| Author |
Message |
GN
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 7:28 am: | |
I planted 15- sawtooth seedlings on a place yesterday. This isthe second year I have planted them. I understand they can start bearing in 7-8 years and produce a favorite sized acorn for turkeys. Anbody got any experinece with a maturestand andthe attracrive ness to turkeyys? How longdid it take your to bear acorns? |
turkeypicker
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 2:08 pm: | |
GN: My sawtooh oaks have been planted only 5 years, but I dug them up as seedlings from under a mature stand. I have already had a few acorns on the larger trees. I planted mine in a fertile river bottom, but I didn't fertilize them or put tree shelters around them as I should (one of those things you plan to do but never get around to). I do think sawtooths bare in 7 years, but not at a level to support a lot of wildlife. I think you're looking more at about 12-15 years to really get significant acorn production. And I am in an area with a slightly longer growing season than you.
My experience is the sawtooth oaks work great in fertile, alluvial (river bottom) soil. They need to be planted in the open sunlight (field) and you will need to mow around them to keep competition down. Placing down the square weed excluders to prevent growth under them would be best. As with most oaks they are not an early successional species, and will be out-competed if left uncared for after planting -- I know I have tried in both field and clear-cut situations.
I know where there's a 12-year old stand, and a 30-year old stand. I am here to tell you they bare acorns EVERY year, bushels and bushels. The 30-year old stand is a deer and black bear magnet. I've never seen turkeys on them, but the stand is near a major road and I think that discourages turkey use.
Your question raises an interesting question in my mind about oak production and management of our national forests as it pertains to turkey habitat. I'll post on board as a different subject. |
turkeypicker
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 2:10 pm: | |
GN: By the way, sawtooths bare earlier than whiteoaks even, but they don't last very long (because they are eaten). I don't know how long they would last if the critters didn't eat them up so fast. |
GN
| | Posted on Monday, March 18, 2002 - 9:12 am: | |
I actually planted 150 on saturday and another 75 or so yesterday in a moonson rain...they will not lack for water...great insights Tpicker...thanks very much..I hope I live long enough to see the acorns...(andso forth). |
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