Harrowsmith – September 2019

HarrowsmithFall 2019 | 199

Responsible Forest Management

Being a good steward of a
back-40 forest isn’t the same as
dealing with commercial forestry
challenges, because you’re
managing for different goals than
those pursued in industry. While
you might be aiming for firewood
and lumber production, you’ll also
want to keep the forest friendly for
wildlife and sustainable for future
generations.
Hollow yet sound trees may not
look great, but they’re valuable.
Depending on where you live, you
should leave three to 12 cavity
trees standing per acre for wildlife
habitat. Dozens of species of birds and mammals depend entirely on
cavity trees for shelter, hibernation and rearing their young. Trees with
openings in the upper trunk are especially valuable, since they afford the
best predator protection.
When I cut trees on my land, I always follow a three-step selection
process. First trees to get cut are the ones that blow down in wind. Next
are gnarled, stunted or damaged standing trees. Large, mature, high-
quality trees are cut last, specifically the individuals blocking the light
and space needed by younger trees.
Just don’t overdo the sunlight thing. Dappled sun on the ground is OK
in a forest, but a lot of full sunlight can allow the growth of grasses that
would prevent new trees from starting.

ground, then roll the log and
complete the cuts from the top.
I use a cant hook to help rotate
large, heavy logs.

STEP 3: SPLIT YOUR FIREWOOD
There are two reasons firewood
needs to be split along its length.
Besides making the firewood

smaller and easier to handle,

splitting allows wood to dry

more quickly and thoroughly.

For knotty wood or blocks

longer than 46 cm (18 inches),

a gas-powered wood splitter is

easier to use than an axe, but a

good splitting axe is faster for

straight-grained logs, especially

HOME & DESIGN: TREE CUTTING