What to do with cedars

[OakSeeds]

Since you are worried about the height of the cedars, I would try "topping' a few of them to 6' to slow their growth. While I have never tried it - we just let cedars go since we don't have that many - you sure won't kill them by removing the top. The few we have grow like weeds . You can always take the topped ones out later if you don't like the results; that's better than being sorry later that you removed them.

 

[EarthySpirit]

Since you are worried about the height of the cedars, I would try "topping' a few of them to 6' to slow their growth. While I have never tried it - we just let cedars go since we don't have that many - you sure won't kill them by removing the top. The few we have grow like weeds . You can always take the topped ones out later if you don't like the results; that's better than being sorry later that you removed them.

thanks for the idea. But I know I will not regret thinning them out as they are plentiful!!! :)

 

[IkemanTx]

I cut back as many cedars as I could on 8 acres of the family place early this year. I left them all where they fell, and plan to burn the 8 acres in late winter 2022. I’m hoping to have collected a few hundred acorns to plant right after the fire. I think I’m going to plant using a drill and bulb planter bit.
I figure between the native grass growth after removing the cedars, and sapling oaks coming up, the bedding cover will be pretty good after a couple of years.


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[EarthySpirit]

I cut back as many cedars as I could on 8 acres of the family place early this year. I left them all where they fell, and plan to burn the 8 acres in late winter 2022. I’m hoping to have collected a few hundred acorns to plant right after the fire. I think I’m going to plant using a drill and bulb planter bit.
I figure between the native grass growth after removing the cedars, and sapling oaks coming up, the bedding cover will be pretty good after a couple of years.


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Yes, sound good!! As you said, may have to wait a few years if you are cutting most of them.

 

[Bassattackr]

Burn 2 years after cutting, needles need to be dry enough that they fall off with ease.

 

[EarthySpirit]

Burn 2 years after cutting, needles need to be dry enough that they fall off with ease.

Thanks. I have a ditch between me and my neighbor's ridge that I will just throw them into so they are not just sitting there on the ground that could grow up into early succession.

 

[Bassattackr]

Thanks. I have a ditch between me and my neighbor's ridge that I will just throw them into so they are not just sitting there on the ground that could grow up into early succession.

I would leave them where they lay and burn them there. They will return the nutrients to the ground post burn and the grasses, early succession will grow up thru them. Grant Woods recommends this approach for best results.

 

[Codie Gleason]

Is the cedar thicket the most preferred bedding site because it really does provide high quality bedding, or is it because it's the best that is available?

I'd be more inclined to cut down must all of the cedars and start fresh. Let the skeletons lay for two years then burn the entire block. The skeletons will continue to provide some structure for those years while native grasses and forbs establish. Meanwhile, monitor for native shrubs establishing in the plot or plant a diverse mix of native shrubs to recreate a similar structure to what you have now.

 

[EarthySpirit]

Hi Codie,

here in central Kentucky, they are the first things to come up in a field left to its own (besides grasses/briars, etc). They are great cover for deer until they get tall and create a canopy of trees. Then they are useless at that point. Since this thread started I decided to create pockets of openings in my cedar thickets, taking out the tallest. The cedar thickets are loaded with deer, I just need to keep them from getting canopied. Thanks for the feedback!!!

 

[Codie Gleason]

Hi Codie,

here in central Kentucky, they are the first things to come up in a field left to its own (besides grasses/briars, etc). They are great cover for deer until they get tall and create a canopy of trees. Then they are useless at that point. Since this thread started I decided to create pockets of openings in my cedar thickets, taking out the tallest. The cedar thickets are loaded with deer, I just need to keep them from getting canopied. Thanks for the feedback!!!

Cedars act the same way here in Virginia. Historic fire regimes would have suppressed cedars and prohibited their spread into open prairie grasslands and savannas. The lack of fire on the landscape has allowed for eastern red cedars to establish in areas that they may not have been historically.

I would agree that when limited to a few scattered individuals, they can provide good structure. It sounds like you're keeping them in check and using them to your advantage. Best of luck to you!

 

[EarthySpirit]

Cedars act the same way here in Virginia. Historic fire regimes would have suppressed cedars and prohibited their spread into open prairie grasslands and savannas. The lack of fire on the landscape has allowed for eastern red cedars to establish in areas that they may not have been historically.

I would agree that when limited to a few scattered individuals, they can provide good structure. It sounds like you're keeping them in check and using them to your advantage. Best of luck to you!

Thank you!!!