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Conservation Corner

Submitted by Nicole Kluck, James River SCD District Operations Manager

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One of the educational events we look forward to every summer is our Nature Explorer Days at the Ol’ Nursery. This year the dates are August 13 and 14, from 9-11:30 am. These programs are designed for learners ages 7-12. Parents can stay with their child or drop off and pick up at the conclusion of each morning. Topics this year are all things water and wildlife! Reservations are preferred but not required – text Tokina at 701-320-0192 for additional information or to reserve your spot.

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We also have our upcoming Grazing Logic event fast approaching on September 3. Please register at ndglc.com/events. This is a free event starting at 10:30 am with a tour, catered lunch, and speakers in the afternoon. Learn more about incorporating livestock, cover crops, and cropping diversity for soil health.

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Did you have new trees planted this year? Please take note of the following tips to best care for your planting:

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  1. Watering - Trees should be watered weekly if timely rain does not occur for the first 3 years of establishment. NRCS Tree and Shrub Establishment Guide recommends 5 gallons per tree per week during year 1, and 10 gallons per tree every other week in years 2-3. Here at the SCD we say, do the best you can! Any water during the summer growing season is better than none.  

  2. Weeding - Weeds should be maintained around each plant for 3 years following planting to reduce water consumption competition. Weed barrier is excellent to aid in this, but new plantings should still be weeded directly around the tree. NRCS recommends a 3 ft radius of each seedling to be managed and kept weed free. If you are using mechanical methods, be careful not to damage weed barrier!   *Note that while weeds need to be managed for water competition, some cover is ideal to keep deer from browsing them off in the winter! Note your location and tree species and do what works best for you and your planting. 

  3. Fabric Maintenance - Fabric is an essential part of many plantings in our area but needs to be managed so as not to girdle and kill or damage young trees. After planting and fabric is applied it has a shrink period which causes the fabric to shift, this can cause it to rub on young trees and damage their bark or break them off all together. Fabric can be gone over during the summer/early fall after first planting to help prevent this, and then periodically in the following years. Simply make a cut in the fabric so it is not touching the tree at all. Weed barrier fabric is meant to break down over time, but our cold snowy climate doesn’t allow for that. It should be monitored and removed completely after your trees are well established in 10+ years. Established shrubs can have barrier removed after 5 years.  

  4. Replanting - Trees or shrubs that fail within the first 3 years should be replaced with one of similarity or suitability to prevent gaps from forming in windbreaks. Gaps cause wind funneling that may damage existing trees, prevent newly planted trees from growing and developing, as well as cause snow pile up in unwanted areas. If you don’t replant into these gaps in time, you may not get trees to survive in those areas in the future. 

  5. Wildlife Management - If you notice excessive wildlife browsing, or are concerned and would like to be proactive, please let us know as we have Vigilis brand tree tubes on hand, as well as PlantSkydd. Tree shelters enhance tree growth and increase the survival rate of young trees, provide protection from browsing animals and harsh weather, and create a microclimate inside the tree shelter. PlantSkydd is an organic animal repellant that is derived of dried blood that repels damaging wildlife like deer and rabbits. It is very effective in preventing deer browsing and buck rub in the fall which is highly detrimental to young trees.  

 

Upcoming Dates:

August 11, 2026 – SCD Area 2 meeting, Wahpeton

August 12, 2026 - SCD Board Meeting, 9 am, USDA Service Center, Ellendale

August 13 and 14, 2026 - Nature Explorer Days, Ol’ Nursery, 9-11:30 am

August 19, 2026 – Night at Ol’ Nursery tour, 6:30 p.m.

September 1, 2026 - Night at Ol’ Nursery tour, 6:30 p.m.

September 3, 2026 – Grazing Logic, Oakes

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For more information contact the James River Soil Conservation District and Ellendale NRCS office at 349-3653, ext. 3. Our field office is in Ellendale at 51 N. 1st Street. Also, remember to visit the James River Soil Conservation District Facebook page and our websites for more information –http://www.jamesriverscd.org/ and http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/nd/home/. The NRCS is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.  

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