Creating a Mecca on recreational land

[heretohunt]

12years ago I bought a quarter section that was previously a dairy operation. It needed a lot of work and clean up. Most of the cleanup is done that I will ever get done but I’m working on creating some great habitat for all types of wildlife. I have established a bunch of small trees with painstaking effort over the years. Buying seedlings and more recently digging trees up from the forest and transplanting them. Also propagating willows and poplar ect. with some success. I am in my early 50s and realize that I’m not doing it so much for my self but my future generations. I would, however like to see some benefits while I still can. Almost half of it is in small 15 -20 year old or less poplar that are probably overcrowded. The other half is mostly bare field that is clearly visible from the road. I started planting trees after owning the property for two years, but due to the former use of the land, it’s been difficult. Getting a forest started on cleared land is a daunting task, especially when I don’t live near it.
I’ve been looking at options to create cover. Lately switch grass and sorghum is something I’m interested in.
Is there anyone else that is working on a similar project? Care to share some advice?

[Dewey Cox]

If you like willows, cut a bunch of sticks in the spring and plant a million of them.
It doesn't cost anything, an if you do lots, you can afford to have some that die.

[wwbirds]

We did a prairie farm reclamation 30 years ago and planted spruce, willow,caragana, choke cherry, buffalo berry and green ash. Over the years everything grew higher but the caragana self seeded between all the other rows. Got so bad we brought in a 6 foot commercial mulcher on a D9 cat to carve out paths between the original rows a few years ago. poplar spruce and even low bushy willows did well not so much with choke cherry and buffalo berry but man when they stated caragana was a weed they were understating its ability to survive spread and thrive. In May you could probably dig several hundred 6 -12 inch seedlings

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

If you like willows, cut a bunch of sticks in the spring and plant a million of them.
It doesn't cost anything, an if you do lots, you can afford to have some that die.

That’s great advice, and I have definitely tried that with some success. The problem is if they get dried out within the first two years they don’t survive so it’s hard to start them away from a water source or in an open field.

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

If you like willows, cut a bunch of sticks in the spring and plant a million of them.
It doesn't cost anything, an if you do lots, you can afford to have some that die.

Two falls ago, I cut some willow sticks stuck them in the ground and water them hard until freeze up. Last spring did the same until the rains came. Those suckers doubled in height last summer and are doing really well with minimal care.

My girlfriend spent a lot of money on trees that we planted fertilized and watered. They didn't do near as well. All made the summer just hoping they grow again in the spring.

BW

[mryimmers]

I planted a bunch of white spruce, white pine and red pine on my place about 15 years ago. They are doing pretty good now, but the first bunch of years it was a constant battle with the deer nibbling them down. They seem to especially like the white pine. The deer made bonsai out of them.
Not complaining though, kind of a nice problem to have
You mention poplar, to me they are more like a weed, and they will look after themselves.
I really enjoyed the tree planting part, as those are some of my favs.
Like they say, the best time to plant a tree is 40 years ago.
Have fun!!

[smith88]

I would plant some food sources as well.

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

If you like willows, cut a bunch of sticks in the spring and plant a million of them.
It doesn't cost anything, an if you do lots, you can afford to have some that die.

Poplars are self propagating. Don't cut your lawn for a month and you'll have a budding forest. Best thing is look around you and copy it, there are reasons it's that way.

Grizz

[pikeslayer22]

Our shelter belt is 20 years old. Colorado spruce, maple, buffalo berry, lilacs, chokecherry, hawthorn and maydays. 4500 tress 7 rows. Mulch is definitely the answer the rows without mulch are not even half of what the ones with are.

[3blade]

My grandpa did a lot and I’ve learned/done a bit over the years. Here’s the quick version.

Caraganas can be used as a quick growing shelter belt (cover from road hunters) in dry places but they are a weed, and it’s not fun trying to keep them in place with hand tools. Willows, choke cherries, and pin cherries all are a better option if you can get them to take.

Poplar is a pretty important winter food source, as are willows. Those poplar thickets are also predator proof bedding cover.

Apple trees can be golden but you have to guard them from damage for many years. Find the quickest growing variety, the apples are less important than the buds and leaves.

Raspberries are a killer late season food source because they stay green longest. Every ungulate loves them and they grow insanely fast (or at least my accidental hybrid wild/domestics do), easily able to keep ahead of browsing pressure.

Clover is the easiest spray and pray ground cover, time it ahead of a few days of rain. It will get filled in by grass over the years, but it’s great while it’s new and it is nitrogen fixing and will help establish other plants.

[smitty9]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

12years ago I bought a quarter section that was previously a dairy operation. It needed a lot of work and clean up. Most of the cleanup is done that I will ever get done but I’m working on creating some great habitat for all types of wildlife... Is there anyone else that is working on a similar project? Care to share some advice?

