Planting Trees for Turkeys?

[Treesuitsc]

Over the last decade I have planted various hard and soft mast trees for deer.

In the last few years I have wanted to plant trees that turkeys would like.

This year I panted more Red Mulberries. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience to share?

[Dtrkyman]

I assume you planted Oaks which are great for turkeys.  Have you considered planting some nesting habitat?

Warm season grasses are great, bluestem, switch grass, indian grass, I liked planting it and then surrounding it with a perimeter of clover.

Burn the grass every other year or so prior to nesting season.  Had a farm with acres of it scattered around and would rotate the fire so there was always standing grass somewhere. 

Nuttall oaks grow quick and I know sawtooth produce mast quickly, not sure which produces acorns quicker but I think it is the sawtooth?

[rifleman]

I have heard a lot of good things about sawtooth oaks from several land owners.  One word of caution though....do not plant autumn olive.  The stuff spreads like wildfire, usually from bird droppings, and will consume your property in short order.

[Greg Massey]

Planting trees are good, but another thing people don't think about is good old red sand. You can have a couple loads / load of sand dumped out on your farm / property and turkeys love to scratch in the sand for grit etc...  I remember Will Primos talking about a place they were hunting didn't have a lot of sand on the property and he had several loads of red sand dumped in different areas and it improved the turkey habitat ..

[Kylongspur88]

If they grow in your area...chinkapin, also called rock oaks around here are good draws for turkeys. They're in the white oak family but the acorns are very small and deer and turkey love them. When they drop here I'll be sure to hunt them for deer and fall turkey. In addition to those beech trees are favorites for turkeys around here. Everything loves a beech nut.

[Treesuitsc]

Thank you all.

I have planted a lot of sawtooth and have some that should drop this year.

I have planted Nuttals as well. Added some chinquapins and dwarf chinquapins.

Going to look into the red sand.


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[Cowboy]

I have heard a lot of good things about sawtooth oaks from several land owners.  One word of caution though....do not plant autumn olive.  The stuff spreads like wildfire, usually from bird droppings, and will consume your property in short order.

True

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[saltysenior]

  I planted a 3' longleaf pine years ago with hopes it would become a roost....10 yrs. and it's only 11ft....don't think i'll see if it worked..

[roberthyman14]

Chinqupin chestnuts are great

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[snoman4]

Birdsfoot Trefoil is something I would plant to go along with the trees you have already planted.  It is a legume that is well tolerated by wildlife, it also attracts bees which will help pollinate your trees.  Turkeys, geese, quail, and pheasants really like it along with deer.  Some crp planted would also be great nesting habit too.