Author Topic: Establishing a New Pine Plantation (Read 16751 times)

WDH · « **Reply #160 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:44:04 am »

Well, I am 56 and 9/10 years old, and that well pruned tree with no branches is older than me since it has been there since I was able to sneak down the road from the house. Funny though, it has not grown much at all in all that time

.

fishpharmer · « **Reply #161 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:45:34 am »

WDH, the pines look great! After two years, between the rows look really clean. How did you maintain that?

Mooseherder · « **Reply #162 on:** December 07, 2010, 12:39:09 pm »

Wow, the Lil' trees really did take off.

The Plantation is looking good.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #163 on:** December 07, 2010, 01:17:10 pm »

Yes, your little forest is progressing along nicely.

Keeping an eye on their progress is interesting. But, bugs. Always a bug for something. Although, we don't seem to have bug or disease troubles in our red pine plantations up here so much. We do have ice and wildlife issues at times.

WDH · « **Reply #164 on:** December 07, 2010, 05:19:02 pm »

James,

In the Fall before planting, I sprayed the pasture with Round-up. Then, in late May after planting, I sprayed a band over the trees with a herbicide mix formulated for grass and weed control. It did the job rather nicely.

WDH · « **Reply #165 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:21:40 pm »

Speaking of bugs, the little trees have a tip moth infestation, which is very common and 100% likely to happen with trees of this age. A moth lays an egg on the tip of the shoots, and the larvae hatch and bore down the center pith of the shoot, killing the tip of the shoot back about 6 inches or so. Retards the growth, but the trees overcome it. It is not economically feasible to treat tip moth. You just have to live with them until the trees reach about 20 feet in height, and then they don't bother them anymore.

I need to take a pic and update this thread.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #166 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:45:40 pm »

Always a bug for something.

I had a spruce that got hit by weevil, it has recovered and you can't see where the infestation was with a passing glance.

Last couple of nights have had a visiting porcupine, tracks in the snow. I see a couple yard pine got chewed a couple weeks back, but they were "cull" trees that need cut anyway.

I've had them chew the buts of spruce in my plantation though.

customsawyer · « **Reply #167 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:49:26 pm »

I was by there just before Christmas and it was nice to see the progress they have made.

semologger · « **Reply #168 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:27:47 pm »

We need an updated view its been 2 years since . got any new pics?

WDH · « **Reply #169 on:** February 27, 2012, 09:24:28 pm »

OK, here is an update. We had a very bad year for consistent rain. At my property, from April 1st until June 11, there was no measurable rain. That really hurt the early part of the growing season I am sure. The trees are now between 7 and 10 feet tall after three growing seasons. Check reply #157 for the two year pic. Even with the poor season, they grew a lot.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #170 on:** February 27, 2012, 10:18:31 pm »

Nice!!

Don K · « **Reply #171 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:25:36 am »

As usual, your holdings are immaculate.

Don

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #172 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:47:40 am »

I don't think the grass or briars could even begin the keep up with those pine.

WDH · « **Reply #173 on:** February 28, 2012, 07:45:49 am »

Thanks Don!

SD, you are right. This race is over

. In 5 more years, it will be nothing but pine straw between the trees and the rows as the canopy closes.

customsawyer · « **Reply #174 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:31:07 pm »

My babies are growing up fine. I guess it is time to let you adopt them.

WDH · « **Reply #175 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:33:27 pm »

Send me the papers

.

They have taken off this year with some nice shoots!

WDH · « **Reply #176 on:** April 17, 2012, 09:03:57 pm »

Jeff (The Boss) came by today on his way back from Florida to Michigan, and we got to spend a little time looking at trees! Here is a pic of Jeff in the pine plantation that is the subject of this thread.

You can gain some perspective having him in the picture. They are almost as tall as he is

. The tree next to Jeff in the pic is about 12 feet tall. Not bad for three growing seasons heading into the fourth.

fishpharmer · « **Reply #177 on:** April 17, 2012, 10:32:06 pm »

Looks like a park, fantastic growth.

Amazing how this forum has brought folks together.

Thanks Jeff for FF, and thanks for sharing your visit WDH.

WDH · « **Reply #178 on:** April 17, 2012, 10:47:41 pm »

I was very honored to have Jeff as a guest.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #179 on:** April 18, 2012, 05:12:46 am »

Looks like all the fishing down in Fl didn't hurt him none either.

Nice trees.

News:

Author Topic: Establishing a New Pine Plantation (Read 16751 times)