2009:
Abstract:2009
Work continues on the following:
- Fill gaps in the plantation by developing and refining strategies for establishing stands in difficult areas.
- Site prep and weed control.
- Direct seeding and transplanting nursery stock (our private nursery - we no longer buy from commercial or DNR nurseries).
- Prune and thin the white pines for disease control (white pine blister rust).
- Seed collection and establishment of nursery stock.
- Manage brush and invasive species.
Pictures and notes from 2009 (click on each image for a larger view):
Progress of first (5-Mile)Walnut planting (August 23, 2010)
Debi standing in Walnut grove
Debi is standing in Walnuts on hillside to give a sense of scale. Trees on the right (and center) were some of the first trees we planted from seed in 2005(and from transplants grown from seed in River Falls). Trees on the left are some of the old windbreak west of the barn.
I have taken pictures from this spot over the years in order to show the progress of our handy work. (These prior shots will be posted shortly.)
Filling in the gaps - an ongoing process.
Fall seeding of White Oak acorns (September 28, 2010).
View down gap row
2010 wasn't a good year for white oak but I still found enough to fill a 2 gallon jug. I planted these in a gap in the first planting of Walnut and Pine on the old pasture land south-west facing hillside.
Acorn Jug in furrow.
I plowed a single furrow down the gap and tried a technique for planting acorns that I read about somewhere that is supposed to protect the nut from browsers (deer, mice, squirrels, etc.) until the seedling can get established.
Put acorn(s) in tin can...
Put a few acorns in an old tin can ( more than one in case one or more are no good - you can always thin them out later ) ...
can - upside down - in furrow...
Put the can - upside down - in bottom of furrow (with acorns inside) and Stomp in down into the dirt with heel of boot (to keep deer from digging it out) ....
whack can with claw of a hammer...
Now knock a hole in the can to give the new seedling a place to grow out of the can ....
hole in 'bottom' of can...
by the time the seedling gets too big for the hole, the can will have rusted away and should not girdle the tree.