Starting a tree farm

[Rookie]

My daughter and her husband are closing on a house soon. Right now there's 4-5 acres that is being leased to a farmer. My daughter is like me, she doesn't like strangers on her property, so the farm land is not going to be leased after the current lease expires.

So, the idea is to plant a tree farm. Christmas trees are not an option! I was thinking Black Walnut, but they're open to other suggestions. They understand that this isn't a get rich quick idea. So, besides Walnut, what other trees would be good to plant?

 

[gwingo]

Apples might be worthwhile. Antique and cider varieties. Artisan Cideries are the new micro breweries. Maybe get a wine license and open their own cidery.

 

[Cameramonkey]

If they are lazy, Maple trees. Spread a couple bushels of the helicopter seeds in the field and they'll have more than they know what to do with in a week.


I was in Lowes last week looking for a lilac bush and saw they had 5-7' maples for $60 and I actually laughed out loud. Why anyone would pay for one of those is beyond me.

 

[alabasterjar]

My daughter and her husband are closing on a house soon. Right now there's 4-5 acres that is being leased to a farmer. My daughter is like me, she doesn't like strangers on her property, so the farm land is not going to be leased after the current lease expires.

So, the idea is to plant a tree farm. Christmas trees are not an option! I was thinking Black Walnut, but they're open to other suggestions. They understand that this isn't a get rich quick idea. So, besides Walnut, what other trees would be good to plant?

It might be worth contacting the state Forester to see if they have recommendations based on soil types, pests, etc and the soil & water conservation district to see if there are any land owner incentives for tree plots.

If they have the interest, a couple rows of sugar maples closest to their house would provide a nice supply of maple syrup in 5 years or so, depending on how quickly they grow. May also consider some nut trees, fruit trees mixed in, as well. Avoid planting it all in 1 or 2 species...If a species specific disease or insect comes along, it doesn't take out the entire planting.

I don't recall the cutoff date, but large quatities of trees can be ordered from the state nursery (at Jasper Pulaski tree nursery) for pennies. State Forester has good information: DNR: Tree Seedling Nurseries

 

[BugI02]

Maybe talk to a few of the well known landscrape and/or remodel firms to see what they use most with a eye toward being a supplier for them

You may already know this, but black walnuts release chemicals, from their roots and from the decaying husks around the nuts, that interfere with the growth of competing plants near the tree. If you want BWs you might need to have a separate stand rather than have them scattered throughout the tree lot

 

[bocefus78]

First question is what are the goals of the area being planted? Income from timber sale? Wildlife food? Fruit for themselves? There's lots of reasons to plant trees.

The walnut does release jugalone which inhibits other growth nearby.

Imo, there's no real money to be made on a 4 acre timber sale. I just took 150ish trees off my 5 acres and it barely made 5 figures after paying the forester. That was the highest of 7 bids. It was mostly sugar maple and a few walnuts...one of which went veneer quality.

If it was mine, I'd plant a mixture of oaks, hickory, walnut, sugar maple, and some fruit trees as well as smaller understory types that provide food and cover for wildlife.

Also....Google tree tubes. You'll want those. Extra tall if there are deer around.

They will also need a mobile watering rig. Tank and motor\pump combo on trailer works great behind a tractor or atv.

The idnr sells saplings for a crazy cheap price. They only ship in spring and fall, but you can place an order anytime.

 

[singlestacksig]

A huge amount depends on your soil conditions & location.. Walnut is not friendly with other plants.. and there are a huge amount of walnut plantations around..
White oak is not planted as much.. & gets along with other vegetation.. Black Cherry can bring big $$ but it takes 100 years..

 

[wabash]

make an orchard! if they want low effort, they could just plant and let them grow wild. plant rows of blackberry bushes around the edges.

have a spot in the middle for a picnic table and a campfire.

 

[two70]

The idnr sells saplings for a crazy cheap price. They only ship in spring and fall, but you can place an order anytime.

The DNR only ships in the spring and only accepts orders from October 1st through May 1st.

If they want to realize some return on their effort in their lifetime, then white oak is out. Either walnut or Dunstan chestnuts would be better choices for timber production and both would offer nuts to sell if they chose to do so. The chestnut would produce nuts sooner but they would have to be sure to get the Dunstan variety as Chinese chestnuts are not good for timber and other varieties are not resistant to blight. An orchard consisting of some mix of apples, pears, peaches, and plums would probably make more sense. Of course with any of the nut/fruit trees there would be a significant investment in time required if they intend to harvest and sell the fruit.

 

[snapping turtle]

The five acres in the lease is positive income steam. Not a lot of profit on five but enough to pay the tax man for the whole property and maybe enough left over for an extra firearm a year depending on the lease amount.

What does the the rest of the property acres consist of. I believe ten is a magic number for certified forest with the grants for trees and the major tax break if the property is not to be developed for a number of years.

As as far as trees white pine edges for property markers grow quick and provide winter cover from eyes. Shagbark hickory good for raising tree rats. Also does not mind the roots a bit wet if it has a low area. White oak takes forever to grow but are some of the longest lasting trees. Quail unlimited used to help with habitat and lots of nice bird bushes also available in the habitat samples from the dnr also. So much can be done but seedling trees require care the first several years so figure a bush hog and a water trailer and mulch or chemical treatments for weed growth into the expense mix