Similiar to Jeff's wall plaque made from his Florida wood but these are real life.
Raccoons in white Oak Tree(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/scottsraccoons.jpg)
Good shot, Scott.
Yeah, but this one looks like real coons in a real, tied-to-the-ground tree. Tell me how how you sneaked up on them.
Purcupine's Home
Den in American Beech Tree
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Porcupine%20Den.jpg)
The young raccoons were looking up at me as I went up to the tree to measure and mark it for harvest in a selection cut. The tree was left as an "Animal Inn".
We were sawing today in a small swamp on private land that the logging crew just moved off of this morning. The logs were being cut into 2x6, 2x8 and 6x8 for a barn.
We were stacking and stickering the lumber and beams about 40 feet behind the mill. Towards the end of the day, we looked up and saw to our horror, not 15 feet from the lumber, this. (https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/hornetnest02.jpg)
Got to go back tomorrow and finish.
On our Tree Farm we call them "critter trees". We have three pair of Pillated (sp) woodpeckers that come to nest in some of the 200 year old (plus) Oak that have deteriated to snag status. I saw the first one of the season yesterday. They are truly fun to watch hack away at a tree. :D The chips really fly whenthey work for the bugs.
Gotta like them Pilated 'peckers. They let you know which trees are full of ants! Got a big Spruce blowdown on my land, roots sticking up all over. Been a female Black bear denning there the last two years. I wear my .44 Mag when I cut, just in case I get between her and the cubs by accident, I figure I might as well have one quick chance to live. Have seen their tracks lots, but thankfully they are shy animals, as long as they don't bother me, they can have that tree!
Wildlife Openings
Provide for and manage wildlife openings in your woodland.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Turkeys-Opening.jpg)
Wetlands for Wildlife
Don't forget the wetlands.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Mallard%20in%20Wetland.jpg)
Woodpecker's Tree Red Maple tree being worked on in transition zone with red pine plantation.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Woodpecker%20Tree.jpg)
Grate photo's here in the city all we see is some black ants when i cut in red oak. It shure looks nice out there though.
The oak trees are favorites for "Animal Inns" even in the city. Look them over closely for their wildlife benefits if you don't need to harvest the tree. I realize that some will be "hazard trees, especially in communities, public campgrounds etc. and need to be removed.
I'm working an oak stand now which will provide some more Animal Inn photos.
Skunk Den in Hollow Hard Maple Log. Note tracks in snow around den.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Skunk%20Den.jpg)
A yep. thats one id be saving allright.
A little story along with this one. The skunk must have come out of recent hibernation. A coyote was hot on its trail right from the den, but I don't know the outcome and couldn't get follow up pictures of the story.
Grey Squirrel Den Tree. Den in black oak tree. Tree left as Wildlife Tree on timber harvest site.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Grey%20Squirrel%20Den%20Tree.jpg)
Flying Squirrel Den. 15 feet up in white oak tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Flying%20Squirrel%20Den%20Tree.jpg)
Flying Squirrel Den. In white Oak Tree, closer view.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Flying%20Squirrel%20Den%20Tree%20in%20white%20oak.jpg)
Protecting Animal Inn. Skidder Operator protects Animal Inn at wood's landing.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Protecting%20Animal%20Inn.jpg)
Cavity Trees, Black Cherry. Twin black cherry trees provide cavities and mast for wildlife.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Cavity%20Trees,%20Black%20Cherry.jpg)
Woodpecker Tree, Aspen. An Aspen tree favored by the woodpecker. Aspen usually aren't designated as a favored wildlife den, snag, cavity, or mast tree since they are short lived in the ecosystem. They are left standing however when active use is being made of them such as this one.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Wildlife%20Tree,%20Aspen.jpg)
Woodpecker Tree, White Pine. White pine becomes woodpecker tree after lightning strike.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Woodpecker%20Tree,%20White%20Pine.jpg)
American Beech Clump. Left for Wildlife Mast and Cavities.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/American%20Beech%20WL%20Clump.jpg)
Log Landing Improves Habitat. A hollow American beech log was left on the log landing, up off ground slightly, with uprooted stump from landing clearing placed behind it. The landing was seeded with a wildlife food mixture after closure of the timber sale. Wildlife food sources and cover provided.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Log%20Landing%20Wildlife%20Habitat.jpg)
Ron, I find it interesting at how much thought you put into leaving homes for animals when you are picking trees for harvesting. I'm enjoying this thread. :)
Charlie,
Thanks for the interest. Proper timber management practices integrated resource management so that no one resource violates the minimum resource standard of any other resource.
