Anyone utilize tree girdling as a habitat management tool?

[Bonefreak]

I have a few hidey holes that offer clearings but was thinkin bout helping em out a bit to allow more sunlight to hit the clearings/mini plots.....

i have heard of tree girdling as a way to kill a tree by cutting off the flow of nutrients going back down to the roots, but I am wondering if anyone has had luck doing this and about how long does it take for the tree to stop producing leaves?

 

[Buck154]

It will take 2 years and it will have no leaves. Slow but will work if that's what you want, standing dead tree. Its just like trees a beaver chew the bark off all the way around. Takes about 2 years to fully die.

[Rusty]

Girdling is a great way to open up the canopy and let light in to generate growth down where the critters need it.  How long it takes for a tree to die depends on the species of tree and how you girdle it.  Do a double girdle and cut deep for the quickest results.  

[Rusty]

P.S.  I'm all for using hand tools but if you have a lot of trees to do, then a chainsaw is much more efficient.   

Edited February 24, 2019 by Rusty

[Bonefreak]

9 minutes ago, Rusty said:

P.S.  I'm all for using hand tools but if you have a lot of trees to do, then a chainsaw is much more efficient.   

Yup, I may consider digging out the ol a$$less chaps and firing up the chainsaw w modified motorcycle engine!! Lol

 

[Bonefreak]

This cut was impressive!

 

[Rusty]

7 minutes ago, Bonefreak said:

This cut was impressive!

The important thing with those cuts is leaving an uncut strip of wood across the trunk that acts like a hinge.  It controls the direction that the tree falls.  

[Lunatic]

But why not just drop it? 

[tpr1921]

I have worked on maple and gum both have taken 2-3 years to die.  They also continue to hold there leaves but at a reduced rate.

Edited February 24, 2019 by tpr1921
add info.

[Bonefreak]

36 minutes ago, tpr1921 said:

I have worked on maple and gum both have taken 2-3 years to die.  They also continue to hold there leaves but at a reduced rate.

Good stuff!!

I been out of the game a while....but this was me circa 1999-00 after graduating Rutgers with a wildlife degree, going to the Harrisburg show, reading a QDM book, and nearly buying a Plotmaster & a 1955 Farmall Cub tractor (which fortunately my future wife talked me out of), as my sense of business is as good as my shed finding ability!!  Needless to say, i was on the right path pre Whitetail Properties Inc, food plot craze, etc......but then marriage, house, bills, kids, career, etc. 

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Bonefreak

[Bonefreak]

48 minutes ago, Lunatic said:

But why not just drop it? 

[Lunatic]

Just now, Bonefreak said:

That's not an answer

[Bonefreak]

3 minutes ago, Lunatic said:

That's not an answer

Ill take the 5th. 

[Rusty]

1 hour ago, Lunatic said:

But why not just drop it? 

Dropping trees is very effective, it gives instant light, cover, and food.  But dropping too many can make an area impassible.  I like to do a combination of dropping and girdling.  

[Live to Hunt]

This is straight up Rusty porn