Observations:
Andropogon gerardi (grass)
We are observing an increase in the native grass component with Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) becoming established in the least grazed areas. Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus) are increasing in the most heavily grazed areas.
An erosion scar which was a precipitating factor in the project’s location has grassed in and healed over nicely. We planted bald cypress in the pools of the erosion scar that didn’t grow grass because of shallow water table conditions. No overflow from New Lake has occurred since a new spillway was constructed.
Interest in this tree establishment method continues to increase. Talks have been presented at multiple events including the Forest Trust Confabration and The Society of American Foresters Annual National Convention. Several tours were also given to landowners. This project was featured on the Kerr Center’s 1995 Farm Field Day which had 105 interested persons in attendance including farmers, ranchers, scientists and other agriculture professionals. This project received international exposure as part of a presentation at the Russian Academy of Sciences and has been toured by farmers from Russia and extension agents from Haiti. This project formed the basis of a method paper in proceedings published by the Society of American Foresters.
The project site attracts wild turkeys because of its species diversity and its position between their safe roosting areas and the wildlife food plots where they feed. Flocks of more than 50 turkeys have been observed here.
Snakes, bobcats, eagles, and hawks keep the rodents at acceptable levels. Coyotes, deer, possums armadillos and raccoons use the area at night.
Summary:
The most important things we have learned, besides the overall effectiveness of mulched contour tree rows were:
1. Single rows of trees fit into the mechanical management of the forage-mulch operation much better than multiple tree rows or more complicated tree configurations. If configurations other than the single row method are desired, a single row can be established the first year and additional rows can be added on either or both sides the next year.
2. Leaving tree rows in a rough, natural condition provides habitat for mice and rats which allows them to harvest cocklebur seeds and other weed seeds in the field. Mice and rats have eliminated cockleburs in this previously infested field.
3. The trees that were most compatible with cattle during the early years of growth were the green ash and black locust.
New Fescue Agroforestry Project:
The project site is a wet, 39-acre, flat bottom next to the Poteau River, which occasionally floods. The soil is a silt loam. The elevation ranges from 460 to 462 ft above sea level. The wetness of this pasture limits the use of machinery until late in the growing season and controls the type and amount of forage produced. A ditch around the pasture and several cross ditches provide adequate surface drainage unless they are overloaded by excess water from river flooding or beaver dams. We want the trees to dry up the pasture and improve the forage and usability of the site.
The alleys between the tree rows are 90 ft wide to make mechanical maintenance and haying easier. In September 1992, we mowed the pasture and baled the hay into 96 round bales (1300 lb). Then we unrolled the bales in the tree rows.
Establishment:
A beaver cut hardwood on timber
In January 1993, we hand planted 2000 willow oak (Quercus phellos), 1000 pin oak (Quercus palustris), 1000 green ash, 250 bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), and 100 each of Shumard (Quercus shumardii) and Nuttall (Quercus nuttalli) oaks. In 1994 we hand planted 2000 pin oak, 1000 shumard oak, 1000 green ash, and 100 bald cypress trees to form a second row in our configuration and to replace any dead trees. In 1995 we hand planted 500 green ash to increase tree numbers and fill any gaps we found in the tree rows. Most green ash were along the sides of the drainage ditch to give beavers something to eat before they reached the other trees.
We have planted 9150 trees on this project. All of the trees except the green ash and bald cypress are considered red oaks by the timber industry and thus could be sold as a single uniform unit. Red oaks are used for furniture and always in high demand from a marketing position. Bald cypress is used for decorative paneling and has some rot resistance properties.
After planting in 1995, the total tree row acreage was 4, and the pasture acreage was 35. We hayed the alleys and brush-hogged the edges of the tree rows each spring. Round hay bales were moved to a storage yard and fed to the cattle herd in the winter. In the fall of 1994 and 1995, we mowed the alleys and left the forage lying in the pasture.
From 1992 to 1995 cattle grazed the pasture during the fall and winter months when the trees were leafless and dormant. Beginning in winter 1996 we began the maintenance phase of the project. We didn’t graze this project in 1996 because we wanted to encourage height growth which had been limited by yearly grazing of the terminal buds.
Results to Date:
Except for the willow oaks, which were not dormant when planted, tree survival has been good. The 1996 average heights of trees in this project are; willow oaks - 6 ft., pin oaks - 6 ft., Nuttall oaks - 5 ft., Shumard oaks - 5 ft., green ash - 6 ft., bald cypress - 6 ft. Beavers damaged only the green ash along the drainage ditch as expected. No insect problems were observed. Free wild trees establishing in the rows thus far are mainly persimmon and green ash.
Establishment costs from 1993-95 were about $3500 or $90/acre. This includes site preparation, seedlings, and labor.
A raccoon standing on a tree at night
The mulched tree rows catch and hold a tremendous amount of eroded soil (humus, clay, and silt). The cumulative effect of this ongoing process should be an increase in the comparative elevation of the tree rows. A rise in the elevation would benefit tree growth. The project site was a favorite of the woodcocks because of an increased worm population in the soil. Flocks of more than 150 ducks used the pasture for food and cover. Snakes, bobcats, eagles, and hawks kept the rodents at acceptable levels. Coyotes, deer, possums, armadillos and raccoons use the area at night.
The most important thing we have learned is that considerable grazing can take place even while trees are being established providing it takes place after trees (hardwoods only) have lost their leaves for winter.
