When it comes to enhancing our hunting opportunities, taking time to improve the habitat where we hunt is one of the greatest investments of time and money we can make. At a time when most folks are pulled in multiple directions by work and family commitments, and when dollars are sometimes in short supply, it is important to choose a direction that maximizes our resources. One easy answer to this situation is to plant and care for apple trees.
Whether you own or lease property that you are looking to improve, or belong to a hunting club in north central Pennsylvania, apple trees are a valuable addition to a varied habitat. They are a preferred food source of deer and bear, and are also a favorite of turkeys and grouse. Further, they are a very viable food source that grows well in our area.
Before you begin planting new seedlings on your property, it is a logical first step to conduct a detailed survey of what already exists on your site. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that you already have old, wild apple trees growing on your land. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, when lumbering of our forests was at its height, lumbering camps and remote camp sites were scattered throughout the countryside. It is not unusual to find old apple trees at these old campsites. Other logical places to search for old apple trees are old or abandoned homesites. While the buildings may no longer be standing, apple trees and lilac bushes are indicators of homesites from years past. The challenge here is to bring these trees back to a more productive state. With some TLC, most of these trees will yield many more years of fruit production.
When you locate one of these old trees, there are three things you can do to improve its health and productivity. First – daylight the area around the tree. This requires cutting any other trees growing close enough to the apple tree to block the sunlight needed for the tree’s maximum viability. Secondly, while you have a sharp chainsaw and pruning tools available, prune the targeted apple tree. Cut out any dead or broken limbs, remove sucker growth, and remove other branches to allow more sunlight to penetrate the remaining growth. Finally, fertilize with a 10-10-10 granular fertilizer beneath the outer reaches of the remaining branches (this is referred to as the “dripline”).
When planting new apple tree seedlings, several factors should be considered, with site location among the most important. Consider planting them where they will receive maximum sunlight, such as field edges, hedgerows, or the edges of food plots. Planting groups of seedlings or small “orchards” of apple trees will make care easier when fertilizing, spraying, or other maintenance is needed. Do the research and plant a variety of standard apple and crabapple seedlings that will bear fruit at different times throughout the late summer and fall. Use of tree tubes is recommended, especially during the early years of growth. They provide a “greenhouse effect” for a young tree and also protect the seedling from becoming a buck rub, which often kills the young tree. Keep in mind that bees will sometimes build a nest inside these tubes and then become an attractant for black bears that can easily snap a seedling to pieces in search of the bees’ nest. If you have black bears in the area and have planted the apple tree seedlings in a group, you might consider adding a high fence to encircle the trees and protect them from bear damage.
As with older trees, using 10-10-10 fertilizer will enhance the growth and health of these seedlings. Spraying these new trees with an insecticide such as seven will eliminate damage from tent caterpillars. Otherwise, little care is needed for these young seedlings to become fruit-bearing trees.
In the end, caring for existing apple trees or planting new apple tree seedlings is one of the most productive ways to use your time and money to enhance any property for wildlife. It will yield a great feeling of satisfaction when you witness the game enjoying the fruits of your labor!
