Turning A Field into A Forest

In this video I am converting a field into a forest. My goal is to grow a high quality veneer black walnut crop with western red cedar trees as spacing and trainer trees. If the black walnuts don't work or die off then I have the western red cedar as a valuable cash crop. If the black walnuts make it and produce high quality veneer stems then the cedar will be thinned and slowly removed while the black walnuts grow and in 40-100 years the black walnuts can be harvested for lots of money (hopefully!)

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Logging Supplies

Logging PPE:

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Starting and Growing Seedlings

[WatchDogxx]

"Now we've just got to wait 10 years to see if it works", man I was really hoping for a 10 year jump cut lol.

[terryeason]

I love the idea I just don't think I have another ten years to see myself. BUT I am still wanting to do it so my grandson can benefit from them.

Thanks for the education.😊

[markroper]

Love the video! Interesting process to getting veneer quality black walnut!! Have a great weekend!!

[netfun]

Decades ago we used to scalp a square foot of grass when planting trees in grass areas. We planted cow pastures a couple years back with doug fir and cedar. Mowing the field first (brush hog) would help with tall grass. Then we sprayed the field to kill the grass. We ripped the field with dozer to help the roots. Would suggest spraying around the blue tubes to deter mice and voles. Those seedlings have long roots, make sure to not j root while planting.

[emilyjayne]

Maybe it would’ve been a benefit to put the cone on roots first, then plant the little fella’s ❤ 🌲 great to watch you replenishing and being kind to trees

[trevorwhat]

That was particularly useful info, Jason. As always, thanks for taking the time to put these together.

[BrianJensen-ymgk]

8 feet between the trees in each row might be a bit much, especially since you are planting directly into grass, and have to establish weedcontrol with the cedars (4-5 feet might be a safer bet). Now, admittedly, I don't know if they grow like stink in Washington, but they are rather slow growing here in Denmark. It might be worth considering planting a fast growing "nursing-tree" species (like alder, pine or larch in my neighbourhood. Larch is epic, as it doesn't shade heavily) to shade out the grass, prune the nursing trees heavily, and then remove them completely before they damage the main tree species (after 8-10 years).

[rockman]

Hi Jason, Lots of hard work & investment! Hopefully the cones will prevent the little critters from getting a seat at your gourmet feast! Have you talked to any forest service people about traps that might slow them down a bit?? Take Care, Best of Luck! Jim

[quagmier]

Good idea Jason but what about planting Douglas fir trees instead and cut the trees for Christmas trees?

[sovereignlivingsoul]

great job, you might want to try coning the trees before planting, you may get some buried cones to help protect the trees

[thekevorlando]

We raised a lot of orange trees here in Florida we had possums rats raccoons that would know it away not to mention deer my grandfather always told me if you keep the grass short the smaller things are less likely to go in there because they're scared of owls and other predator birds

[Christian-jzxt]

Ever tried Tulip poplar? They grow quickly and force the neighbor trees to keep up. Might shave a year or two off the wait for cedar

[jasonhilliker]

Goodnature A24 CO2 rat/mouse trap.
Mount the trap on a pole. Then the mouse will fall out onto the ground. Then the predators will stick around for the mouse snacks.

[joshuahosang]

Well you will be set by the time you retire

[reverendtfg]

*What stops the mice from chewing through the cone?* 🤨🤨🤨

[randyrife]

Really good video. I didn't see a link for the grow tubes. Can you let me know where you purchased them? I like this style and can't find them anywhere. Thanks.

[haha-hyoo]

You should put up some posts for birds of pray so they can keep your rodents down. Mowing might also help but i kind of impractical. As a german forester we have a saying" Gras Maus aus "
gras mice over

[dvssayer]

Hi Jason, its been awhile, can you tell us if these cedars survived? Voles go under ground to eat roots. Im curious how its going with your trees. Im having 35 western redcedars planted ( by a reforestry guy!) 4th generation here in pnw in gig harbor ... of course i want them all to do well. It seems everthing we plant has several predators to attack our stuff.
I just love trees so much, and forests!

[reverendtfg]

*Why they call it a cone when it's clearly a cylinder?* 🤔🤔🤔

[conservativerealist]

Get a gas power auger for the digging .4-6" diameter.