Thank you R Scott , Michael, and Matt for your replies. You reaffirmed my doubts about swales in my situation. Matt your closing statement of when you need a hole not a drill was spot on. I need more water retention not necessarily swales. My land has not been in row crops since at least the 1960s, probably longer. Just hay and beef so I am lucky enough to have high organic matter in my soil. Trees grow just fine on my property all on their own. I fact they have taken over some of my pastures after years of neglect. I am busy clearing low quality trees so more sun gets down to the grass. I do want to grow trees, but trees that will grow food for my cattle namely honey and black locusts( for nitrogen) ; persimons ; apples; and pears . I also wonder the sanity of cutting down elms and silver maples to replace then with my desired trees. But I want to make my land more productive. Plus I heat with wood so nothing is wasted.
I hope the shade of the trees will help keep moisture in the ground . I do notice that my best grass grows under the light dappled shade of black locust. So I think that is what I will do , plant rows of the above mentioned trees instead of swales.
I think swales are so emblematic of permaculture, that I sometimes think how can I call myself a permaculturalist if I dont have swales. Crazy but true. I also don't have a rocket mass heater
Anyways thanks for reading my ramblings and for your input.
