Does Fescue HAVE to be Cut?

[DennisArrow]

We have a 2 acre pasture on a 20 degree slope that is really hard to get a bush hog onto due to the slope. In addition, due to the long term drought in past years it has not needed it as the seed we put out really just slowly over the years took hold and maybe got a foot high. FINALLY, with the Grace of God, we have gotten rains and there is no way the momma goats we keep in this pasture can keep up. The stuff is 4' to 6' high with total coverage of the whole pasture..........FINALLY no bare spots.........

So the question is does Fescue have to be cut in order to keep it alive for next year or does it just drop it's seed, reseed itself, stay green and growing, and come back next year.

Another question:

We had a huge oak, 150', 30" at the roots, fall right across this pasture. Will we hurt the grass as we CAREFULLY trample it down working to remove the tree NOW, or would it be better to wait till winter. The goats will eat the foliage/leaves but the branches and trunk will cover quite an area..................Go ahead and cut it up for firewood????

thanks and God bless..........Dennis

 

[dooleysm]

If you never cut it, it will slowly work it's way towards forest. We have a small pasture that we haven't mowed in 6 years, and I don't know when it was mowed before that. There are a number of trees popping up as it slowly tends towards forest. I mow walking trails through it 4 or 5 times per year. Those areas are nice and grassy.

Mow it once every couple years and it will be a happy pasture. Never mow it and nature will win.

 

[MMagis]

Fescue doesn’t need to be cut, and I’m not sure you can hurt the stuff without chemicals. I assumed it went without saying, that after many years trees and brush would start to grow.

 

[DennisArrow]

Our goats, registered Boer's, have kept the weeds and trees down to non-existance. I suppose with it growing so high though that a lot of stuff is coming up deep down in there. As I was down today cutting off the leafy branches from the fallen tree and putting them in a pile to stop erosion in an area and the goats to eat the leaves, which they LOVE, that the only thing coming up was a bunch of clover that I planted several years ago............

Thanks for the thoughts........Dennis

 

[jenkinsph]

I think I would remove the tree completely in the dry season so as to eliminate the chances of ruts.

The fescue I would mow two or three times a year pita or not, I think it will do better for you.