Bowen, C. M.

McCormick , L. E.

English

University of Missouri: MOspace

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICECIRCULAR 546 Columbia, Missouri JULY, 1947Answers to Some Common Questions on Clearing Timbered LandL. E. McCormick and C. M. BowenWhen improving timberland for pasture, leave enough trees to provide shade for livestock.The purpose of the forestry work carried on by the Agricultural Extension Service is to aid landowners in solving their problems in connection with the production and ’ management rather than the destruction of timber. However, the clearing of land for pasture or cultivation is the subject of frequent inquiries, and in order to answer such questions the following suggestions have been prepared.Points to be Considered Before Clearing LandIt is true that there is a considerable acreage of timbered land in the state which can be more economically used for improved pasture or farm crops than for the production of wood products.(Revision of Circular 425, December, 1940)Archival version--See extension.missouri.edu2 Missouri Agricultural Extension ServiceThis acreage consists principally of creek and river bottoms and relatively level uplands which, if properly managed, can be main­tained in a fertile and productive condition indefinitely. On the other hand, there is in the state a much larger acreage of timbered land which is steep, has severe exposures, and consists of thin, erosive soils which definitely should never be cleared.Land of this type which is steep, has severe exposures, and con­sists of thin erosive soils, should never be cleared.There are thousands of acres in the last class already cleared which have been cultivated or grazed for a few years and then abandoned because the soil had lost its fertility and washed away even before the stumps had completely rotted. Therefore, the land­owner who contemplates clearing land should consider carefully the factors which make his land suitable or unsuitable for the use to which he intends to put it in the future. It must always be kept in mind that clearing is expensive and difficult and that after land is once cleared and allowed to run down, it is again expensive and difficult to reestablish timber on the site.The Proper Time For CuttingMake the first cutting as soon as possible after all the leaves have reached full size in the spring. This will vary in different sections of the state, but usually will occur in late May or June. During this period there is less food stored in the roots, and as a result the sprouting will not be so vigorous as at other times of the year.Circular 546 3After the first cutting, sprouts should be cut two or three times each season until the growth is killed. These later cuttings should be spread over the growing season.Methods of Killing TreesTrees three inches or more in diameter can be either cut, girdled, or poisoned. It is not practical to girdle or poison trees of less than three inches in diameter since these operations will require more time than cutting.If the trees are to be killed by girdling a shallow girdle is recom­mended as the most effective. In the shallow girdle method, a band of bark at least six inches wide is removed from around the tree. The sapwood should not be cut, but care must be taken to completely sever the inner bark because this tissue conducts manufactured food from the leaves to the roots where it is stored. The stored food furnishes the energy needed for new growth in the spring, or for sprouts in case the tree is cut or deeply girdled. If shallow girdling is done correctly, the tree will continue to live during the year in which the work is done and sometimes longer. However, sprouting will be absent or very limited at the end of this time, because the food supply which was stored in the roots will be exhausted.Deep girdling, in which the cut extends through the sapwood, causes immediate death to the tree tops. Sprouting is usually much more vigorous than in shallow girdling.Poisoning of undesirable trees and sprouting stumps may be effec­tively accomplished through the application of an acid sodium ar­senite solution into the sap stream. Any one of the following methods of preparing the solution may be used:1. Stir two pounds of white arsenic (As2O3) with | pint of luke warm water to form a smooth paste. Add 1| pints of luke warm water, stir until the arsenic is completely in suspension, and then slowly stir in 0.5 pound of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Dilute with one gallon water.2. Dissolve 2 pounds of commercial sodium arsenite powder in one gallon of luke warm water.3. Dilute one gallon of commercial liquid sodium arsenite with three gallons of water.To apply the poison safely and effectively the following rules should be closely adhered to:1. All living sprouts should be knocked off stump with an axe or brush hook before applying poison.2. Remove soil about stump or tree to a depth of four inches. Completely girdle the stump below ground level by hacking, but leave all chips in place to catch and retain the poison.3. Pour a small quantity of the poison solution into the cuts, all around the stump. A handy container for applying the4 Missouri Agricultural Extension Servicepoison is an oil can with a long spout like those used by locomotive engineers. Only sufficient solution to completely encircle the trunk is necessary. Heavier applications merely waste the poison.4. Replace soil about roots so the girdle and poison are com­pletely covered. Also cover with soil any solution spilled on the ground. This is necessary as a protection to livestock and wildlife, as domestic cattle especially seem particularly at­tracted to alkali arsenites, and they must have no opportunity