Great video Skip. Where are you buying the rangeland pro mineral? Everyone seems to only want to cary the wind & rain these days and I hear that sucks.
I got a few places s of dsm . But - I have used that wind & rain & I just mix in 5 lbs salt & 5-10 lbs dried molasses & they pound it.
cybball
Well-Known Member
I did a bunch of TSI the last couple winters. I think it's starting to payoff. Seeing deer beds and actually killed a buck in November when a hot doe ran into some of the thick cover I created and he and several others circled around.
Got a bunch more done the last 2 weekends.
Got a bunch more done the last 2 weekends.
smithhunter1975
Active Member
Skip, great video thanks for sharing. In your video you show an area with tsi work and looks beautiful. Right next to it is an area that is wide open timber that looks to be same exact terrain. Why would you not have done the tsi work in the entire area? Is there a reason to leave an area alone and improve the area next to it?
Absolutely top level question!!!!!
Not really a right or wrong but lemme unpack a bit…. Usually what I’ll do is hit every area for Tsi on my farm & cut it differently based on goals & trees there. This part was that younger stand that TSI cost share never funded & kinda went to back of my mind. Well- that was 12-ish years ago and now it’s a bit older. Why I’m getting to it now…. But … to your main point..
So - what you see there is still some young to mid aged growth now. Time to cut it back some. I’ll hit like “50%” this year maybe. Then I’ll hit about 25% & 25% in the next few years. I want successional growth & changes in the growth ages in timber. Usually 2 years apart in reality. Always fresh cutting in my timber or even redoing Tsi several years later.
But- u can also accomplish the same by just cutting it harder & lighter & doing lil hinge here & there. I want “changes” in the timber constantly. So- might cut big opening. Then hinge a bit. Then just top some trees off for crop tree release. Hard to explain over writing but basically - in say, 200 yards… you pry will see 3 types of cutting… opening way up, hinge & crop tree. The 4th would be “get to it later”. For most folks - I’d probably tackle at same time & just tweak the cutting to your preferences & have changes every so often. What u see that I didn’t cut…. It’ll be cut in time. Probably at least thin it back next year at minimum with a few more openings, etc.
smithhunter1975
Active Member
Makes sense. I figured it was a diversity concept. Thanks for info
Hawk32
PMA Member
cut for about 5 hours today working tsi project. Had to have my son walk around with me and point out all the trees I missed. Forester used red and can’t see it worth a crap. Let him cut a few trees for the first time running a saw. Was fun explaining the process with him and talking about the different tree types. TGreat day to be in the woods.
Attachments
Not sure on cost share but to do things right it's 275-400/a depending on situation and conditions
Yep- above is right. So- ask the office “what’s my max cost share per acre”. They should say something like “75% of up to $250 per acre” for example. Or “the most we reimburse is $180” for example. So- u ask what % that is …. Just bill for more than your cost share pays as they never pay 100%. One could even bill way more but they will calculate the max amount they reimburse. Just ask the ?’s so you’re crystal clear on this before you send invoice.
Tmayer13
Well-Known Member
I dont mean to be that guy but cutting trees without chaps or chainsaw pants on is a dangerous game to be playing...
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
At least he won't be able to see the blood.
Hawk32
PMA Member
I dont mean to be that guy but cutting trees without chaps or chainsaw pants on is a dangerous game to be playing
It’s ok to be that guy but for your info and hopefully you can feel better about it that was one of two little trees I let him do and I was right behind him both times with my hands right there around him making sure nothing could happen. Guess it’s kind of riding a bike now days everybody has to wear a helmet whereas as back when we were kids I didn’t know what a helmet was. Oh and I do wear a helmet, chaps, and even ear protection while I’m cutting. Lol
It’s ok to be that guy but for your info and hopefully you can feel better about it that was one of two little trees I let him do and I was right behind him both times with my hands right there around him making sure nothing could happen. Guess it’s kind of riding a bike now days everybody has to wear a helmet whereas as back when we were kids I didn’t know what a helmet was. Oh and I do wear a helmet, chaps, and even ear protection while I’m cutting. Lol