Section: Forest Management
Q:
I have some really large pine trees around my house that I want removed. Is there anyone who would cut them for the lumber? Seems like such a waste to just cut them and throw them away.
A:
Before having trees in your yard cut down several things should be considered. The cost of having them cut down is certainly one important consideration.Another important consideration is whether the person or company cutting them down has the proper insurance coverage if a tree were to accidently come down on your house, a neighbor's house, an outbuilding, or a power line. The cost of repairing the damage from such an accident with no insurance coverage in place could greatly exceed any potential savings.The value of the lumber that could be sawn from the pine trees in your yard depends primarily on the diameter, quality, and weight of the logs as well as the distance to the sawmill. The amount of time and work required to cut down the trees also depends on several factors such as their height, their proximity to structures or power lines, and the amount of limbs and debris to be cleaned up. The accessibility of your yard may also limit the type of equipment that could be used to fell the trees or load the logs.Most logging crews are set up for high production volume, often 10 to 20 loads per day. Tying up the whole crew for most or all of a day to get one load doesn't have much appeal. Also, it is unlikely they would have the type of insurance coverage needed if any structures were damaged.Some tree removal businesses may take the value of the logs into account when giving a quote for the cost of tree removal but I don't know of any who will remove the trees just for the logs.
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Section: Forest Management
Q:
Hello John,
I have 175 acres on the Screven/Bulloch County Border in Newington. 3/4 of my property is covered with hardwoods that mostly lead down to a creek (swamp). The other 1/4 is covered by 3rd row thinned pines which I want to keep. I want to thin the hardwoods leading to and around the creek (swamp) to encourage more wildlife activity. I do have a ton of ducks in the creek during the winter and spring. I would like to see more deer, turkey and quail utilizing this area though. Plus I would just like to be able to see thru it. Do you know of anyone in the area that will thin the trees for the rights to the timber? Attached is a Google Earth overview of my property.
A:
If the hardwood timber you want to thin is big enough to be used for lumber, pulpwood, or chips it can be sold to a timber buyer. Thinning out the smaller trees and leaving the larger ones can improve the wildlife habitat and open up the stand so you can see through it better. Hardwoods sprout back from the stumps and roots after cutting so a a carefully planned herbicide spray to control resprouting may be needed after the thinning to keep it opened up.
A professional forester can evaluate the timber on your property; help get the best price for any timber that may be sold; ensure that the harvest is completed in an environmentally sound manner that benefits wildlife; and recommend other management activities to help you reach your goals. The key is to know what your timber is worth, have a plan, implement your plan, and monitor the progress toward reaching your goals.
The Google Earth image did not come through but I will be happy to meet with you at no charge to look at your property. Feel free to give me a call at your convenience.
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Section: Forest Management
Q:
Can the heat ruin my timber?
A:
The heat is unlikely to ruin your timber but it does put the trees under stress. When coupled with drought this can slow down the growth rate of the trees and increase the risk of pest problems such as pine beetles. The stress is usually higher on deep sandy soils.
Extended periods of excessive heat are especially hard on seedlings during their first growing season. Seedlings planted last fall or winter haven't had much time to get their root system established deep in the soil. In severe cases heat-related seedling mortality may require replanting the area.
A timberland owner concerned about their timber can contact a professional forester. The forester can evaluate the condition of their timber and recommend a range of options available to reach the landowner's management goals.
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Section: Forest Management
Q:
Is summer the best time to harvest timber or should I wait until fall?
A:
The best time to harvest depends on several factors such as the landowner's objectives and financial situation; timber market conditions; weather and ground conditions; reforestation plans; characteristics of the timber; and type of cutting.
Timber is sold and harvested throughout the year. Summer or fall can be a good time to harvest but aren't necessarily the only good times. Most upland sites can be harvested at any time unless the it is unusually wet. Other sites may be too wet to harvest without rutting the soil during portions of the year. Summer or fall may be the best times to harvest these sites since it is usually drier. If the landowner plans to allow the site to regenerate from seed rather than replanting fall is probably the best time since that is when many tree species drop their seed.
Before harvesting timber be sure to know the timber's value and have a plan for both the harvest and the reforestation. A professional forester can evaluate your timber and make recommendations regarding the best time to harvest your timber as well as for reforestation.
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Section: Forest Management
Q:
Are there any pesticides that can be harmful to tree growth?
A:
Yes, many herbicides can harm or kill trees.
All pesticides are designed to control or kill some kind of pest (the target); insecticides for insects, rodenticides for mice and rats, fungicides for fungi, herbicides for weeds (plant pests), etc. When used according to the Pesticide Product Label instructions (the pesticide label) non-target plants and animals aren't harmed. For example, insecticides are applied around the house without harm to humans or pets, fungicides are applied to fruit trees without harm to the trees, herbicides are applied to the lawn to kill weeds without harming the grass, etc. The key is to follow the pesticide label. The pesticide label contains the information you need to safely and effectively handle, store, and apply the pesticide without harming non-target plants and animals. All pesticides are required to have the label on each container sold. It is also very important to thoroughly clean and flush application equipment before using it to apply a different type of pesticide.
Some herbicides, known as non-selective herbicides will kill just about any plant to which they are applied. Other herbicides, known as selective herbicides will kill certain types of plants but not others. Weed killer for use on lawns is an example of a selective herbicide. Forest managers use selective herbicides to release pine trees from the competition of encroaching hardwoods without harming the pines.
A professional forester advise you about the use of herbicides and other pesticides in your forest land to safely reach your forest management goals.
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Section: Forest Management
Q:
Why does Georgia celebrate Arbor Day early?
A:
The first Arbor Day was April 10, 1872. Arbor Day was the brainchild of Julius Morton, a member of Nebraska's State Board of Agriculture. It was to be a day dedicated to planting trees to increase the awareness of the importance of trees. In 1885 Nebraska chose Morton's birthday, April 22, to be Arbor Day for Nebraska.
The idea has since spread to all 50 states and to other countries as well. In 1970 President Nixon declared the last Friday in April to be National Arbor Day. However, each state selects its own state Arbor Day. State Arbor Day dates vary in keeping with the local climate.
In 1941 the Georgia General Assembly selected the third Friday in February to be Georgia Arbor Day. This is earlier than National Arbor Day due to climate. By late April it is too warm in Georgia to get consistantly good survival of planted trees.
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