Need help planning tree plantings (update: Pear Project Begins Now)

[Mexican Squealer]

Never used grow tubes, stakes or anything other than a dibble.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Never used grow tubes, stakes or anything other than a dibble.

I am far from a professional but I think the tubes take some time off of the maturation process - and increase survival rate.

Anything I can do at this point to move the process along, I am all for it!!!

 

[Mackie889]

Where are you folks buying your grow tubes? I am planting 50 gobbler Sawtooth seedlings in January.

 

[arrendale8105]

I’m starting to plant trees on our farm this year. I’m back and forth on going ahead and buying several the 4-5 ft trees and a bunch of small ones. Planting sawtooth, gobbler sawtooth, chestnuts, persimmons, and crabapples. I’ve been reading a lot on the dunsten chestnuts as well. Those of you who have planted them how long do they actually take to start producing?

 

[Mexican Squealer]

I am far from a professional but I think the tubes take some time off of the maturation process - and increase survival rate.

Anything I can do at this point to move the process along, I am all for it!!!

It definitely took my trees longer than expected to start producing (6-10 years) but survival rate was great. Would love to hear how much faster folks get acorns when they use grow tubes, stakes etc. interesting.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Where are you folks buying your grow tubes? I am planting 50 gobbler Sawtooth seedlings in January.

/https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=16231&itemnum=17141

Based on my limited research here are the ones I will try to purchase.

$275 per 100 and if you buy 200+ the price comes down to $255 per 100.

You can buy stakes from them, get the locally or fab them yourself.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Would love to hear how much faster folks get acorns when they use grow tubes, stakes etc. interesting.

Here is an article that sort of outlines the process.

Since QDMA is unbiased (at least as it relates to the sale of grow tubes) it would seem as though they are speaking objectively.

There are a great many YouTube videos on the process also.


https://www.qdma.com/tips-using-tree-shelter-tubes/

 

[aaron batson]

If you have a decent deer population - 5 foot tubes or cages are an absolute must.... trust me

 

[aaron batson]

Solid stakes are also important

 

[Mexican Squealer]

Yep I was surprised I didn’t have much of an issue without caging or staking any of the 900 plus. They are close to 15 yrs old and put out piles of mast.

 

[Jim Boyd]

If you have a decent deer population - 5 foot tubes or cages are an absolute must.... trust me

5’ tubes it needs to be then.

Our deer herd is aggressive, to say the least.

The 60” are $325 per 100.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Solid stakes are also important

Man, those look sweet! Well done.

I have a good supply of 10’ EMT, will just cut these down to 60” each and use them. They should be recyclable.

 

[fireman32]

I see that you’ll tube them, that’s a great idea. We have 4 acres of chestnut trees planted, almost 200. Of those, 30 were rubbed to death by deer. Drip irrigation and fertilizer had half of them producing the third year.
I have sawtooth, pear and chestnut in my plots, give them plenty of space, sun and make sure you can water them.

 

[SakoL61R]

Have planted pear, persimmon, and crabs since 2009 on my place. Other than fireblight and one tractor-kill, they’re all doing well.
Lessons learned:

• Tree tubes
• Stake support (1/2 inch conduit)
• Add supplements to soil when planting
  • Moisture Mizer (coupla table spoons to soil when planting!
  • https://www.wildlifegroup.com/seeds-and-growing-supplies/
  • Slow release fertilizer
• Eliminate all water/nutrient competition within 4 ft of tree base using weed matting. I use the best grade possible and double it up-it will last for years.
• Irrigate if possible.
• Remove tubes on a cold winter day, clean out, prune suckers/branches, and relocate “frozen” wasp nests. Reinstall tubes.

Good luck and hope all of our advice helps out!

 

[Triple C]

Have planted pear, persimmon, and crabs since 2009 on my place. Other than fireblight and one tractor-kill, they’re all doing well.
Lessons learned:

• Tree tubes
• Stake support (1/2 inch conduit)
• Add supplements to soil when planting
  • Moisture Mizer (coupla table spoons to soil when planting!
  • https://www.wildlifegroup.com/seeds-and-growing-supplies/
  • Slow release fertilizer
• Eliminate all water/nutrient competition within 4 ft of tree base using weed matting. I use the best grade possible and double it up-it will last for years.
• Irrigate if possible.
• Remove tubes on a cold winter day, clean out, prune suckers/branches, and relocate “frozen” wasp nests. Reinstall tubes.

Good luck and hope all of our advice helps out!

Sako knows a thing or two about planting trees. Spot on!

 

[Jim Boyd]

Good luck and hope all of our advice helps out!

Thank you, Sako - great list!

 

[Jim Boyd]

Getting equipment!

Used 3 pt with 12” auger.

Looks to be in great shape.

Not a great pic, in the dark in back of pick up.

 

[aaron batson]

Man - that is nice Jim. I use a deep subsoiler and the post hole diggers

 

[Jim Boyd]

Man - that is nice Jim. I use a deep subsoiler and the post hole diggers

That was my original intent - a middle buster and a dibble.

This just seemed a good time to take the plunge.

Need to set some gates this year anyway.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[Jim Boyd]

Ready to dig some holes.....

Everything appears to be in good shape, fittings take grease, gearbox is full, shaft runs true, etc