Planting a deer orchard includes many factors, and you need to bring these factors together to plant a dear-focused land successfully. You can’t afford mistakes if you want to make your property stand out, attract the deer, and hold them for better hunting.
North American Whitetail Sponsors suggests having a variety ensures a regular supply of fruits to whitetails. From selecting the right location to planting the best tree species and maintenance, all the factor requires attention.
In this article, we will mention the factors you need to consider while planting a deer orchard.
location
The process of planting a deer orchard starts with selecting the right land. Make sure that the location you select should be right for the trees you are planning to plant. Level grounds with open exposure or slightly sloping areas are considered ideal for orchard planting. The open grounds make sure the fruit plants get at least six hours of sunlight, a must for them.
Apart from sunlight, the soil is also a major contributing factor in fruit production. You will get great fruits in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. You can manage the pH of the soil to increase fruit production.
Planting
Plant in sunlight as fruit trees need sunlight to produce, and more sunlight helps the seedlings grow fast. It is best to go local and buy seeds from a nearby nursery as the trees would easily adapt to the climate zone and physiographic region and are more likely to survive and thrive longer.
Select the plants as per the land and plan their placement. You can naturally group various plants or plant them separately. If you choose to plant them separately, you can monitor the deer movement patterns, which will support your hunting.
By planting various trees, you can ensure a steady supply of nutrition for whitetails throughout the year. It is important to select the right trees, the following, we have mentioned the best trees that you should consider for your deer orchard.
Best species of trees for your dear orchard
Apple trees – It isn’t a secret that deer love apples. They are like classics that are sure to work. The variety you are having in your orchard, apples are a must in the combination. Apples attract wildlife, and they improve deer’s digestion as they are rich in sugars and fats. A single apple tree is said to produce up to 250 pounds of fruit each season.
Pear trees – Peers works like a champ, and they can keep the deer coming back again for more. Pear trees don’t require extensive maintenance compared to other fruit trees. Some varieties reap fruits early, and some extend the season as they are suitable for different climates.
Persimmon trees – Persimmons are like making a long-term investment as they don’t reap fruits for the initial five years after planting, but they will continue to do so beyond 50 years when they start producing fruits.
Maintenance
Maintaining the deer orchard is important and requires extensive efforts, and it needs a lot of care to have a well-maintained deer orchard. It needs regular and proper maintenance for the trees to bear fruits upto their full potential and attract the deer.
You can select plants according to the seasons to down the maintenance. The local variety of plants comes in handy here. There are some things you need to ensure that the plants are properly fertilized, and they are watered properly. The land should be suitable, the soil fertility level should be managed, and pH levels should also be maintained.
It is important to identify and eliminate weed plants to ensure the fruit plans get all the nutrients. Pest control should not be taken lightly. If you consider the factors mentioned above, a well-maintained orchard can feed your deer for decades.
