We can help you determine if your standing hardwood timber is overly dense. It is possible that a selective, sustainable harvest would benefit the health of your standing timber and release the younger trees to grow without restraint.

Feel free to contact us today!

One Majestic Red Oak Tree!

This majestic red oak tree was found in a woodlot located in Byron Michigan a village of Shiawassee County . A selective timber harvest was performed. The woodlot had an abundance of young timber and the promise of a future harvest.

Yes, this tree was included in the selective harvest. Some might say "What a shame to cut that beautiful tree!"  Although we do greatly respect the beauty of it and stood in awe, we also understand that a tree this size has come to the end of it's life. Trees this size very likely have internal issues, as trees generally die from the inside out. If this tree was left alone and stood to die, than all value for the property owner would have  eventually  been lost! (This tree brought an approximate $2000.00 to the landowner).

So, by harvesting this red oak tree, the younger less mature hardwoods in close proximity were released to the opportunity to grow to their full capacity, by  receiving much needed sunlight as well as taking up the nutrients in the ground that the massive root system had been using.

We are sure this tree made many pieces of beautiful furniture. Furniture to be used and admired and handed down for years  come.

As a forest or woodlot owner you have a legitimate question. You want to know, "What is my standing timber worth?".

Forest and woodlot owners look for ways to enhance their forests and woodlots for wildlife
It is mid October and here in Michigan many residents have deer hunting on their minds. Bow season is currently in full swing and rifle season opens up in less then a month!  Many residents that are forest and woodlot owners and hunt their own land, look for ways to benefit and enhance wildlife on their properties. "Hinge Cutting", a type of wildlife habitat management technique, has become popular here in Michigan.

The method of "Hinge Cutting"
"Hinge Cutting" is a method to cut down a tree using only a back cut that does not fully sever the trees trunk from the stump, leaving the fallen tree connected to the stump by a "hinge" of bark. The intent is to keep the fallen tree alive for a while to provide deer with browse for food, bedding habitat, and to direct their traffic flow in the woods. However, many wildlife biologist and foresters have questioned this practice. Hinge cutting has not been researched in controlled scientific studies and there is no scientific data to support it. Although this method may provide some shelter and some temporary browse for food, property-owners have several forest and woodlot management options available to them that would provide a substantially greater and longer lasting results for the wildlife habitat as well as, the health, safety and aesthetics of the forest or woodlot.