Looking for a way to improve habitat on your land? Hinge cut openings are a cost-effective way to create more diverse habitat in low-quality forested areas.
Hinge cutting is simply done by cutting halfway through the tree. The tree falls and creates instant cover but does not die. It continues to produce leaves and vertical shoots.
If the tree is a desirable browse species, a new food source is created. Hinge cutting is effective on cedars, or small, low-quality oaks.
This practice provides diversity in the forest and native grasses and vegetation normally respond quickly. Hinge cutting can create good nesting habitat for turkeys, quail, rabbits, and other species.
Deer love to bed in these areas as well as eat the browse that is created from more sunlight hittingthe ground.
OK, so hinge cuts sound pretty great. How is it done?
Start by selecting the right trees to hinge cut. Choose trees that are less than 6 inches in diameter and are of nutritional value to wildlife, such as oaks and hickories.
Use a chain saw to cut half to three-quarters of the way through the trunk of the tree 24 to 36 inches above the ground. Cut through the tree just enough to lay it down. Now reach as high as you can on the tree and try to slowly pull the tree over until the tree comes down, while still keeping the trunk and the remaining attached wood intact.
Be careful while pulling the tree over, because some trees can “blow out” rather than fall easily.
Try this on some small trees first and then lay the bigger trees on top of the smaller ones to cushion the fall as you cut it.
Strive to ease the trees to the ground, especially biggertrees since a hard landing can cause the remaining attached wood to break. The goal is to keep as much wood attached.
Be sure to use all safety equipment while operating a chain saw.
Outdoor, Pages 7 on 12/20/2012