What is Mast?
Mast is the botanical name for the nuts, seeds, buds, or fruits of trees and shrubs that are eaten by wildlife.
There are two main types of mast:
Hard mast includes hard nuts and seeds such as acorns, hickory nuts, …
Why Plant Mast-Producing Trees?
Mast-producing trees provide many benefits for wildlife, for humans, and for the environment.
Mast is one of the most important food sources for hundreds of species of mammals and birds, including game animals such as deer and wild turkey. …
Mast Producing Trees and Shrubs Native To North America
Native mast-producing trees and shrubs are among the most valuable and multipurpose plants for North American landscapes, producing food, shelter, and many other valuable products and services for humans and wildlife alike.
Selecting which species of mast-producing tree or shrub …
Why Plant Native Mast-Producing Trees?
Native mast-producing trees and shrubs are almost always the best choices for wildlife and the environment, because they are well-adapted to local conditions and the local wildlife is well-adapted to them. Although there are exceptions, many native wildlife species …
Managing Woodlots for Mast
By managing your woodlot to increase mast production, you can improve habitat for whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and many other types of mammals, insects, and birds, open up additional income opportunities from sale of fruits, …
Major Forest Cover Types of the United States
When deciding what species of native mast-producing tree or shrub to plant, it is helpful to have an understanding of the type of forest ecosystem native to your region.
The Society of American Foresters has defined the following 24 major …
The Best Non-Native Mast-Producing Trees and Shrubs
Although native mast producing trees provide the most benefits for wildlife and the local environment, many non-native mast producing trees also provide benefits for wildlife, the environment, and humans. The following is a selection of the best non-native …