Cutting Cedars

busman · Post by **busman** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:27 pm

I have 160 acres I own close to the house a few rabbits but want to improve the numbers. I have planted wheat in the winter along the creeks and a few meadows. I have been think about cutting down a few large female cedars do you think I should place pallates down brfore dropping the cedars. Should I cut them at the ground or 3-4' feet up off the ground. Some of these tree's are 25-30' tall. Soil conservation guys say I need to thin the female cedars down so might as well use them for habitat.

Thanks

coolbrze · Post by **coolbrze** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:03 am

We've done something similar to what you're going to do. The cedars we cut several feet off the ground, cut your front wedge, then slice the back, but not all the way through, just let them fall still attached to the tree. We haven't used pallets but I'm sure they would be a good addition for the habitat.

LR Patch · Post by **LR Patch** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:10 am

I guess cutting some is fine but we have found and have better luck on pushing some smaller 1's over with the tractor and most won't die cause you don't break all the roots thus they stay alive and green all the time.
Just what we do.

busman · Post by **busman** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:30 am

I hate to ever cut a tree down, but have to many cedars starting to choke everything else out. So they said to cut a bunch of the females with berries down to try to slow them down just a little. In the CRP feilds around here they have made everybody go in a shear them of a the ground, and if we get a snow you can usally find a rabbbit underneath the dead ceders hard for the winged predators to get to them there.

Rabbit Huntin Fool · Post by **Rabbit Huntin Fool** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:32 pm

We cut them down and it has helped alot with giving rabbits cover and breeding places.We cut new cedars down each year to keep the undergrowth coming and giving more usuable habitat, rabbits will take tho this cover almost immediately.. Cut them down all over your propertybecause as rabbits begin to populate they will claim their own area so the more cover the more rabbits your area will hold.. Iff you have clover and or other food plots right up against them your in great shape. Cut as many tree's down as you can to give the owls and hawks the least amount of trees to use as perches..Throw some salt blocks or spools in with the cedar tree's your cutting. This is almost guaranteed to double your rabbits this spring and once they are there the salt will keep them there and the more food you have will determine how many your area will sustain. Remember the rabbits will be bred by February so start cutting asap to give them an area to use and adapt to and the salt will help with their health and breeding.. Good Luck