So it appears there may be some EQUIP opportunity to clear invasive jungle off our property. The funds versus cost need to align, but I had some general asks for your opinions, intel and thoughts.
The basics are this is 75 ac, property, with about 40ish ac of this mess- BH, MFR, AO, BT, Winged Alanthus, Spicebush, bittersweet..... got it all. It is definitely one of the thicker properties around in otherwise closed canopy oak hill country. Not much ag around, and think our 4.5 of plots are it for non baitpile deer specific provided food. We are basically the only invasive choked one in the immediate area. Some native browse and larger trees but theyre minority. Currently the deer seem to use it as a pass through and food location.
The EQUIP go would be mechanically clear areas this year, spray everything next year and then spot spray the third year. The trees4" and bigger, and native pockets can stay. Brush piles arent loved and there are areas in the oak woods where I need to spray due to the inability for equipment to work in there. They said I can do it all, or as little as I want. Ill be honest and say when we bought it, I didnt know much about OH invasives, nor did I care that much. Now i believe theyre not helping me at all with regard to deer so this EQUIP offer is tempting but money math will be huge with this endeavor.
From a habitat standpoint, IF the funds work, how much percentage wise would you clear?
How about from an upsetting the deer cart standpoint?
(I have a plan/resource for drone or mist spraying but am respectful of the work that could be)
If you were doing this, how would you break the sections down? Begin in the interior or exterior of the property? Picture a (tall vertical) rectangle on its short side for the property shape.
The clearing guys are awesome. I have used them before and theyll leave me a plantable area. I pondered liming and broadcasting some sort of dispensable "seed"....it could be for food, quick cover, whatever deer-wise but the goal would be to improve soil health and suppress chit regen. Any suggestions?
It would be killed off next year with the spray and then I would be more about deer layout using native grasses, shrubs and plot/field.
The basics are this is 75 ac, property, with about 40ish ac of this mess- BH, MFR, AO, BT, Winged Alanthus, Spicebush, bittersweet..... got it all. It is definitely one of the thicker properties around in otherwise closed canopy oak hill country. Not much ag around, and think our 4.5 of plots are it for non baitpile deer specific provided food. We are basically the only invasive choked one in the immediate area. Some native browse and larger trees but theyre minority. Currently the deer seem to use it as a pass through and food location.
The EQUIP go would be mechanically clear areas this year, spray everything next year and then spot spray the third year. The trees4" and bigger, and native pockets can stay. Brush piles arent loved and there are areas in the oak woods where I need to spray due to the inability for equipment to work in there. They said I can do it all, or as little as I want. Ill be honest and say when we bought it, I didnt know much about OH invasives, nor did I care that much. Now i believe theyre not helping me at all with regard to deer so this EQUIP offer is tempting but money math will be huge with this endeavor.
From a habitat standpoint, IF the funds work, how much percentage wise would you clear?
How about from an upsetting the deer cart standpoint?
(I have a plan/resource for drone or mist spraying but am respectful of the work that could be)
If you were doing this, how would you break the sections down? Begin in the interior or exterior of the property? Picture a (tall vertical) rectangle on its short side for the property shape.
The clearing guys are awesome. I have used them before and theyll leave me a plantable area. I pondered liming and broadcasting some sort of dispensable "seed"....it could be for food, quick cover, whatever deer-wise but the goal would be to improve soil health and suppress chit regen. Any suggestions?
It would be killed off next year with the spray and then I would be more about deer layout using native grasses, shrubs and plot/field.