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Danielle Venegas wrote:... So would you ever put invasive species in your tree lines? Opinions?
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Dairy cows, "hair" sheep, Kune Kune pigs, chickens, guineas and turkeys
Kelly Smith wrote:
Danielle Venegas wrote:... So would you ever put invasive species in your tree lines? Opinions?
yes.
i am in colorado, where russian olives are considered invasive and i plan to plant some.
you wont be able to order seeds, but you can collect seeds from already growing trees in your area![]()
here is a thread specific to russian olive trees, that has some germination tips. apparently these can be planted like willows (cut and stuck in the ground)
https://permies.com/t/33678/labs/Russian-olive-Elaeagnus-angustifolia
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Danielle Venegas wrote:
I'm right over the border in WY. I'm hearing from another forum that they lower the water table. Is that something you're noticing? I don't want to do that if it's true.
http://www.cloud9farms.com/ - Southern Colorado - Zone 5 (-19*f) - 5300ft elevation - 12in rainfall plus irrigation rights
Dairy cows, "hair" sheep, Kune Kune pigs, chickens, guineas and turkeys
Kelly Smith wrote:
Danielle Venegas wrote:
I'm right over the border in WY. I'm hearing from another forum that they lower the water table. Is that something you're noticing? I don't want to do that if it's true.
i have heard that too, its partly why my neighbor is pulling his russian live trees out.... he also says they compete with the grass in his pasture. when i pointed out that the grass was greener, lusher and talled under the russian olive trees he didnt have a response.
i am not sure how to tell if the russian olive trees are lowering the water table, as we dont have a way to test water table height.
hopefully someone else has more info on that.
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Abe Connally wrote:the "lowers the water table" line is used against trees people don't like in an attempt to gain support. If someone tells you that, ask them for the peer-reviewed scientific study that shows that.
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They say the same thing about mesquites (another N fixer that can improve soil/pasture) and many other "scape goat" species.
Aside from being goat food and fixing nitrogen, what other benefits do Russian Olives have? Do they make fruit or anything? I plant weeds and invasives here, like johnsongrass. why? Because those species are excellent pioneers and thrive in harsh conditions to improve the soil and microclimate for other, less hardy species to thrive. Invasives have their place, and they should be managed well, but I've found that most invasives are only invasive when the conditions are right. Healthy soil, increased water infiltration, increased organic matter, mulches, regular animal grazing, etc are not the conditions that allow invasives to thrive here.
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Danielle Venegas wrote:They do have a fruit that feeds wildlife. So there is that. The downside is that they have thorns. But they make a decent goat food and I do plan on having goats. Apparently RO's take over creek and stream areas. We have someone in the vicinity that has 3 RO's and I've yet to see them take over his area (and they're really old) or spread. I just figured they were illegal for a reason.
Buy Our Book! Food Web: Concept - Raising Food the Right Way. Learn make more food with less inputs
Off Grid Homesteading - latest updates and projects from our off grid homestead
Abe Connally wrote:the "lowers the water table" line is used against trees people don't like in an attempt to gain support. If someone tells you that, ask them for the peer-reviewed scientific study that shows that.
![]()
They say the same thing about mesquites (another N fixer that can improve soil/pasture) and many other "scape goat" species.
Outdoor and Ecological articles (sporadic Mondays) at http://blog.dxlogan.com/ and my main site is found at http://www.dxlogan.com/
Medicinal herbs, kitchen herbs, perennial edibles and berries: https://mountainherbs.net/ grown in the Blue Mountains, Australia
Angelika Maier wrote:If you plant them for goat food, will they survive the goats?
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