Also, most nonindustrial forest landowners have a sincere interest for wildlife in their woods. Watching wildlife is a favorite past time for many.
Cavity Tree. Sugar (hard) Maple left in hardwood thinning.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Cavity%20Tree,%20Sugar%20Maple..jpg)
Baby Screech Owl. This little one either fell out or was kicked out of its "Animal Inn".
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Baby%20Screech%20Owl.jpg)
So, what happens to that little screech owl? Does he get gobbled up by a preditor? Why would a bird kick it's babies out of a nest anyway?? ::)
Charlie,
A bumper sticker here read "out of paper? Use an owl."
Maybe that's why he has such a perplexed look on his face. ;D
"Old mother owl" will kick her young out of the nest when she thinks its time for them to start learning to fly. If they don't catch on quickly the crash land and are like a downed pilot until rescued.
I just moved it out of the way after taking the picture so it wouldn't get run over as it was on a woods two track road. Mother owl continues to protect and take care of their "downed pilots". She may have even packed him back up to the nest. He hopefully survived the adventure.
A Mirror Image. Loon Habitat. Care is used when logging near or around lakes where loons are nesting. Can you find the Loons?
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/amirrorimageloonnestingarea.jpg)
Yup, one loon is sorta on the left middle of the lake sitting right on top of the reflection of the middle birch tree where 3 of em are growing. I think the other loon is way over on the right of the picture in the lake. I see ripples and a dark spot, though it isn't real clear.
Charlie,
You see the pair. The one on the right dove just as I snapped the picture, thus the ripple on the water you see.
Cavity Tree, Aspen. Aspen cavity tree left within red pine thinning harvest area.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/cavitytreeaspen.jpg)
Wild Apple Tree. Saved and released for wildlife fruit during red pine harvest thinning.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/wildappletree.jpg)
Wow that's neat! I've always been taught that a rose in a cornfield is a weed just like a cornstalk in a rose garden is a weed. With that in mind, an apple tree in a pine forest is a weed. It's neat that you saw it's benefit and saved it for the animules. 8) 8)
Black Cherry Tree. Also saved and released to provide wildlife fruit diversity during red pine harvest thinning. Such trees were often killed in the past with herbicide to release the pine trees.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/wildlifefruittree,blackcherry.jpg)
Turkey Vulture. Looks for its lunch over a red pine timber harvest area.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/turkeyvulture.jpg)
Being a Florida boy, I knows 'bout Turkey Buzzards. Down in Florida they keep the highways pretty clean of road kill. Here in Minnesota, they have to pay people to pick up road kill, although a few Turkey Buzzards do come up this way. There is some town in Mid east Minnesota that looks for the return of the Turkey Buzzards each year. Sorta like the return of the Swallows to Capistrano.....'cept different. ::) ::) ::)
I once worked with a guy that was coming to work one day back before many people had air conditioning. He had his window rolled down and his arm propped out the window. He came upon a bunch of Turkey Buzzards feasting on something in the road and they were so busy they didn't see him coming 'til the last second. One buzzard barely escaped and came so close to dieing that he pooped.......all over the poor guys arm. Oooooooeeeeeeee................. :-[
Cavity Tree. A good sugar maple log tree damaged from early logging activity has now become a wildlife cavity tree. Note the logging scar on the tree trunk. Timber values (monitary) lost, wildlife values (nonmonitary) gained.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/cacitytreesugarmaple.jpg)
Vernal Ponds are Important Habitat Areas. A buffer zone and "Animal Inn" trees are left and maintained around vernal ponds. No skidding is permitted near or through them. The above cavity tree is within the buffer zone.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/vernalpond.jpg)
http://www.alienexplorer.com/ecology/p157.html
Ron, what in the cathair is a vernal pond? Do you mean a pot hole? That's where I shoot woodducks. But I don't shoot the good woodducks, just the real bad criminal woodducks. ::)
Charlie,
Note the link below the photo above. It tells what vernal ponds are.
