Soft Mast Food Flots- Off To A Fast Start Photos by Plantra team
Babe Winkelman’s second big project of 2008 was the establishment of 4 separate blocks of
crabapple trees, totaling about 1800 trees in all. Unlike the hedgerow where the objective was to rejuvenate trees planted over several years, these soft mast food plot plantings gave Babe the opportunity to do everything right from the beginning, from planting, to weed control, to browse protection. As expected, the results were phenomenal.
To get Babe’s crabapple food plots off to a great start Plantra teamed up with the great staff at the local Soil & Water Conservation District. The SWCD planted 1-0 bare root crabapple seedlings, and then applied 6 foot
wide woven weed barrier fabric.
Plantra staff then worked side by side with Babe and his field crew to apply 5ft Plantra Vented Tree Tubes to the 6 to 12 inch tall seedlings. Typical mid-May weather in west central Minnesota: the first day in the field was 40 degrees, drizzly and windy, the next day was 70 and sunny.
Yes, you can put 5ft tall tree tubes over tiny 6 inch seedlings. Inside the tubes they get all the light they need (and none of the light they don’t need) for photosynthesis, shelter from drying winds, and protection from deer browse.
A great crew made quick work of installing the tree tubes. Babe’s guys are as good with a stake driver as they are with a camera – although given a choice they might prefer to be capturing a 30 lb northern pike on film rather than pounding stakes!
Photo of a finished field, one of four that were planted. High quality stock, planted with care & skill. Woven weed barrier fabric to block weed and retain precious soil moisture. 5ft Plantra Tree Tubes for optimal deer browse protection and shelter from drying winds. You just KNOW this project is bound for success.
Another shot of the finished field. The shadow is, of course, a deer stand. Can you tell why Babe chose this site for a crabapple planting?
In places where individual trees were planted beyond the rolls of weed barrier fabric, Plantra 3 x 3 Weed Mats were applied – in this case by Plantra Forester Steve Tillmann.
The results – photo taken August 29, about 3 months after planting. Approximately 30% of the trees emerged from 5ft Plantra Tree Tubes this first growing season, and the majority of the rest are well up the tubes and poised to emerge next summer.
Babe compared the growth rate favorably with that of his corn plots!
We would like to thank Babe Winkelman and his fantastic staff for letting us be a part of these fantastic projects, and for helping spread the word to other landowners.
Stay tuned to www.plantra.com for updates on this project,
and be sure to watch “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” for the best in outdoor action and education.
