Ok, so very new to this, I just bought a sawmill a month ago and have only used it a couple of days. My dad who is 91 has been having the time of his life playing with the new toy. He has a small patch of land that he would like to plant Oaks and Walnuts to. What else would a 91 year old want to do beside plant a few thousand trees.
My Question are?
How will Oaks and Walnuts do in Western Kansas? ( There are some Oaks around, but not really Walnut)
What kind of spacing would you plant them on in this dry climate? (I see the recommendations on line, but don't know if some of you are more knowledgeable)
How many years until they get to a harvestable age out here?
As a teacher, you probably already know of the resources from the Extension Services. Possibly a forestry extension as well.
Conservation Tree Planting Program (https://www.kansasforests.org/conservation_trees/)
Also
Forestry (https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/natural-resources/forestry/)
start collecting acorns and walnuts. when small, they will need water supplementation. It will be fun to try. @Cardiodoc (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=51488) has started a dozen walnut trees from nuts. He is teaching his teen daughter about wood and trees and figures they will be a resource for her.
There are a few walnuts on our place west of your land over on 190th. They look decent, no idea how old they are, but they do OK.
Is there a creek through your property? do you have irrigation wells, or windmills for cattle tanks? can maybe set up a simple drip system to give them some advantage without de-acclimating them to the western Ks climate.
Doc,
Good idea on the collecting acorns and walnuts. I will have to see if I can find any Oaks or walnuts around Olathe here where I am at. There are some Burr Oaks out west on the land, but I am not finding too much information on how those are for lumber. There is a creek where I am building the cabin, but not near the land where dad is thinking about planting the trees. It is however it is right next to the edge of town, there is a fire hydrant 50' away.
I have seen the most acorns in towns near restaurants/parking lots where the squirrels must fear to tread. It may be a small tree but hundreds of acorns left on the ground. My oak, they rarely hit the ground as the squirrels take them right off the tree. I have folks offer me 5 gallon buckets full of walnuts. If I accept a few, maybe we can cross paths at some point.
Bur oak is a type of white oak. It is very rot resistant and makes great trailer decking for one thing. Settlers would use the bur oak for sills and bottom courses of log houses. Plus, it may be native to that area in creek bottoms. I know it grows out in the Black Hills and into Eastern Wyoming.
Even Kansas has foresters with the extension offices. you might see if there is one for your area, or cheat and contact the one in you KC area home. In fact, I met a local tree guy, and he married the forester from Hays. I will try to get you the number.
If you collect acorns, before you waste time, float them in a bucket of water, if they float, throw them away and keep the sinkers. Floaters have worms and holes.
Can also have a go at growing Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) from cuttings.