Nicely planted food plots attract deer and keep them in the area. Nice shrubs and trees enhance the hunting activities on your property. If you aim to choose Wild Tree plants to keep deer on your property, then here are some good options.
For short term planting, you need to choose large shrubs and small trees that offer fruit or fodder within a year, after planting. Some plants start providing forage within a year or two, while a few take more than ten years, after planting.
Long-term trees take longer to mature, but produce regularly every year. The good aspect of the long-term plant is they will attract deer on your property for your grandkids. To create a perfect habitat for deer, you have control over food, water, and cover.
Wild tree planting tips to keep deer on your land
- Plant the trees in fall. It gives them the whole winter and spring for root development before the summer season arrives.
- Choose to plant in direct sunlight because trees grow fine when light is received properly. Avoid planting in tickets or timber unless you clean the area for the new tree.
- Existing vegetation can suppress the tree seedling when it starts to root. All the available nutrients and water get pulled by the existing vegetation from the soil and the new tree can die. Therefore, remove the existing vegetation around the new tree.
- Never fertilize the new plant right away. The tree seedling has everything necessary to grow for a minimum of 6 months. Excess fertilizer can burn its delicate roots and encourage vegetation growth near the new tree.
- During dry season water the plants for a minimum one year. The root system needs some time to grow sufficiently to keep itself nourished in the dry periods.
- Protect seedlings from wildlife that love to eat tender seedlings. As the tree grows, you need to protect the young trees from bucks wanting to rub their antlers. Hang a few pie pans or drive rebar posts near the trunk. Metal clanging spooks them and they don’t like the feel of rebar post on their antlers.
- Fertilize the trees as they start to mature. It will encourage and speed mast production.
- 20% to 30% of your property has to consist of nut-bearing and fruit trees because they nourish and lure wildlife.
- Deer love acorns from hickory, chestnut, beech, and white oaks.
- Soft mast from sumacs, domestic apple, pear trees, crabapple, and persimmon also attract deer.
Follow the above tips and establish food plots as an extra to the natural forage. It can help to attract and keep deer on your property.
