Trees in silvopasture are not created equal
John Fike for Progressive Forage Grower
For many producers, the thought Tree selection soils or climate aren’t amenable to a orientation becomes an important
of planting trees in pastures is Tree selection is critical because, producer’s trees of interest. factor for optimizing light to the
anathema. A common first utterance as one Virginia forester says, “You Combining different tree species forage understory, with north-south
from skeptics generally goes can grow almost any tree almost may be a useful practice that can rows preferred at mid-to-higher
something like, “My family’s been anywhere for a period of time – but not serve multiple functions. Planting latitudes, and east-west orientations
fighting trees on this land since we necessarily well.” As much as possible, rows of conifers on either side of favored at low latitudes. However,
came here, and now you say we should trees should complement the farm hardwood timber trees can provide a this must be balanced with other
plant trees?” operation, not compete with it. Typical windbreak and simultaneously force considerations. For instance, layout
Planting trees to create attributes for tree selection include the hardwoods to adapt a straighter must accommodate rotational grazing
silvopastures may not have the marketable timber, high-quality wood, and less spreading growth form, thus and appropriate feeder and waterer
immediacy of thinning, but it can rapid growth, deep-rooted morphology reducing pruning. The conifers may placements, which are essential parts
have several advantages. In contrast to to reduce competition with forages, be harvested for pulpwood, providing of good silvopasture management. And
thinning, which typically is a take- open canopy to allow more light to much earlier returns to the system to avoid serious headaches, designs
what-you-get proposition, planting the forage understory, early leaf-out than possible with hardwoods alone. also must account for future tree
gives managers the opportunity to and late leaf-drop dates, drought Mixed plantings also may growth and leave room to move or
select preferred tree species for any of tolerance, production of additional be useful where trees have turn around equipment in the field.
several possible uses. products (e.g., nuts, fodders, pine complementary or off-setting features.
Planting also allows planning straw) and provision of environmental For example, black walnut trees Vegetation control
for or adaptation to existing conservation services. Other have long rotation times and release Killing and removing existing
infrastructure. This facilitates farm important criteria include cost, labor, compounds that are detrimental to vegetation typically are considered
operations and provides opportunity site suitability, resources required for legumes. Thus, planting several black essential steps for tree establishment,
to create desired interactions among establishment and management, and locusts between the walnut “leave” although this is somewhat species-
trees, forages and livestock. the land’s tenure constraints. trees within rows could offset the dependent.
Because no tree species will meet negative effects to clovers because For example, pines such as slash
Planning for silvopastures all of these criteria, selection should the locusts fix nitrogen and reach and loblolly are fairly robust and may
Anyone wanting to implement be a “best match” with the producer’s harvesting size at an earlier age. tolerate planting into ground cover;
silvopastures should “build a team goals and resources. For many, trees however, shortleaf and Monterey will
and plan, plan, plan.” will first be part of an animal comfort Layout not fare as well. Even with tolerant
Seeking advice from those who strategy – to relieve heat stress in Planning the silvopasture layout species, the release from competition
have implemented silvopastures, summer or to provide windbreaks and should not be underestimated. will speed tree growth.
working with others who have shelter in winter – or as secondary feed Tree planting density and spatial For those averse to herbicides,
expertise in trees, forages and sources. Others may be as interested arrangements will vary based on the tillage can be used to kill and break up
livestock, and getting feedback from in tree products, whether marketed amount of shade the species casts or existing vegetation at establishment.
those who contribute to the farm as commodities (e.g., pine straw or the water required. Layout also should Intense grazing pressure may also be
operations (e.g., custom applicators) greenery, nuts or fruits) or as value- consider prevailing winds, animal used to weaken forage stands.
can save time, money and frustration. added goods (such as wreaths, ciders, movement, infrastructural needs and After planting, mats, mulches
Consideration, too, must be given acorn-fattened or apple-fattened hogs). aesthetic appeal. or judicious mowing or grazing can
to layout, compatibility with forage Creating wildlife habitat for hunting Clumped arrangements can be be used to suppress vegetation, but
species, appropriate protection from leases is another common goal. Of visually appealing and beneficial for herbicides generally have greatest
livestock and equipment, and long- course, these aims are all academic some tree species, but most plantings effect and economy for vegetation
term management needs. if on-the-ground resources such as are laid out in rows. Thus, row control.
