Old Christmas Tree Farm Stumps

[ultrarunner]

On my brother's land is what remains of an old Christmas Tree Farm.

Maybe about 10 acres of hillside, mostly stumps about 24 inches tall that should have regenerated if the region was not drought stricken.

My thought is to use a brush cutter and cut the stumps flush with the ground... this way, what's left of the roots remain to stabilize.

The other alternative is to just let nature take it's course... some can almost be kicked and others are still quite firm.

Most are in the 2 to 5" daimeter.

 

[tmc_31]

If you decided to take the stumps out roots and all you could plow and plant the ground in whatever you wanted. Here is one tool that I use to accomplish that. Works pretty well I wouldn't think that 2-5" Christmas trees would have much of a root system.

 

[ultrarunner]

What do you call that attachment?

Never seen one before.

If I still had my Dozer... I could have used the rippers and blade to take care all but the steepest slopes.

 

[Thomas]

Wouldn't dozer long to remove

 

[Larro Darro]

On my brother's land is what remains of an old Christmas Tree Farm.

Maybe about 10 acres of hillside, mostly stumps about 24 inches tall that should have regenerated if the region was not drought stricken.

My thought is to use a brush cutter and cut the stumps flush with the ground... this way, what's left of the roots remain to stabilize.

The other alternative is to just let nature take it's course... some can almost be kicked and others are still quite firm.

Most are in the 2 to 5" daimeter.

What is he planning to do with the land? Are you guys going in the grape or hops business?

Larro

 

[tmc_31]

ultrarunner, that is call a sheepsfoot grubber. That particular one was fabricated by my local New Holland dealer. Seems like they run around $1350 or so

Tim

 

[ultrarunner]

What is he planning to do with the land? Are you guys going in the grape or hops business?

Larro

Short term is to get the property presentable...

The home dates from the 40's and the barns from the 1880's

A big hurdle is proving to be getting insurance... seems anything to do with horses is an automatic no... even the carrier for the pioneer family that has owned the land 150 years will not write a new policy.

Maybe should start a new thread on insurance.

He's in California and since about age 10 always wanted to own ranch property and for the last 20+ years he's added a vineyard to the mix.

The plan is grapes and horses... hundreds of square miles of parkland to ride.

 

[Larro Darro]

Sounds nice.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

It wouldn't take a mulcher long to mill those down to the ground. You would then have time for the grasses and ground to recover while you figure out what you want to do. If you replanted, you could just move over from the stump a little or go back and dig out stumps or grind them down. If you are in a drought now and doze or uproot, you have less chance of the ground recovering and when the rains do come, you could be looking at erosion. I always advise leaving stumps in the ground IF you don't have immediate plans for the area so that they can hold the soil. As they deteriorate, they put nutrients back into the soil and if they are at ground level, they will rot much quicker especially if a layer of wood chips covers them.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thought about mulchers... doesn't seem to be much of that around here.

Did fined a rental yard that has a bobcat attachement.

Looked at it again lastnight and I think one swipe with the backhoe would do it for the ones on flat ground.

Think I will be getting as much seat time as I want soon!

 

[GPintheMitten]

With drought and hillside erosion sure is a concern. Has he tried to use a blade or box blade? Does the loader pop them out? I dont know that a brudhhog would cut 5 in diameter stumps. Even then you are left with stumps sticking up maybe 3 inches. Plowing and discing on those would be a problem I think. It would lift a lot of root ball trash I think.

This sounds like a tough one. I think I would try to pop most of them out of the ground, maybe leaving only the smallest diameter, cutting those low to the ground. Then prepare the soil and plant pasture.

As to insurance you might indeed start another thread. I think your going to need a commercial farm policy and get hold harmless agreements from all clients and visitors. I would check with local ag advisory groups maybe USDA or university extension offices. See what other ranches in the state do for their insurance. Tell him to check for United States Pony Club presence in his area. Members of USPC may have similar needs for insurance and may be able to help.

 

[ultrarunner]

Still 45 days out on possession.

Just trying to come up with a plan that will in the short term make the place a little more presentable.

The owner passed away several years ago at age 98 and was born in 1912 on the ranch and passed away there.

Since then, everything has just sat and with no irrigation which contributed to number of dead trees due to the draught.

I think it great his plans and dreams are coming together... reminds me of a saying about all that's needed is a man with vision and ambition.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Good to hear your support for your brother.

98 years on the same patch of land. Thats pretty cool.

 

[edkemper]

This is another option (up to 4"):

DR Tree Chopper (ATV Attachment) | DR Power Equipment

While it's for ATVs only, I think I can modify it to attach it to a skid steer bucket. I'd have a better view than if it was on an ATV.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ Keep the ideas coming...

Thanks

 

[yellowdogsvc]

A tree terminator tree shear would nip them off at or below the ground.

 

[fishfactor]

We do work for several Christmas tree farms on the other side of the country. Most sites we just use the skid steer / fecon head. We mulch the cull trees, and stems where the branches were cut for wreaths and garland. They have been happy with the results.

 

[ultrarunner]

I think my brother is getting the tractor bug.

He's never really paid any attention and now he's sending my craigslist ads everyday....

Told him he should pobably hold out unless a really good deal comes along because I will bring the Deere 110 and leave it there for a couple of weeks.

Agree, a mulching head would be sweet!

 

[GPintheMitten]

He's got the fever.

 

[ultrarunner]

He's got the fever.

It's kind of funny because he got a job around age 10 working summers at Stateline Stables in South Lake Tahoe... he was the one running the old Ford 8N and using the posthole digger and moving bales with the loader...

Then he went University and joined the corporate ranks and now is coming back to his youth... 65 acres with parkland behind him and city limits in front...