One summer of growth

[cecil30-30]

Bushhogged this field middle of March. Shows one summer of growth. Average knee to waist high. With patches of blackberry vines almost head high.

 

[PossumSlayer]

Nice condo!

 

[Carlos]

After about 3 years of growth is probably when the deer will start using those areas a lot more.

 

[BSK]

That's a great example. Thanks for posting it.

 

[megalomaniac]

Perfect!

Now next year bushhog 1/3 in strips early Aug. You will get enough regrowth by Nov to be a viable food source, yet still have shooting lanes. The following year, again 1/3 in strips through the 2yo growth. The 3rd year, the last 1/3 through the 3yo growth. Keep rinsing and repeating.

 

[jejeffrries71]

I think three years would be too long in some areas. I have one half acre area I mow annually because the willows want to take it over. A 44hp tractor with a 6' mower tends to bog down in spots despite mowing annually.

 

[BSK]

I think three years would be too long in some areas. I have one half acre area I mow annually because the willows want to take it over. A 44hp tractor with a 6' mower tends to bog down in spots despite mowing annually.

Always a site-specific thing. That's why you have to experiment to find out. I have a section of very rocky ground that is a steep south-facing slope (gets direct hot dry sun of summer) that was clear-cut over 20 years ago. It's still thick and nasty. Then I've got north-facing slopes with better soil that were just cut 2 years ago and the regrowth is well over my head.