[TimFenstermacher]

I am in the process of converting some old grown up Christmas tree fields into better training areas both for marks and blinds. The fields are relatively flat, close to rectangular in shape and the trees consist of very closely spaced spruce and fir ranging from about 5'-20' in height averaging about 12'ft.. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how many trees I should leave per acre, spacing between trees, leaving individual trees or groups of trees (or both) and fixed or random patterns? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

TimFenstermacher

 

[DoubleHaul]

Definitely leave a few nice keyholes scattered about.

 

[Granddaddy]

But be sure to get the stumps & roots removed & ground re-leveled, not an easy or inexpensive process but required for safe dog training.

 

[Breck]

I am in the process of converting some old grown up Christmas tree fields into better training areas both for marks and blinds. The fields are relatively flat, close to rectangular in shape and the trees consist of very closely spaced spruce and fir ranging from about 5'-20' in height averaging about 12'ft.. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how many trees I should leave per acre, spacing between trees, leaving individual trees or groups of trees (or both) and fixed or random patterns? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

TimFenstermacher

Here are a few ideas.......
Paste the coords into google earth and zoom in to study or measure tree layout. In some cases trees have been specifically placed with various aspects of dog training in mind others are probably natural.


TX
30°29'43.62"N, 96°41'17.44"W

NJ
39°40'38.20"N, 74°50'34.47"W
39°39'23.03"N, 74°51'11.19"W

IL
41°18'33.71"N, 88°10'38.05"W

 

[TimFenstermacher]

Thanks for your thoughts, very helpful!

 

[Good Dogs]

Those spruce will dbl in size in just a few years once you give them some growing room so keep that in mind. When I cleared my fields I selected the healthiest trees to save then eyeballed sight lines and good cover spots to figure where to clear the balance. If you are doing HT work you might want more cover than would work for longer FT marks and blinds. 5-6 trees/acre does not sound like much but will give you an average spacing of 100.'

 

[TimFenstermacher]

Good Dogs that's how i'm starting out, ie. by cutting all the defective, diseased and/or deformed trees first. They were originally planted on about a 6'x6' spacing so there are still going to be alot more to cut. I just need more experience in selecting sight lanes. It seems like groups of 4 or 5 trees would make good gunner stations and thus negate the need for hay bales etc. for blinds. If we don't get too much snow this winter, i'll be doing alot of cuttin and burnin!

 

[Bill Watson]

David D.'s post as to removing the stumps and releveling is very important for dog training. Stump holes are tough on dogs running full speed when they hit them. (A fact learned the hard way when the land I bought had been harvested and burned before I bought it.) Good dogs ACL torn very easily. Good luck and be careful with the burning, notify your local Forestry folks for permission and advice. Bill