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Post by steiny on Jan 26, 2016 8:24:49 GMT -5
I spent most of last Sunday hinge cutting several areas to improve habitat on the farm. If you don't know what that is, you simply make a horizontal chain saw cut most of the way through an undesirable tree at waist height or a bit higher, then let the tree tip over still partially connected to the stump.
By leaving the tree partially connected, it will start re-growing lots of shoots and stems in the spring. Drop a whole bunch of trees like this in an area, stacking one on top of the other, etc. and it creates a real jumble of thick bedding cover for your deer, as well as great small game habitat for rabbits, quail, etc.
This is a very cheap and easy way to create some thick bedding habitat. I hinge stuff like locust, maple, cherry, walnut, mulberry, etc. and leave the good oaks, hickory, etc.
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Post by swetz on Jan 26, 2016 23:43:25 GMT -5
Hope to get out and do some on my place soon. Weekends haven't been panning out with work and some other things going on.
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Post by trapperdave on Jan 30, 2016 7:55:29 GMT -5
i wouldnt hinge cut my walnut....those trees are worth some good money when grown. I am gonna drop some others this year though
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Post by duff on Jan 30, 2016 9:16:33 GMT -5
I need to cut a few areas myself. Mainly poplar, sassafras, hickory and some oak.
Been doing this a few days each year to add the benefits to my place and I think it's paying off. See more small game and deer than I did when I moved in 6 yrs ago.
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Post by steiny on Jan 31, 2016 20:34:07 GMT -5
I'm not a fan of walnut for wildlife, only thing that uses it is squirrels and it's not the best firewood either. I've hinged quite a few of them in areas I was trying to thicken up. I leave them be in my wood lots for potential future harvest.
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Post by tynimiller on Feb 11, 2016 10:03:05 GMT -5
When discussing with clients that have pockets of walnuts I always tell them the pros and the cons of hinging or cutting them as opposed to them staying standing. They truly suck if you want to plant food plots around where mature ones are, and they really provide next to nothing to wildlife...only true value is to the owners wallet...however that can be YEARS down the road. I prefer mid aged growth forests/bushes with scattered mature trees in the oak or good tree stand style variety...otherwise mature trees do nothing for my deer, only suck up light with their canopy  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2016 14:58:52 GMT -5
DNR tree seedling offer is a very good option to replenish wildlife trees and oaks. A few years ago I bought 100 white oaks, 100 Crimson Red Oaks and the 130 wildlife tree bundle. With all the dear I built 300 fences to protect them. I've only lost a few so far. www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/3606.htm |
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Post by tynimiller on Feb 11, 2016 21:28:04 GMT -5
DNR tree seedling offer is a very good option to replenish wildlife trees and oaks. A few years ago I bought 100 white oaks, 100 Crimson Red Oaks and the 130 wildlife tree bundle. With all the dear I built 300 fences to protect them. I've only lost a few so far. www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/3606.htmI buy trees each year from the local forestry department. This year I'm grabbing like 50 Norway Spruces. Fencing them all sucks but I've grown to learn it doesn't have to be pretty just enough to deter them and the trees typically will make it. I've heard guys just use 4 posts of whatever and fishing line wrapped around them and the tree and bam works. |
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