They ar landscape depressions that hold water during and some while after spring break up and then slowly dry up over the summer season.
Some may have a hydric included soil where the water table is higher during part of the season.
Wood Duck Nest Box. Sometimes an artificial "Animal Inn" is provided.
This Vernal Pond is on the edge of a farm field and access road to red pine timber sale area. Photo was taken right after spring break up. Pond is about dry now.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/woodducknestbox.jpg)
Woodducks, one of the prettiest! Woodducks don't quack....they peep. I've watched over 100 woodducks fly by my blind before just peeping away (I already had my limit of woodducks so these were safe). Woodducks are said to be parisitic, meaning the female will lay her eggs in another ducks nest if she can get away with it. A DNR guy said he saw a mama woodduck sitting on no less than 98 eggs one time. When a woodduck flies into that hole in he box or tree, she's going full bore and just tucks the wings. I often wonder how she gets stopped before slamming into the back of the nesting box. When the ducklings are hatched, mama duck coaxes them to jump out of the nest from below. They flap their featherless wings and crashland into the earth. It's a wonder they aren't hurt, but they seem no less for wear.
Thanks for the explanation of a Vernal Pond.
Christmas Tree Plantation Left to "go wild". Provides a wildlife travel corridor in open area along with thermal and escape cover. Also a good area to rabbit hunt.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/christmas_trees%20_gone%20_wild.jpg)
Ron, Are those Cedar or Spruce and would a Christmas tree farm allowed to run wild be able to be recouped as a pulpwood farm or eventually saw timber? Are the trees of any value as mature trees or are they planted at odd intervals such that they wouldn't generate much fiber?
Once a Christmas tree plantation is left unmaintained and not continually managed its commercial Christmas tree value is lost.
These trees do not have any future round wood timber values here since the various Christmas tree species planted aren't of any commercial round wood value. Such plantations are usually cleared and chipped to start over again with a new planting for Christmas trees or something else such as red pine for future timber values.
There may be some minimum value in wood chips when the plantations are liquidated as such, but very little.
This particular plantation is a "bastardized" mixture of colorado blue spruce, black hills spruce, concolor fir, and some norway spruce planted over different years. It has some of the wildlife values mentioned in the meantime and the landowner may retain it as such for its nonmonitary wildlife values and area diversity.
Its commercial Christmas tree value is being lost unless one gets at it immediately with cultural treatments for some possible salvage for any trees marketable as Christmas trees.
Beaver House. Located in beaver pond along boundary of timber harvest area. Beaver are competing with the loggers for the aspen harvest.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/beaver_house.jpg)
Ron,
Is it a problem out there with the Beavers flooding and killing acres of forest?Are they left to do what they do best,or do you intervene?
I admire the rodents,but they sure do make a mess.
Yes they can be a problem. There are pros and cons with the beaver depending upon one's land and resource management objectives.
Cons.
They dam up and flood large areas thus killing a lot of timber. This particular timber sale that we are logging now is a good case in point. Large areas of state and private land are flooded with a series of increasing dams and ponds. They are doing a good job of "clearcutting" the aspen already purchased by the logging company. Its a race of who cuts first.
They will regularly plug road culverts thus causing road damage, sometimes to the pont of being impassable.
They require the need for trapping and removal from areas where they are causing recurring and excess problems.
