Swamp White Oak – A Wildlife Gem

Why Swamp White Oak? Let’s start with what makes this tree special: acorns. Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) acorns are nutrient-rich and attract deer, waterfowl, and upland game birds. If you’re planting food plots or setting up deer stands, swamp white oak should be in the ground nearby. I added swamp white oak to my … Read more

Some Days Are More Productive Than Others

January 2, 2026 Recently, I spent a day at the farm. It was mild for mid-December, with the temperature reaching 40*F. The first sign of an off day was that I was stopped at a train crossing, an uncommon occurrence. (The passing train was uncommon, not me stopping at a train crossing) But it was … Read more

Growing White Oak from Seed: What I’ve Learned

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use or would use on my own farm. Read my full disclosure policy. For timber and wildlife value, it’s hard to beat white oak. In … Read more

Grafted vs. Seedlings: What’s Actually Different in the Field

December 12, 2025 Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use or would use on my own farm. Read my full disclosure policy. When I tell people I planted 4 grafted chestnut … Read more

What One Acre of Chestnuts Actually Costs

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use or would use on my own farm. Read my full disclosure policy. Before I planted my first chestnut tree, I spent months trying to find … Read more

Why Are My Chestnut Seedlings Dying?

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use or would use on my own farm. Read my full disclosure policy. I planted a total of about 60 chestnut trees over the past … Read more

Why I Started Planting Trees in a Potentially Productive Hay Pasture

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use or would use on my own farm. Read my full disclosure policy. Several years ago, we took a potentially productive acre hay field and … Read more