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Planting Instructions -
Planting trees around livestock buildings -
FAQ
45 YEARS OF SILVICULTURE
The Art and Science of
Growing Trees
The year of 2009 was a very busy year. CRP tree plantings, windbreaks,
shade trees, and trees around livestock buildings took most of our time.
Rain seemed to come at just the right time in most areas.
We hear a lot about "think green". Well I think it should be "plant
green". Plant that windbreak to block the winter winds and snow.
Plant some shade trees around the house to block the hot summer sun and winds.
Plant a riparian buffer along a creek to help keep the water clean and hold the
soil. When you are done "thinking green" and ready to "plant green" give
us a call. We can make it happen
Successful Tree Planting - Reforestation
After 30 years of planting trees, I believe that over 50% of a successful
planting can be attributed to high quality seedlings with a large root system.
The above ground part of a seedling has little to do with survival and we strive
to produce the root system that will survive after transplanting.
Iowa Inspection #468
I Recommend
- Kill all competing vegetation with herbicides, tillage does not kill
existing vegetation.
- Use the best tree planting machine you can get if planting over 1,000
trees. Most homemade planting machines I have seen scour the edges of the
planting trench and then fail to seal the trench, causing death of
seedlings.
- Use proper spacing - We like 12ft. between rows and 5ft. between plants
(726 per acre). It fills in fast and lets you mow longer and allows room for
a tractor and loader to drive down the rows after 10 years, making pruning
much easier from the loader.
- Use herbicides or mulch to control competing vegetation the first year,
but 3 years are better.
- I like to plant larger red oaks in the row and when I mow the last time
in the fall for animal control, the red leaves show me where the row is.
- Plant at least 4 different species, considering the soils present, and
no more than 40% walnut.
- Control destructive animals.
GRASS AND TREES
Iowa is well known for our prairie grass and rich soil. Most grass needs a good
soil to survive so when we try to plant trees on good soil, out biggest
competition is perennial grasses.
Trees grow very well on good soil with no grass competition. I have seen 2 year
planted trees grow 2'-4' per year when grass and other weeds are eliminated.
Grasses use large amounts of water and soil nutrients making them unavailable to
trees. Mowed grass may look nice around your trees, but the trees don't like it
because there still competing with the grass.
Annual weed and especially perennial grass control around trees the first
3-5 years or longer will increase growth rates by 100%-200%. Wood chips, trees
mates, soil tillage, or my choice, herbicides can not be stressed enough to get
your trees off to a good strong start and give you a larger tree in the shortest
timeThank You,
Kevin Kelly
Having trouble with deer? Let us know and we will
send you information on how to protect your property under the constitution
from deer.
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