Managing Fruit Producers for Wildlife

Fruit producing trees and shrubs can provide great soft mast for wildlife from early summer through mid-fall and can be a primary reason for various wildlife species to inhabit your land. These fruit producers can range from blueberry bushes, to raspberry canes, to apple trees. Of course, as a land manager, one needs to decide to pursue managing these resources; as, in most situations, these species will not produce any income to the land owner but will incur substantial planting and management costs.

Berry Bushes

Berries are a favorite food of virtually all wildlife; from game birds to grizzly bears. These come in a variety of forms; from small strawberry plants to large blueberry bushes; each has its own use. For example, blueberry bushes grow best in acidic soil. Thus in a forest setting; it would be best planted in clearings near needle conifers; as they naturally cause acidic soil as their needles drop and decompose. For the most part; these plants should be planted along food plot borders and alongside access roads throughout the property; as they require at least some sunlight to efficiently produce crops. These species include blackberries, blueberries, currants, dewberries, elderberries, raspberries and strawberries, among others. The benefit of berry bushes is that there is a wide variety of fruit maturities; allowing you to be able to produce mast from summer through fall.

Fruit Trees

Come early fall, fruit trees are a popular hangout for hungry wildlife. The most popular non-commercial tree is the apple tree; with the most popular commercial species being black cherry. Capable of producing huge yields, apple trees are strong, hardy fruit trees that have a long producing lifespan; something uncommon for most fruit trees. However, other species can also make great additions to your land; including crabapple, mulberry, pear, and plum, among others. For the most part, fruit trees are best planted in orchard type settings; as many species require pollination from a neighboring tree as they are not self-pollinating. This means that land managers need to decide if the economic loss of future income from timber on this land is worth the conversion to a fruit orchard. For land managers serious about wildlife management this should be an easy choice; as fruit trees are a great source of nutrition for a wide array of wildlife.

Nut Trees

While there are a wide variety of hard mast producers, from hickory, to pecan, to oaks, this should be a pretty easy decision for land managers. While a few of each variety may be planted throughout a property, as a whole, oaks should be the favored species. Oaks are one of the most valuable, sought after hard mast producers; commanding higher prices per MBF than most other nut trees. That, combined with the fact that wildlife favor oak acorns (namely white oak, as discussed in earlier postings), makes this an easy decision for land managers who want to create economic value while also improving the wildlife population.

Other Fruits

The last important fruit species that hasn't been discussed is grapes. Wild muscadine grape vines produce loads of fruit in the early to mid fall. While grape vines can become intrusive, and thus need to be managed properly, training them on standing dead timber is a great way to attract wildlife throughout your property at minimal cost. If planted sparsely; one should opt for self-fertile varieties.

In areas where little fruit producing species exist; planting even a miniscule fraction of your property with a variety of-species can transform the wildlife population within your property. However, planting fruit-bearing species should be left until all of the other major areas are addressed; ie. food plots, hard mast producers, wintering areas, etc. If all of those areas are properly addressed and you have healthy populations of your target species; the addition of fruit-producing species can ensure that the wildlife on your property doesn't migrate to surrounding areas.