Here is an area (2009) that was quite a bit thicker until a farmer ran cattle in it for 4-5 years. After the cows killed 12-15 trees (mainly soil compaction) I convinced the owner to have the cattle permanently removed. It was exclusively bur oak and hickory in 2009; now there are invasive species and multiple oak species, chestnut, shrubs, and fruit trees that have been planted. There are anywhere from 10 to 18-20 doe (3 families) using the heavy cover at any time. With a river bottoms about 1 mile away, It is pretty easy to take a couple of nice bucks off this property during the rut. I'll snap some 2024 photos soon and post them to show the change. A "shooter" quality buck was not taken in this 30 acres for the first 5 years I handled the property.
View attachment 62680View attachment 62681View attachment 62682View attachment 62683View attachment 62684
This ground probably has never been turned. As the bur oaks in the second and last photo shows, it was likely an oak savanna with open-growth trees. Several of the last vestiges (magnificent oaks) recently have died or were removed by storms/disease. The canopy crowns on some of these trees are/were enormous.
The last photo was taken 20? months after the cattle were removed; some "caged"swamp white oaks were enjoying their early flush of leaves.
