Do cedars lose their value as a bedding area if they get so thick the ground cover is absent and the lower branches die off. My thought is to start thinning them out to allow sunlight to hit the ground creating brush/grassy cover between the cedars. Any thoughts or experience doing this?
nannyslayer
New Member
Me and another guy was actually talking about this the other day. Seems when the cedars get really thick, they stay cooler in there, instead of warmer. Then go to area's where there is alot of grass cover on the ground, and deer bed up there good.
Central Iowa
Life Member
Yes they can. Seems the thickest nastiest stands are not utilized like a stand that allows good solar exsposure yet maintains thermal insulation, and plenty of edge.
dbltree
Super Moderator
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Then go to area's where there is alot of grass cover on the ground, and deer bed up there good.
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I agree...under the thick stuff it's cold, hard and bare but the semi open areas filled with a nice bed of grass is might comfy and safe for bedding deer.
Put em on a hill side where they can see approaching danger and you really have something! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
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I agree...under the thick stuff it's cold, hard and bare but the semi open areas filled with a nice bed of grass is might comfy and safe for bedding deer.
Put em on a hill side where they can see approaching danger and you really have something! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
LoessHillsArcher
PMA Member
Good point, we have a really mature cedar thicket that is like you describe with only needles for ground cover, might have to do some chainsawing through it to clear it out. The deer use it but they only use the ridge tops that have lots of taller grass around the trees.
SWBUCKHNTR
Member
Try to get your trees spaced between 40-50 ft apart this way when they mature they will give good cover but will aso let in enough sunlight to grow undergrowth