First time with planting trees and shrubs???

[wisconsinteacher]

I ordered my first trees/shrubs yesterday. I got 30 black spruce that I will plant in clusters of 10 on the edge of my swamp to create some diversity and hopefully future bedding. 20 Norway spruce for around my plots for screening. Lastly, I got 50 red osier, 25 grey dogwood and 25 silky. My plan with them is to spray the canary grass and plant the 100 dogwood in an area that will be around .1-.12 acres in size. I plan on putting a 5 foot fence around them to protect them from deer. After planting, I hope to keep up on the grass so it doesn't choke out the new plantings. I plan on getting a dibble bar and fencing. Are there any other tools I will need?

Also, in the .1-.12 acre dogwood area, my plan it to be random with my placement of shrubs. Any reason to get creative with the design or should I just plug them in 8-10 feet apart?

Thanks

 

[bwoods11]

I think your plan is fine. Hopefully the 5 foot fence works ? I’m not sure in that … either way, good luck !

 

[wisconsinteacher]

After reading posts from the past, guys are putting 100 ROD rooted plants in a smaller area. How small of an area can a guy put in 100 dogwoods? Am I better off dibble barring in 100 single shrubs or do I do groups of 5?

I'm also concerned about the canary grass over taking things. I will do my best to keep it at bay!!

 

[somich]

After reading posts from the past, guys are putting 100 ROD rooted plants in a smaller area. How small of an area can a guy put in 100 dogwoods? Am I better off dibble barring in 100 single shrubs or do I do groups of 5?

I'm also concerned about the canary grass over taking things. I will do my best to keep it at bay!!

I would say that since this your first plantings I would put the dogwood in groups of 5 that you can fence for protection.

I've currently planted rod in groups and individuals, I have lots of Grey and silky dogwood so my plantings aren't the feature.

I tried to keep my fenced areas small enough to keep deer from jumping in. If they start to establish I'll raise the fence for a year ot 2 then remove it.

 

[bigboreblr]

YOu could get away with 4ft fence for dogwood.

Doing 4 witchhazel per cage at camp.

Digging a hole makes better results than a dibbler. Small rototiller helps alot.
Spread line now if you need it.

Dogwood likes wetter spots go for that if possible. Close to swamp, although in it works too.

Folks have planted then sorta bury it in dead branches. If rabbits are abubdant might not work too well.

Last year saw a rabbit by my tree cage a few times in one day. Looked closer in the evening. He was stuck in it. Got the guy out without hurting him.

Think its worth the price. Seedworld was 20lbs of 21 gram agriform tablets for $79 delivered. On my 3rd box now.

 

[somich]

YOu could get away with 4ft fence for dogwood.

Doing 4 witchhazel per cage at camp.

Digging a hole makes better results than a dibbler. Small rototiller helps alot.
Spread line now if you need it.

Dogwood likes wetter spots go for that if possible. Close to swamp, although in it works too.

Folks have planted then sorta bury it in dead branches. If rabbits are abubdant might not work too well.

Last year saw a rabbit by my tree cage a few times in one day. Looked closer in the evening. He was stuck in it. Got the guy out without hurting him.

Think its worth the price. Seedworld was 20lbs of 21 gram agriform tablets for $79 delivered. On my 3rd box now.

I've had very good results with limbs/brush over starts as long as it isn't too heavy to create shade. Also if was pretty heavy brush , it became a rabbit hut.

 

[bigboreblr]

I like leaving a shtub or small tree for shade until august. Thats if you need to cut anything. Slow growth trumps dry n dead

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I would say that since this your first plantings I would put the dogwood in groups of 5 that you can fence for protection.

I've currently planted rod in groups and individuals, I have lots of Grey and silky dogwood so my plantings aren't the feature.

I tried to keep my fenced areas small enough to keep deer from jumping in. If they start to establish I'll raise the fence for a year ot 2 then remove it.

Did you have better results with individuals or clumps of 4-5?

 

[somich]

Did you have better results with individuals or clumps of 4-5?

For the rod they just got planted last summer, they haven't been browsed by deer or rabbits. When snow fences start to come down around here I'll be able to pick some up free/cheap that I plan to use to protect my long rows by leaning the fence on each side against each other over the row.

I'll take some pics this afternoon of my silky and grey, they both grow very well here and the deer/pheas love them.

 

[somich]

Did you have better results with individuals or clumps of 4-5?

I haven't been out to take pics of some of our silky and grey dogwood, I got busy cutting some trees. Maybe tomorrow, sorry.

 

[ruskbucks]

I like your plan. Good luck with your project. You will most like be addicted now. I see your getting barefoot dogwoods. I do alot of cuttings ND have had good luck poking them thru cardboard to get ahead of the weeds. After they get established you can bend some of the branches down horizontal and cover everything but the end with dirt. You can get them to spread easy this way, keep this into consideration when you plant.

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

Looking forward to seeing your progress, keep us up to date!

 

[Grimby]

I ordered my first trees/shrubs yesterday. I got 30 black spruce that I will plant in clusters of 10 on the edge of my swamp to create some diversity and hopefully future bedding. 20 Norway spruce for around my plots for screening. Lastly, I got 50 red osier, 25 grey dogwood and 25 silky. My plan with them is to spray the canary grass and plant the 100 dogwood in an area that will be around .1-.12 acres in size. I plan on putting a 5 foot fence around them to protect them from deer. After planting, I hope to keep up on the grass so it doesn't choke out the new plantings. I plan on getting a dibble bar and fencing. Are there any other tools I will need?

Also, in the .1-.12 acre dogwood area, my plan it to be random with my placement of shrubs. Any reason to get creative with the design or should I just plug them in 8-10 feet apart?

Thanks

3-5ft apart In groups of 10 will form a nice thick hedge that will be used by deer,songbirds,turkeys,pheasants for food nesting and shelter

 

[Grimby]

3-5ft apart In groups of 10 will form a nice thick hedge that will be used by deer,songbirds,turkeys,pheasants for food nesting and shelter

You can also cut unlimited dogwood cuttings from a ditch or next to low areas immediately after the frost is out. Use a 1/4” steel rod with a handle,push down at least a foot in the soil,put your cutting in and heel in. Good luck