Standing, yet cut-through, trees (???)

[OuttaHand]

We were doing this cache: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f60f8717-7e62-421f-8c05-2a863538cdb0
There in the woods were several trees that looked like they had been mostly cut through with chainsaws but were still standing. The cut seemed to go all the way around the perimeter of the tree, about 3′ up from the ground, but the tree was still standing. The trees themselves were mature trees between 18″ and 24″ in diameter.

Can anyone explain what this might have been??? Is there some reason I’m unaware of to do this?

[bugsmasher69]

I saw something similiar last year southeast of Madison and wondered why and what that was done too.

[Ray]

I seem to recall that the DNR will do this to control overgrowth. I don’t recall any more than that.

[furfool]

@OuttaHand wrote:

We were doing this cache: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f60f8717-7e62-421f-8c05-2a863538cdb0
There in the woods were several trees that looked like they had been mostly cut through with chainsaws but were still standing. The cut seemed to go all the way around the perimeter of the tree, about 3′ up from the ground, but the tree was still standing. The trees themselves were mature trees between 18″ and 24″ in diameter.

Can anyone explain what this might have been??? Is there some reason I’m unaware of to do this?

Many times when a forester wants certain trees removed, but it may cause damage to trees that they want to remain, they will “girdle ” the unwanted tree. This could be done by making a cut completely around the tree, or by shaving the bark completely around the tree. Either way, the cut must be made completely through the bark and into the wood. This will kill the unwanted tree do to the fact that it can no longer be nourished. The tree dies and it will stand for a longer period of time. This will allow the dead tree to fall to the ground in smaller pieces, a little at a time rather than all at once.

It is quite common to see this sort of thing in a pine plantation. After a clear cut, a crew will usually plant red pines because they grow fast and straight. Other trees that are already there, usually as seedlings or saplings will take off like weeds. At approximately 15-25 years, a crew will go in and prune the plantation. All of the lower branches are cut off to keep the wood to a higher quality and to aid in keeping forest fires from easily spreading into the tree’s crown. During the pruning process is when most of the “undesireables” are dealt with. At this time they are too big to cut down without damaging the planted pines.

Another reason could be that the DNR, or another agency, is purposely stressing certain species to examine at a later time for disease or pests. They have been stressing ash trees in order to check for the emarld ash borer. If you haven’t heard of this pest yet, I urge you to check out the DNR website. http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/FH/Ash/

[OuttaHand]

Interesting. From your description, that sounds like what they’ve done here. The forest is pretty “tight” in that area so it could be they are trying to kill it slowly.

[cheezehead]

@furfool wrote:

@OuttaHand wrote:

We were doing this cache: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f60f8717-7e62-421f-8c05-2a863538cdb0
There in the woods were several trees that looked like they had been mostly cut through with chainsaws but were still standing. The cut seemed to go all the way around the perimeter of the tree, about 3′ up from the ground, but the tree was still standing. The trees themselves were mature trees between 18″ and 24″ in diameter.

Can anyone explain what this might have been??? Is there some reason I’m unaware of to do this?

Many times when a forester wants certain trees removed, but it may cause damage to trees that they want to remain, they will “girdle ” the unwanted tree. This could be done by making a cut completely around the tree, or by shaving the bark completely around the tree. Either way, the cut must be made completely through the bark and into the wood. This will kill the unwanted tree do to the fact that it can no longer be nourished. The tree dies and it will stand for a longer period of time. This will allow the dead tree to fall to the ground in smaller pieces, a little at a time rather than all at once.

It is quite common to see this sort of thing in a pine plantation. After a clear cut, a crew will usually plant red pines because they grow fast and straight. Other trees that are already there, usually as seedlings or saplings will take off like weeds. At approximately 15-25 years, a crew will go in and prune the plantation. All of the lower branches are cut off to keep the wood to a higher quality and to aid in keeping forest fires from easily spreading into the tree’s crown. During the pruning process is when most of the “undesireables” are dealt with. At this time they are too big to cut down without damaging the planted pines.

Another reason could be that the DNR, or another agency, is purposely stressing certain species to examine at a later time for disease or pests. They have been stressing ash trees in order to check for the emarld ash borer. If you haven’t heard of this pest yet, I urge you to check out the DNR website. http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/FH/Ash/

Being the grandson of a former State Forester, I’d say Furfool hit it on the head!

[Mister Greenthumb]

Wow, Furfool with an amazing technical explanation. I would have expected a story about giant beavers marking their territory from FURfool.

[furfool]

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Wow, Furfool with an amazing technical explanation. I would have expected a story about giant beavers marking their territory from FURfool.

That was actually my first answer, but I thought I ‘d come up with something a little juicier.

[Author]

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