Clear Cut Land

[RollTide1974]

Looking for some advice on cleaning up some clear cut we’re buying. It’s been re-planted in pines (in rows). I’m wanting to cut between the rows and clean it up. There are some stumps from where it was cut 3 years ago along with some sage and thorn bushes. What would you recommend to use to clean it up? I’ve got a Mahindra 4540, but thinking a skid steer would be better.

 

[ranger danger]

Hire a masticator to selectively clean up. They can get the stumps and brush you don't want and leave the trees etc that you do want.

 

[4570Man]

I have 25 acres of clear cut land I plan on cleaning up. I have a mini excavator and a tracked skid steer. I guess given enough time that would get the job done but I plan on buying a 200 class trackhoe to do it.

 

[RollTide1974]

I have 25 acres of clear cut land I plan on cleaning up. I have a mini excavator and a tracked skid steer. I guess given enough time that would get the job done but I plan on buying a 200 class trackhoe to do it.

I’m thinking a skid steer with a mulching attachment would knock it out pretty well. I can touch it up with my bush hog afterwards….I think.

 

[ranger danger]

Since you have the equipment, look into a masticating head for your skid steer or mini ex.

 

[CADplans]

I asked several of our state forestry guys (over the years prior to cutting, they changed)
about their recommendation as to replanting.

I was ALWAYS told the same answer,, do not replant.
The land will selectively grow the type tree best suited for the land.
pH, nutrients, water,, on and on,, will cause a natural selection.

Planting goes against the natural selection.
The trees that were there at the clear cut seeded the land at a rate of thousands of seeds per acre.
That is pretty stiff competition.

Also, water sprouts, or whatever they are called, grow off of the old stumps.
THOSE trees have the best chance to reforest the land, because they have a HUGE established root system.

I was told to wait so many years (I think about 10) and walk the land and spray any tree not wanted.

I know the OP planted pines, that may be what is the perfect tree for the land.

Our research, as well as what the foresters told us, was that South America sends finished dimensional lumber to east coat ports,, for less $$ than the cost of removing the USA grown pine type trees from the land, not including saw mill costs.

There was several articles around 2016 that were written about people that were growing forests.

ALL of the people growing softwoods were finding ZERO market for the trees.
I am sure that will change,, but, South America is tough to compete with.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I know this wouldn't save the trees that were re-planted... but... My grandpa cleared a spot and hired a track loader to clean it up and get the stumps out. It did a really good job.

Clear cuts are really tough on the land. I would bet there are ruts deep enough to flip your tractor, depending on how wet it was when it was cut.

 

[RollTide1974]

Since you have the equipment, look into a masticating head for your skid steer or mini ex.

I'd have to rent the skid steer and mulching attachment. That seems to be the best way to go.

 

[RollTide1974]

I know this wouldn't save the trees that were re-planted... but... My grandpa cleared a spot and hired a track loader to clean it up and get the stumps out. It did a really good job.

Clear cuts are really tough on the land. I would bet there are ruts deep enough to flip your tractor, depending on how wet it was when it was cut.

That's something to keep in mind. I haven't walked it all, but what I have so far, it was in pretty good shape. My original plan was to go super slow and bush hog all that I can. I'm thinking a skid steer with mulching attachment may be better.

 

[jyoutz]

Hire a masticator to selectively clean up. They can get the stumps and brush you don't want and leave the trees etc that you do want.

I have to agree. Ideally, the slash should have been burned before planting trees. At this point, the trees are too small to burn for slash disposal, so the only practical option is to bring in a masticator to chip and chunk the slash. Trying to skid and remove slash from the plantation would probably result in too much residual damage to the saplings. (I am a forester).