Agroforestry Helps Seed Tree Crop Into Farmer's Mind

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Saskatchewan Forest Centre (SFC) has been busy working to encourage farmers and communities to look at trees as a crop, and as a development opportunity.

In the last couple of years, SFC has established 19 demonstration plots around Saskatchewan totaling 450 acres – mostly of hybrid poplar, with some red pine, Scots pine and larch.

Larry White is an Agroforestry Specialist with SFC in Prince Albert.

“We want to show people what field-scale plantings of trees look like. We have initiated sites in Osler, Imperial, Maple Creek, Saskatoon, Canwood, Reward and Kandahar, among other places this year, to show landowners what it takes to establish a tree crop in Saskatchewan. But we are also interested in discovering what the challenges are in establishing tree crops in terms of management practices. This is a way for everyone to learn.”

Understanding how new plantations grow is of much value to SFC and its staff.

“We are keeping track of insects, diseases, fertilizer trials and weed control efforts,” says White. “Browsing pressure from deer can also be a major threat to the establishment of tree stands.”

All sites are on farmland. White says most of the demonstration sites have been established in traditionally compatible zones with black soils. But there are also sites in non-traditional zones, as well.

“The way it works is that all sites were chosen from a list of agricultural producers who had come forward wishing to explore possibilities around tree farming as a potential income source. They also liked the idea of having trees around, or they have had little luck generating income from traditional crops on that land and were looking at putting back some form of cover on it.”

Some of these farm operators might even be looking at creating wildlife habitat on their property, explains White.

“We anticipate that, in 20 years, they will have marketable wood at their disposal if they want. We guide them as to what possible channels they might be able to access. They can use the lumber to make furniture or to make dimension lumber like 1 x 4s or 2 x 4s. The possibilities are endless,” says White. “If they trimmed the lower branches off the trunk, they could produce knot-free wood that could be used to make stair railings, moldings or flooring materials.”

The demonstration plot opportunities have proven so popular that SFC is no longer taking applications from producers. However, White invites potential tree growers to get in touch with his organization, as it is currently compiling a database of interested growers.

For more information, contact:

Larry White
Agroforestry Specialist
Saskatchewan Forest Centre
(306) 765-2860