to lick the poison. Care must also be used by the workman applying the solution, as sodium arsenite is deadly poisonous to man as well as animals. Any unused poison should be sealed in a labeled container, or better still, disposed of by pouring into a hole and covering with soil.Apply the poison during the summer months, although satisfactory results have been reported throughout all seasons. If applied in a careful manner with the trees completely girdled a kill of over 80% can be expected. The remaining trees will be so weakened that a second application the following season will complete the kill.Methods of Killing SproutsThere is no easy way in which to eradicate sprouts. Continuous cutting, mowing, or mutilating the tops will eventually accomplish the task. The practice of cutting once every two or three years will not be successful. After the first thorough cutting, the new growth should be cut as frequently thereafter as possible until the kill is complete. Usually two or three cuttings per season are sufficient to control the growth. Subsequent cuttings can be made with a mowing machine, a bush hook, a brush scythe, or other tool.Experiments have shown that the height at which sprouts are cut has little effect on the percentage of kill. Any height below the first branches is satisfactory, but if it is planned to mow the following growth the first cut should be made as close to the ground as possible.Although it is undesirable in many ways, heavy grazing may be used to kill sprouts. It is necessary, however, to concentrate the livestock in small sections alternately to insure complete browsing. This is hard on the livestock since the animals are forced to feed on vegetation that they would avoid to some extent under other* con­ditions. The area also suffers severely from trampling, which is usually followed' by erosion, and from exposure which also reduces the fertility of the soil. This loss in fertility makes it difficult to obtain a stand of desired grasses even though the sprouts have been killed.Although very effective on some species, the use of the new “hor­mone” type of weed killers such as 2,4-D has not proved entirely satis­factory for general use in killing woody plants. Also, such chemicalsCircular 546 5are still expensive when applied in heavy concentrations over large areas as is necessary when clearing land.To date, the ester forms of 2,4-D are the most effective in killing woody plants. The material should be applied to new growth, from 2 to 4 feet in height, as soon as possible after the topmost leaves reach full size in the spring. Therefore, it is advisable to cut the tall growth in the fall when spring treatment with these chemicals is contemplated. The spraying of freshly cut tree stumps with strong solutions of the chemical, mixed with kerosene or fuel oil, has been found helpful in preventing the formation of suckers and in hastening stump decay.Further experimental work is being carried on by the major chem­ical companies. Before attempting any large scale operations, it is suggested that literature containing the latest recommendations on proper chemicals and methods of application be obtained from one of these firms.The Use of Goats to Clear Land*The use of goats is without question one of the most common methods of controlling sprouts. However, with poor care or man­agement, the losses of the animals may in some cases be great enough to more than equal the original value of the land. Where goats are properly handled it is sometimes possible to clear land and at the same time return a profit on the animals themselves.The number of animals required per acre depends upon (a) the amount of brush and (b) the time during which the sprouts are to be killed. The most effective results are obtained when the animals are confined to rather restricted areas. However, the practice of holding them closely confined for too long a period often causes a heavy loss of animals through disease and under-feeding.Two to four years are required to destroy completely all sprout growth. To obtain prompt results in heavy brush the number of goats used varies from four to seven head per acre. After the first year one animal should control three to five acres.Where large tracts are to be cleared the land should be cross­fenced. After the sprouts have been reduced on one tract the animals should be transferred during the latter part of each day to unworked pasture. Under this system more land can be controlled by a given number of animals and fewer of the goats will be lost.Unless held to a restricted area goats will not eat the foliage of some sprout growths, as for example, hickory. If forced to destroy such sprout growth they will at the same time destroy much of the grass. This condition may also result in heavy loss of animals. It is therefore often best to use some hand sprouting in connection with the use of goats.