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<blockquote data-quote="Traxion" data-source="post: 403585" data-attributes="member: 983">I have a quarter of ground in the family that is one of our main upland hunting opportunities.&nbsp; It's got an old farmstead on it, about 20 acres of CRP, a 5 row tree strip planted 10 years ago.&nbsp; The remainder is cropland with (6) 1/2 mile long single tree rows.&nbsp; These are Soil Bank era rows that are dying out.&nbsp; In terms of nesting habitat, they don't provide a lot but don't hurt.&nbsp; Mostly they provide hunting opportunity.&nbsp; We've killed hundreds of birds out of them over the years.&nbsp; They're really going downhill now due to age and I'm trying to figure out the best way (if any) to do some rehab.&nbsp; First, we have to do some clean up of the rows and get rid of the major dead stuff.&nbsp; But after this I'm not sure where to go.&nbsp; I'm not close enough to provide regular watering to anything I plant.&nbsp; The original rows didn't get it and they survived well, but our 5 row strip hasn't done well.&nbsp; I also have some concerns about chemicals as the strips of cropland are actively farmed.&nbsp; Not sure if that has hurt the current trees or not.&nbsp; Good grass in the rows now, generally they are 15-20' wide right now.&nbsp; My thought is to start with a row, do the clean up.&nbsp; Kill off , then mow to the dirt 75-100 spots and hand plant trees or shrubs.&nbsp; Fabric and water the first round, then cross my fingers.&nbsp;&nbsp; This would be a spring time deal for best results.&nbsp; Deer are somewhat of a concern but they aren't there in big enough numbers to worry me too much.&nbsp; I'd do the first row and see what happens.&nbsp; Maybe try to do a couple rows a year after.&nbsp; Thoughts?&nbsp; Recommendations of trees or shrubs/bushes that would work?&nbsp; SC ND border area for reference?&nbsp; Unfortunately with the old stumps, etc. I just don't see much machine work happening.&nbsp; Lots of work but I want to try to maintain the opportunity if I can.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Traxion, post: 403585, member: 983"] I have a quarter of ground in the family that is one of our main upland hunting opportunities. It's got an old farmstead on it, about 20 acres of CRP, a 5 row tree strip planted 10 years ago. The remainder is cropland with (6) 1/2 mile long single tree rows. These are Soil Bank era rows that are dying out. In terms of nesting habitat, they don't provide a lot but don't hurt. Mostly they provide hunting opportunity. We've killed hundreds of birds out of them over the years. They're really going downhill now due to age and I'm trying to figure out the best way (if any) to do some rehab. First, we have to do some clean up of the rows and get rid of the major dead stuff. But after this I'm not sure where to go. I'm not close enough to provide regular watering to anything I plant. The original rows didn't get it and they survived well, but our 5 row strip hasn't done well. I also have some concerns about chemicals as the strips of cropland are actively farmed. Not sure if that has hurt the current trees or not. Good grass in the rows now, generally they are 15-20' wide right now. My thought is to start with a row, do the clean up. Kill off , then mow to the dirt 75-100 spots and hand plant trees or shrubs. Fabric and water the first round, then cross my fingers. This would be a spring time deal for best results. Deer are somewhat of a concern but they aren't there in big enough numbers to worry me too much. I'd do the first row and see what happens. Maybe try to do a couple rows a year after. Thoughts? Recommendations of trees or shrubs/bushes that would work? SC ND border area for reference? Unfortunately with the old stumps, etc. I just don't see much machine work happening. Lots of work but I want to try to maintain the opportunity if I can. [/QUOTE]

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