I would love to work on a project like that someday.

If you have Netflix, have you watched "The Biggest Little Farm?" So inspiring!!

Of course, California's climate is different than ours, but the same basic principles apply.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Man that is tough work. I have planted 2500 trees in the last two years and take care of them basically by hand. One year was declared an agricultural disaster because of flooding the next year because of drought.

My advice would be plastic mulch and plant what wants to grow in your area. Don’t force anything that doesn’t want to grow or is a medium to slow growth.

Get your acute willow, Manitoba maple and hybrid poplars going. Your white spruce in between that will outlast everything else.

Figure out how you are going to do weed control until there are self sufficient.

[fishnguy]

Deer University has some great videos on creating deer habitat, as well as references where else to look for info.

https://m.youtube.com/@msudeerlabtv5058

They have great podcasts as well on the subject and many others in regards to deer.

[Worm]

Following this thread for good ideas. We are also trying to forest some land, not to the same scle as the OP but a few acres that used to be pasture. Grass and thistle competition is pretty intense.

Planted some spruce, poplar and willow last year. Willow and poplar were a fail for us so try again this year. Spruce were ok but our area didn't get much rain and with the heat took a fair bit of water to keep alive.

This years task is to try and transplant and/or propagate aspen as that is the dominant tree in the area. Trying to keep the habitat as natural as possible. If anyone has knowledge on that I'd love to hear about it.

Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk

[MooseRiverTrapper]

I was getting 4-6’ bareroot poplar whips from Sherwood Forest. But he is retiring and not bringing any in this year. I wonder who his supplier was or another source for them in central Alberta.

[heretohunt]

If anyone’s looking at a good source for small trees, I deal with treetime.ca. They are a fairly cheap way to get a lot of trees planted. However, once they are planted, they require a bunch of work, or your survival rate goes down. If you use bark mulch, cedar, or Really anything it is great cover for weeds and to keep moisture in. It also protects from freeze thaw cycles. You can also use straw, but that doesn’t work quite as good.

[Grizzly Adams1]

No location given here, You have to be realistic, there's no way you'll grow a boreal forest around Medicine hat. Caraganas are for ever, drive Eastern Alberta and Saskatchewan and you can still spot shelter belts from home sites long gone, a blight on the landscape.

Grizz

[heretohunt]

One of the cheapest ways to get trees, such as spruce and pine, is to dig them up and transplant them. If you do it in the fall before freeze up and water them in, I’ve had great success. I’ve had the best luck with trees between two and 4 feet high, so that they can compete with weeds. I can’t be there on a regular basis so I am planning on planting them and hoping for the best.
If you have good conditions, or you were able to nurture them, poplar and willow cuttings, are just the ticket. Typically easy to get from any deciduous tree, shrub, or bush. I even do Saskatoon‘s and lilacs. The problem is if they dry out in the first couple of years they die. Basically, cut pencil sized pieces of branches and push them into the ground 1/3 or more of the way. Water them on a regular basis, and you will have trees.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

No location given here, You have to be realistic, there's no way you'll grow a boreal forest around Medicine hat. Caraganas are for ever, drive Eastern Alberta and Saskatchewan and you can still spot shelter belts from home sites long gone, a blight on the landscape.

Grizz

Probably the reason it is so difficult to grow there is because the wind is drying out the soil. You may need something like a snow fence to protect the ground from sun and wind, and help hold moisture. you will definitely need something to cover the ground and to water it on a regular basis to get it started. Once the forest is established, it creates its own mulch and wind barriers that will do this for you.

[heretohunt]

For treating roots and helping with transplanting and propagating I use Wurzel dip from professional gardeners in Calgary.

[mac1983]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

One of the cheapest ways to get trees, such as spruce and pine, is to dig them up and transplant them. If you do it in the fall before freeze up and water them in, I’ve had great success. I’ve had the best luck with trees between two and 4 feet high, so that they can compete with weeds. I can’t be there on a regular basis so I am planning on planting them and hoping for the best.
If you have good conditions, or you were able to nurture them, poplar and willow cuttings, are just the ticket. Typically easy to get from any deciduous tree, shrub, or bush. I even do Saskatoon‘s and lilacs. The problem is if they dry out in the first couple of years they die. Basically, cut pencil sized pieces of branches and push them into the ground 1/3 of the way. Water them on a regular basis, and you will have trees.

