FarmlandQDM
New Member
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Your results may depend on what species of cottonwood you have Ryang. South Dakota has both eastern cottonwood and black cottonwood. Eastern cottonwood is pretty unlikely west of the Missouri River in South Dakota if that is where you are from.
Eastern cottonwood is very inconsistant with stump and root sprouting after they are cut. Black cottonwood are better at coppice regeneration if they are growing in decent soil. First I would figure out your species and then look at what the trees are doing. You say you have thousands. Is your stand of cottonwoods all mature trees or do you have alot of diversity representing all age classes. If you have them, do any of the seedling/ sapling size trees look like they are root sprouts or individuals trees grown from seeds. Root sprouts are more likely to come up in a row or clusters. If it looks like you already have coppice regeneration taking place it should be a safe bet on getting the brushy result you are looking for. If you just have one age class of trees with very few young ones you are less likely to get what you want without actually planting some trees.
Something you should also realize... cottonwood trees (both black and eastern) have very short cell fibers which makes them snap off quickly instead of the hinge bending and guiding the tree to the ground. This is very common if your cutting them in colder temps. Cottonwood species also hold more water than most species which makes them very heavy. Both of these factors make hinge cutting cottonwoods pretty dangerous. They typically snap off and fall quickly and in an unpredictable direction if you do not have a face cut to direct the fall. Unless you have alot of falling experience, I'd suggest falling them with a face and back cut instead.
Eastern cottonwood is very inconsistant with stump and root sprouting after they are cut. Black cottonwood are better at coppice regeneration if they are growing in decent soil. First I would figure out your species and then look at what the trees are doing. You say you have thousands. Is your stand of cottonwoods all mature trees or do you have alot of diversity representing all age classes. If you have them, do any of the seedling/ sapling size trees look like they are root sprouts or individuals trees grown from seeds. Root sprouts are more likely to come up in a row or clusters. If it looks like you already have coppice regeneration taking place it should be a safe bet on getting the brushy result you are looking for. If you just have one age class of trees with very few young ones you are less likely to get what you want without actually planting some trees.
Something you should also realize... cottonwood trees (both black and eastern) have very short cell fibers which makes them snap off quickly instead of the hinge bending and guiding the tree to the ground. This is very common if your cutting them in colder temps. Cottonwood species also hold more water than most species which makes them very heavy. Both of these factors make hinge cutting cottonwoods pretty dangerous. They typically snap off and fall quickly and in an unpredictable direction if you do not have a face cut to direct the fall. Unless you have alot of falling experience, I'd suggest falling them with a face and back cut instead.