[andyh1956]

Back in Feb I traded 12 acres of swamp for 6 acres that lays right behind my house & adjoins my property. It was clear cut. I have a TD 20 with a KD shearing blade out there now shearing stumps & piling debris. After i get done smoothing this up I think I want to plant some oak & pecan trees, maybe about 100' apart. I thought it may be a good idea to plant the new trees right into or next to the old hardwood stumps that are now at ground level. I would think as the old stumps rot down they would provide nutrients for the new trees. Am I on the right track here?

 

[Phil “Murphy” McGrath]

Back in Feb I traded 12 acres of swamp for 6 acres that lays right behind my house & adjoins my property. It was clear cut. I have a TD 20 with a KD shearing blade out there now shearing stumps & piling debris. After i get done smoothing this up I think I want to plant some oak & pecan trees, maybe about 100' apart. I thought it may be a good idea to plant the new trees right into or next to the old hardwood stumps that are now at ground level. I would think as the old stumps rot down they would provide nutrients for the new trees. Am I on the right track here?

There is plenty of clear cutting here and that's how they do it from what I can see.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

You might consider having a CAT (or and International) with a "root rake" go over the property.

Oak and pecan are slow growth trees. You might consider planting some hybrid poplar trees...

Soil condition and make up is also a consideration to get an optimal growth.

Keep us posted on how you will be using it.

Hobo

 

[andyh1956]

Hobo that's an impressive machine right there! The TD 20 on my place is almost that big, and he has a TD24 at home- with a V-8 engine in it! I really don't need to spend that kinda money on this place, just need it smooth enough to keep bush hogged twice a yr. Our soil here is sandy clay. Ever body is telling me to plant saw tooth oaks cause they drop acorns in about 5-7 yrs & attract deer. I ask them what kinda trees can I plant that will REPEL deer!USN2

 

[4th award expert]

If you want a sterile enviroment just plant pine trees in rows about 10 ft apart.
They grow in thick and offer nothing for food for deer. Could make for good rabbit hunting though.
Bob

 

[Lurp]

Deer love young oak trees since the tree is pushing all it nutrients up in its buds during its early years. what we did for oak is plant hundreds of trees in rows and then in 20 yrs you would come back an cut anything you don't like 20 ft from the oaks you want or any tree that is over hanging the oak. This will allow the oaks to become the dominant tree and eventually should become a oak forest or savannah. But I'm not familiar with Mississippi. We do this in Mn. Anything left with logging as long as they just only take trees that are worth logging. We could come back in s do the same thing remove anything 20 ft around trees we like mostly fruit bearing trees oaks, walnut, cherry, etc. Then in 80 years repeat the process.

 

[Cracker Larry]

Whatever you want to plant, take a few soil samples and take them to your local Agricultural extension agent. Most have sample bags and instructions. You tell them what you want to plant, and they run a soil analysis and tell you whatever soil supplements you need to add to make them happy. It only cost a few dollars, like $3 a sample last I did, and they will send you a complete soil breakdown.

I don't know about where you live, but in Georgia it's run by the University of GA and there are county extension agents and office in every county. In SC it's run by Clemson University. I'm sure you have something similar where you are?

 

[Stevie Ray]

Whatever you want to plant, take a few soil samples and take them to your local Agricultural extension agent. Most have sample bags and instructions. You tell them what you want to plant, and they run a soil analysis and tell you whatever soil supplements you need to add to make them happy. It only cost a few dollars, like $3 a sample last I did, and they will send you a complete soil breakdown.

I don't know about where you live, but in Georgia it's run by the University of GA and there are county extension agents and office in every county. In SC it's run by Clemson University. I'm sure you have something similar where you are?

Local Ag Extension office are a resource a lot of people either don't know exist or are unaware of the services they provide, when it comes to dirt, plants, bugs or trees your local Ag Extension office is invaluable.

 

[wiz1997]

Many, many years ago my Scout Troop would go out to a farm owned by one of the kids in the troop's Father.

Farm was out around Columbus, Texas, which is one of the prime pecan trees areas in Texas.

We helped lay out a new pecan tree grove on the property.

Planted sixteen trees, in four rows, with 80 feet between trunks.

Dug a 4 inch hole next to each tree, at 3 ft out and 4 ft deep and inserted a 3 inch schedule 40 perforated pipe vertically and filled with gravel for a drip irritation system.

Ran plastic tubing to each pipe with a drip valve.

Watering system to the trees was gravity fed.

There was a large water tank about 12 feet across an 10 feet high that had a cone shaped roof that was upside down and looked like a big funnel to catch rain water.

Tank opening was covered by hardware cloth and window screen to catch the big stuff and keep the tank from becoming a mosquito hatchery.

Water tank could be filled three different ways, by rain fall, float system connected to a well pump, or a gas powered pump that pulled water from the creek.

I'd plant a pecan grove and watch the money grow on the trees.

Declare it a tree farm and take the tax credits (I think it is still possible).

