Ginseng and Black Locust Trees

[timbo]

Is ginseng found in proximity of black locust trees. I am cultivating locust for a variety of uses and was wondering if ginseng could be planted between timber size trees after the second thinning. I haven't heard any mention of locust in list of compatible species. They do tend to let some light through.

[Brad]

I don't see why not.  I'd suggest you put one of your test plots (or 3) there and see how they do.

[timbo]

I don't have any sizable locust on my property yet. I think I may try to seed an established grove and monitor them while mine get a little bigger. Locust are a legume and as such are nitrogen fixing which may help the vegetative growth of ginseng plants.

[Brad]

That is a very good point.  Around here, the only locust grows that Ive seen have been very dry.  I've never found wild ginseng growing there.

[timbo]

Yes that is true. Locust does do well on dry , too well drained sites. I've seen in grow on steep hardwood slopes as well. It does not like wet sites at all though.

[5prong]

Yes that is true. Locust does do well on dry , too well drained sites. I've seen in grow on steep hardwood slopes as well. It does not like wet sites at all though.

Me neither....  I've found ginseng in a lot of places, but never under a black locust tree.  Believe it or not I found a few today under crabapples, but to be honest the crabapples were out of place..

[timbo]

I remember Brad telling me that some plant secreet stuff that keeps other plants away. Locust trees spread just under the surface of the ground and send up shoots every where , so maybe they choke out other stuff. I am going to try some in my locust patch when they get a little bigger but i think I will stick with maple and cherry to expand my wood lot. I would mix in ash but emerald ash borers are a huge problem here right now. Maples are haveing some trouble to but I think thats more stress from hot summers , cold snowless winters and all the crap they spray to kill weeds along the guardrails of the roads.