About Us
We begin with Carya Illinoinensis, the Pecan. Suitable for planting from USDA zone 5 to zone 9, although they have been know to grow well into the tropics. Our seedlings come from the genetics of the 'Wichita' cultivar and the native pecan, which tends to produce both a thinner, easy to crack shell, and sweeter nuts than larger papershell pecan trees. Expect fruiting to occur between 10 and 12 years, with 50 pound averages at 15 years, and an increasing harvest, year by year that can eventually reach an average of 450 pounds. These trees will be with you a long time .. the oldest on record thus far is over 300 years. The spread will reach 60 feet, with a height well over 100 feet. Recommended planting density is 9 trees/acre in wet lowlands, 8 in dry sites, with a water catchment taking the place of one tree. Next, we add Alnus (various species) or Alder trees, 4/acre for biomass generation, and to serve as a 'bridge' between the nut bearing trees and the fruiting trees. In areas where Alnus is prohibited, Willow or Poplars may be substituted. All about the sunlit edges is a great place to add fruit trees, to a density of about 16 specimens per acre. Next we add hazelnuts, 60 per acre. Expect these to begin bearing within 3 years, reaching maturity within 9 years, and an average production between 15 and 30 pounds. Commence coppicing at nine years to reset the growth cycle of your hazelnut trees, and a copse can live for hundreds of years. Coppiced wood can be used for biomass, fuel, or construction. Various nitrogen fixing trees come next, numbering 28/acre, including eastern redbud with its edible flowers and stunningly beautiful spring display, Goumi fruit with its edible berries, and leguminous trees from the Siberian Peashrub in cooler climates down to the Pigeon pea near the tropics. Blueberries do well in a mixed woodland, and there is room enough for 48 bushes/acre in this plan. All together, food enough for 12 people per acre from the larger perennials alone. This is just one of many potential plans for incorporating forestry with agriculture, and if this kind of productivity intrigues you, you have come to the right place. Let's talk!