Huge oaks are often hollow and i would encourage loggers not to cut trees that have a high probability of being hollow.
I no longer recommend clear-cutting for habitat cuts. You can cut an oak forest and get back a pure stand of poplar. Deer eat all the oak stump sprouts, leaving only poplar and other undesirable trees (for wildlife habitat). Now it is possible to clear-cut enough acres so that deer can't eat all th stump sprouts, but that would depend on your deer density.Any advice for somebody about to start this process? I have a forestry background so i'm not completely ignorant on what's about to take place with my 40 acre clear cut. However, none of my work ever took deer management into account. Would I be better served to leave occasional 1 acre hardwood stands (mostly tall straight oaks) or random 100 year old behemoth white oaks with large canopies? In my experience it seems like larger canopy trees produce acorn crops more consistantly.
Yeah I walked it a bit with my logger over the weekend. He's cool with doing whatever I want. Going to get back on it beforehand and leave both random trees as well as a stand or two if it lines up geographically with my food plot and or hunting site.In an otherwise clear cut I don't think you'd be hurt to leave a few sporadic oaks. That's something you'll have to work out with your logger, though.
Yeah I walked it a bit with my logger over the weekend. He's cool with doing whatever I want. Going to get back on it beforehand and leave both random trees as well as a stand or two if it lines up geographically with my food plot and or hunting site.
Love the maximized regrowth. But hate some of what regrows!I said I wasnt getting in this one, but I have to compliment BSK on finally seeing the light on how clearcutting is NOT the proper way to manage a property!
Will do. I have a friend who does drone work and he has agreed to come take an aerial shot of it prior to the timber being harvested. Hoping in time that I can get him back on it to show it after Timber harvesting and then with set out Pine regrowth with plots in place.Please keep us informed on how everything goes, from getting it done to the aftermath to the results.
Will do. I have a friend who does drone work and he has agreed to come take an aerial shot of it prior to the timber being harvested. Hoping in time that I can get him back on it to show it after Timber harvesting and then with set out Pine regrowth with plots in place.
I would look at the regeneration (understory) and see what you have. It is going to tell you alot about what you will get after a harvest.
Second I would suggest not going with a diameter limit harvest. Every stand is different. Realize you can flag small clearcuts( group openings) and mark cut and leave trees. Could be a bit confusing but you would get what you want.
Third I like small clearcuts personally. Roads and skid trails would be what I make sure are rehabilitated correctly.
I would hammer down a contract you are happy with. Hard to enforce anything without it if things go sideways.
Picture below is on a west-facing poor-soil site that had been dominated by Mountain Chestnut prior to cutting. Pines saplings are all 3-4 feet tall.
Yeah that caught my attention. What is it. Something interesting, when I was having a survey done for a forest management plan in order to go with Greenbelt the Forester found a chestnut hull and several leaves on the ground on my property. He couldn't locate the source tree though. Anyone else have that experience on SE of the plateau?Mountain chestnut? I've not heard of that one before. Is it another name for chestnut oak?
My dad always called Chestnut Oak a Mountain Oak.Mountain chestnut? I've not heard of that one before. Is it another name for chestnut oak?
Full name is Mountain Chestnut Oak, Quercus Montana. They dominate dry, poor soil sites, especially rocky ridge-tops and south-facing slopes.Mountain chestnut? I've not heard of that one before. Is it another name for chestnut oak?
Full name is Mountain Chestnut Oak, Quercus Montana. They dominate dry, poor soil sites, especially rocky ridge-tops and south-facing slopes.
I just wish it had more value as a saw-log. Used to be, the only thing it would sell for was railroad ties. I've got a ton of it on my place. Basically, all the south-facing slopes and the rockiest ridges.Yeah I aware of chestnut oak. I just hadn't ever heard it called mountain chestnut before. One of my favorite woods to mill and work with. Beautiful lumber. White oak with color and character.
I just wish it had more value as a saw-log. Used to be, the only thing it would sell for was railroad ties. I've got a ton of it on my place. Basically, all the south-facing slopes and the rockiest ridges.
VERY good news!With white oak market being gobbled up for barrels, the chestnut oak has jumped in value. Up in my neck of the woods It's selling for nearly the same as white oak. Or at least it was. Likely will be again when the timber market goes up again.