Hey DoubleRidge. Here is a recap of my project from about 5 years ago. I've got about 45 acres I'm working with.
1. Have about a 6 acre field. Phase one was to clear the field of most of the trees that had grown in it over the years. I left a few pockets of trees and made sure to leave the persimmons. Phase two, in the fall we sprayed the entire field with glyphosate to kill the fescue. We then let the field grow up with natural vegetation (early successional habitat). The plan was to cut the field in half and burn a half every 2-3 years.
2. Have about 8 acres that are mature hardwoods. This area of the forest was complete full canopy (no sunlight getting to the ground). The plan was to cut about 10% of the trees to get some sunlight to the ground. Look at the response of new growth after a couple of years and then plan a second cut. The plan is to make sure we have oak regeneration. We cut the 10% (mainly white oak) and have waited.
3. We cut some other trees around other parts of the property, sprayed for some invasive species, etc.
Overall experience was very good. I was improving my property, learning a bunch of stuff that I didn't know (I was completely new to habitat work), and getting cost share to help pay for it.
Failures:
1. I don't live at this property; it's about 25 minutes away. At the time of the project I was driving an hour to and from work, had a one year old, and life was just really busy. I wasn't able to put in the time and work to really make it a success.
2. I didn't get the loading decks planted and there are still brush piles on them.
3. I ordered my seedlings late in the season, so the best varieties were gone. I didn't get them out soon enough so I didn't have good success with them. I didn't stake them or use any type of tree tube, so most were either eaten or smothered with surrounding growth.
4. The NRCS agents I've worked with have changed about 2 or 3 times, so it was hard to stay consistent with my planning. We couldn't get schedules worked out or weather to cooperate for burning the field until this past spring. By this spring the growth in the field was almost past the stage where fire would set it back. So I had to bushhog one side of the field to start over and will probably do the other side this year.
5. I didn't stay on top of killing off invasive species.
Things I would do different (am doing different) and updates as of today:
1. This year I had a Forest Management Plan written. (NRCS cost shares on this) I had a forest management plan written several years ago by the TN Dept. of Forestry but it is very minimal. This year I had a private individual (who was recommended by NRCS) write my plan. It is very detailed and will be my guide as I continue to make habitat improvements.
2. Because of this plan I can enroll in the NRCS cost share programs again. I am in the process of doing this now.
3. I will be working with an individual (owns his own company specializing in this type of work and habitat plans) to help me implement my forest management plan. I'm planning on using my cost share to help offset this cost. I feel that by working with someone who is trained and seasoned in this type of work, the work will go fast, more efficiently, and I will learn more than just trudging through it myself.
4. Try your best to eliminate invasive species every chance you get.
5. Order seedlings early to get the best selection and put a tree tube on everything you plant.
I could go on and on. I'm happy to provide contact information for the individuals I've worked with in a PM, as long as that's not against the rules of the forum.
I really enjoy habitat work, but it can be super frustrating as well. It's very easy to get overwhelmed. I've learned so much but at the same time feel like I don't know anything at all. I have had great experiences working with NRCS staff.
