Wisconsin shelter belt recommendations

[roostrunner]

Need some recommendations for trees, bushes, shrubs, evergreens, etc to make a shelter belt in western wisconsin. The area I would like to put the shelter belt in is a lowland with very moist soil and direct sunlight all day. Also wondering if anyone has had luck planting cattails and how to go about this process. Any advice will help, thanks.

 

[oldandnew]

I think cattails spread by tubers. I see no reason they won't grow if it's wet, most of the time. In fact I can't believe they aren't there now, if the site is acceptable. Dig seperate and plant the root balls, off you go. You might want to ascertain what your limiting factor is before forging ahead. Nesting, winter cover, feed, ( usually not), brood cover. Lots of good resources here and at PF. I am always excited to here someone is taking on a habitat project. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[UGUIDE]

Need some recommendations for trees, bushes, shrubs, evergreens, etc to make a shelter belt in western wisconsin. The area I would like to put the shelter belt in is a lowland with very moist soil and direct sunlight all day. Also wondering if anyone has had luck planting cattails and how to go about this process. Any advice will help, thanks.

Roostrunner, you need to go to your local FSA/NRCS office and do 2 things. Get your soils maps for the ground to find out what soil types you have and then get a windbreak tree planting guide from the NRCS. The latter will tell you how high trees get and what plays well with your specific soil types.

And I would give this guy a call and see what he can do for you.

Please let us know what you find out.

J.D. Armstrong
Farm Bill Biologist, NW WI
Pheasants Forever
1304 N Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona, WI 54720
715-832-6547 ext 117
715-225-0672 cell
jarmstrong@pheasantsforever.org
james.armstrong@wi.usda.gov

 

[1GB]

Cattails also spread by seed. Take some seed heads from established cattails and frost seed them into your planned shelter belt. Success will depend on actual soil conditions/moisture and what vegetation is already present.

For shrubbery ideas, red oiser or silky dogwood is hard to beat for moist/wet areas and also provide soft mast.