I have approx. 20ac of timber, within the timber there are a few 1/4acre +- thin or bare spots. Is it even worth trying to plant a small food plot w/in the timber. The woods do have access on one side to a alt.corn/bean field but I was thinking maybe turnips in these spots?? I am also in the process of getting a state forester on-site to assess the timber, although I am sure he will recommend the planting of more trees which is also fine. Along those lines, can I plant say eastern red cedars (or somthing like) for more windbreak/heavier bedding habitat or apple trees for a food source within the timber? The timber is made up of mostly red/burr oaks, poplars, few walnut to the best of my identification skills.
loneranger
Well-Known Member
Cedar are great for wind and cover, and they like Iowa. If it is shady though,,Apple Trees like lots a sun..
If you have a few 1/4 pockets- that's plenty of room for apple trees. Like Loneranger said, get em as much sun as you can.... An easy way to do that is put em in the middle and kill any trees (if they are undesirable) around that area that might crowd any sunlight. You could just girdle some and apply tordon- consult with forester on which trees, etc. I'd for sure do some apple trees & protect. Read Dbltree's apple & pear tree posts. I also think you can do some food plots. In that small of an area, I'd do clover. Or I'd do a later Aug planting of clover, oats, rye, radishes, winter peas, etc- which will be clover the following spring. Again, Dbltree posts. I think you could do clover & apples in same plot if done right too. I think you can do a reasonable amount with 1/4 acre patches and I sure wouldn't hesitate to kill off some undesirable trees.
Cedars are great for wind, cover, etc as well by the way.
Cedars are great for wind, cover, etc as well by the way.
ShedHunter1
Active Member
I also have 20 acres of timber and have planted a pile of walnuts, but I did have 4 places on it that I turned into foodplots. There not that big but the deer feel very comfortable in them. 3 out of the 4 are clover.
