trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

Its normal, at least here in the northern hardwood for the wildlife to change to larger animals (and different small ones) when forest was cut or burned over. That's how the system works. As far as leaving dangerous tree standing, we have moved trails to allow hikers to pass a tree that could not be safely cut. You kinda need to do one or the other.

 

[airbiscuit]

When we had several small clear cuts done, we had a huge increase in songbirds, followed by an increase in hawks!

Making trails out of logging trails was a breeze. Making trails through the slash was a pain.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

What's coming up in their place? Hopefully trees and not stilt grass!

On my property a lot of them are more ash. I have oak, walnut, maple, and sweet gum coming up too, but more ash than anything. I'm starting to think I should just cut down ash saplings to encourage the other species since as soon as the ashes start to mature the Emerald Ash Borers will get them.

 

[Milo]

Right now stiltgrass until I can get all the tree parts moved and the rest come down.
It's a mess.

I curse the stuff! I've fighting olive and rose, stilt grass out where it can be mowed is no big deal but when it takes through the forest it's impossible to stop.

On my property a lot of them are more ash. I have oak, walnut, maple, and sweet gum coming up too, but more ash than anything. I'm starting to think I should just cut down ash saplings to encourage the other species since as soon as the ashes start to mature the Emerald Ash Borers will get them.

Maybe so but I'd probably leave some to grow just in case the ash borer runs its course at some point.

 

[Zork]

“… I also may buy some of their string next time, it seemed much more durable then any other I’ve used.”

Does string have a shelf life? Does it become brittle when exposed to heat or stored in a non conditioned garage?
The reason I ask, I have a spool of weed wacker string that I’ve been working on for about thirty years and I “quess” it seems fine. I’ve been satisfied with my changeouts most of the time, but that could be due to what I’ve tried to cut with it.

 

[ArlyA]

Does string have a shelf life? Does it become brittle when exposed to heat or stored in a non conditioned garage?
The reason I ask, I have a spool of weed wacker string that I’ve been working on for about thirty years and I “quess” it seems fine. I’ve been satisfied with my changeouts most of the time, but that could be due to what I’ve tried to cut with it.

Doesn't seem to make much difference in our book. Coundion of the weeds and shoots you are cutting makes more of a difference. We store our will be used next strings in water but I'm not sure that helps or not. Are you running a bump head or cam lock style head?

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had older string that seemed more brittle, I’m talking 5 years old. It’s just seat of the pants guessing though. It’s mostly seems to be what I’m cutting or what I’m cutting against.

 

[ArlyA]

Was getting strings out of my watered string box this morning and found it had a skim of ice.