Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Tree Planting

I planted 1200 tree seedlings in 2010, 7000 in 2011, and another 1200 this spring. While I'm no expect, I have picked up a few things.

Assuming the area to be planted is now just fescue pasture, I would have a local farmer bale it for hay later this summer. 2nd choice would be to mow it early August. Then the first of October hit it with about 2 quarts/acre of glyphosate and a proper amount of AMS (water treatment). Properly done, that will leave you with dead thatch to plant into early next spring. It won't hurt the pond in the watershed. I had also added OUST XP to kill the grass and have a residual effect on weed germination, but not sure about its effect on the pond??

I too have too many deer, and thats a whole 'nother discussion. Having soybeans nearby as an sacrificial planting helps, as does Plantskyyd. If your areas being planted to tree are large blocks, I would put up an electric fence (two fences, one three foot inside the other with two strands, an outer fence with electric tape 18" off the ground)