For fisheries, they will warm up small stream and creek waters and silt in the small tributary streams interferring with a cold water trout fishery. Heavy silting causes difficult foot or wading access.
Pros
They do add to the wetland wildlife habitat on an area and develop ponds which may hold brook trout, but usually of small size.
They provide good areas for wildlife viewing and birdwatching especially those fasvoring wetland habitats.
They provide "area closures" if one wants solitude and a non-motorized area. Their access is usually swampy and difficult with traverses around or over dams required.
Their "clear cut" areas on the high flat ground can be made into wildlife openings and seeded with wildlife seed mixtures to add to an areas willife habitat diversity.
They provide outdoor recreation and some income to trappers and fur buyers.
Overall they are part of nature and need to be managed as necessary.
That sounds familiar.Federal Fisheries(DFO) did a Salmon enhancement project along side our mainline.The river had been coming in towards our road,so we have raised the road and rip rapped sections.Between the road and the side hill,there is a vast area of prime fish habitat now protected from the river.The creeks coming off the hill are cold,and are well shaded by Cottonwoods.
DFO spent a lot of time and money building spawning channels and installing culverts.It was well planned and carried out.The problem is the Beaver have moved right in and taken advantage of the man made dykes.And like you had mentioned,created shallow ponds that heat up the water.
We can't salvage any dead or dying trees in these areas because of the strict guidelines regarding riparian management zones.Which of course the Beaver have made larger.Another problem for us, is that we have water backing up across our road in places.The easy and inexpensive solution would be to break the dams.But we will probably be required to raise the road. :-/
We have talked to a couple of farmers that used to trap in the area,about coming in again.But so far they haven't shown a lot of interest.
Yes, beavers can cause additional road reconstruction especially if the trappers aren't controlling them.
Need to get the fur prices up some, but then trapping isn't very active anymore, at least not here.
Every time a dam is removed, the beaver seem build it bigger and better by the next morning. Very persistent critters.
Hollow Red Maple Log. Log left during timber harvest in transition zone between upland and lowland to provide wildlife den and grouse drumming log.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/hollow_red_maple_log.jpg)
Wildlife Opening. Cleared and developed at edge of northern hardwoods selection harvest. Seeded with wildlife food seed mixture.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/ronwildlifeopening01.jpg)
Deer Browse on red maple, winter 1963, eastern U.P. of Michigan.
Deer have been browsing the forests for many years. Red maple is a preferred browse species near deer wintering areas each spring.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/deer_browse_red_maple_1963.jpg)
Newborn Fawn. June 1963.
Observed while cruising timber. Fawn's mother was not far away.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/fawn_deer_1963.jpg)
That is such a neat picture and an experience of a lifetime. See what city slickers are missing. I know people that wouldn't dare take their fancy 4 wheel drives with chrome or mag wheels off the asphalt. They'll never experience the thrill of wildlife. :)
Can You Find The Fawn? Deer fawn's blend in well with nature's background. Sept. 1966.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/fawn_deer_blends_in_nature.jpg)
Great thread. Ron, you are posting some pictures that are older than me! hey charlie have you found any woodies with leg tags? we raised about 400 and released them either on the lake where we live or at a great swamp. We still see a few every year around. we got bands for several years from a guy out of alabama, and I think he was provided them by Miller Beer. They have a return address on them and when he gets them back it is really neat. we have raised quail, pheasants, woodies, and a numer of exotics for show over the years.
The Fawn Moves.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/fawn_deer_moves.jpg)
Ron, in the first picture of Can you find the Fawn (Sept '66), I think I see it. Took me awhile. I think it is in the center of the picture next to that young pine. I think the fawn has it's head down. Am I right? Also, in the second picture, I think I see the fawn in the middle of the picture with it's head up. Right?
Johncinquo, I've only gotten one banded duck in my life and it was a mallard. I've never seen any banded woodies. Most the woodies where I hunt (backwaters of the Mississippi) are locals.
