In this 3:56 video, John Suscovich (Farm Marketing Solutions) and Troy Bishopp (our own Grass Whisperer) talk about hedgerows and why you should consider them for your operation.
One of the first reasons is that wind you hear in the background. If you’re tired of wind blowing unchecked across your pastures, hedgerows are for you. They are great as windbreaks, keeping the snow from blowing off the pastures in the winter so they retain moisture. They also provide shelter for livestock wintering outside. And if, like Troy, you’d like to divide your pastures, create habitat for birds and wildlife, and add nitrogen and carbon to the soil.
Troy’s trees came from the local Conservation District. What works in New York, where Troy lives, may be different than what works in your area, so check with your local Conservation District or Natural Resources Conservation District Office for input. Troy’s emphasis when choosing trees and shrubs for his hedgerows was fast growth, and because he also wanted some fence posts, he planted black locust.
Check out more information on Hedgerows in the video. John shares other videos on his Youtube Channel, and you can read other articles by Troy at his website.
Enjoy!
Great video clip. I would just add that it is best to choose species native to your area. Natives will likely survive best AND you will not risk establishing a source of invasive plants & therefore a source for dispersal by the birds & other wildlife that you will host.
Before you purchase, consult USDA Plants Database for info. on the species of interest.