Power Line Clear Cut - What to Plant?

[2ndHand]

First trip for 2016 to my property - today :)! Power line was clear cut over the winter, any suggestions on what I should plant? The soil is sandy - would like to improve the habitat for deer, turkey, grouse and honey bees. Thanks for the help !! Here's a couple of photo's:

 

[bueller]

I would at least use a portion of that for a foodplot, buckwheat in the summer and winter rye in the fall. I have a powerline running through my property and that's what I did. Has worked out great so far. If eyes from the neighbors are a concern plant a couple rows of shrubs for a screen that wont grow tall enough to interfere with the lines. I even used hybrid poplar to get me there quick. Once they get 10' or so I'll cut them to the ground and let me resprout if they try too. Eventually I'll take them all out once the other shrubs have reached a good screening height.

 

[2ndHand]

I would at least use a portion of that for a foodplot, buckwheat in the summer and winter rye in the fall. I have a powerline running through my property and that's what I did. Has worked out great so far. If eyes from the neighbors are a concern plant a couple rows of shrubs for a screen that wont grow tall enough to interfere with the lines. I even used hybrid poplar to get me there quick. Once they get 10' or so I'll cut them to the ground and let me resprout if they try too. Eventually I'll take them all out once the other shrubs have reached a good screening height.

Thanks for the reply Bueller - The line is around 800 feet in length and for the most, not viewable from the road. What time of year do you plant the Buckwheat and winter rye? Would two bags of Buckwheat be enough. Thanks.!

 

[bueller]

Thanks for the reply Bueller - The line is around 800 feet in length and for the most, not viewable from the road. What time of year do you plant the Buckwheat and winter rye? Would two bags of Buckwheat be enough. Thanks.!

I like to plant buckwheat around Memorial Day and winter rye around August 15th. 60-70 lbs/acre works for me.

 

[2ndHand]

I like to plant buckwheat around Memorial Day and winter rye around August 15th. 60-70 lbs/acre works for me.

Thanks!

 

[tooln]

I'll second the BW/WR combo.

 

[2ndHand]

I'll second the BW/WR combo.

Hey Tooln, Thanks for the feedback! Going with the BW/WR combo

 

[wiscwhip]

If you want to try to get some N in there right out of the gate, I think you could have some good success by throwing down some hairy vetch seed with your fall rye. HV can be seeded just about any time of the year, with early fall usually the best as part of a cereal/legume mix with rye or oats. Frost or spring seeding is ok as well, but not as common as fall.

 

[2ndHand]

If you want to try to get some N in there right out of the gate, I think you could have some good success by throwing down some hairy vetch seed with your fall rye. HV can be seeded just about any time of the year, with early fall usually the best as part of a cereal/legume mix with rye or oats. Frost or spring seeding is ok as well, but not as common as fall.

Thanks for the helpful info Wiscwhip! Much appreciated!!

 

[j-bird]

Depending on what your property needs are I would consider tall NWSG or prairie mix with a few plots in the mix as well. The powerline company isn't going to let anything "woody" grow in there so trees and shrubs are typically out of the question. I would suggest using the NWSG to break up the area and around the edges to make smaller plots as that will promote deer movement as well instead of a deer being able to see the entire length of the ROW. You may want to consider some edge feathering as well - Just something to consider.

 

[2ndHand]

Depending on what your property needs are I would consider tall NWSG or prairie mix with a few plots in the mix as well. The powerline company isn't going to let anything "woody" grow in there so trees and shrubs are typically out of the question. I would suggest using the NWSG to break up the area and around the edges to make smaller plots as that will promote deer movement as well instead of a deer being able to see the entire length of the ROW. You may want to consider some edge feathering as well - Just something to consider.

Great idea J-bird, When is the best time to plant NWSG? I bought seed last year but never used it. Thanks!

 

[j-bird]

I spend all spring prepping for planting NWSG (lots of gly and turning soil to reduce seed bank and weeds). When I did mine we drilled in early summer (corn in my area was already several inches tall) - as it requires a good warm soil to germinate. I worked my butt off getting ready for the drilling of it and only the switchgrass has really amounted to anything, but it has done really well for me. I think site prep and controlling the weed to allow it to establish are the biggest things you can do to help it. Once it survives the first year - mine has done really well ever since. Mine now routinely gets 4 to 5 feet tall with lots of ragweed in the mix as well.

You could also plant the entire ROW in something like switchgrass and then create a long winding plot thru it as well. WINDING is the keep - again I don;t want the deer to be able to see to the other end. This allows more deer to use the plot and not feel stressed by the presence of other deer. It can also lead to deer walking the length of the plot and you may be able to get a bend in that plot to go right past I prime stand location if you plan ahead!

 

[2ndHand]

I spend all spring prepping for planting NWSG (lots of gly and turning soil to reduce seed bank and weeds). When I did mine we drilled in early summer (corn in my area was already several inches tall) - as it requires a good warm soil to germinate. I worked my butt off getting ready for the drilling of it and only the switchgrass has really amounted to anything, but it has done really well for me. I think site prep and controlling the weed to allow it to establish are the biggest things you can do to help it. Once it survives the first year - mine has done really well ever since. Mine now routinely gets 4 to 5 feet tall with lots of ragweed in the mix as well.

You could also plant the entire ROW in something like switchgrass and then create a long winding plot thru it as well. WINDING is the keep - again I don;t want the deer to be able to see to the other end. This allows more deer to use the plot and not feel stressed by the presence of other deer. It can also lead to deer walking the length of the plot and you may be able to get a bend in that plot to go right past I prime stand location if you plan ahead!

Thanks J-bird, I greatly appreciate the detailed ideas. I will definitely use your suggestions in developing this area. I will post pictures as things develope.
Many thanks!

 

[tinytim]

you may want to contact your power company and tell them you are managing that ROW, and want to opt out of the mowing when it comes up in their veg. management rotation. So long as you are actively keeping the veg. under control and it doesn't interfere with the lines, they may even give you seeds or plugs of compatibles, or trees. Our programs up here allow for that, and things like sumacs, elderberry, viburnums, raspberry, etc are encouraged, as well as apple trees on dwarfing rootstocks.

 

[2ndHand]

you may want to contact your power company and tell them you are managing that ROW, and want to opt out of the mowing when it comes up in their veg. management rotation. So long as you are actively keeping the veg. under control and it doesn't interfere with the lines, they may even give you seeds or plugs of compatibles, or trees. Our programs up here allow for that, and things like sumacs, elderberry, viburnums, raspberry, etc are encouraged, as well as apple trees on dwarfing rootstocks.

Good idea! Thank you!!