Poplar trees

[AlbertaFarmer5]

I find they’re the worst weed to deal with. Lots of cows or a Cat (not the meow kind) are the only way to deal with them. Dad is cleaning up a couple of miles of old fence line and we will be using a disc or chemical to make sure they don’t come back. Thistle is a cake walk and a lot cheaper to deal with than these creeping nightmares. Once planted you would never have to plant them again even after “harvesting” them.

P.S. I hate trees being remotely close to any fence since the wire seems to have a magnetic pull on rotten trees.

Poplars cost me more than any other weed, insect, pest, disease or wildlife every year. Between sucking all the water for >50 feet in every direction, shading the crop, falling on the crop, falling on the fence and letting cows into a crop, damaging equipment trying to get close enough to keep them from encroaching, and harbouring the enemy(deer and moose), I'm not a big fan. But unfortunately, all the neighbors are.

[furrowtickler]

Didn’t that wizard Lorne Calvert try to tell us to diversify into poplar trees 20 years ago ? Not great if you have to wait 15 years to put food on the table for your family in between time though 👎.

[makar]

The last land i bought the poplars were suckered 200 yards into the field, a 100 dollars of diesel fuel an acre and that in parts and beer and time they are nomya, uke for no more.

[makar]

before i did my land clearing project i tried to sell to the poplar mill. they told me my trees were to short, story of my life.

[GDR]

I agree poplars can be a pain in the ass but they are the only trees that are dependable here. Our yard is completely surrounded by them and cows spend most storms in the bush instead of the bedding pack. Hardly know what wind is if you got them. Non stop job picking up dead fall though, we burn dead fall and don't think I'll live long enough to run out of wood, screw the carbon tax!

Sheep or goats work great to get rid of trees, they eat the leaves and peel the bark, dead in no time and they don't seem to come back too bad afterwards.

[hobbyfrmr]

[QUOTE=AlbertaFarmer5;370964]While we are in the process of commercializing my worst weed, why stop at poplars, why not find a market for thistles too?[/QUOTE

1.5litres/acre glyphosate in September will solve thistle problems. Pre harvest in wheat. Plant 2 crops RR canola, spray 2 times in crop then spray in the fall after harvest . Goodbye thistles.

[farmaholic]

[QUOTE=hobbyfrmr;371047]

While we are in the process of commercializing my worst weed, why stop at poplars, why not find a market for thistles too?[/QUOTE

1.5litres/acre glyphosate in September will solve thistle problems. Pre harvest in wheat. Plant 2 crops RR canola, spray 2 times in crop then spray in the fall after harvest . Goodbye thistles.

This is like me encouraging organic producion. Good to know we're in each other's corner. 🤓

[hobbyfrmr]

[QUOTE=farmaholic;371049]

This is like me encouraging organic producion. Good to know we're in each other's corner. 🤓

Sorry,I didnt think about it. Its just easier with chemicals.
Tillage is more difficult to manage thistle.

[Klause]

A litre an acre of gly and lontrel. Aka eclipse iii


Works way better on thistle than just gly

[Sheepwheat]

Thanks to poplars,

I can spray any of my fields, anytime, regardless of wind. Never drift issues.

I eat moose and elk meat.

The fireplace gets fed.

My secret get away stays secret.

My kids have land as it was in settlers days to explore and enjoy.

We feel zero wind in our yard, home heat is cheaper than a yard with raging winds.

Lots of benefits to not shaving every stick down.

For me at least. But I am different, I have no qualms in saying it. I love our trees. I guess if there was no more to life than money and windy open spaces, I too would do as the neighbors do, and clear it all. Then go beg someone like me for a place to hunt, scream at the neighbors for drift, burn no wood, and let the wind howl through our yard.

For me, the benefits are far greater than the minimal loss near the tree line. Not for everyone though, and I get that. Sort of. Lol