What to plant

b116757

5 year old buck +
I pushed out a 300’x50’ section of trees for a new fence we are putting up and the soil in this area is probably some of the best I’ve seen on the farm. I carefully worked around a couple nice black walnut trees leaving them for the next generation to reap the rewards from but I’m definitely going to plant something along the wood lines along both sides of the new fence. I spray my fence rows every year to keep them in good shape so I only have the woodlines to really work with for tree plantings. I’m thinking because of the existing mature timber I may try some paw paw trees having read they like partial shade anyway. Any thoughts on other plantings that may lend themselves to this situation?
 
I pushed out a 300’x50’ section of trees for a new fence we are putting up and the soil in this area is probably some of the best I’ve seen on the farm. I carefully worked around a couple nice black walnut trees leaving them for the next generation to reap the rewards from but I’m definitely going to plant something along the wood lines along both sides of the new fence. I spray my fence rows every year to keep them in good shape so I only have the woodlines to really work with for tree plantings. I’m thinking because of the existing mature timber I may try some paw paw trees having read they like partial shade anyway. Any thoughts on other plantings that may lend themselves to this situation?

Sounds like a sweet project.
You didn’t say how big the walnuts you left were, if they are smaller ones 30’ or less I myself wouldn’t leave them.
In ten years the whole area will just be little walnut trees they are almost as bad as locust trees taking over areas. Walnut also puts out jugalone that limits what can grow around them, even poisons the ground for a few years where roots are after they are cut down.

As far as beneficial things to plant in partial shade, you could get a good ground cover going to discourage undesirables from starting with a clover mix and chicory. Hazelnuts are a good shrub that grows well in partial shade too.
 
The walnuts are large trees the small one is 16” on the stump. Hazelnuts might be good choice particularly for the south facing edge of that new tree line. For ground cover I’ll probably use fescue on one side of the fence and ladino clover on the other side we will have cattle on one side and row crop the other. I’m converting about 200 acres to row crop next year from hay/pasture ground so that’s why I’m moving some fences on the property. I picked up 1/2 mile of fencing the other day for this little project.
 
Sounds like a great spot for a nice perennial clover patch. Could mow around whatever trees you choose to add or maintain as well.
 
Yes I’m pretty sure the state forester will require the fescue to be sprayed and replaced with something else anyway to qualify for any cost sharing. I’m personally leaning more toward clover than native grass for this planting native grass is a bugger to get established and prosper. We already have about 70 acres of original native grass prairie on the farm anyhow. The nice thing about clover is I can turn out the cattle in that area once the trees are big enough for them not to destroy them for a little silviculture farming in a few years.
 
Not sure where you are located. I wouldn’t plant apples or pears close to a walnut, at least 40-60 feet away with good light. Chinese chestnut, paw paw, hazels, persimmon, Allegheny chinkapin, plum would be the mast options you might look at. Depends on your location temp wise and sunshine for what makes best sense.

Persimmon and paw paw should grow in the understory but more light will be better. I have some in central PA planted in an open park like area under black walnut and other stuff. Those seedlings have not taken off after 3-5 years. But I’ve not done much weed control around them.
 
Top