Fawn Comes Forward For A Look. Yes, the whitetailed deer fawn is in the center of the photo, but in the first photo it has its head up. Note the black eyes and nose looking at you.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/fawn_deer_looks.jpg)
I see it! In the first picture I was looking at the background around the fawns head and thinking that was the deer. Now I see the eyes and nose! NEAT!!!!
3 or 4 springs ago our friend Rodney Brazee, who used to be a photographer for the Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant took this photo behind the cabin in Detour. It now hangs in the upstairs by the bunks. Its awesome and striking and wonderful and several other things. I took a picture of it while we were up hunting this weekend but it don't do the photo justice at all.
Photo chances like this don't happen often.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/rodneys_deer_pic.jpg)
That's for sure and the camera is never there when you see it.
[size=32]SWEET![/size]
Turkey Flock Seeks Shelter. Shelter in a red pine stand after December 2002's first snow.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/turkey_flock_seeks_shelter.jpg)
I always figured a wild turkey was a wild turkey, but my father-in-law told me the Florida turkey is different than the turkeys up around Pennslyvania. Different specie I reckon.
Back in '72 (that was in the last century) the Minnesota DNR reintroduced turkey to Minnesota. They brought some in from Pennslyvania. They really took to Minnesota because now we have a lot of turkey here. But.......different kind than the Florida turkeys I reckon. :-/
I'm not sure if this is the right number or not but I think it's 5 different Wild Turkeys in the U.S. I remember watching a hunting show and this guy was on a quest to harvest one of each and the show followed him along and described each one as he finally got it. Think it was 5.
That's about right Jeff. There are several different breeds of turkey depending upon parts of the country they inhabit. Some ardent turkey hunters try to make a "grand slam" by getting one of each species through hunting different parts of the country.
I didn't know that ??? :)
Neither did I, neat! Guess I've even et a few and my delicate palate ;D couldn't pick up on a difference. I've seen some white birds in with the local flocks and remarked to an old timer one day about seeing an albino on his land. He laughed and told me they are escapees that ran with the wild birds. Apparently we used to have a pretty fair sized turkey industry and they would have Thanksgiving drives to the Whitetop station to put them aboard the Virginia Creeper destined for points north.
Yes the white tame birds sometimes escape to the wild flocks. They then breed a more domestic tamer bird, easier to hunt I'm told, and not good for keeping the "wild" in the turkey.
There are 5 subspecies or races of wild turkey. They are:
The "Merriams"," Rio Grande", and "Gould's" which are Western subspecies.
The "Eastern" subspecies which is throughout the east.
The "Florida' or "Osceola" subspecies which occurs only in central and southern Florida.
To learn more about them see:
www.wildturkeyzone.com/wildturkey/species.htm
Hollow Black Oak Logs. These will be left on the timber harvest area to become "Animal Inns". Kendziorski Hardwood Sale; December 2002.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/hollow_black_oak_logs.jpg)
Those hollow logs look like perfect furniture parts for Jeff :D ::)
Hey, you're right. Jeff may want to take a look at them, especially the one wouldn't take much work and access to them is good.
Hey RON! Is it possible for you to grab that for me? 34 inch chunks works pretty good. Just need to have a solid shell.
Jeff,
Maybe you would want to look at the logs if up this way for any interested use and determine cuts. They're a bit heavy and the forwarder has left the area. They're on an oak/aspen harvest area just completed east of Lake City on Vandermullen Road.
can a pick up get to them Ron?
Pretty close. We might have to carry the cut blocks a little. Let me know if you want to come up this way and I'll give you a hand.
These are black oak if that matters any.
I was going to suggest this weekend, but my new truck had a break down. I went to my Aunt's funeral today and something let go in the back brake. I don't know if its a spring or what. Loud rubbing brinding sound when I apply the break, but no pulse or odd feel to the pedal. The noice gets louder the slower I go but disappears as soon as I let up on the brake. Almost lke the lining dissapeared. By the time I got back from clio I was afraid to step on them. They work fine but sound feirce.
