Pine Forest-What to Do?

[scodemike]

If you can safely do some small SAFE CONTROLLED burns you would probably improve everything.

I thought about that, but I am surrounded by neighbors with property like mine and it has been dry here. So I think it is best I not take that approach.

 

[escavader]

Pine cones work great to start fires in a wood stove.The neighbors and I box them up and save them for that .They burn hot.Alot easier than splitting kindlin
ALAN

 

[Redbug]

Mike...I presume you are concerned more about fire and how to manage the threat. If it were me, I think I would take a disk and make a fire break around your property perimeter. Maybe two or three disk widths wide and going around the trees that are along the way. Probably do the disking a couple times a year.

What would most of you do?

 

[kebo]

If the trees are as thick as he stated, I doubt that a firebreak will offer much protection. In thick forestation, fires spread mostly above ground level. Heat rises so the hotter elements are at the top, plus the winds are typically a little stronger above ground level which helps the fire spread as well. Firebreaks do help though, for slower moving brush fires that aren't jumping tree to tree. If it were me, I think I would just let it be and take my chances but I probably would take out enough trees to give me a decent buffer around the house. You can fight mother nature but you will lose almost everytime!

 

[jsborn]

Here in South Ga we make a good living selling pine straw to landscapers and home owner for mulch. Depending on the type of trees you can get up to $1 per bale and never have to touch it.

We sell it in the woods and the buyer rakes and bales and we just count the bales and multiply by set price.

 

[scodemike]

Some good ideas, I never knew there was a market for pine needles. I believe you could only market the fresh ones, rather than the ones under the top layer that are decomposing already.

The buffer around the house is OK, but probably should be spaced farther from the structure. It's just that we have a log home and the trees add that certain charm. Of course I understand that there is some added risk with the forest as it currently exist.

 

[copefarms]

you could always plant blueberry bushes between the pines as they love the acid soil of the pine needles.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

From what I understand for fire protection they like dead brush and needles removed in area's to slow down the fuel for fires. Now if the fire has crowned and blowing across the tree tops it won't make a difference. If you go in amongst the tree's with a tractor or something to clear the ground try not to tear up the roots too much. The needles are composting down as nutrients for your tree's and other acidic friendly plants as mentioned.
Myself personally if it is close to my house I like the ground cleaned up. You don't want to create more work by planting shade tolerant grass that needs to be mowed.
http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/checklist.html

 

[redneckford]

pine needle fires burn hot and high-----better rake them up and plant some green plants under the pines----when the wind gets ahold to it a fire break does not stop it in the top of 100 ft trees---we have a few pine trees in southwest louisiana----

 

[Sniggle]

you could always plant blueberry bushes between the pines as they love the acid soil of the pine needles.

That would be my suggestion...clear a few trees and plant some blueberries.

I have 30 blueberry plants and spent a fortune getting enough pine mulch to retain moisture/acidify the soil....you on the other hand have more than you need free