♦Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 234—Meadow and Pasture Management in the Ozark Region ofMissouri—now out of print.6 Missouri Agricultural Extension ServiceIn cut-over timber or when the land has become over-grown with heavy sprouts the animals should be turned in during the winter or early spring. Enough animals should be used to destroy all under­growth foliage by the latter part of June.Even after all sprouts have been completely removed, it is neces­sary every few years to use some goats or to cut by hand. The number of animals required to maintain such pasture land is very small, often not more than one animal for every 8 to 10 acres.Use of the Sprout Cutter*Under conditions favorable for its use the sprout cutter is an effective means of sprout control. This machine consists of a series of chains attached at one end to an axle which through wheel tractionThe sprout mower is an effective means of killing sprouts on land where the machine can be used satisfactorily.is made tor revolve at high speed. The result is that all foliage is stripped from the sprouts and where the sprouts are not too thick they are badly bruised and retarded in growth.Most effective results are obtained with the sprout cutter when the land has been cleared completely of all under brush. Its use should start the first season after the ground has been cleared. It is not effective when used on land where sprouts have been allowed to grow unmolested for two or more years. Their height should not exceed two feet above the ground. Where this machine is used all stumps and other large growth should have been cut close to*Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 234—Meadow and Pasture Management in the Ozark Region ofMissouri—now out of print.Circular 546 7the ground. Its use is also limited to rolling or only moderately rough land since the work is done with horse power.When sprouts have grown to a point where the main stem is woody and of good size it serves as a protection for new sprout growth that will form around the base, thus reducing the effective­ness of this machine.Depending upon the smoothness of the land and the height of the sprouts, one man and a team can cover 3 to. 6 acres per day. The effect of this machine is identical with the use of goats. The more the leaves are removed during the season the more quickly are the sprouts completely destroyed.Three season’s use of this machine will reduce the average sprout growth to a point where it affects the pasture very slightly if at all. However, the machine must be used occasionally for several seasons thereafter to prevent new sprouts from growing up. Otherwise, within a few seasons the land may again become overgrown with sprouts.Developing Woodland PastureTimber land which is to be improved for pasture should not have all of the trees removed. Some shade will aid in securing and. main­taining a good stand of grass, help in the control of the sprouts, and is beneficial in the production of livestock.The number of trees which should be left per acre will vary with the size and condition of the trees in the original stand. In fully stocked stands where the tree crowns are small, it is customary to leave more trees per acre than in open stands where the crowns are spreading and well developed.One of the most effective ways of developing pasture from wood­lands consists of spreading the cutting over a period of from five to ten years. By selecting and removing trees from over the entire area each year, enough shade is maintained to help eliminate sprout­ing. The additional light which reaches the ground after each cutting encourage further development of the stand of grass.The area should be grazed as the cutting* progresses and the num­ber of livestock increased as the trees are thinned and the forage is improved.This type of cutting is economical in that most of the resulting wood products can be used on the farm since they are not obtained in excessive quantities at any one time. This method reduces erosion and the loss of soil fertility through keeping a cover of vegetation on the ground at all times and also prevents the soil from being fully exposed to the sun and wind.. Rapid removal of the trees is dis­advantageous in all of these respects.Inforination pertaining to soil treatments and seeding mixtures for developing woodland pasture should be obtained from the county extension agent’s office.8 Missouri Agricultural Extension ServiceSummary1. Carefully consider the qualities and adaptability of the site before atempting to convert woodlands to other uses.£ There are no magical chemicals or other easy ways to clear land. Persistent, regular cutting or heavy grazing are the most satis­factory methods.3. Trees three inches in diameter or under can be felled easier than they can be girdled or poisoned. Shallow girdling or poisoning is most efficient on the larger trees.4. The height of cutting on sprouts and small trees has little effect on the percentage of kill. Low cutting facilitates mowing and is preferable on land which will permit the use of a mower.5. Avoid clear-cutting in woods pasture. Leave enough trees to provide abundant shade for livestock and to help reduce sprouting. -6. Although the new weed killers such as 2,4-D are effective on some species of sprouts, they have not proved entirely satisfactory for general use on woody plants.University of Missouri College of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating J. W. Burch, Director, Agricultural Extension ServiceDistributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, and June 30, 1914(5M—7/47)University Libraries  University of Missouri  Digitization Information Page   Local identifier   EC546-1947  Source information      Format   Book      Content type   Text with images      Source ID        Notes     Capture information      Date captured  4/30/2024     Scanner manufacturer Fujitsu     Scanner model  fi-7460      Scanning system software ScandAll Pro v. 2.1.5 Premium     Optical resolution  600 dpi     Color settings     8 bit grayscale      File types   tiff     Notes     Derivatives - Access copy      Compression   Tiff: LZW compression     Editing software  Adobe Photoshop      Resolution   600 dpi     Color     grayscale     File types   tiff     Notes   Images cropped, straightened, brightened. 

Answers to some common questions on clearing timbered land

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Answers to some common questions on clearing timbered land

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