Leaf litter removal, new forest plot

[Telemark]

I'm trying to put a new plot in a heavily wooded area, and I'm struggling with the leaf litter. I've tried discing it, but it doesn't work well. I've tried a chain harrow, but it just clogs, and then the leaves are still in little piles.

The dirt can be rather rocky, but I suppose I could just rototill the best I can and call it good. It means I would have to buy a rototiller.

I tried burning, but it's ineffective. Tried a blower, also ineffective. Raking works great, but very time consuming. Tried broadcasting onto the leaves after disking, and got very poor results.

Anyone have experience with this? Is there a good way to solve the problem without extra equipment or several days worth of labor?

 

[Feelslikefar.]

Yes and no? And only on a tiny scale. If it weren't for the leaf litter and it's compost I'd have no usable soil. (no equipment to deal with what's under it.) So I just keep expanding my tiny plot by blowing off small sections of the newest top layer and broadcasting seeds on that.

 

[Brian662]

Burning in the right conditions would be the most ideal and effective, IMO.

 

[Bill]

 

[Bill]

I’ve got one. It moves some leaf debris. Even wet stuff.

 

[SD51555]

What’s your pH and do u have moisture?


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[Telemark]

I’ve got one. It moves some leaf debris. Even wet stuff.

Would be nice, but a thousand bucks?!?! Jeekers.

 

[Telemark]

What’s your pH and do u have moisture?


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The pH is 5.5 at the surface. Moisture depends on the year, but usually plenty. This summer it was on the wetter side, probably why nothing would burn properly.

 

[Bill]

Would be nice, but a thousand bucks?!?! Jeekers.

Wow. Mines old, it was like $350. Guess I better take care of it.

 

[matinc]

Bill my leaf blower fits my back well. Tele see if you have a rental place where you can get a wheeled blower. It's twice the power as most backpacks. Tele how big is this new plot?

 

[SD51555]

The pH is 5.5 at the surface. Moisture depends on the year, but usually plenty. This summer it was on the wetter side, probably why nothing would burn properly.

If u can get your pH up into the 6’s, you should get more worms to start eating that up.


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[SD51555]

Could also spray some liquid nitrogen on it a few times. Diesel exhaust fluid is a cheap liquid nitrogen, but very corrosive. You’d wanna clean out your sprayer well. And don’t breathe it in. It’s a burner.

I might try roughing it up and convert to white clover.


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[Telemark]

I have several sacks of pelletized lime ready to go. I guess that's a reasonable first step.

In Europe the DEF is called AdBlue, and it's basically urea and water. I put some on a couple trees once, but it didn't seem to do much. And it's really expensive.

I tried to rough it up, but the disk just can't get down to the dirt. I just end up with fluffy leaves. I tried putting extra weight on the implement, and it broke the hitch off. I tried putting less weight on the implement and it had a violent wobble and harrowed the dirt unevenly.

In any case, I'll start with the lime and see how that goes.

 

[Stubborn1VT]

My experience with this is that the area needs to be worked up, or the leaves have to go. I made a plot with my tractor and a box scraper with teeth, or a 4 wheeler and a drag/spike tooth harrow.
I have also removed the leaves with a rake and a tarp. Pelletized lime is a good first step. Rye stands up to leaves better than most plantings.
Also, it's one thing to get a plot going in a woods setting, but then it needs to be maintained or it just gets buried. I clear my best woods plots every spring or every other.

 

[Westwind]

The big Stihl backpack blowers are expensive but there is no other tool I use more except my loader tractor.

 

[bigboreblr]

What discs are you using? Can you add weight? Can you reduce the angle of the discs? Making a weight box for you discs might help. Also, box in the outside with plywood and add a 2v broadcast spreader. Works like a poor mans seed drill. Atleast 1/2 of the seed in not more make good contact with soil.

Might be able to fluff it up with a harrow, then mow it up some. Seed the area first. Put the mower as low as you can.. Traditional mowers are better for no or min till than regular brush hogs. Chops it up better, blades create lift moving the leaves up into the blades better.

spending the dough on a leaf blower? Spend a few more dollar to get one that can spray chemicals too. OFten they're cheap on craigslist and not sold quickly either.