Reforestation
Additional Information
After your mature or low quality timber has been clearcut harvested, it is now time to invest a portion of the proceeds you made from the timber harvesting on getting the site ready to be reforested. There are cost share programs out there with different agencies that we can help you apply to, plus reforestation is a management expense and can be deducted from you tax returns.
With a contractual agreement with us in place, where you pay us for the hours we spend on the land with the contractors, we will prepare a reforestation plan and help you fill out the cost share application forms. An application of herbicides by helicopter, ground skidder, or by hand is necessary to ensure that the site is not grown up in undesirable waxy brush, briars, undesirable hardwoods, etc. This practice can be done from May to October, depending on when the land was harvested and other circumstances which may be unique to the site.
Hand planting of loblolly or longleaf pine seedlings is usually done from December to March with an experienced contractor. Cypress and other hardwoods are much more expensive to plant than pine, but may be an option in wetter soils. Using high quality genetically improved pine seedlings is very important to have a good stand of pine trees in the future. We can help you decide which species is best to fit your situation.
If the site is wet natured or is prone to periodic ponding of water, the site may need to be mechanically V Sheared and Bedded to keep the seedlings out of the high water table during wet periods of the year. This practice is done with a bulldozer, and can be cost shared as well.
We use certain contractors that have worked with us over the years, and they provide quality work for our clients. They will let you know the costs up front, and will sign a contract with you for their services before any work is done. Our goal is for you to have a good stand of trees into the future for a continual source of income, and something for you and your family to be proud of.