Great advise, stick with what is growing locally and use that as feedstock, don't use Caragana or anything that will be an invasive species and take over.
Saskatoons, chokecherries, pincherries, cranberries and hazelnuts whatever fruit and nut trees grow locally. Also add in some shrubs and grasses. Find the water runs and put in some imitation beaver dams,whatever you can come up with, I use my rubber tired hoe and dig out and create a shallow sloughy area and build a 3-5 ft high dike for habitat, maybe put in a deeper feature that will hold the water in the dry seasons. Treetime is a great resource that is local to Edmonton, their people are knowledgeable as well and are a great resource, and a great selection of trees and shrubs. Just read the land and it will tell you, get the land retaining moisture and it will do most of the work itself. Just don't flood your neighbors land with water or invasive plant species, and enjoy the land as it used to be.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by mac1983

Great advise, stick with what is growing locally and use that as feedstock, don't use Caragana or anything that will be an invasive species and take over.
Saskatoons, chokecherries, pincherries, cranberries and hazelnuts whatever fruit and nut trees grow locally. Also add in some shrubs and grasses. Find the water runs and put in some imitation beaver dams,whatever you can come up with, I use my rubber tired hoe and dig out and create a shallow sloughy area and build a 3-5 ft high dike for habitat, maybe put in a deeper feature that will hold the water in the dry seasons. Treetime is a great resource that is local to Edmonton, their people are knowledgeable as well and are a great resource, and a great selection of trees and shrubs. Just read the land and it will tell you, get the land retaining moisture and it will do most of the work itself. Just don't flood your neighbors land with water or invasive plant species, and enjoy the land as it used to be.

You are speaking my language! I have a rubber tracked hoe, that I have been using to rip out caraganas to make room for native species. I have created and enhanced wetlands for willows and habitat.

[mac1983]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

You are speaking my language! I have a rubber tracked hoe, that I have been using to rip out caraganas to make room for native species. I have created and enhanced wetlands for willows and habitat.

Yes, it all start's with the wetlands, not just building dugout's but actual wetlands that support plant growth and nature will do it's thing. I started about 15 years ago and the ungulates, fur bearers and on down to the birds and bugs are back.

[Fish along]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

12years ago I bought a quarter section that was previously a dairy operation. It needed a lot of work and clean up. Most of the cleanup is done that I will ever get done but I’m working on creating some great habitat for all types of wildlife. I have established a bunch of small trees with painstaking effort over the years. Buying seedlings and more recently digging trees up from the forest and transplanting them. Also propagating willows and poplar ect. with some success. I am in my early 50s and realize that I’m not doing it so much for my self but my future generations. I would, however like to see some benefits while I still can. Almost half of it is in small 15 -20 year old or less poplar that are probably overcrowded. The other half is mostly bare field that is clearly visible from the road. I started planting trees after owning the property for two years, but due to the former use of the land, it’s been difficult. Getting a forest started on cleared land is a daunting task, especially when I don’t live near it.
I’ve been looking at options to create cover. Lately switch grass and sorghum is something I’m interested in.
Is there anyone else that is working on a similar project? Care to share some advice?

Im not sure about planting willows as they are messy after every wind they leave many dead branches on the ground.but they are nice and grow fast.

[mac1983]

Originally Posted by Fish along

Im not sure about planting willows as they are messy after every wind they leave many dead branches on the ground.but they are nice and grow fast.

Not the best tree for your yard, but very much an important part of nature.

Willow Family (Salicaceae), 40 varieties native to Alberta.

Plant these species and you will be Golden.

https://www.awes-ab.ca/species/

AWES is an organisation that supports these types of projects.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Fish along

Im not sure about planting willows as they are messy after every wind they leave many dead branches on the ground.but they are nice and grow fast.

That would be perfect. The more natural mulch, the better.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by mac1983

Not the best tree for your yard, but very much an important part of nature.

Willow Family (Salicaceae), 40 varieties native to Alberta.

Plant these species and you will be Golden.

https://www.awes-ab.ca/species/

AWES is an organisation that supports these types of projects.

Thank you for that great reference. I am propagating or transplanting willows that exist on my land and neighbouring forests.

[Sundancefisher]

Check into some grants

https://anpc.ab.ca/?page_id=2542

https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-...s-program.html

[TBark]

We have a quarter hugged on to many miles of crown land.
Busted scrub with a Swishers 12 years ago now to develop critter pastures (we call them)
Pretty happy with the results now and only have to cut the grass.

TBark

[Bigrib]

Black locust will grow around Edmonton , it grows fast , likes well drained soil and regular water when young, once a week in the warm temps .

Might as well plant at least 1/2 your trees as fruit trees https://treetime.ca/products.php?tag...inkid=mainMenu

If you are in your early 50's you have a good 20 years at least so will see your forest and eat from it as most fruit trees produce within a few years of planting.

Korean pine nuts are an interesting possibilty as well .

Of course keep the conifers a good 25 ft away from the deciduous . You will need wire cages around most of trees to stop deer , rabbits , etc from eating them .

Great project , creating your own forest ,