[Homestead] silvopasture

EarthNSky erthnsky at bellsouth.net
Mon Oct 13 02:40:18 EDT 2008


I'm sold on the silvopasture idea.
I have the pasture and I know it is good from testing and I know it will 
support animals at above average stocking densities from rotational 
grazing experiments I have performed in the past.
I don't have animals now, but I will eventually get some sheep and 
probably goats again, so in the meantime, I am putting up a pasture 
divider so that the baby trees will be in one part and the animals, when 
I get them, will be in another part of the pasture.
I am considering the following trees:
Black Walnut
Pecan
Chinese Chestnuts
Honey Locust
Black Locust
Red Cedar
Pawlonia
There will probably be some Leyland Cypress trees

If I could find a good Spruce or Fir that might be sold as Christmas 
trees, I might consider that, too.  I see a few isolated yard specimen 
trees, but not many.  Our summers get a bit hot for most 'Christmas 
trees". I do want more evergreens. Should I consider pines...they are 
ubiquitious here, so prices would be low, but they are lumber trees and 
they are evergreen.

Mostly we are planting for future lumber for woodworking projects and 
for income when the trees are cut down in 25-30 years.  I might be able 
to sell nuts and xmas trees, as well as the lambs.
I'm in the process of re-reading my library of Tvo posts about this 
topic, but in the meantime, does anyone else have any additional ideas 
about trees I might consider growing?  I am in zone 7..winter lows to 
zero for short periods, summer highs to 105 for short periods.  Lows 
mostly in the teens, highs mostly in the 90's.  4 good seasons. Full sun 
location, flat pasture with fescue, bermuda, clovers, and other 'weeds'.

Bev
-- 
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from 
the government and I'm here to help.'"  Ronald Reagan



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