To: Homestead List <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Homestead] silvopasture
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:40:18 -0400
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