Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bayou Ben on February 22, 2019, 01:17:21 pm

Title: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on February 22, 2019, 01:17:21 pm
I got my osage seeding in from the State of Missouri Dept of conservation.  I'm pretty happy with them. 

Any suggestion on where to plant them?  As far as how far from other tress, high ground, etc.  I haven't done much planting....
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: DC on February 22, 2019, 01:19:45 pm
I think it was OO that said they should be in a tight group so they shade each other and  that forcees them to grow straight up.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: sleek on February 22, 2019, 01:21:39 pm
Maybe by a hill or some other type of natural wind break, so they dont twist?
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Pat B on February 22, 2019, 01:25:55 pm
If you have the room I'd plant them is a row along a tree line about 8' to 10' apart. You could do a double row staggering the trees from one row to the other. Be sure you don't plant them too deep. You should be able to see how deep they were in the seed bed. Don't bother fertilizing them until they get established.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Eric Krewson on February 22, 2019, 03:33:12 pm
If you plant them in a row along a tree line they will grow bent toward the light. If you have a fence line in the open I would plant them down the fence line.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on February 22, 2019, 05:55:37 pm
Thanks guys.  I have a couple fence lines that could work.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bob Barnes on February 22, 2019, 09:16:16 pm
The website that you ordered them from has some planting suggestions...and I thank you for the information...they ship out of state so I just ordered 25 of them and 25 sycamore... :)
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: sleek on February 23, 2019, 04:58:44 am
Well, I know what I am planting in my yard in North Carolina soon as i get home from my contract im working. 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: M2A on February 23, 2019, 07:02:24 am
Nice project. Lots of good info above. Keep the root damp till you can get um in the ground. Id throw them in a 5 gal bucket with enough water to cover roots when heading out to plant. +1 to planting depth mentioned by Pat, Too high or too low will slow growth down in a big way, also can impact long term health of the tree. That's the biggest mistake I see people do.

Only thing I can think to add is it looks like some are branching?? I'd prune any side shoots off at planting. Good luck with this project.
Mike                 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on February 23, 2019, 07:14:08 am
Yeah I was wondering about pruning, but I figured I would address that after they took.  I’ll see if any are branched. 

They do ship out of state.  I’m in Louisiana.  Eric recommended them in an earlier thread about growing Osage.  I couldn’t image you can find mature seedlings for a better price.  Ended up being about $1 / seedling including shipping.  I’ve seen seeds close to that price.

I’m trying to plant them today.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Eric Krewson on February 23, 2019, 07:23:22 am
I have always wondered if you planted osage seedlings, trained them to a stake and pruned the side sprouts to make it grow straight would work. Another possibility is putting tree shelters (tubes) over the seedlings to make them grow straight.

I directed a friend to the same seedlings about 20 years ago, he planted them down a fence line on his farm. I have lost track of him but have always wondered how his seedlings came out. I talked to him about 5 years after he planted his seedlings and he said he lost a few but most were doing well.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: M2A on February 23, 2019, 08:23:16 am
I have used a lot of 3/4" galvanized conduit in 10' lengths as tree stakes. Think that or wood 2x2"s would do well to get trees off to a better start. In tree fruits we usually wait till the 2nd year to get that in only because theres not enough time in the day to get everything done at one time on a larger scale. I think pruning 1 time each winter would help make the trees grow better to the way you want them to.         
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on March 13, 2019, 06:56:13 am
I got these planted but forgot to show the pic.  I think they are in a good spot.  Protected on 2 sides by trees from the wind, but should have full sunlight.  I had some cane unsuitable for arrows that I used as stakes.  I'll probably redo them after the growing season.  More work than I thought getting these 24 in the ground, but it was enjoyable. Thanks for the advice :OK
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Pat B on March 13, 2019, 07:01:07 am
I hope you're planning on transplanting those seedlings later. They are way too close together. In a few years they will be competing for room, food and sunlight.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on March 13, 2019, 07:08:34 am
Pat, I was going off of your advice..."tree line about 8" to 10" apart. You could do a double row staggering the trees from one row to the other."

Did you mean 8 to 10 feet apart? 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: ohma2 on March 13, 2019, 08:14:48 am
Ben i to think they are to close togerher.here in mo.where they are in tight bunches they tend to grow up awile then start crowning out leaving a less desirable length of trunk and spindely limbs whitch takes away from billet wood.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Pat B on March 13, 2019, 11:05:43 am
Yes, 8' to 10' apart. My bad.  You can leave them in the ground until next year giving them a chance to grow some and establish a good root system.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 13, 2019, 12:19:17 pm
I would move them now before the roots take root and spread out, I would space them at least 10' apart, 12 to 15 would be better.
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Bayou Ben on March 13, 2019, 02:12:13 pm
Ok, I'll try and get back out there this weekend and move them.  I thought that sounded kinda close.  I shoulda asked  :(

Well, at least I found out before they grew up. 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: M2A on March 13, 2019, 09:59:37 pm
Part of the idea of the newer style of high density orchards is to plant at 3-4 ft in row..... the idea is for root competition to slow the growth of the trees along with other mechanical methods. you'll be just fine if you move this year or next spring if you don't have the time soon. Not to complicate but I wonder if you had them at 8-10ft centers then sacrifice the middle ones when they got big enough for a sapling bow 10-15 years or so??  Sorry I'm getting carried away with your time and $ :) Just trying to think logically by compairing apples to...oranges.

Would be interesting if you gave updates from time to time. This fascinates me to the point I was removing seeds from a half rotted fruit today. But then again maybe its too close to work for me lol.
Mike 

 

   
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 14, 2019, 02:28:04 am
Growing bows,,,nice (-S
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: osage outlaw on March 14, 2019, 05:27:22 am
I have no experience planting osage trees but from my observations when they are in the open like a cow pasture they grow in to a gnarly bush like tree that is no good for bow wood.  When they have to compete with a canopy they grow taller and straighter.  The best trees I've ever seen and cut are either in a tight row or towards the bottom of a steep forest valley. 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 14, 2019, 06:43:50 am
I tried deep woods planting, the saplings never really took off, too much shade I guess. I would prune a portion of your saplings to see if you could cultivate them to your liking. I haven't done this but always wondered how it would work. I have left my seedlings in a pot for a year and culled any that were obviously dog legged and crooked. 
Title: Re: Planting Osage Seedlings
Post by: Pat B on March 14, 2019, 07:14:20 am
I would suggest if you are going to prune your seedlings that you wait until their roots are established so you don't stress them too much. Maybe next spring. Also you can determine better their growth habit so you can make a good judgement about their shape.The best time to prune them is just as the new buds come out in the spring.