Mast Tree Network http://www.mast-producing-trees.org Restoring the bounty of North America's native woodlands Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:05:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Daily Tweets http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/09/daily-tweets-2/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/09/daily-tweets-2/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:05:17 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/09/daily-tweets-2/ Tweets for September 8, 2010:

 

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]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/09/daily-tweets/feed/ 0 Alternative Crops From Mast-Producing Trees http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/08/alternative-crops-from-mast-producing-trees/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/08/alternative-crops-from-mast-producing-trees/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:09:33 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=578 For many farmers and landowners, Return On Investment (ROI) is a major concern when converting crop or pasture land to trees. Although government incentive programs can encourage conservation measures such as hedgerows and riparian buffer zones, these measures must ultimately contribute to the financial health and productivity of the farm in order to be sustainable.

This is one reason mast-producing trees are so valuable a part of conservation and restoration efforts. As truly multipurpose plants, they offer benefits not only to wildlife and the environment but also to humans. Mast-producing trees offer many business opportunities for farmers and other landowners interested in diversifying their income with alternative crops.

The following is a sampling of some of the many crops produced by various mast-producing trees and shrubs that are suitable for commercial sale:

In addition to crops produced directly by mast-producing trees and shrubs, there are a number of crops and livestock that can be raised in association with trees and shrubs. For example:

Value-added products and services related to mast-producing trees and shrubs include:

  • Apple cider
  • Baked goods
  • Canned fruits
  • Dried fruits
  • Game park or private hunting preserve
  • Handmade wood furniture or toys
  • Honey and beeswax products
  • Hunting guide
  • Jams and jellies
  • Maple syrup
  • Nature preserve
  • Sawmill
  • Trail rides
  • U-pick
  • Wine

Learn More

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/08/alternative-crops-from-mast-producing-trees/feed/ 1 Oak Savannah Restoration for Fun and Profit http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/06/oak-savannah-restoration-for-fun-and-profit/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/06/oak-savannah-restoration-for-fun-and-profit/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:20:19 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=535 Psychological studies have found that the type of landscape that is found most universally beautiful by humans is a grassland scattered with large, mature trees. Perhaps the sight reminds us of our own origins on the African savanna. North America has been blessed with large swaths of native oak savanna ecosystems. The largest occurs in the tallgrass prairie region of the Midwest and southern Plains, but oak savannas can also be found along the East and West Coasts, especially California and Oregon.

Oak savannas, which are also sometimes known as “oak barrens” or “oak openings,” are transitional ecosystems that tend to be highly diverse due to the combination of the “edge effect” and the mix of microregions created by patches of pure grassland scattered with individual large trees or clumps of heavier cover.

Early settlers to the regions extolled the park-like beauty of the savannas, but brought with them the seeds of their destruction. Oak savannas rely on fire to maintain their openness, and the natural inclinations of residents to suppress the fires soon allowed many oak savannas to be swallowed up by weedy trees and invasive plants (many also brought in by the settlers). Today, oak savannas are a threatened ecosystem in many parts of their former range.

Fortunately, growing awareness of their ecological importance has led to a movement to restore the savannahs. Oak savannah restoration and management typically combines prescribed burns with controlled grazing by livestock to mimic the effect of native grazing animals such as bison.

Private landowners interested in restoring the oak savanna on their property can modify the “patch grazing” technique developed by restoration biologists to restore oak savannas in nature preserves to improve wildlife habitat and biological diversity while simultaneously producing a good profit from cattle or other enterprises. Oak savannas can also be managed for small-scale timber harvesting, as game preserves, and other possibilities. Landowners interested in restoring oak savanna habitat may also be eligible for cost-share programs, financial incentives, or other forms of aid from government programs.

Learn More:

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/06/oak-savannah-restoration-for-fun-and-profit/feed/ 0 The Best Non-Native Mast-Producing Trees and Shrubs http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/03/the-best-non-native-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/03/the-best-non-native-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:19:59 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=526 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 mast-producing trees and shrubs for North America:

1. Domestic Apple (Malus domestica)

Although there are many beautiful native crabapples with exceptional wildlife qualities, none are quite as beloved by the local Homo sapiens as the common Domestic Apple. Descended from wild apple species in Central Asia, the domestic apple has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years and there are more than 7000 cultivars raised around the world today. Apples were among the first trees brought to North America by European colonists and the first known apple orchard in the New World was established near Boston about 1625. North America’s native wildlife also eagerly took to these sweeter and juicier relatives of the native crabapples, so in some areas humans must fight the deer, bears, turkeys, and other critters for the apple crop! Apple trees are also an important spring nectar source for European honeybees.

2. Common Hazel (Corylus avellana)

A Eurasian relative of America’s two native hazel species, the Common Hazel is more productive and has a larger nut than its American relatives, making it more suitable for commercial cultivation. In its native Europe, it remains one of the most important tree species used for coppicing and it is also widely used in hedgerows. The Filbert (Corylus maxima) is another Eurasian hazel that can be successfully grown in North America.

