Daydreaming

Daydreaming about what I would do at the hunting-lease if I get full management authority.

While I would love to graze some cattle on the property, the property is isolated and I fear that the cattle would not be there come fall. There is about 8 acres of former CRP/grassland. Low-level grazing by cattle sort-of mimics bison in terms of what it does to the habitat. Throw in some burns or a mowing schedule and things are interesting in a good way.

There is also a small stand of Norway Spruce that were planted on about 10' by 10' centers some forty years ago. The stand would benefit from having every third row removed and branches pruned up 16 feet.

No trees have been cut for management in the past 75 years. The canopy is dominated in several places by multi-stemmed Silver Maple and Wild Black Cherry. They suck up enormous amounts of sunlight and fertility and return...nothing. 

Managing a wood-lot is a lot like coaching a team. Do you hold onto the superannuated duffers? Or do you dump them to give yourself some salary-cap relief and bring in some young talent with "head room"?

Crookedy-ass Silver Maple or Pecans, Shellbark Hickory, Bald Cypress, Persimmons, Catalpa, Nuttall and Cherrybark Oak? That is the question. I even have a couple of local guys lined up who heat with wood who will cheerfully harvest the trees I want gone.