What Habitat Work Did You Do Today?

[Feelslikefar.]

What I did, is what I do once or twice a week... during my lunch I searched the web and FB Marketplace looking for "local" people who do tree work, land clearing, forestry mulching etc etc.

It would seem it's cheaper to BUY an acre of land, than it is to have someone cut down the saplings and brush on it.

The other problem I have is getting estimates. Obviously they want to set up an appointment to walk the property with you and see what you want done. Being 5 hours away (one way), that's a problem. Lots of time and money spent, assuming I can get free and/or actually get there. But especially so only to have someone not show up or cancel on me. So I spent some time today looking at satellite photos, looking at photos I have from the ground, seeing if there was some way I could create a detailed "proposal" of sorts and send it to them. Send it to someone and say "go look, then give me an estimate on doing A, B, C, D...". Part of the problem (besides knowing this is the last thing I should be spending money on) is that I don't know WHAT I want done, or at least what's more important, what I want done first.

So like most days, I accomplished nothing other than getting frustrated.

 

[ksJoe]

I tore up my DeWalt pole saw. It lasted a lot longer than I thought it would. I kinda bought that a few years back as a substitute for a Stihl gas pole saw but now I’m thinking I should maybe stay with battery pole saw again and add a battery saw. I am 90% Milwaukee but still have some DeWalt batteries for some yard equipment.

My strategy is to have a high quality powerhead and disposable pole saw attachments.

I have a Stihl Kombi (large gas powered) weedeater powerhead. Contrary to what Stihl will tell you, you do not have to buy their attacments. The generic universal weedeater attachments fit on it just fine. I have a couple of the cheapest pole saw attachments available on Amazon, and 3 pole extensions. With 3 extensions you must be careful to not bend it in the center, but with careful handling it is usable - and very long.
The first thing I do when I get a cheap pole saw is swap the 8" bar & chain out for a 12". I expected to blow a gearbox with the big motor and oversized bar, but so far I haven't.

I had a tree twist unpredictably and break the plastic housing on one of the pole saws. I squished it back together with a hose clamp and $2 worth of epoxy slathered around the outside of it. That one is ugly now, but it still runs. The other one lost the bolt that holds the sprocket on, but that's easily fixable.

I've been very happy with this arrangement. My only concern is for my personal safety. If I need to make a cut that risks the pole saw getting broke I just do it and usually get away with it. Sometimes I get the pole saw bar pinched in a tree. I just disconnect the powerhead, put it somewhere safe, then use the tractor yank the branch around and get the saw attachment lose. I've not thrown a pole saw attachment away yet, but when that day finally comes I'll smile and order another.

I have found that a cheap pole saw I don't care about breaking provides far more value to me than a high quality pole saw I'm reluctant to abuse.

 

[PatinPA]

I haven't started anything but as always have big plans. Want to make a new trail by a stand. The deer already filter that way but it's all over the place. Hopefully this will better steer them past the stand that's there. No trees to plant as of yet. I need to see what's alive in the spring to see if I need any replacements. My dad said he doesn't like sitting in even a ladder stand when it's cold anymore so I might build him a little hut to sit in in rifle season.

Pie in the sky for this year is fixing up the cabin. It's in rough shape and not sure it's even worth it but I don't have the money to tear it down and start over. years of water leaking in along the chimney have taken their toll on it though. I'm afraid in might collapse at some point and I have a lot of things stored inside.

 

[swampbuck]

Have been cutting down trees shading the food plot we created last year. Have also been thinning out some red cedars that look scraggly and not well and using the logs to fill in some low spots to make easier travel.

I also cut a trail though an area with some wind thrown so critters can navigate it pretty well. Almost have enough cut ojt of it that I can go in there with a brush cutter to knock back some of the brush coming up in there.

I am also experimenting with coppicing some hazelnuts we have out there. I am actually surprised by how many we have.

 

[SD51555]

Have been cutting down trees shading the food plot we created last year. Have also been thinning out some red cedars that look scraggly and not well and using the logs to fill in some low spots to make easier travel.

I also cut a trail though an area with some wind thrown so critters can navigate it pretty well. Almost have enough cut ojt of it that I can go in there with a brush cutter to knock back some of the brush coming up in there.

I am also experimenting with coppicing some hazelnuts we have out there. I am actually surprised by how many we have.

This year was the first time I started working the timber just outside my plots. I did a lot of cleanup, a good amount of burning, a lot of thinning, and harvested a bunch of firewood. I'm pretty excited to watch these spots develop, and i want to keep going. I may sneak in a late winter season if it gets warm quickly and I can sneak out there and do another few days.

