Enjoy the outdoors with Gary Finch
Trees of Food
By Steve Layton, Vice President, Finch Enterprises
Each year,hunters,lease holders, and land owners spend an enormous amount of money planting food plots for the benefit of game and non-game species of wildlife. On our land we have experimented with different types of grains and legumes to support the deer, turkey, and quail populations. These food plots become more than just feeding stations. They create open areas that allow animals and birds the opportunity to display, dust, and socialize away from the thick cover of briars and woods. It has become part of looking at the big picture of wildlife. This is especially important for attracting and keeping wildlife on your property. In looking at “the big picture”, there are also other food sources that require some attention. Any deer, turkey, or quail hunter will tell you that their game animals won’t be seen living on food plots year round. Wild animals use these food plots as supplemental sources to what is found in nature.
Wild creatures forage the bulk of their existence from a forest pantry that produces food bearing plants, shrubs, and trees. During the spring and summer, there is an abundance of new tender leaves and berries. The fall and winter months create a shift in the diet that includes high calorie nuts and seeds. These trees are part of the big picture of what is supplied to animals at each season of every year. For many broad-thinking wildlife managers and foresters, the idea has been that these natural, wild, “tree-sources” of food should be enhanced as well.
Fruit and nut bearing trees produce sources of wild food commonly called mast. Mast ranges from persimmons and plums, to acorns and nuts. The winter months are perfect for implementing a tree planting program on your property. Plant now and you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing them come to life as spring approaches. Some of species of trees and shrubs may already exist on the property and just require some attention to coax them into producing their food source. Soil samples may indicate a need for minerals or fertilizers to get mast producing trees jump-started. On our lease we have specialized in doing this by targeting our persimmon trees in the early spring. It’s easy to do and we are already out planting the conventional food plots anyway. We have had good results in marking and tending even the smallest trees to produce twice the persimmons they had in years past. The great part is they are typically bearing and dropping fruit just in time for the mid-October bow season.
Planting food trees in and around food plots makes the area serve as a double-duty source for wildlife nutrition. Besides persimmons, other fruit trees include wild plums and crab apples. Some of the nut bearing species include; white oak, red oak, hickory, and sawtooth oaks. The biggest expense in planting trees is for the initial purchase and planting. By locating them close to food plot areas they can be monitored throughout the year and easily attended. The selection of trees should be determined by geographic location, with regards to climate and soil. Your county extension office probably has a list of trees that they recommend for your particular area of the state and can also perform the necessary soil tests. 6627502
The actual location on the property will be determined by what the tree requires in terms of water, sunlight, and how tolerant it may be to drought. Trees are not cheap to plant and some thoughtful planning should go into the process. However, once the trees do become established, they are an economical and reliable source of wildlife food. The best part is they are one of the few things that don’t have to be replanted each and every year.
Planting mast bearing trees on your property may be one of the most forward thinking practices for wildlife management. Trees planted this winter will supply years of food for generations of wildlife and will certainly enhance “the big picture” of your wild game management.
Enjoy Gary Finch Outdoors on WTVY Channel 4 in Dothan Ala., each Sunday at 6 a.m, sponsored by Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative. Visit Gary's Web site at www.garyfinchoutdoors.com
By Steve Layton, Vice President, Finch Enterprises
Each year,hunters,lease holders, and land owners spend an enormous amount of money planting food plots for the benefit of game and non-game species of wildlife. On our land we have experimented with different types of grains and legumes to support the deer, turkey, and quail populations. These food plots become more than just feeding stations. They create open areas that allow animals and birds the opportunity to display, dust, and socialize away from the thick cover of briars and woods. It has become part of looking at the big picture of wildlife. This is especially important for attracting and keeping wildlife on your property. In looking at “the big picture”, there are also other food sources that require some attention. Any deer, turkey, or quail hunter will tell you that their game animals won’t be seen living on food plots year round. Wild animals use these food plots as supplemental sources to what is found in nature.
Wild creatures forage the bulk of their existence from a forest pantry that produces food bearing plants, shrubs, and trees. During the spring and summer, there is an abundance of new tender leaves and berries. The fall and winter months create a shift in the diet that includes high calorie nuts and seeds. These trees are part of the big picture of what is supplied to animals at each season of every year. For many broad-thinking wildlife managers and foresters, the idea has been that these natural, wild, “tree-sources” of food should be enhanced as well.
Fruit and nut bearing trees produce sources of wild food commonly called mast. Mast ranges from persimmons and plums, to acorns and nuts. The winter months are perfect for implementing a tree planting program on your property. Plant now and you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing them come to life as spring approaches. Some of species of trees and shrubs may already exist on the property and just require some attention to coax them into producing their food source. Soil samples may indicate a need for minerals or fertilizers to get mast producing trees jump-started. On our lease we have specialized in doing this by targeting our persimmon trees in the early spring. It’s easy to do and we are already out planting the conventional food plots anyway. We have had good results in marking and tending even the smallest trees to produce twice the persimmons they had in years past. The great part is they are typically bearing and dropping fruit just in time for the mid-October bow season.
Planting food trees in and around food plots makes the area serve as a double-duty source for wildlife nutrition. Besides persimmons, other fruit trees include wild plums and crab apples. Some of the nut bearing species include; white oak, red oak, hickory, and sawtooth oaks. The biggest expense in planting trees is for the initial purchase and planting. By locating them close to food plot areas they can be monitored throughout the year and easily attended. The selection of trees should be determined by geographic location, with regards to climate and soil. Your county extension office probably has a list of trees that they recommend for your particular area of the state and can also perform the necessary soil tests. 6627502
The actual location on the property will be determined by what the tree requires in terms of water, sunlight, and how tolerant it may be to drought. Trees are not cheap to plant and some thoughtful planning should go into the process. However, once the trees do become established, they are an economical and reliable source of wildlife food. The best part is they are one of the few things that don’t have to be replanted each and every year.
Planting mast bearing trees on your property may be one of the most forward thinking practices for wildlife management. Trees planted this winter will supply years of food for generations of wildlife and will certainly enhance “the big picture” of your wild game management.
Enjoy Gary Finch Outdoors on WTVY Channel 4 in Dothan Ala., each Sunday at 6 a.m, sponsored by Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative. Visit Gary's Web site at www.garyfinchoutdoors.com
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