In order to maintain a sustainable Forest, we use prescribed burns, which eliminates the competition for our trees. It also promotes growth of new grasses and plants which increases food supply for deer and turkeys. it also prevents uncontrollable forest fires.
Part of the sustainable Forest is the thinning, which gives us Forest products and room for the remaining trees to grow. After 30 years, we clear cut the remaining forest and start over.
We have been replanting the cut-over land with Long Leaf pines, which was the original forest for the Southeast U S.
Because of their root system, they can withstand drought. Because they have fewer branches, they can better withstand wind storms. The bark is thicker with more moisture, which counters the pine beetles. They are also fairly disease resistant and grow straight.
To improve the land we are developing a 14 acre/20ft deep lake over an area that has many steep eroding ravines. The lake will control erosion and also provides water for the wildlife.