Whether you plan to offer hunting or not, upland birds increase the property value of your land. Creating the desired food, cover and breeding is easy with the right mix of native species. Good year-round perennial browse mimics the preferred diet for quail, turkey, and deer. In fact, it will support a variety of wildlife through all four seasons.
Over the past two decades, bobwhite quail numbers declined. The cause is likely a mix of more predators, an increase in invasive plants and disease. But the biggest drop in bird numbers stems from loss of habitat.
Small farms, hay fields and fence rows once served as a home for quail and pheasants. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground is still home to lots of birds, but the amount of land subscribed has declined.
Property managers can do their part to increase habitat for quail and other wildlife. Whether your goal is hunting or simple wildlife support, native plantings can help. Planting a collection like Forrest Keeling’s Permaplot® benefits both upland birds and deer.
Permaplot® is Forrest Keeling’s selected collection of native trees and shrubs. It provides year-round perennial browse that mimics deer’s preferred diet. It provides quality food for a variety of wildlife through all four seasons. One species included in the Permaplot® collection is the ‘Bucks Unlimited Oak’. This is a selection of the native swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor). It yields twice the mast production of other oaks. Its acorn is like a magnet for deer, waterfowl, and upland game birds.
Each Permaplot® has a balance of essential soft and hard mast native species. It is adaptable to any size plot of an acre or more.
The balance of species also supports a healthy soil. One with a diverse and appropriate hierarchy of abundant mycorrhizae and microorganisms. Healthy soils support a proper balance of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Your Permaplot® is a sustainable, one-time planting that makes your land a ‘nature’s keeper’. Unlike an annual food plot, there’s no annual planting expense. Permaplot® and you… natural partners supporting wildlife, one tree at a time.
For information on how you can increase property value, ask about Permaplot® availability and pricing when you contact Forrest Keeling.