Hugh,

I really enjoy creating food plots within thinned pine stands.  I often don’t remove the stumps.  I simply spray the existing vegetation, disk, hand rake, etc., the dead vegetation, duff, etc., out of the thinned row so the planted seed will make contact with the soil, then broadcast the appropriate amount of lime, fertilizer, and seed to establish the desired crop.

I’ve grown soybeans, clover, wheat, and most food plot crops in thinned rows in pine stands.  Pines allow enough sunlight to reach the forest floor to produce nice crops.  In addition, the partial shade helps conserve soil moisture.

I really enjoy hunting food plots established in thinned pine stands.  Deer are very comfortable foraging at these plots because they are close to cover.  In addition, the long, narrow openings tend to channelize the wind into a constant direction.  I rarely encounter swirling winds when hunting food plots established in thin pine stands.

Growing Deer together,

Grant