wildlife pond dig.
Third picture is a few years ago of a "unit" that is doing very well with native species. Since that picture was taken I have reduced the amount of oaks presently by about a third.
And a video link and picture of the subject of the thread! :)
This is "MFDC0022" by townshiprose on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
I have no doubt in my mind that the transformation from choked/dense stands of non-native Scot pines to what I call oak savanna habitat has made a astounding difference in the diversity and amount of wildlife now calling the place home, or at least traveling thru.
