Wild Blueberry Bushes - Impact of Brush Hogging/Mowing????

[TMR]

Important question...wife and I purchased 40 acres last fall 1/2 mile from our 90 year old log cabin on a small lake...really are enjoying the new land/trees and trails.

This July we also discovered that the property has LOTS of wild blueberries...my question is...What impact would it have if I were to mow or brush hog some of the blueberry bushed while cleaning up parts of the property? I would only do this after the frost has killed the plants/brush and they have browned.

Do wild blueberry bushes grow on the same stalks each year...or do they either re-sead or otherwise start new stalks each spring???

I must find the correct answer...if I destroy "valuable" blueberry bushed wife will NOT be happy

Thanks in advance to all the blueberry experts.

Now I just need to decide if I should post the property "no trespassing" to keep out all the blueberry pickers...or just not worry since there are more blueberries than we can use??

Thanks...TMR

 

[Carl_NH]

TMR,

Blueberries have a fairly extensive root system and they will grow back after brush hogging. If they are high bush (5-8') with 1" stems it will take 4-5 years or more. If they are low bush 24-48" may take less, but I would think not to brush hog if you want them to produce annually.

So no they dont reseed annually they grow from the existing stems/branches.

They can create quite a thicket so if you need/want to make trails I would lean towards a meandering path around the bushes if possible.

 

[forgeblast]

Around here we try to keep blueberry bushes to 6 main stems and cut them out as they get too woody. I would cut them one year but leave some stems up.

 

[MarkV]

Not an expert but if you knock one down too the ground I would not expect berries for 2 to 3 years if it does not kill the bush. Of course my SE blue berries bushes may be different from yours so your county extension agent may be the best source of information.

MarkV

 

[Gordon Gould]

I am not a blue berry expert but we have quite a few low bush berries on our place. I don't know if high is different than low or what you have but on mine bush hogging them does not seem to hurt them at all except the mowed parts will not produce much fruit the year after mowing. I mow mine because of all the saplings growing in them. I am told burning them is better but we are so remote I am afraid to do that by myself.

 

[TMR]

I am not a blue berry expert but we have quite a few low bush berries on our place. I don't know if high is different than low or what you have but on mine bush hogging them does not seem to hurt them at all except the mowed parts will not produce much fruit the year after mowing. I mow mine because of all the saplings growing in them. I am told burning them is better but we are so remote I am afraid to do that by myself.

Thanks Gordon...these are wild blueberries and the bushes are quite low. I am going to take a look when they die out for the year and see what they look like. I may call MN extension agent as suggested above.

Any other WILD blueberry pickers out there? Big deal here in northern Minnesota...TMR

 

[Gordon Gould]

I may call MN extension agent as suggested above.

Thats the best idea.
My county forester said don't let them get shaded or you will loose them.

 

[atgreene]

I mow a lot of acreage of low bush blueberries for several customers every year. They do come back each year. Run your mower a bit high. Also, the best thing for them is to burn them each spring. They will flourish when burnt.

 

[scoutcub]

And yes, I would recommend posting the property. Some people seem to think that since they've been doing it for awhile, they are "always" allowed to do it. If you catch them on the property, you could be nice about it (the first time) and offer them to fill up for free 1 last time....then they'd be more than welcome to pick for a charge.....or you could offer them to assist you with the next tax bill.
Sorry, I have very little tolerance for trespassing!

 

[Gordk]

I use a lawnmore to cut low bush blueberries. I am presently doing about an acre each year and am explanding as I take off the firewood. You do not get blueberries the first season after the cut. I have 2 individual areas and alternate the year. You need to weed growth (weed growth) that comes up after the cutting. It is best to flail more or burn but I do not have money for a flail more and am also afraid to burn as my lots abutt a pine forest. The idea is to cut close to the ground as possible and in the fall or early spring after the plant is dormant. Fall is best as the longer stem that is left after lawnmoring as the stem will freeze back a bit more. The plants come up from rizonmes underground. Here is a link https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb...ture/WildBlueberries-BleuetsSauvages/A50E.pdf or do a search on factsheet # 229, "Pruning Lowbush
Blueberry Fields, University of Maine. Hope this helps I only have done the lawnmore pruning for two years now but the results were very good.