Actually, Ryan, I agree on the Before/After type pics. Course, if I was real good, I'd have taken pics before they/we actually did the work. It's pretty amazing to have so much of it "naturally cleared". We decided that the reason it's so clear is the very weird weather we've had. All the wet and rain and wind - there were MASSIVE areas that had no undergrowth this fall (thank goodness). However - we did see where a new batch is started and if it were to stay warm - it would take off and we'd have to clear the trails of the vines (with large thorns!). Also, both on our property and with some others I've already spoken to, there is a lot of damage to young trees - they are rotted/rotting and covered in moss which will cause other issues. We are taking down a LOT of saplings for this reason - it completely caught me by surprise - and leaving the larger, established trees (which have no moss on them or hollowed out spots at the bottom).
Yes, we will be planting more trees. Some, even around the "forest," will be fruit trees. Probably not citrus (tho I do plan on planting some of those) - those I will plant closer to the house where we can care for it during the times when the temps plummet. Figs do well, apple could be planted along some of the trails. Others will be hardwoods - locust is a good one. It will grow here (takes a long time) and is great for fence posts. Should have some when we need to be replacing some of our posts later. Think Cedar will grow as well (have to check) - good for projects for us in the future and longer down the road, to whomever ends up with our property. I'm hoping one or all 3 of the girls will do something that will allow them to take on the property, but not sure that will happen. Their lives have taken some very different turns - tho they all do still have some interest in what we are doing with the ponies... At this time, they aren't interested in the chickens or the rabbits (& when goats/hogs are mentioned they get quite disturbed!). LOL
I'm learning more about the "permaculture movement" along with homesteading. Trying to work out companion planting so that trees can have other edibles/herbs/nitrogen fixers planted around them that work together for the betterment of both. Much to learn - and it's interesting, too. Then to see if I can grow such plants - that be the biggest issue!
I think that satellite view was taken about 3.5-4 years ago. I noticed when we were marking the trails in the red section that it was noticeably "clearer" than when the pictures were shot from above. I'm wondering if either/both of the blue marked sections is similar. There are now many large/larger trees down on the ground and few to no saplings growing around some of those. The dead trees already on the ground will mostly be left alone. Some or most will be moved around to accommodate putting some trails thru the areas, but then will be left to naturally decompose. A few of the less rotten/decomposed ones (hard wood) may be collected to add to our fire wood pile(s). As we remove trees, it will be decided as to how/where they will go. Some will be left to line the trails (keeping folks on the trails rather than going thru wherever they please), others will be moved to communal rot/grow piles and others will be completely taken out from the area(s) - to go to use for raised garden bed(s), firewood for home/small outdoor fire pit and bonfire pile (in the pony pasture). There are a couple of large "pits" where BIG trees came down/uprooted. Think we'll add some of the tree leavings back into those to back fill them, add some dirt and pony manure from pony areas, then plant into those to see what happens. At least one of those is close enough to open areas that it will get plenty of sunlight to allow for planting some interesting plants/herbs. I didn't take any pics of those yet. Didn't even think about that, LOL.
The woman (& more than one husband) had owned this land since around 1997. There is an amazing collection of trash in different areas - just in the red section and I know of several in the blue section in area just below house and/or sandwiched between our home and the 2nd one at bottom of pic. One whole area is all kinds of wiring/cable. May have been left by cable/power company but I'd like to think not. All different sizes. Some will be heavy & hard to clean up and move! I've heard that Wayne, the last husband and whom we met, wasn't a heavy drinker - but there are a couple of different areas with a TON of beer cans just left to "rot" there. Something tells me that I will find other areas when we start doing more trails. I will have well over 10 bags of cans to take down to the local fire department when I start bagging them. The fire department then turns them in and uses the $$ for the fire department. The fire department is about 2 1/2 miles down the road from us. A very large or maybe several pieces of carpet are laying in one area dumped behind the shop. I wonder if I move it what's under it. Can I leave it? These are just a few questions/thoughts that I have... There are at least 3 different junk piles which we will eventually address. I've found an old enameled bath tub which will hold water (we just need to move it to the paddock behind the house - haven't done that yet). Another old enameled tub is in the area where he had a shooting range set up. It's shot full of holes. Will need to go to the dump. Heavy and not easy to get any equipment to to pick up/move - SIGH. Hmm, might be able to move it into an area where we can put it upright and use it to plant flowering herbs &/or flowers (I LOVE lavender and in the forested areas anything that will repel mosquitos would be good) - the bullet holes should help to drain it during our heavy rains! Ideas, ideas! There is a lot of junk on this place - much of it buried under several layers of pine straw and other debris.
Yes, this property will keep us busy for years to come... BUT I'm looking forward to starting to USE it, too.