Using arrowwood viburnum as a natural screen/cover source

[Hoytvectrix]

Did a quick search in Google and couldn't find anyone else in the habitat world doing this and was wondering what your thoughts are on this. We have some arrowwood viburnums growing in a few places around the farm. It seems to make a good thicket that doesn't get too tall. I'm looking to split an open field that I think would connect two bedding areas. As it is, deer only cross the field at night and I'm hoping something like a natural screen would provide some cover and break up the long line of site. The thickets we have of it only get about 7-8 feet- short enough for us to still rifle hunt over, but tall enough for the deer.
Anybody else try this? Missouri conservation has rootstock seedlings available and I'm considering trying some.

 

[goatman]

I planted some on the edge of my yard for screening. Maybe the variety but after 3 years it is only 4'. Maybe miscanthus giganteus would work.

 

[Native Hunter]

I have some in my jungle planting. I had to protect them from browsing until they could get established, but they are fine after that. They do get thick and would make a nice screen.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I planted some on the edge of my yard for screening. Maybe the variety but after 3 years it is only 4'. Maybe miscanthus giganteus would work.

I was hoping for something a little more native than MG that would fit the landscape. It's probably a little petty, but the area in particular is a favorite vista for my parents and they like the aesthetics of the viburnum and/or wild plum thickets. I know the MG would establish quicker and I wouldn't have to worry about browse pressure. That's great to know about tentative timeline. The viburnums we have are all native and I'm not sure how long they have taken to get to that size.

I have some in my jungle planting. I had to protect them from browsing until they could get established, but they are fine after that. They do get thick and would make a nice screen.

Did you just use tree tubes? I have hundreds of telescoping tree tubes and was considering doing just this. I wasn't sure how they would grow in the tube though.

 

[Native Hunter]

I was hoping for something a little more native than MG that would fit the landscape. It's probably a little petty, but the area in particular is a favorite vista for my parents and they like the aesthetics of the viburnum and/or wild plum thickets. I know the MG would establish quicker and I wouldn't have to worry about browse pressure. That's great to know about tentative timeline. The viburnums we have are all native and I'm not sure how long they have taken to get to that size.



Did you just use tree tubes? I have hundreds of telescoping tree tubes and was considering doing just this. I wasn't sure how they would grow in the tube though.

I'm not a tree tube kind of guy. I caged mine and then removed the cages a few years down the road when they matured. I tried first with no protection, but that didn't work. Since that time, the birds have planted a bunch more for me. They spread easily from seed.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I'm not a tree tube kind of guy. I caged mine and then removed the cages a few years down the road when they matured. I tried first with no protection, but that didn't work. Since that time, the birds have planted a bunch more for me. They spread easily from seed.

That's great to hear. Thank you very much for the heads up on protection. I never see browse on the ones growing naturally around our farm, but I may have a bit of confirmation bias and am only seeing the survivors.

 

[Knehrke]

I will tell you that my arrrowwood did fantastic the first two years, but are currently getting hammered by viburnum beetles. Something to consider - as if we could ever forget invasive species. NY was the first state where they were detected in 1996, so perhaps we are further along than most places.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I will tell you that my arrrowwood did fantastic the first two years, but are currently getting hammered by viburnum beetles. Something to consider - as if we could ever forget invasive species. NY was the first state where they were detected in 1996, so perhaps we are further along than most places.

Well that is a major bummer. Seems like treatments are available, but will not be practical for my use. From what I just read, it seems like the beetles are here to stay too, which makes me question if it's even worth trying. Thanks for being this up.

 

[Tree Spud]

I am in the cage rather than tubing camp also. The tube for first year will allow you to spray competitive vegitation, but a cage will be better for spreading growth.

Another good option for screening is Choke cherry (prunus virginiana). It gets bushy to about 20' high, spreads by seed and suckering with multiple steams increasing bush size. And is thicket forming.

 

[White Birch Farm]

I have naturally established hedge rows that have large sections of Arrowwood. It will unquestionable work and grow well over head high. The question is if have the conditions and patient to get them established. American Plum is easier to establish. Ninebark is another option.

 

[Bill]

You don’t have to buy any. It grows from cuttings. Take cuttings in the spring, dip them in rooting hormone and poke them in the ground. It’s going to be a while before they get big enough to be screen though.

 

[scott44]

I've planted it from MDC before, honestly can't say how it's doing all I know is the price was right. I mostly have to protect new seedlings although a couple years I did mass planting hoping some make it.

MDC Tree Seedling