Good looking burn and like the new growth. My second burn was an area logged three years ago. Lots of tree tops and plenty of fuel. It was real hot.
This one was logged about 7 years ago. A lot of the new growth is mostly greenbrier and ragweed, which deer love and is highly nutritious. A lot of it is new oaks (from all the acorns). The next burn through here will be during late summer / early fall to kill even more of those woody stems either in 2025-2026.
Sounds like a good plan. Good job.
Question: Will all those young hardwoods only be topkilled from that burn or will they be killed killed?
Will continue to monitor, but on this one, it appears they are toast. We did another burn the same day that was about 9 acres and on that one, it's just as you describe. A lot of it leafed out - will definitely have to do some tsi as a follow up in that one.
I've read about oak or pine savannahs and love the idea. Our Forester mentioned the same thing for one part of our property that was classified as old field growth..in this area he cut the poplars hard and left the scatttered oaks and a few other species. Several grasses and briars have developed but we hadnt ran fire through there yet. My understanding is that in years past savannah type habitat was much more common than thick dense canopied forest and there were way more native grass areas....no doubt savannah type habitat is good for a variety of wildlife....so Im in the same boat...studying to learn....very interesting topic.
I've done quite a bit of work in pine savannah in southern GA and northern FL (primarily quail plantations). AWESOME habitat for many species, especially quail, turkey, and deer. You can see mile upon mile of this type of habitat around Albany, GA. Because of that habitat, the Albany area is a hot spot for big deer in southern GA.
I've never worked in Black Oak savannahs, so I don't know their species composition, but in mixed oak/pine savannahs of the Deep South, the grasses and forbs are waist to shoulder high. It is nothing but bedding/fawning cover! In fact, cover can be so extensive that it can make hunting a little difficult at times (too much cover).
There was some knee high to waist high but not thick like your describing. Young black oak could survive the burns but get it to hot and white oak couldn't take it. I thought they were burning to often with a three year rotation. The trees were scattered so it was dappled sun and shade. This area was where forest met prairie in the past and short prairie plants, grasses and forbs were the norm. Sounds like Deep South savanna is way different. Here where I am in south central KY next to Mammoth Cave National Park it is all woodland. I have not seen any savanna looking areas.
We are trying to establish oak savannas on our place. Mostly on S facing slopes, with a few W and E facing.
Yes, true southern oak/pine savannahs are isolated trees growing in expansive grasslands. Considerable space between each tree canopy. Most areas, 20% tree canopy, rest open grasslands.