The brakes will need to be checked first. Sounds like the linings are maybe worn.
Deer Wintering in the Swamp. Note 3 deer looking at you. Timber sale preparation; Sweet property, Clare County, Michigan; January, 2003.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/deer_wintering_in_swamp.jpg)
Here's a couple that are freezer bound if they don't lay off the shrubbery, they stripped a group of rhodies in the last snow and tipped over some tree cages to nip the shoots.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/drpDeer3.jpg)
Jeff, we had a hollow tree up on the cliff a few years back that was about 2/3 of the circle. I kept meaning to bring it down and install shelves in as a corner curio cabinet, it was down last time I went up so guess I missed the chance. Just a thought for another piece to add to your furniture line.
Nature' Way. The skeletal remains of this buck deer were found on a timber harvest area. It had been eaten clean by coyotes and other critters of the wild.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/nature::s_way_buck_deer.jpg)
Craftsman who make native American crafts prize the skulls and some of the bones of horses and cows. I've given some to one of the craftsman here and he was elated. He told me that horse skulls are revered above all the others.
Does anyone know if this is universally true and whether those bones of other wild animals would find a place in native American craft/lore?
If it is true, then those who ply the woods in their regular job may be able to make a dollar or a friend by putting some of this stuff in the back of their pickup.
Tom,
I think I heard something about the 'jawbone of an ass' being handy for something. I forget where I heard that. :P ;)
Noble
Yeah, I heard about that too. It was written up in some diminutive book and reported to have made a heck of a weapon in those days. Do you reckon they went through a spell after it was used of getting the citizenry to register their Ass Jawbones? :)
In a scrap pile of old oak cut-offs and left-over, unsplit firewood, an animal has scratched the center from the end of a rotted log to make a home. My bet is that it is a coon. This would make a project one night when I'm doing nothing. Get me a chair, some libation and the camera, set up close by and wait for whatever it is. ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/images/3_10_03/tomanimalhome09.jpg)
Be careful if you do that Tom. Might just be....The Swamp Creature!!!!! :o His arm might just come out of that hole in the log, grab you and pull you in. ;D
I've been trainin' Charlie. One thing he'll have to deal with is my alertnes and quickness. I've developed unbelievable speed. The other thing is that I have consciously developed a girth much larger than that hole. ;D It's been a chore but I've managed. ;)
Wildlife Snag & Cavity Tree. Tree was designated to be left undamaged during a selective thinning of the red pine pole stand. Piotrowski timber harvest 3/03.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/wildlife_snag_cavity_tree.jpg)
Whats in it? Beetles? ;)
Whatever wants to be; especially with the black bear claw marks on it. It was active with woodpeckers, squirrels, and and occassional hawk and owl.
Quotesaw to our horror, not 15 feet from the lumber, this. (https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/hornetnest02.jpg)
[HOWIN DO YA GET THEM NESTS DOWN WITHOUT DESTROYIN EM?
Ha! I'd forgotten about stacking our lumber under those guys. :D
I GOTTA GET MY CAMERA WORKIN! i got one of those big flyin incect dwellins up some 40 feet into a nice maple. how do i retreive? the mape aint that old.
oh, yea, glad to freshen the ol square tom, but uhhh.............. i wanna hang it on the wall!!!!
well, you need to kill all those buggers that are living in it. That's better done from a distance. :D
Soap will do it but I don't know how fast and wouldn't want to stand around while I washed'em all.
The best thing would be one of those Wasp/hornet bombs that you can buy from the Hardware store. They spew a steady stream of poison foam that you would direct at the entrance of the nest and it will knock down any it hits almost immediately. Those that fly into the treated paper will get knocked down too but it takes a little bit of time. Considering that a lot of the inhabitants are away getting supper, you will have to continue treating it until they have all come into contact with the poison.
Once you get the nest, you have to take down the limb it is attached to so it looks natural, put several coats of clear lacquer on it for preservation and it's ready to mount. You could use varnish to but it will change the color. Yep, I'd use lacquer.
