My mom has more or less turned over management of her properties to me, but she just had 40 acres select cut (about 20% cover left) near Clarkton back in the fall. She did not want to pay to have any of it replanted, so it fall on me to do anything that is done. I can't afford to have someone do it, so again, it's up to me. The land is part of a 180+ acres tract that belongs to my mom and her two brothers and has been in our family for at least 5 generations. Some of it has not been cut in over 100 years. Previously, we didn't have direct access to the land due to a big ditch running along the entire length of the property. When the loggers came in, I had them put a drive way culvert across the ditch. I had the loggers to leave a good mix of hardwoods and pine. My goal is to manage the property for timber as well as wildlife. I'm hoping to manage it in such a manner that family members down the line will want to keep it in the family. So far, I've install a gate, planted 1000 Long leaf pines up front, 1000 loblolly pines behind the long leafs, 25 Sawtooth Oaks in small clusters, 8 apple trees, and 6 persimmon trees. I have several Chinese Chestnut trees that will be coming in the spring, and I just ordered 100 Atlantic White Cedars. I know I won't be able to plant the entire 40 acres before spring greenup, but I figure whatever I can do is better than nothing.
Now that we have direct access, I hope to use it for hunting. I'm planning on leaving a small patch near the middle as open land, and plant clover on it. It is surrounded by the fruit trees. There is also a very large beaver pond on the back side, mostly on my uncles property, that should be excellent for waterfowl. I'm planning on establishing paths to all of these areas. Any other suggestions?
Now that we have direct access, I hope to use it for hunting. I'm planning on leaving a small patch near the middle as open land, and plant clover on it. It is surrounded by the fruit trees. There is also a very large beaver pond on the back side, mostly on my uncles property, that should be excellent for waterfowl. I'm planning on establishing paths to all of these areas. Any other suggestions?