Food Plot Trees For Hunting & Wildlife

One of the best ways we can support wildlife is by planting native trees that feed, shelter, and sustain them for generations. Three powerhouses for both people and critters are pawpaw, persimmon, and chestnut:

Pawpaw - The only host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly! In late summer and fall, its custard-like fruit is loved by raccoons, opossums, foxes, and even wild turkeys.

Persimmon - Persimmons ripen in autumn and can hang on trees well into winter, offering a critical cold-weather food source. Deer, black bears, coyotes, and songbirds all flock to them.

Chestnut - Once a staple of Eastern forests, chestnuts drop protein-rich nuts that feed deer, squirrels, turkeys, and countless other wildlife. Unlike acorns, chestnuts are sweet and low in tannins, making them easier for animals to digest.

By planting these trees, we're not just adding beauty to the landscape-we're restoring a living pantry for wildlife and creating habitat resilience that will last far beyond our own lifetimes.

We’d love to hear from you! Do you have pawpaw, persimmon, or chestnut on your property? What wildlife have you seen enjoying them? Share your stories- we’d love to discuss :-)