Time To Plant Some Trees

“
Your woodlot is, in fact, a historical document that faithfully records your personal philosophy.   Let it tell a story of tolerance toward living things, and of skill in the greatest arts: how to use the earth without making it ugly.”    ~Aldo Leopold (radio address to Wisconsin farmers, 1937)

Have you planted a tree yet this spring?   Are you at least planning on getting some dirt under your fingernails and taking 10 minutes of your time to establish at least one new tree?   As sportsmen, planting a few trees might seem so insignificant in the whole scheme of things…but if done with a little planning and care, your efforts can pay big dividends not so far off in the future.

My uncle was into planting trees.   He made it a point each spring to involve as many kids as possible to ensure the work got spread out evenly, but also to pass on something much more important.   What I didn’t realize at the time was not only was he planting trees, but he was also planting ideas into the minds of young kids.   Now each spring I not only think of uncle Herman, but I also fondly recall his passion for planting trees.

My Uncle’s philosophy on tree planting was quite simple.   You generally don’t plant a tree for your own enjoyment…the unselfish act is one you do for the benefit of the next generation.

In most cases I tend to agree with my respected and now deceased elders…but on this one I have some slight disagreement.   I believe, in fact, that given the right planning you very much CAN enjoy the trees you plant during your lifetime.   In fact, as a sportsman most of the trees I plant are not for aesthetic purposes, but wildlife protection and food goals in mind.   In as few as 10 years those trees can easily be accomplishing those lofty goals.

Indeed, for me planting trees each spring helps me to connect with the fond memories of my uncle and to help carry on his legacy, at least in my mind.   But over the years I have learned that planting trees is hard work.   Oh sure, digging the hole and lightly tamping in the tree doesn’t take but a minute or two…but the work has only begun.   Gone are the years when I was so ambitious in attempting to plant 300 or more trees in one spring.   I’ve learned that given my time and resources, I just could not reasonable care for that many young seedlings during the first year in the manner in which they needed to be tended.

I’ve changed my thinking drastically.   Now as a rule I only plant between 10 and 25 young seedlings each spring.   Yea, I know…that’s not many…but it all helps.   I figure in 10 years I now have a better chance of establishing 200 living trees than I did by trying to plant them all at once.   More importantly, staggering the planting of your trees can be part of a smart wildlife management plan.   Different wildlife species tend to use trees at different phases of maturation.   So having trees planted at different ages is sort of like providing wildlife a smorgasbord of choices.

Up until now I have only talked about the need to plant trees…and not any tree species in particular.   That’s where the work comes in for you, the landowner.   Part of a good plan for wildlife plantings means knowing your location and what tree species grow best as well as which are used for wildlife plantings.   As a general rule of thumb, you want a healthy mix of coniferous, deciduous, and low-lying brushy plants (which usually offer berries or seeds of some kind).   By talking with your area forester or garden center professional they can help you map out a good mix of trees that will not only look good but will wonderfully perform for wildlife’s needs.

By now I hope I’ve encouraged you into thinking that planting a few trees this spring is something every sportsman should do.   Consider this…it can also be a wonderful way to give something back to that landowner who generously gives you permission to hunt each fall.   How good will it look in the landowner’s eyes if you ask them if you can plant some trees for wildlife on HIS or HER property?   Not only does this small act show you care about their property enough to visit again in the spring…but I can assure you it will be long remembered.   Then next fall when other hunters ask to traipse on the landowner’s property…you can play your trump card.   For the small cost of a few trees you have strengthened a relationship that could last years into the future – much like the trees.

So there you have it…whether you own property or not…there is no good reason not to be planting a few trees this spring.   Now is the time to be considering what you want to plant and where you want to plant it.   Fifty years from now the landowner likely won’t think much about your efforts…but they will surely be damn glad you cared enough about the future of the outdoors to be visionary enough to do so.   Satisfaction comes from knowing it is the right thing to do.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.