I really put the effort into my balsam fir trees. They are the dominant natural conifer on my place and do an amazing job of knocking down the wind and keeping things warm among them. It kinda hurts to cut some down to get proper thinning and space, but I know it's the right thing to do. I bet I released over 100 that were at least 2' tall, and many that were 6 feet and taller. Eventually, I'll take out some big ones that have hit end of life, and use them for social firewood.

 

[swampbuck]

I think i learned the hard way that cutting more is better when starting. At least for me that was the case. When I started trying to use my 4 wheeler and had to dodge extra trees that were shading the plot it was pretty obvious what I needed to do.

 

[Westwind]

@ksJoe and @TonySoprano this is awesome info. I use my Milwaukee Sawzall a fair bit so I’m going to do that. Also, I’m going to hunt a Kombi power head used. There is so much Stihl stuff being sold online that looks barely used, why not.

 

[Westwind]

I found one more good reason to wear chaps, always.

I’m cleaning out a fence row. Cutting a lot of brush with my saw and when I’m doing that I tend not to be as careful with the saw and I get it in the grass and too small sticks and I don’t pay as much attention to chain tension.

Well, I was cutting away and threw the chain which hit me square on the end of my wang. Ho boy, was I nervous for a second there. Didn’t cut my jeans at all but I still gave it a good checking over. Glad there aren’t any trail cams there.

 

[Tangler]

Last few weeks I have been doing a lot of forest stand improvement in NH. Lots of girdle and spray (essentially hack and squirt equivalent). Getting more sunlight to the ground to grow the groceries.

 

[Tangler]

Not much so far , Hunting season just ended Jan 3 . It's been raining or too windy to cut trees. I counted 14 rotted wood posts along my property line that are leaning and need to be replaced. I worked two afternoons for a couple of hours on that , put in 4 or 5 T posts and spliced some areas of barb wire that were broke. It's time consuming remove 4 strands of barb wire, then have to cut & splice to tighten it. Figure start with the easiest stuff first....

Then I need to cut down 3 sawtooths oaks in the yard....messiest trees ever for a yard. Last on the agenda , cut down junk trees around my tree plot before they get too big and block out light to my fruit trees.

AS some have mentioned , I may want to invest in a battery operated saw to cut a few smaller size trees that fell across my trail. That way I dont have to worry about getting my chainsaw in the dirt. Something like this an these blades.View attachment 87662View attachment 87661

I like my Stihl electric chainsaw. works great for girdle & spray .

 

[TreeDaddy]

I found one more good reason to wear chaps, always.

I’m cleaning out a fence row. Cutting a lot of brush with my saw and when I’m doing that I tend not to be as careful with the saw and I get it in the grass and too small sticks and I don’t pay as much attention to chain tension.

Well, I was cutting away and threw the chain which hit me square on the end of my wang. Ho boy, was I nervous for a second there. Didn’t cut my jeans at all but I still gave it a good checking over. Glad there aren’t any trail cams there.

Chaps and helmet every chainsaw project here

My chaps look like they have been shredded from age and wear but still do the job

bill

 

[Turkey Creek]

Chaps and helmet every chainsaw project here

My chaps look like they have been shredded from age and wear but still do the job

bill

I agree I have become a consistent wear of chaps and a helmet. Damn plastic belt buckle on my chaps just cracked the other day and now it pops open at times. No way to replace the belt, but it does have suspender snaps, though I think suspenders would get hung up on brush alot.

 

[Turkey Creek]

This year was the first time I started working the timber just outside my plots. I did a lot of cleanup, a good amount of burning, a lot of thinning, and harvested a bunch of firewood. I'm pretty excited to watch these spots develop, and i want to keep going. I may sneak in a late winter season if it gets warm quickly and I can sneak out there and do another few days.

I really put the effort into my balsam fir trees. They are the dominant natural conifer on my place and do an amazing job of knocking down the wind and keeping things warm among them. It kinda hurts to cut some down to get proper thinning and space, but I know it's the right thing to do. I bet I released over 100 that were at least 2' tall, and many that were 6 feet and taller. Eventually, I'll take out some big ones that have hit end of life, and use them for social firewood.

Find a Christmas tree seller near you and see if you can interest them in a few of your 6' ones when you go to thin them. You would have to cut them at a time that might not be optimal, but might be a nice little shot of cash.

 

[Westwind]

I got a new chainsaw helmet for Christmas to replace my old one. I’m usually pretty good about the chaps. “Just a couple cuts” is when I get lazy.

 

[Tangler]

Chaps and helmet every chainsaw project here

My chaps look like they have been shredded from age and wear but still do the job

bill

Yep, for every project.

 

[Kooch]

Today I hid inside from the unrelenting wind and cold and dreamed about spring like a baseball player looking out the window.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TreeDaddy]

I got a new chainsaw helmet for Christmas to replace my old one. I’m usually pretty good about the chaps. “Just a couple cuts” is when I get lazy.

or tired

bill