3. European Pear (Pyrus communis)

The European Pear and other pear species are native to Eurasia, where they have been cultivated for at least 3000 years. Like the domestic apple, they were among the first plants introduced to the New World by Europeans and like the apple, the sweet, juicy fruits are as popular with native wildlife as they are with humans and introduced species such as honeybees. The Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) can also be cultivated in some regions of North America.

More Good Non-Native Mast-Producing Trees and Shrubs

  • Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
  • European barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
  • Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata)
  • Orange (Citrus sinensis)
  • Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
  • Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.)
  • Asian Persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
  • Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora)
  • Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) – invasive in some regions
  • European beech (Fagus sylvatica)
  • Common fig (Ficus carica)
  • English walnut (Juglans regia)
  • Common medlar (Mespilus germanica)
  • White mulberry (Morus alba) – invasive in some regions
  • Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
  • Sweet cherry (Prunus avium)
  • Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus)
  • Domestic plum (Prunus domestica)
  • Almond (Prunus dulcis)
  • Peach/Nectarine (Prunus persica)
  • Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa)
  • Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.)
  • Common grape (Vitis vinifera)
]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/03/the-best-non-native-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs/feed/ 2 An Introduction to Analog Forestry http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/an-introduction-to-analog-forestry/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/an-introduction-to-analog-forestry/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:03:42 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=503 Analog forestry is a system of sustainable forestry that seeks to recreate the structure and function of a diverse natural forest. Much like agroforestry, it seeks to use forest resources for food, shelter, and income in a sustainable way, but it places higher value on biodiversity and ecological conservation/restoration.

Analog forestry products are typically less productive on an individual basis than those raised in more traditional agricultural settings. However, the high degree of biodiversity in analog forests ensures a steady income for practitioners. Analog forestry also provides the same ecological benefits as natural climax forests, including erosion prevention and water purification.

To date, analog forestry has primarily been practiced in tropical environments. However, the edible forest gardening movement in temperate regions shares many principles with analog forestry, and if analog forestry does move on a wide scale into temperate regions, mast-producing trees and shrubs are likely to play a major role in most analog forest gardens due to their multifuctionality.

Learn More:

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/an-introduction-to-analog-forestry/feed/ 0 The Best Mast-Producing Trees and Shrubs for Beekeepers http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-best-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs-for-beekeepers/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-best-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs-for-beekeepers/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:39:21 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=482 Most mast-producing trees and shrubs bloom in spring, so they do not provide an adequate year-round source of nectar and pollen to sustain a hive of honeybees.

However, they are an excellent supplemental source, and several mast-producing trees and shrubs provide important early season nectar and pollen sources for bees. Mast-producing trees and shrubs can also be planted near hives to provide windbreaks and protection from inclement weather.

The best native mast-producing trees and shrubs for bees include:

Many naturalized Eurasian relatives of native mast-producing trees and shrubs are also excellent sources of nectar for honeybees, including Eurasian flowering cherries, apples, plums, pears, and more. For a month-by-month list of mast and non-mast producing trees that provide important nectar sources for honeybees, check out this article.

Curiously, honeybees generally do not frequent native dogwoods, although they can be an important food source for native bees.

Many mast-producing trees and shrubs also provide important sources of shelter for wood-dwelling native bee species such as carpenter bees.

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-best-mast-producing-trees-and-shrubs-for-beekeepers/feed/ 0 Mast-Producing Trees in Agroforestry Systems http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/mast-producing-trees-in-agroforestry-systems/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/mast-producing-trees-in-agroforestry-systems/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:43:45 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=477 Agroforestry is the combination of trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock to produce more a diverse, productive, and profitable farm.

Long practiced in the tropics, agroforestry is gaining increasing attention in temperate regions due to its many benefits.

Some of the basic techniques of agroforestry include:

  • Alley cropping is a system of planting annual or perennial crops in strips between rows of trees or shrubs. The woody perennials help prevent erosion, improve moisture retention in soil, and diversify income streams through production of wood, fruit, nuts, or other tree products.
  • Silvopasture combines trees or shrubs with livestock to diversify income and provide forage and/or shelter for the animals.
  • Windbreaks and hedgerows are used to protect more valuable crops and livestock from strong winds and other inclement weather, but they can also be designed to provide habitat for wildlife such as game birds and beneficial insects (farmscaping), or to produce crops of their own.
  • Riparian buffers are dense plantings of trees and shrubs planted along streams and other waterways to improve water quality by reducing erosion and agricultural runoff. In addition to their ecological benefits, riparian buffers are commonly managed to provide wildlife habitat and/or produce timber, firewood, fruits, nuts, and other tree crops.
  • Forest farming is the production of timber and non-timber forest products in a naturalistic forest setting. It is different from wildcrafting and other opportunistic methods of harvesting forest products because the forest is managed. Examples of forest products produced by forest farming include timber, firewood, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, greenery for floral arrangements, medicinal plants such as ginseng, maple syrup, and more. Small scale and non-commercial forest farming is often known as edible forest gardening.

