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Chestnut vs Hazel Nut tree

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896 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  AJAYP  
#1 ·
Hello Fellow Archery Hunters -- So I need some advice from the gallery. We purchased about 85 acres of land, 50 of which is leased to a farmer for hay, the other 35ish is scattered with old crab apple, apple, maple, cherry, poplar and some pine trees. I have been slowly clearing out the young saplings and expanding small food plots. There are numerous farms around the area that plant corn or soy beans depending on the year.
I purchased and planted some Dunstan chestnut trees (some survived while others have not), and I am thinking about purchasing some hazelnut trees to give the deer a variety of snacks to choose from -- hoping more will stay on the property.
Should I continue with my plan and purchase some hazelnut trees or just continue to clear saplings, and run with the Dunstan chestnuts?
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
AJP
 
M
#3 ·
The only thing that will use the hazelnuts are chipmunks and squirrels. I’ve had hazelnut bushes for my entire life. In 49 years I’ve never seen a single deer do more than use a shoot to make a rub. They have a hard shell like a hickory, deer have no interest in them at all. I’ve seen it online for years about hazelnuts being a good deer food. I have no idea how that myth got started other than companies trying to sell trees. Sort of like the sawtooth oak craze years back.
 
#4 ·
What you are clearing out sounds like good deer habitat. Why are you clearing it? It doesn’t sound like food is a limiting factor for deer there so do they really need more food? I would consider leaving some thick brushy habitat for bedding and cover and browse. Maybe you are doing that just thought I would mention it. Sawtooth oak is another good one
 
#5 ·
I plan on clearing the saplings that are about 1-2 inches around to open up the underground and to clear around the apple trees. I don't plan on wiping out the forest, just thin it out. There are areas that will not be touched. I have many isolated areas that have bad blowdowns as well, so I was going to replace those tree.
Thanks
AJP
 
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