It depends on how much time you have, or stay with the property.

Several years ago we bought a new how that had most of the lot burned in
a woods fire. There were some trees but many were fire damaged and had
to be taken down.

The best way to plan your future woods survey the area, determine what
has potential and what does not. Further prioritize those items as those
that have immediate potential and those that should go immediately.

Each time you walk through the area trim with the priorities in mind
encouraging what you want and trimming back what you don't. There will
be a time when it looks like and uncared for area but over a few years
you will start seeing your plan grow into place




Dukester wrote:
"Keith Nuttl" wrote in message...

If he has two acres he could make a beautiful natural area with all
kinds of native plants and trees.

Just because the area is natural does not mean that it requires no
maintenance. Just different.


I'm fascinated with this idea but don't know how to apply it practically.
We own 9 acres that are mostly pasture and some dense tree areas. In the
pasture areas there are sporadic trees that are 1'-2' high that we planted
in the past 2-3 years, in other areas plenty of Sweetgums and Cedars, and a
few Oaks coming up (I live in Mississippi). I was just letting most of the
land "go" with trails through it all, and a regular lawn area close to the
house.

It looked kind of strange having a lawn that ended abruptly turning into a
5' high weedy area. Mostly it was turning to blackberry and thorny vines,
and then eventually honeysuckle that strangled everything. I can show you
honeysuckle vines I saved that were 2" in diameter that literally cut oak
saplings in half. There was also a tremendous fire danger in the fall and
winter when all the sedge (sage?) grass turned dry. Not knowing what else
to do, last month I went full bore and bush-hogged everything except for the
trees which I flagged beforehand. It looks ok now, but I dread the idea of
doing that all summer; that was a bear to cut through.

Without buying goats or cows, what other way is there to maintain such an
area except for cutting it like 1 big ole yard? I'm all for reducing my
mowing time.

--
Cheers!
Duke