The disruptive invasion of cedar trees, such as eastern red cedar, blueberry juniper and redberry juniper, has become a major issue for rangelands, wildlife and landowners. While providing habitat benefits for some species, they push out other species. These invasive trees are also very thirsty. An acre of them absorbs 55,000 gallons of water per year. One report indicated a single cedar tree could drink up to 30 gallons of water in a day. When dense stands occur, their foliage limits the amount of rain or snowfall that can get to the ground before evaporating.
Source: High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, August 15, 2016.
Three management techniques are used to maintain tree populations: Fire, mechanical and chemicals. Prescribed burns are the most effective and economical, but conditions must be right.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros make over 25,000 on-farm calls a day. Cedar trees will be a topic at some point.