Travis from MI asks,
recently had 5 acres clear cut on high ground. There is a hard-edge of northern white cedar swamp now on the north side of the cut. 30 feet of slope top to bottom. Was wondering if you have any advice on managing a clear cuts? & what elevation to hunt at???. 90% was soft maple and poplar. The logger left some pockets of pine and about 25 oak and beech. Most of what was cut was veneer and grade timber. Little worried the regen is going to be to thick. But it is Michigan with a brown and down hunter everywhere. Thanks Bill
Bill responds,
Topic: Managing a Timber Clear Cut:
Travis,
I don’t think I would be afraid of what comes in next, but you do have a great opportunity to guide what happens on those five acres more intentionally than just letting nature run its course. If it was mine, I would try to further clear the stumps from about 1/2 to one acre of the best soil there and make a small food plot. You can likely hire someone with a small dozer to push the stumps out if they are not too big. That would create some very good value for the property as a recreational land too.
Second, I would likely plant a few desired species, but it will be tough to compete with nature on this part so you will have to aggressively kill the stumps in those areas first. I would probably plant something like swamp white oak and possibly other mast bearing trees such as a few chestnut if they are adapted to that region. Finally, I would definitely plant a few apple trees. A local state forester is the best source of information on what hardwoods and mast bearing trees (including fruit trees) that will grow best in your area. You should be able to find contact information for this person through the Michigan DNR. Will be fun to see how that area changes over time. Good luck. (3/30/21)
