Albert- Why didn't your go control burn, or will this be the next step (as the cull trees were too large to affected)?
TSI, Forestry, EQUIP
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So I am far from an expert on fire, and I think @jagermeister could add some good context here as well.
However, in SE Ohio - the cost of burning is very high. When I spoke to NRCS and even consulting forester types - the cost comes out to be around 600 an acre. Now, if you are burning CRP or something that is different. I am talking about woodland burns. As you see with the terrain, it is very rugged here and managing fire would not be easy (especially for an 11-acre area).
The other thing is that doing a straight burn in here would be disastrous to many of my oaks. The fuel load is way too high and there are far too many stems around these oaks (as seen in some pics) that would possibly scare or kill my oaks. It would be best to release many of the oaks, and ensure enough - non-burnable material around many of them - then do a burn. Unfortunately, as I mentioned above, I don't think that is in my future.
So my next steps are to thin the cull trees (as shown above)
Remove mid-story in a small section here (6 acres - beech mostly)
Do a timber cut for $$, leaving many good seed/crop trees
Repeat
I am sure my plans will change with the times, and that is the beauty of timber management - we got time!!
Albert
@at1010 is right… controlled burns, conducted privately, can be pretty expensive. It’s sucks because they’re such a great management tool.
I know you’re concerned for your oak seedlings, Al, but I would still try to implement some burning if you can. I don’t know the terrain so this may not be feasible, but you could break it down into chunks (burn units) instead of burning all 11 acres at once. You can also try to burn when the relative humidity is a little higher, so that your fire is not as intense. That might help reduce any damage to desirable oak species.
And I know… this is all perfect world scenario type of stuff. What you’re doing there now is absolutely 100% better than doing nothing at all!
I know you’re concerned for your oak seedlings, Al, but I would still try to implement some burning if you can. I don’t know the terrain so this may not be feasible, but you could break it down into chunks (burn units) instead of burning all 11 acres at once. You can also try to burn when the relative humidity is a little higher, so that your fire is not as intense. That might help reduce any damage to desirable oak species.
And I know… this is all perfect world scenario type of stuff. What you’re doing there now is absolutely 100% better than doing nothing at all!
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I have thought about it. Maybe I will someday.
I’m not as concerned with oak seedlings post fire as I feel they’ll handle it well (more so a concern with my mature oak where fuel load is high).
I honestly am more so concerned with terrain (in this spot). I may try someday - If I can get some really experienced guys to help out and do an acre at a time.
Jim - you and erich are hired!
Round up a few guys, a couple drip torches, and a good leaf blower… we could knock it out.
Stressless
Active Member
That's a really great addition to the thread overall guys. I don't think I'll burn in the woods but have used fire to reduce thatch in plots.
Albert I'm thinning around bedding areas and edges of plots all next week. Perfect. Great motivation!
Albert I'm thinning around bedding areas and edges of plots all next week. Perfect. Great motivation!
Big_Holla
Senior Member
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Couple tips here folks for selling timber
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Life is truly precious due to its unavoidable finite end.
However, with death comes new life and the pertinent cycle marches on.
Nature is the same. With cutting comes new and vigorous life. Life that buzzes and shakes with energy that a person can feel when they come in close proximity.
Life that invigorates other life- the true meaning of symbiosis.
Selling and cutting timber is not an easy thing to do. The memories in these pines are far to great to list.
However, creating habitat with limited invasives and strong native regeneration is a must - this cannot be forgotten.
This one decision will positively impact future generations who follow in my footsteps to manage the family farm.
Thank you God for the opportunity to be so intrinsically in-tune with your creation.
Albert
However, with death comes new life and the pertinent cycle marches on.
Nature is the same. With cutting comes new and vigorous life. Life that buzzes and shakes with energy that a person can feel when they come in close proximity.
Life that invigorates other life- the true meaning of symbiosis.
Selling and cutting timber is not an easy thing to do. The memories in these pines are far to great to list.
However, creating habitat with limited invasives and strong native regeneration is a must - this cannot be forgotten.
This one decision will positively impact future generations who follow in my footsteps to manage the family farm.
Thank you God for the opportunity to be so intrinsically in-tune with your creation.
Albert
P8riot
Active Member
Agreed. I was pretty upset when I moved to my property and knew that the old owner had sold off all of the big old Oak trees. I wished I could have had those here. But in the 10 months I've been here it is great to see the sapplings that resulted from clearing the large trees start to flourish. It has that feeling you write about above.