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- Jan 22, 2008
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Eastern red cedars (Virginia cedars) were not a problem in the plains states until the settlers came along. Wild fires kept cedars under control. For many years fires have been suppressed and cedars have thrived.
Cedars in oak forests inhibit acorn production because of their high water demands. Cedars with their spreading and low branches cover a lot of area. Two of my properties have cedar problems. Every couple years i go on a crusade with a brush saw, cutting small cedars.
On one 160 acre place i owned the cedars were growing among the mature oak trees. Spent thousands of dollars with a rented machine cutting mature cedars and spraying the stumps. With the cedars gone there was a very noticeable improvement in the ground moisture. Acorn production increased dramatically.
Talked with a rancher whose grandfather remembered when a dry stream on the family property ran with water all year long. The rancher bought a big tree cutter for a tractor and went at the cedars. After removing over 600 mature cedars the stream ran again.
Cedars in oak forests inhibit acorn production because of their high water demands. Cedars with their spreading and low branches cover a lot of area. Two of my properties have cedar problems. Every couple years i go on a crusade with a brush saw, cutting small cedars.
On one 160 acre place i owned the cedars were growing among the mature oak trees. Spent thousands of dollars with a rented machine cutting mature cedars and spraying the stumps. With the cedars gone there was a very noticeable improvement in the ground moisture. Acorn production increased dramatically.
Talked with a rancher whose grandfather remembered when a dry stream on the family property ran with water all year long. The rancher bought a big tree cutter for a tractor and went at the cedars. After removing over 600 mature cedars the stream ran again.