Mast-producing trees and shrubs make excellent additions to any agroforestry system because they are so multifunctional. Many forms of hard and soft mast are edible for humans and can be harvested and sold raw or processed. Many mast producing trees and shrubs produce superior timber or firewood, and all are exceptional wildlife plants that can be used to provide an additional source of supplemental income through hunting rights, birdwatching tours, taxidermy projects, and more. Some domestic livestock species also relish mast, while the flowers produced by some soft mast producing species are important nectar sources for bees and other beneficial insects.

Learn More

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/mast-producing-trees-in-agroforestry-systems/feed/ 1 The Hackberry Family: Great Wildlife Trees http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-hackberry-family-great-wildlife-trees/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-hackberry-family-great-wildlife-trees/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:07:33 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=472 Hackberries (Celtis sp.) are medium-sized trees with excellent wildlife value. Related to the elm family, they produce small, sweet fruits that are popular with many song birds, game birds, and small mammals. Hackberries are also edible by humans and are used in jellies and wine, among other foods. Hackberries are used as caterpillar host plants by a number of butterfly species, including the Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, Question Mark, American Snout, and Mourning Cloak.

The most common hackberry species in North America is the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), which is native to much of the continental United States. A highly adaptable tree, the Common Hackberry grows in most types of soil and tolerates both sun and shade.

Other native hackberry species include:

  • Spiny hackberry (Celtis ehrenbergiana)
  • Iguana hackberry (Celtis iguanaea)
  • Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)
  • Dwarf hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia)

Hackberries are somewhat weak and susceptible to wind and ice damage, and their berries are considered messy by some. They also have shallow surface roots that can interfere with lawn mowers. For these reasons, they are best suited to rural areas or naturalistic plantings where a little sloppiness is acceptable.

]]> http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/the-hackberry-family-great-wildlife-trees/feed/ 4 Coppicing With Mast-Producing Trees http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/coppicing-with-mast-producing-trees/ http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/2010/02/coppicing-with-mast-producing-trees/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:34:57 +0000 admin http://www.mast-producing-trees.org/?p=462 Coppicing is an ancient form of woodlot management that was widely practiced in Europe for thousands of years and is now experiencing a revival of interest around the world.

Coppicing is the practice of cutting young trees back almost to ground level to harvest the wood. The tree regenerates from shoots and suckers growing from the roots and is allowed to grow to the desired size and maturity before being cut back again.

Coppiced woodlands are traditionally harvested in sections called coupes in rotations of anywhere from 6 to about 25 years. These rotations ensure at least one coupe will be harvested every year. Coppiced trees live for very long times because coppicing resets the aging process of the tree. In Britain, there are coppiced woodlots that have been producing steadily for 800 years and individual trees believed to be over 1000 years old.

The benefits of coppicing include:

  • A renewable, carbon neutral source of energy. Coppiced woodlots were the primary source of firewood and charcoal for energy in many areas of Europe for thousands of years. Thanks to improvements in technology such as high-efficiency wood stoves and advanced wood combustion power plants, wood is now regaining its former prominence as a clean and renewable energy source.
  • Improved soil and water quality. Because the root systems are preserved, coppiced woodlots experience little or no erosion compared to conventional forestry methods and annual crops. In fact, if left in place, leaf matter and other organic debris can actually build soil. Coppiced woodlots also tend to be drought and flood resistant, and improve ground and surface water quality through natural filtration.
  • Coppicing preserves natural woodlands. Because coppiced woodlands are so productive, they can relieve harvesting pressure on natural woodlands.
  • Multi-aged stands benefit wildlife. Because coppiced woodlots are harvested in rotation, they promote a diverse woodland environment, improving wildlife habitat for many species.
  • Carbon sequestration. Although trees in general are carbon neutral, coppicing can actually be used to sequester carbon in the soil due to root die-back after cutting back trees.

Almost any broadleaf tree can be coppiced, though some are stronger than others. Common products from coppiced woodlands include:

  • timber
  • post and rail fencing
  • picket fencing
  • garden stakes
  • bean poles
  • rustic furniture
  • cordwood
  • woven baskets
  • charcoal

The most common mast-producing trees to be coppiced include hazel, chestnut, and oak. In addition to wood and charcoal products, mast-producing tree coppices can also produce nuts that can be eaten, sold, or used as livestock feed. The newly developed woody agriculture system uses intensively managed hazel and chestnut coppices to produce crop yields per acre that rival or even exceed those of annual crops, in addition to wood products.

Learn More

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