Tree Plantings

Recommendations for tree planting may differ greatly from prairie wetland sites to the wet bottomland soils along streams and rivers. Hardwood trees were part of the natural habitat along rivers, but prairie grasses were the natural habitat around prairie wetlands.

There are concepts to consider for both, however. Select trees that are adapted to the soils on the site, and that provide food and cover for wildlife. The fruits, nuts, acorns, seeds, foliage and shade provided by trees are important to deer, ducks, turkeys, quail, songbirds, squirrels and other wildlife. Plan to include a variety of tree species; that variety also entices a variety of wildlife.

While trees can be planted within the moist soil conditions of a floodplain, they should not be planted within a prairie pothole. On the other hand, they can be a source of food and shelter if planted on an upland near the prairie wetland.

Avoid planting trees on the south or west sides of a pothole wetland, since the resulting shade would hamper wetland plant growth. Also, trees planted near pothole wetlands offer perches for hawks, owls, and other predators of waterfowl. On the other hand, they may provide nesting for warblers and other woodland bird species.

A block of hardwood trees planted on floodplains could be managed for eventual timber harvest.

A very good reason to plant trees and shrubs is to use them as a vegetative screen from a road or highway. Trees such as ash, spruce, walnut and willow, and shrubs such as plum, viburnum chokecherry and dogwood, will reduce the disturbance to wildlife caused by traffic, and will offer food and cover.

View photos

Tree planting (photo 1:) 18K or (photo 2) 77K is one of the practices cost-shared through the Emergency Wetland Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Program. It's important to consider the species of wildlife you want to give the most habitat to as you plan the restoration.

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