Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District

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Anoka Sandplain Plant Material Site

"Evaluate and demonstrate the uses of native and introduced species of trees, shrubs, and grasses for wind erosion control, energy conservation, sediment control, and wildlife habitat improvement."

Background

The Anoka Sand Plain comprises a large area of east central Minnesota. As the name implies, the Anoka Sand Plain is dominated by mostly sandy soils, which have a low water holding capacity. The soil and climate conditions within the Anoka Sand Plain present unique obstacles to the establishment of grasses and trees. With that in mind, the Anoka Sand Plain Evaluation and Demonstration Project was started in 1995.

Long Term Project Objective Goals

Conduct evaluation studies to determine the adaptation and performance of selected plant materials for conservation purposes.
Develop and release improved plant materials for public use.
Demonstrate and promote proper planting, spacing, and management techniques.
Promote proper plant selection for specific conservation objectives, through field days and self-guided tours.
Demonstrate the use of internal field windbreaks under center-pivot irrigation.

Location Map

Plot Layout

Evaluation Results

Cooperators

Tree Plot

Native Grass Plot

Evaluation Results

More than 65 species or accession of trees and shrubs are being evaluated. Some of the species that have done surprisingly well over the past five years on the sandy site include:

SPECIES

Redosier dogwood
Cotoneaster
Crab Apple
Amur chokecherry
Silver maple
E. White Birch

INCREASE IN VERTICAL GROWTH
30" to 72"
20" to 60"
30" to 77"
48" to 120"
36" to over 20'
52" to over 20'

INCREASE IN CANOPY SPREAD
20" to 70"
15" to 48"
20" to 60"
25" to 80"
14" to over 10'
38" to over 10'

Many other species also have shown a remarkable adaptation to the soils and climate found on the site. Contact our office for a full listing of the species planted and the results of the field evaluations for 1996-1998.

Cooperators

The Following Agencies have been instrumental in the development of the Anoka Sand plain Plant Materials Evaluation and Demonstration Project:

Anoka Sand Plain Assn. of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, ND
Sherburne County Tree Board
Central Minnesota Irrigator's Association
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Minnesota Extension Service
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Sherburne County Sentence to Serve Program

The following companies have graciously donated materials to the project:

Kozar International, Inc.(fabric tree mats) PO BOX 113, Prinsburg, MN 56281 1-800-456-9161
Prairie Restorations, Inc.(prairie seed) PO Box 327, Princeton, MN 55371 (612) 389-4342
Cold Spring Creamery Assn.(grass seed) PO Box 423, Cold Spring, MN 56320 (320) 685-8651
T.E.C.(tree planting stock) PO Box 539, Osseo, MN 55369
Snowy Pines Reforestation(cardboard tree mats) Route 3, Box 95, Browerville, MN 56438 (320) 459-6317

14855 Hwy 10
Elk River, MN 55330
Phone: (763) 241-1170 Ext. 3
Fax: (763) 241-1161






Location Map








Plot Layout





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Native Grass Plot




Tree Plot

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