Clear Cutting/ girdling creek bottom

[Tibbs]

I am getting ready to do some clear cutting and girdling on a small creek bottom with the intent that good thick cover will grow once I open it to sunlight. Currently it is quite thick but still quite easy to walk through. The canopy is quite heavy. Its been tough for me to consider doing this with the fear that nothing will grow back. Does anyone have experience with cutting on creek bottoms? I am no tree expert by any means but do know that I have several ASH that are infected with EAB (verified today by finding the larva - north east Shiawasse County) as well as several elm that are already dead. . There is also other trees cotton wood - I think. Also what about the thorn trees that have the 3 to 4 inch thorns. They are growing everywhere.. The mature ones are probably 20 ft in height. -If I cut those will they send new shoots out like other trees? I plan to start as soon as the ground gets stable enough to drive on. Its currently too wet and its nearly 1/2 mile walk.. - Long ways to carry chain saw and gas.

[bishs]

If you want the best re-growth, cut only when the trees are dormant. You may have to just deal with the mud, or wait until next winter. I would go in and cut the trees on your high spots, that is where the deer will bed.

[Splitshot]

Get some advice from the DNR. you could do more harm than good.

[GVDocHoliday]

Wow...cutting in creek bottoms? You'd be destroying some of the most vital aspects of a stream ecosystem by removing the riparian forests as you're suggesting. Usually, in clearcuts, loggers try to leave everything in lowlands and creek bottoms because removal of those trees lead to errosion and increase runoff which wreaks havoc on fisheries.

[bishs]

Tibbs, plans on cutting the trees himself, no big equipment leaving ruts. I walked it with him. The trees have formed a canopy over head, cutting or girdling them will allow sunlight to reach the floor. He is going to get a burst of new growth. Many, many new roots there will be no erosion.

[chasmo54]

Hinge cut some of those trees so they live a couple of years sending up shoots and important browse. I would agree that opening the canopy will reward you with lots of regeneration but keep as much wetland plants as you can, especially oaks.

[GVDocHoliday]

So he's going to be select cutting then and not clear cutting? Because from his post it sounded like he was going to clearcut. Clear cutting will encourage erosion no matter what method of clearing or cutting is used.

Would more than likely suggest a shelter cut. Remove half of the standing basal area and then remove the rest 20 years down the road after new growth has taken hold.

[jperry8]

We are planning a near identicle strategy on our property this winter. My advice is you should at least have loggers bid on your bigger trees. We are going to get around $15,000 for our lumber. Believe it or not even cottonwoods have value. You might be suprised what you are offered. You also must be careful who you select to harvest it. You do not want some hack to bulldoze through your ground. And timber harvestors bids will vary, last year one guy outbid the other by $4000. That will help offset costs such as re-planting of beneficial species. ie: oaks, pines, fruits, food plots etc. If you have any questions let me know I can get you some contact info on diffeent companies we trust. We are on a cyclical lumber program and it is awesome for keeping natural browse and cover on your property.

[bhntr]

Try a small area and see what happens. if your leaving the stumps errosion shouldnt be a problem.

[Tibbs]

Thanks for all the info. I plan to clear cut not selective cut (other than a few good tree stand trees). I agree the root structure will not be deteriated in any way since I do not plan to remove stumps but will allow them to continue growing hence preventing erosion. My largest concern was that I would not get new growth.
My entire project is quite small maybee 5 to 6 acres and I plan to do a small area ~ 1acre to see the results. It will be easy to continue this project in years to come.Thanks again

[NorthJeff]

Tibbs,

Sounds like a good plan...those shoots and new growth I would think would even decrease the threat of erosion, but probably not a bad idea to cut a smaller portion to see the results first. Also, you may want to consider cutting only 1-2 acres every 3 or 4 years and then come back to the first cutting and continue in a cycle to always have both thick cover and browse available in various ages of growth.