KDFW Forester

[Sand Gap Sniper]

Had the Wildlife Biologist out to my place the other day to look around and tell me what to do for the deer & turkey. He reccomended that I have the Forester come in and look around, mark the trees to get rid of for me, and then me come in and cut them or ring them to help the oaks produce more. Just wondering if anyone else has done this and if it really helped.

[Snareman2]

Makes alot of Sense! You have a crappy tree and a oak tree competing for the same nutrients and water. Killing the other tree, leaves more for the Oak. Therefore, better for the wildlife that feed on the acorns.

[buckfever]

Had the Wildlife Biologist out to my place the other day to look around and tell me what to do for the deer & turkey. He reccomended that I have the Forester come in and look around, mark the trees to get rid of for me, and then me come in and cut them or ring them to help the oaks produce more. Just wondering if anyone else has done this and if it really helped.

We did, and it's been very beneficial. It takes a couple of years, but ringing/cutting less desirable trees performs 2 functions. First, it gives the existing desirable trees (oaks, hickory, walnut, persimmon, etc. etc.) some open space to fully develop without close competition. Second, it allows some light to seep in (where the eliminated trees used to stand) which generates some understory plant growth that will benefit all your local wildlife inhabitants.

It's a free service, so why wouldn't you take advantage of it?

[slow-bow]

When you say "ringing" a tree, are you referring to the process of cutting a 1" (approx.) deep groove completely around the base of a tree? The state forrestry did this to several trees in the Green River State Forrest about 3 yrs. ago. They had just planted tons of new oaks, hickory, etc. and the grooves were cut in less desireable trees such as cottonwoods, gum, and ashe. Is this done to "slowly" kill a tree? Please 'splain.

[Multidigits]

You can also use herbicide to kill trees. It's very powerful and can even kill trees close by if you squirt too much on it. Be careful.

[slickhead slayer]

If proper logging doesn't take place, your trees that like shade take over while your sun oriented get displaced. Your shade trees are the less desirable like Maple, poplars etc etc.
If you properly log, it provides the proper environment for your more desirable trees like oaks.
You also lose a certain percentage ofyour timber every year from age.
And as buck mentioned, you also provide the understory that is beneficial to all types of game.
Biologist and foresters do this for a living, take them upon what they suggest. It will benefit your timber, your game and your property.

[GSP]

When you say "ringing" a tree, are you referring to the process of cutting a 1" (approx.) deep groove completely around the base of a tree? The state forrestry did this to several trees in the Green River State Forrest about 3 yrs. ago. They had just planted tons of new oaks, hickory, etc. and the grooves were cut in less desireable trees such as cottonwoods, gum, and ashe. Is this done to "slowly" kill a tree? Please 'splain.

This provides a DEAD tree vs a gone tree. Dead trees provide a lot of habitat/food for wildlife

[AteUp]

Saw a doe up in the roots of a blowdown last year, eating the crap out of mushrooms and lichens and such. She must of ate up in there for 45 minutes.