Final Report for FW04-035

SUMMARY

Our tree windbreak project is located on our ranch 15 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming in Johnson County. We had to use a crowbar, shovel and pick to break ground for planting trees. We traveled to three different greenhouses to purchase the trees, some being small seedlings and others bigger, more developed trees. We purchased apple (several different varieties), currant bushes, cherry trees, plum trees, chokecherry trees, cotton trees and quaking aspens. We then installed a water system.

BENEFITS TO AGRICULTURE

The findings of this project benefit agriculture by producing fruit, shade and windbreaks.

REACTIONS FROM PRODUCERS

Other producers have seen the work we’ve done and are very interested in pursuing similar projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS OR NEW HYPOTHESIS

Seedlings do not do as well as older trees. More mature trees are worth the money. When purchasing trees, check out local greenhouses—some are more likely to stand behind the trees if they die and will give more advice on planting and caring for them.

We found it necessary to fence a portion of land with tires at the bottom to keep rabbits from eating the leaves off the trees.