Frustrated with Food Plots? Plant Deer-Friendly Trees Instead

For many wildlife managers, planting food plots has been the primary means of supplementing wildlife food sources. Instead of expensive food plots that need mowing and spraying and often turn into a weed patch, why not plant trees that will yield persimmons, apples, acorns, and other mast that deer love? Maintaining a tree patch is less labor intensive and requires less machinery, and you may be able to get funding to do it.

Healthy Forests Healthy Waters (HFHW)

Our hunt club had about three acres near our clubhouse that had grown up in weeds and small trees for several years.  We tried planting corn there, but the cost was very high and the impact on the deer herd seemed minimal.  Last fall we signed up for HFHW and I spent the morning mowing trees and briars to make way for the planting.

Make Your Own Mast

The barren ground was growing trees, yet not the kind that were conducive for deer mast.  As part of the program, we were able to select the species of trees we wanted and have the planting done to accommodate our club tractor which will eventually mow the plot once or twice per year.  Trees will come from the state nursery and will be planted by staff members of the HFHW program.

Sleeves to Protect Seedlings

You probably have seen sections of what seems like white pipe protruding from the ground.  Because young trees are susceptible to browsing by deer, rabbits, and other animals, each seedling is planted in and protected by a cylinder which will allow the tree to grow to sufficient height and diameter until animals will no longer be a threat.

Waiting on Dry Weather

I should have taken a “before” and “after” picture to show progress.  Here’s the “after” and the job was made much easier with a tractor and brush-hog attachments.  This equipment is available at most rental facilities and it’s amazing how much work can be accomplished with the right gear.  Because the ground was wet from recent rain, the 4WD capability came in handy.

Food plots can be fun to plant but need plenty of maintenance.  Drought, invasive species, and plain old weeds can ruin weeks of hard work.  We believe this tree planting is a better idea and can’t wait to see the trees being planted next month.  I’ll keep you posted.  Check the contact information in the flier above if you’d like to give this a try.