Both soft and hardwood species are suitable for silvopastures, and a
multitude of trees and configurations can be utilized. “Warm-season”
trees such as locusts, walnuts and members of the hickory family leaf
out after the initial flush of cool-season forage growth, thus reducing
competition with forages in spring and buffering forages and livestock
from high temperatures in summer. Leaves from such trees also
degrade more readily than heavy leaves of oaks or maples. Trees in
this 2011 picture were thinned by half in 2012. Conifers are well suited
to high-density plantings with wide alleys.
Photo courtesy of John Fike.
Tree protection and management Some additional considerations
Tubes rarely are used to protect Silvosystems are dynamic and
conifer seedlings. Given low costs of change (and will require input) over
the seedlings, high tree density per time. Maintaining adequate light to
acre and lower levels of predation, the forage understory may require
this would seem uneconomical in thinning or pruning – but this can
most cases. In contrast, tubing a have other benefits.
hardwood tree typically is standard For instance, trees with clean
practice. Whether this truly is boles can have substantially greater
needed likely depends on predation timber values when premiums are
pressure, but risk of herbivory by available for high-quality logs, and
rodents, deer or livestock typically removing small limbs can be done
is high, especially with low-density fairly readily during the off season.
plantings. Once the trees grow out Although economic analyses are
of the tubes, a single hot wire can be
positioned about 3 feet from the tree
limited, greater returns generally
accrue to silvopasture systems that
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row, allowing cows to graze near the incorporate routine tree maintenance.
tree but not to browse the tree itself. Given the state of timber
A three-dimensional fence may be
adequate to keep deer at bay. Keeping
economics, producers looking to make
large returns from growing a couple of 1
the wires high enough to allow sheep acres of average-quality timber trees
or calf access also can be effective for may face disappointment. However,
vegetation management. Of course, even small plantings offer opportunity
if fencing is not an option, it may be to improve animal comfort and
best to make hay in the alleys until performance, protect environmental
the trees are of adequate size to resources and create more appealing
integrate with livestock. landscapes while diversifying farm
Consider livestock class, age and income streams.
condition as well as tree types when The big challenge for
making protection decisions. Some implementation is a willingness to
studies have shown that mama cows manage complexity and to think in
won’t browse slash-pine seedlings time-period scales not common in the
if they have adequate forage, and agricultural community. FG
trampling losses may be offset by
the savings from not protecting the John Fike is a forage, livestock and
trees. However, young steers have biofuels specialist with Virginia Tech
been observed making a game of and acknowledges the dedication of a
3
pulling newly planted pine seedlings silvopasture team that included Miller
from the ground, and bulls will “walk
down” sizeable pine trees to get a
Adams, Jim Burger, J.B. Daniel, Adam
Downing, Jason Fisher, Greg Frey, Tim
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belly rub. Mize, John Munsell and Chris Teutsch.
PICTURE 1 & 4: Tillage or spraying can be used to reduce vegetative competition for new
plantings. Flagging is helpful to indicate which and how many trees go in a row. Several
methods can be used to plant trees. Large-scale plantings requiring tubes can be placed
by hand with commercial crews at relatively low cost. A mechanical tree planter may be
best for establishing long rows of conifers at high density. These trees were planted at
4-feet spacing within rows, 8-feet spacing between rows, with 60-feet alleys.
Photos courtesy of John Fike, Todd Groh and Todd Repass.
PICTURE 2 Growth often is more rapid in pastures due to greater fertility resources. These
11-year-old loblolly pines were about 15 feet tall. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Pent.
PICTURE 3 A good map of the farm or targeted fields can greatly aid silvopasture planning.
Knowing soils and boundary dimensions will be helpful for tree selection and placement.
GPS systems can be useful for the layout, but in this case, the farmer – a pilot and IBM
engineer – used crayons to mark a blow-up of the farm before graduating to permanent
markers. Permanent fences placed alongside the tree rows for protection also facilitate
rotations, making grazing management easier. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Pent.
BELOW: At this site, fescue or switchgrass plus lespedeza are grown in the alleys, providing
excellent habitat for quail and other wildlife. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Pent.
