Forest management case study

Once again we discuss the irony of thinning trees to make the forest better. Yes, taking some trees out can be a good way to help preferred species. This work area is close to the northwest corner of the loop trail, about 1000 feet north of the house. Mother Nature decided to let a lot of red maple grow, which can quickly overtop red oak, yellow birch, and sugar maple.

This first photo shows the aftermath of axing out three red maple stump sprouts. Note the smaller sugar maple on the right of the clump, which will get more sun and not wrap around the removed trunks any more. Removal of the remaining red maple will be for another day.

Some stump sprouts are way too big for easy removal, but a pole saw will help the red oak and yellow birch on the right of these pesky red maples. (Note the large amount of downed branches/leaves from the red maples). The two smaller preferred trees will still struggle, but they have more of a chance.

Easier work makes more crown space for an oak, illustrated by this before/after duo of photos. Once again, red maple stump sprouts were removed to help out the quercus rubra.

Before:

After!!!

The axe can be quite handy to quickly remove a balsam fir creating a lot of shade. Previous pole saw work cut away many lower branches for much easier axing.