Finally made it up to the land to see alder cutting in person. Wow, it looked like a different property. It went from an area that was so thick you couldn't hardly walk thru to looking like a park. I was surprised to see so many large trees that were left. I guess they blended in with in the alder. The ruffed grouse society suggested cutting most of the remaining trees except for the oak, white pine, and birch. I never realized it but there is about a 100 black cheery in this spot. Mostly poor quality. I dropped about 30 this weekend. Also several large aspen to try to get them to regen with the alder. We also mowed half of a 7 year old aspen clear cut. This area has been a really good deer bedding spot with the grass and young aspen. It should be really good again in a year or two. In all really with how it looks. Excited to see what it's going to look like late summer.
Alder shearing/ usda program
- Thread starter ruskbucks
- Start date
Thank you. It was about 90 percent upland. Alot of it was on a ridge. The 10 percent wetland caused some problems with my contractor. With all the upland he didn't need the ground to be really frozen so he wanted to get after my project right away. Without any frost he didn't want to cut the wetlands and instead cut some more high ground to make up for that 10 percent of wetlands. The usda told my contractor that they wanted the wetlands cut to the best of their ability. I guess these areas between the high and lowland are key spots for warblers and woodcock. He ended up being able to get in these spots and cut although it was wet. The contractor suggested in another 5 years to apply again and if approved he would go after all the wetland tags, but said he would need perfect conditions. Thick frost with little snow.
The alder regeneration is coming along well. With the sunlight now reaching the ground there is no bare ground anywhere. The alder are about 18 inches on average. I see a a few patches of elderberry, Grey dogwood, and many new plants I don't know what the are. The deer are browsing certain plants heavy. The wild apple and hazelnuts are both producing well now the are getting sunlight.
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A little late to your update with my comment here LOL, Your project looks great! Coming along very nicely much like the alder I cut years ago.
Anyway, the residual trees left over are for singing and hunting perches for the male golden winged warblers. The hens nest on the ground in your thick brushy habitat you are creating.
Stop out there next Spring and listen for the bzzzzz, bzzzzzz, bzzzzz sound of the GWW.
