Hickory Ridge Forestry

HRF planted nearly 35,000 trees this spring.  Most recently nearly 31,000 seedlings and 200 larger potted stock were planted for the Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa DNR over 40 acres near the Missouri River south of Bartlett.  All larger potted trees were planted using a rubber tracked compact track loader equipped with an 18″ hydraulic auger.

HRF used the same auger system to help with the restoration and reforestation of a small timbered property heavily affected by the flooding of 2011 using high quality larger air pruned stock from Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs.  Also completed was a project near Sioux City decimated by the 2011 flooding with heavy seedling plantings along with tree shelter installation on all seedlings.

Also completed was the final area of the black chokeberry planting that started in 2012 and culminated at the end of April.  We are proud to say that over 99% of the stock planted last year survived the brutal summer heat and drought conditions even without irrigation.  This project now has nearly 8500 plants in their infancy well on their way to an amazing black chokeberry farm.

HRF was able to complete all plantings in the month of May finishing up on May 31st!  Hopefully favorable weather conditions will continue and allow all newly established trees optimal growing conditions.