Recent content by ethan_holzfaller_midwest

It seems that black hills spruce does retain the conical shape better than white spruce to provide that lower cover. I could see where a landowner could use both and have a black hills spruce on the outer edges. I think with any windscreens that are enclosing a large or open area, some form of...

Blue spruce I think in some areas has been pushed out of the customer sight because of public outreach and education from agency/or organizations on it being detrimental even in urban landscapes. Again this would be completely different if you were out west where it is native. All conifers self...

I'm curious what the average size of acreage is owned and managed on here. What do you guys think? Not sure if it's ever been asked, but it might be interesting to see what the distribution is.

I'm in Lake of the Woods, so that's zone 3 I believe. Yeah this northern portion of MN and ND are a little odd, the freeze thaw cycles along with the harsh winds can be pretty gnarly on most trees, I mean look what happened to Bemidji and Cass Lake area this summer with the shear winds/tornado...

I would agree with many others if a tractor is the best fit I’d go as big as you can while still being able to store it adequately and not breaking the bank too bad. You can always rent it out with you as an operator to make some side cash and help put some money in your pocket for maintenance...

Yeah in your area the white pine is a timber species. As well as the spruce when get into Vermont and Maine I believe is a huge timber source. I think it was Vermont that had a collapse back in the 70s maybe 80s of the spruce, we are talking beautiful timber grade. Its rebounded with better...

I can always identify White Pine from long distance as it looks like it is holding its branches up to the sky, almost like a person praising God. Why in WI we have Cathedral Pines (40 acres), it truly is an awe inspiring species. I've only been in a couple told-growth stands (pre-1880s-1900)...

Very investing that pine isn't touched...in the Midwest it is the White Pine or Cedar that is the favorite food for deer. I remember a forestry professor telling me it was based on nitrogen density or maybe it was just nutrient density, but related to nitrogen. The only time I see deer really...

White pine is more resistant to Diplodia, there hasn't been confirmed that it will carry diplodia at the same extent as Norway, its been found on it, just not studied enough. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/forest_health/diplodia/index.html...

Everything can be brought back to poor management and regulations by government and industry going off the rails. I'm pushing landowners in NW/Northern MN to start looking at harvesting or shrinking their ash components due to EAB. Most of the management plans don't even mention it that were...

If you can get the plugs I'd probably go that route, unless budget is a restriction. I haven't done too much with cuttings with willows, I do know that willows in general, and in NW MN are prolific, they have a growth hormone that is readily available hence why you see such growth in spring and...

Exactly have used them before on projects. That is if you're good with an excavator, let alone a mulcher. 1/2 mile is a bit of a distance, and yeah you can chainsaw it. I did it but we were cutting firebreaks in Colorado and Montana, thank goodness Minnesota is flat. Cause doing 6 miles in a day...

Hiring a forestry mulcher is the most efficient way to go about putting in any new trails in terms of money, efficiency, and time. I understand people will look at the price of a good operator expensive at $250-350 per hour, but it is definitely worth the cost. And just because "I know a guy who...

They are all retiring. Most of the young people are in government jobs. I was lucky to have learned from foresters who started in the late 60s and 70s here in MN and WI. They are all gone now. And their mentors were those from the CCC camps.

Try to plant in a staggered pattern between rows. I always recommend 3 rows, but two can suffice if within a budget and how long of a windscreen(s) you need. Just adds more cover definitely will shut out most wind and wandering eyes.