Reed canary grass wetland help.

[Prelude8626]

All. I have about 40 acres of wetland that is covered in reed canary grass. It does have a fair amount of maple and and alders in it though. What could I do to help improve this area for bedding and food? Also, is it worth me trying to kill out the grass a section at a time?

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

Where are you located? How do the deer use those areas now?

Some of that grass doesn't look like reed canary grass, but it's hard to tell from pictures sometimes. If you are looking for food and bedding cover in somewhat wet areas red osier dogwood would be my suggestion. It makes great browse and cover, but you'll need to cage it for a couple years so it can get established before you let the deer eat it. You could also plant some in random areas and hinge cut some alders and maples around it to provide a little protection from browsing.

 

[Prelude8626]

I’m in Maine. In the spring and early parts of fall the deer use it pretty good. I think they do cross it once it’s down but not nearly as much. I will get some better pictures of the grass when I’m down next.

 

[Davewp]

i have canary grass in a creek bottom. Tried for years to kill every spring and summer (fall was for hunting). Come to find out. Fall is the ONLY time to try and kill this rhizome grass. Hate the grass, tall in summer, Nothing more than a mat fall and winter. Slowly trying to replace with patches of shrubs, ie arrowwood, dog wood, elderberry

 

[Prelude8626]

i have canary grass in a creek bottom. Tried for years to kill every spring and summer (fall was for hunting). Come to find out. Fall is the ONLY time to try and kill this rhizome grass. Hate the grass, tall in summer, Nothing more than a mat fall and winter. Slowly trying to replace with patches of shrubs, ie arrowwood, dog wood, elderberry

What method are you using to kill it and how is it working? I was going try to do it in patch areas. Some plots and some with schrubs like your using.

 

[Davewp]

What method are you using to kill it and how is it working? I was going try to do it in patch areas. Some plots and some with schrubs like your using.

I have cut it short in summer, then in fall when grass pulling nutrients back into rhizome is when to spray, ive used glyphosate. i may add a burn or till this year, but will not even bother trying to kill until fall. idea of adding a mid summer burn is that the grass cuttings sometimes mat down growth and keep from getting good spray coverage. You will need to let grow a little so that the grass absorbs whatever your spraying.

 

[sandbur]

I planted the edges of this reed canary area with spruce and a few cedar about 30 years ago.
The middle is an area that gets seasonal flooding and I have found it hard to do much with this situation. If you could dig some water holes and mound some dirt for planting trees it would help.

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[sandbur]

About twenty years ago, I planted a short grass area in a reed canary stand with spruce. I just kept the fire out and tag alders moved in surrounding the spruce.

And another small patch of spruce on a close by island.

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[H20fwler]

All. I have about 40 acres of wetland that is covered in reed canary grass. It does have a fair amount of maple and and alders in it though. What could I do to help improve this area for bedding and food? Also, is it worth me trying to kill out the grass a section at a time?

Buttonbrush, ROD and silky dogwood can take wetter spots better and have value for wildlife use.

 

[Prelude8626]

Here’s some more pictures I got today.

 

[wklman]

Tamarack is good for wet areas. Grow fast and deer like the cover they provide.

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