This 1 acre area starts only about 40 yards east of my cabin. It was almost all HUGE boxelder with a few burr Oak and Ash 15 years ago. These pics will illustrate what a shaded canopy does. When I got this piece , there was not ONE tree under about 16" in diameter. Looked like a city park. After many hours cutting boxelder, some ash/ oak, basswood, this 3 acre area exploded with new growth. Withing just a few years, it was hard to see 10 yards from the new trees and brush growing. One mistake I made then was not killing the stumps with chemical and every boxelder stump grew multiple trees from them. Over the past 8/ 10 years, those new trees have grown so much, that nothing (browse) is growing. So, last week I decided to tackle this problem. Been chipping awayand am making headway. About an acre done so far. My goal was to make this a bedding area with ground growing browse. Also, I did NOT want everything on the ground. Wanted overhead,leaning canopy. (Tunnel effect). Purposely tried to fell trees into smaller trees that would stopped the cut trees from hitting the ground but bending the uncut trees to bend over but not kill them. (Hope that makes sense) lol. Have cut 100s of small trees and a few big ones to create what I think is going to be superb bedding area right out back. Took alot outta me pushing trees in the desirable direction but it's a fun project I'm hoping pays off. Kinda bitter sweet as I won't be able to see the deer like I'm used to from the window. However, it may keep some Dandy bucks from traveling. Spent today with a lopper cutting trails through the jungle. Heck, couple times I got confused to where I was even though it's basically in the back yard. Lol. Picked out a few spots that I really feel like a big buck would like to bed. Took a rake, cleared out a spot and hauled in some straw/ grass hay and made beds. Done this for years and it works great. First 4 few pics will be the before. Others the after and beds.
Dang frost went out yesterday on my road. I'm stuck here till this weekend when it looks like things will freeze up again. Temps 40* temps in northern MN in Feb is insane!. Really trying to strategies to make this project the best I can. Walked back into my back river bottom point today. Normally only do that once a year in the spring looking for sheds. Deer are stress free this winter so I did a 2 hour walk. Found a few spots back there Tha t could use some tree felling. May tackle that next couple days. Got the time. I truly wish you all had a piece of ground to do the same. Thanks fellas.
Looking good! I have some projects to tackle, this nicer weather we have been having is giving me the itch. I got some green briar that needs attention, gonna brush hog a path through it clean to the top fields. We had it select cut 3 going on 4 years now and it’s thick as hell in those areas, got a brush hog for my skid and should make quick work of it. Got some elevated blind bases I want to build too. Plenty to do to keep busy till season.
Looking good!! I really need to do that with the buckthorn on our place. It’s starting to choke out a lot. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've lost the battle with buckthorn. And to be honest, although it doest have much food value, it makes for great bedding cover.
Buckthorn leaves have a rather high nitrogen count and makes great fire wood. Small but a high heat, white ash, producing wood. Also a good carving yellow wood. Deer at camp readily consume the berries. Easily seen in their purple droppings.
