HABITAT MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET Nebraska Pheasants Forever

Shrub Thicket Establishment and Management

January 2015

Establishing and Managing Shrub Thickets for Wildlife Shrubby cover is an essential part of weather. To accomplish this, the shrub the habitat planning process for bobwhite thicket should be a minimum size of quail, but can also be a useful addition for 1500 ft2 (30’ x 50’ block). To ensure the prairie grouse, pheasants, deer, or even thicket is dense enough to provide non-game species such as songbirds or adequate protection a 3’ x 3’ spacing is pollinators. Because of their small acre recommended. Avoid using multiple requirement, they are a minimal impact species within a thicket. Instead plant habitat addition that can find a place on multiple thickets each with a different The average shrub thicket planting is planted in any farm or ranch. species. a 30’ x 50’ block . Each shrub is planted on 3’x3’ spacing providing adequate density for escape Species Selection Location cover once established. Native shrubs such as American Consider locations in which you plum, chokecherry, elderberry, dogwood, could imagine a natural thicket sand cherry, silver buffaloberry, establishing: drainages, low areas and skunkbush sumac, common snowberry valleys are ideal. These lower areas tend and Wood’s rose are the most common to collect additional water and can help selections. Consider planting tall, keep thickets thriving during periods of suckering species (American plum, low rainfall. Avoid hilltops and potential chokecherry, etc.) for upland bird species lekking sites for prairie grouse. like ring-necked pheasants and northern Some species require more shrubby bobwhite quail. For grouse species, cover than others. Plant one shrub thicket choose lower growing shrubs such as per five acres if northern bobwhite quail Wood’s rose and common snowberry. are the target species and one thicket per Bobwhite quail rely heavily on shrubby cover not Your local wildlife biologist or Natural twenty acres for greater prairie chickens. only as a covey headquarters but also as escape cover from predators and severe weather. Resource District will be a helpful If planting along a field border consider resource in determining what native shrub one thicket every 1/8th of a mile. The CP- species are best suited for your area. 33 and CP-38 programs through the INTERESTING FACT Size Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

The overall goal of a shrub thicket is allow shrub thicket planting and to provide an additional food source and reimbursement on a portion of the Distance bobwhite quail establishment costs. spend most of their time escape cover from predators and severe 70ft in relation to shrubby cover.

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Management Considerations For a shrub thicket to be beneficial to a host of wildlife species it needs to provide the following:  Escape cover. Escape cover must be large enough and dense enough that ground and avian predators can’t penetrate the shrub thicket. For bobwhites, this escape cover will An American plum shrub thicket planting after 6 Bare ground under a thicket. By having bare years. Most shrubs are now producing fruit! function as the covey headquarters. ground, foraging for insects and escaping Larger, suckering shrubs fill this role predators is much easier for young quail. Site Preparation best.

Shrub sites should have the  Bare ground. Species such as Thickets also provide shade in the vegetation completely killed in the fall or bobwhite quail need lots of bare heat of summer. Research suggests at the very least shredded to reduce the ground. Bare ground will enhance that bobwhite quail have a hard time thatch and make tillage easier. Tilling escape cover by making movement at maintaining their body temperature once in the fall helps break down the soil. ground level easier. It will also above 102.2̊ F. At these Follow up in the spring with multiple increase foraging efficiency. temperatures, a bobwhite’s ability to disking activities or a roto-tiller before Especially for young quail which can dissipate heat cannot keep pace with planting, but do not work soil to the point seldom fly, the majority of their heat gain, and body temperature will it becomes dried out. Before planting, energy expenditure is moving back begin to rise above normal. As much make sure your soil has adequate and forth from covey headquarters to as 8 to 10 degrees of relief from the moisture or water the shrubs directly after the adjacent food source. Shrub hot sun can be found in the shade. planting. Stepping around the shrub a few thickets that have no vegetation under Options for Shrub Management: times to ensure the roots have good soil them make foraging more efficient contact and no air pockets will help them because less energy is expended to ■ Prescribed Burning establish more quickly. maneuver around thick heavy grass. ■ Chemical Application Weed Control To ensure bare soils, activities such as prescribed fire, chemical ■ Mechanical Weeding One of the most important but often application, and mechanical weed overlooked parts of successful shrub control are all viable options. These establishment is weed control in the first FOR MORE INFORMATION methods can reduce competition for three years of establishment. This can be shrubs and encourage suckering. accomplished with pre– or post-emergent chemicals, mowing, or other mechanical weeding activities.  Thermal Protection. An established shrub thicket should be Keys to Ensure Shrub Thicket Survival large enough to help provide protection from blowing snow. ■ Site selection and preparation Drifting snow might occur around ■ Additional packing around shrubs the outside edge, but the middle Through a partnership with Pheasants Forever area should remain open. The and Quail Forever, Nebraska Game & Parks ■ Adequate water snow drifting around the outside Commission and the Natural Resources will help provide a wind barrier Conservation Service, wildlife biologists ■ Weed control (mechanical and/or are available to help provide wildlife habitat for future winter weather events. chemical) guidance, technical assistance on the available conservation programs and design seeding mixtures.

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The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.