Other trees to plant!

This weeks research has been on what other trees I need to plant on the homestead, earlier I went into some of the fruit and nut trees I was thinking about but I would like to get a little more variety out there as well. When I walked through the property a couple of months ago most of the woodland on the property was poplar. While poplar can make a decent forage and it is fast growing it is not much good as a building material and as fire wood it burns hot but very fast, you are constantly having to put more in! There is three additional types of trees I am thinking of planting other the the fruit and nut trees mentioned earlier.

Maple Trees
I am thinking of planting a variety of Maple trees, a 6-7 sugar maples, 2-3 red maples and 2-3 silver maples. I have to admit the idea of making our own maple syrup does intrigue me and gives me something to do in February! Terri loves the color change of the leaves and as they grow they will provide shade for the cattle in the pastures and the mast will provide additional feed for the birds and wildlife.

Weeping Willow

Weeping willows grow very fast, up to 10 feet a year! The willows will be a great shade tree around the pond as well as in a couple in the lower areas of the pastures to suck up the excess water that will pool in those areas. In addition to the shade aspect willow branches are excellent feed for the rabbits (along with the poplar that is already abundant), the rabbits will chew the branches to wear down their teeth and the willow also acts as a mild pain reliever. The leaves should also serve as a good fodder for the goats. So we are looking at 4-5 of these trees to the homestead.

There are numerous other trees that would do great on a homestead but being in the northern part of the country I am a little more limited in my choices! I do think in addition to the fruit and nut trees however we will have a pretty good selection on the homestead! As always if I missed something let me know!!

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TheBar1 Homestead- From a sword to a plowshare

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