Hack and squirt

[diamond hunter]

Ive been directed to hack and squirt in late July.Going to start in the morning in an area.If I don't intend to log the property in my lifetime,does anyone see a reason to keep any certain trees than oaks and persimmons?I know Beech is a debated tree,do they just waste space or do deer want them?The main reason Im hacking is to develop the thickest cover around deep inside my sanctuary.Some trees I just cut down with my chainsaw,the dangerous ones get the poison.Shoul I keep wild cherry for any reason?I want to hack about 3 acres.When I find white oaks which I lack,I will completely clear around those,regardless of what the tree next to it looks like.I hate cutting down a big poplar but again,Im not going to log it in my lifetime.

 

[BSK]

Everything comes down to what your goals are. If deer habitat is your top priority, then focus on protecting the trees that produce the most benefit to deer, which are primarily your best acorn producing oaks.

You may also want to consider what tree species are highly abundant and what are not. For example, although cherry, beech and hickory all produce food sources for wildlife, if those trees are highly abundant, than killing some is not a problem. If say cherry is rare, then protect them.

 

[diamond hunter]

That's right,I don't even look into the woods where the trees are cut cause I cant see that far.The oaks I will preserve will be beautiful trees for decades to come.Why leave a cherry tree mixed in with oaks in an area that I never intend to go into in the first place?There are no roads in this stretch and no real views into it past a few yards.There are plenty of cherry trees around as well as walnuts,hickories and beech to look at in non-hinged areas.Ive got a set of "Boy Scout woods" so why bother with that deep in my sanctuary where I don't even mushroom hunt?Thanks for helping me make this mature decision.If I find a patch of poplars that are big and beautiful,I might just move over a few feet and hack over there.3 acre sections is the goal.Its going to be an awesome mess!

 

[MickThompson]

You will have a good number of non-producing oaks as well- if those are in the way, give em the juice! Don't get hung up on acorns. they are a 3 month food source every 2 or 3 years. Think cover and browse production. Get light in and you'l have 6-7 months of groceries when buck are growing antlers and does are raising fawns each year.

 

[diamond hunter]

That's right,but my farm was cut for timber within the last 10 years as there are still stumps and the took a bunch of the oaks.Whats left is younger oaks and crap.The crap has got to go,in 3 acre sections.

 

[diamond hunter]

figuring out how to get more corn sanctuary is my next goal,as well as what fields to just let become a jungle.