 

[4th award expert]

Also plant a few walnut's so someone can have a nice walnut stock someday.
Bob

 

[Deek]

Take a look at the Arbor Day Foundation at

https://www.arborday.org/trees/

It's a great place to learn about and buy trees. I've bought a number or trees and bushes from them. I have been trying to turn much of my property back to its natural state and promote a good environment for wildlife.

I also donate to them to help plant trees in our national forests that have been destroyed by fire.

 

[Springfield SportMaster]

Those trees will be with you for years so before you go planting pecans you should do a little studying on them.
There are several varieties besides the native pecan and there are grafts that produce larger, tastier, and more plentiful nuts , earlier.
One popular old timey graft is a native pecan with a papershell pecan which gives you larger and easier to shell pecans with the great taste of a native,
there are many others.
Some are better in certain regions and soils . I'd see what the local ag agent says and what neighbors and the big pecan orchards in your area are growing.

 

[joesig]

Back in Feb I traded 12 acres of swamp for 6 acres that lays right behind my house & adjoins my property. It was clear cut. I have a TD 20 with a KD shearing blade out there now shearing stumps & piling debris. After i get done smoothing this up I think I want to plant some oak & pecan trees, maybe about 100' apart. I thought it may be a good idea to plant the new trees right into or next to the old hardwood stumps that are now at ground level. I would think as the old stumps rot down they would provide nutrients for the new trees. Am I on the right track here?

It depends on what your intentions are for the acreage. Are you just giving back to Mother Nature, preventing erosion, cash crop for down the road?


Proximity to the stump should be immaterial as all of the foliage from the centuries before should have made a relatively uniform compost. That said, different species do improve the soil differently so unless the previous crop of trees was uniformly distributed between species, a soil test isn't a bad idea in locations that had a stand of a particular species. I wouldn't do a $3 soil test for each seedling when the seedlings are less than a buck a piece.

Some states have a department of forestry where you can order seedlings in bulk. Get a dibble and go to town.

Some states also have land use programs which help you manage the acreage/get the tax benefit, etc. though six acres may be under the threshold for their help.

Oak, hard maple, walnut, etc are for your heirs. Damn they grow slowly!!!

 

[andyh1956]

Thanks for the suggestions, they are not going un noticed! My local Ag service is Mississippi State University, I have one 20 min from me in two different directions! I don't really want to do anything in particular with this property, it was a buffer between me & my neighbors. But I came home one day & half the timber was gone & before I could get up with the owner the other half was gone, with chest deep ruts from the biggest skidders I have ever seen!USN4 It was done during very wet weather in Feb- what a mess! This makes 12 acres with the house on this side of the road & 24 acres on the other side. I just want to smooth it up where I can keep it clipped twice a yr & have some trees scattered around on it. I'm partial to Red Oaks. I have three Pecan trees but I think the old timers called them "Wild Pecans" & they bear when they feel like it & nuts aint no good. I don't know if a White Oak or a Poplar will grow out in the open, you usually find them deep in the woods but I like them also. I only have about two or three White Oaks on our place & a smattering of Poplars. I've heard about slowly watering thru the gravel pipe & am told it's the STEADY application of water that creates the deep root system that a tree needs to be healthy. If I'm able I would like to grow some hybrid Muscadines. My great grand pappy grew Muscadines & Scupadines & made wine from them. They say it was great, I never snuck down to the cellar & tried it myself, you understand...USN2

 

[andyh1956]

This is what I'm dealing with. That green oasis out in the center is a pond of sorts...

 

[Lurp]

Are those poplars or evergreens to the right on the 1st picture?

 

[Doc]

Andy - looks like you will have that smooth enough to bushhog when you get done.
Set out Red Oak and White Oak and Pecan - whatever you want and when you do get some 4 to 6' net wire and make you a little round cage around them to keep the deer away. for the first year or so you can VERY CAREFULLY spray some Round up around the trees to keep vegetation competition away. Taking a soil sample of the area would be good. I bet it needs some lime, getting lime spread in your area may be another matter. Lots of chicken houses close to you - maybe a load or 2 of chicken litter would be good - except for the odor and flies . 13-13-13 is cheap compared to the odor and flies LOL.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Is the "pond of sorts" self sustaining.... Like a spring?

Hobo

 

[andyh1956]

I think those are "Long Leaf" pines. Might could be "Lobloly" also. They are part of the wood line left from the logging, you don't cut line trees. There are a few in there I want down but the machine was too large to do it so I will dig around them with my back hoe & push them over when I get around to it.
Doc it looks smooth as a mirror compared to what Mr Rex started with. He told me "Andy, I been ridin the dozier for 60 yrs & that's the roughest ground I ever had to dress"!
Hobo that aint nothin but a dug hole in the ground to catch what water it can & grow 3lb skeeters & the odd turtle or two. Useless for me.

 

[stexdevilsquid]

I've tried harbor day foundation 3 times, never had one survive.