They will be laying eggs inside of this thing but I don't think they will make it when there is nobody to take care of the nursery. I'd spray some poison up in the dead nest though just in case. ;D
I always wanted to mount one of those nests over my front door. I figured I would get a recording of angry hornets which would play anytime someone rings the doorbell. That ought to take care of those pesky salesmen!
I have really enjoyed this thread. I am curious how folks deal with OSHA requirements when leaving snags for wildlife. At least one of the pictures shown would be a violation in this state. It's a real dilemna. The best wildlife tree is one that is already being used. If it's dead, I can't operate close to it and end up leaving a bunch of trees around it if I want to save it.
We also have stands with hardly any snags left in them. The agency I work for is trying several things to create snags: cutting or blasting the tops out of trees, girdling green trees and climbing trees and drilling holes in them to create cavities (even innoculating the holes with fungus to speed up the rot process). Preliminary results are promising.
Terry
Back in the mid 1980s, way back in the last century, there was a hornets nest in one of the maple trees in my back yard. It was dead of winter when I noticed it and the temp was below zero. So I just walked out there and knocked it down, then peeled the covering off the outside to see what the inside looked like. The inside was a series of disk separated and held together by a central pillar. I sprayed it good with hornet spray and then let my daughter take it to her science class. I reckon the teacher kept it. :)
A lot of effort goes into creating wildlife dens, snags, and cavity trees by some expensive methods as you describe.
We find that many already developed by nature can be left and protected by the logging operation. 1-5 den, snag, or cavity trees are marked /acre. The fallers and skidders recognize them as such and use care and work safely around them. Most take pride in recognizing and leaving wildlife trees.
OSHA sometimes may get concerned until they see what ecosystem logging is all about and it is pretty much the norm on National Forest and State Forest lands here. So OSHA has been cooperative.
Of course safety comes first and if there should be a safety problem with a wildlife tree, safety to the woodsworker comes first. Our timber is also not the "big timber" that you experience so we can usually work and observe hazard trees more safely. Soundness of the wildlife trees are checked also since we want them to last for awhile and some species are better than others.
Hollow Black Oak. This tree appeared to be sound before cutting, but as is, it won't produce any sawlogs. It is left in the woods to provide an "Animal Inn" and grouse "Drumming Log". Witte timber harvest; 4/03.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/hollow_black_oak_log.jpg)
Baby Racoon. Escapes up a red maple tree.
Witte timber harvest 7/03.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/baby_racoon_in_red_maple_tree.jpg)
Wood Duck Nest Box. Located in timber harvest area near Lily lake. Witte timber harvest 8/03.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/woodduck_nest_box_lily_lake.jpg)
Hemlock Snag. Snags such as this one are left in the forest stand for wildlife use. Note the heavy woodpecker activity on this snag. Flint timber harvest; 3/05.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/03_21_04/hemlock_snag.jpg)
Always Watch For Deer. The Mom "hid" her baby on the brown steps with white spots.
A family in Bend, Oregon found this fawn on their front steps and took this photo. The white spots on the steps are apple blosson petals.
As you may know, deer hide their fawns and go away for awhile. The fawns have no odor yet, and naturally stay absolutely still. A great job of camouflage!
The fawn stayed there all morning, and mama came to get it after 4-5 hours. Kudos to the family for leaving the fawn alone, knowing that Mom would be back.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/03_21_04/deer_fawn_on_steps.jpg)
That is just too cool... 8)
Thanks for the pics in this thread--this is the first I've seen them, and I've enjoyed them Ron!
Beaver Damage
Beaver are rapidly damaging this nice aspen stand before we are able to complete the harvest. They are actively living in the wetland next door. A local trapper has removed 12 from the area so far this season; 4/05.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/beaver_damage_austin_property.JPG)
Somebody needs to tell them rodents about barber chairs. ;)
I have visions of flying beavers, flicked skyward by the barberchair... ;D :D ;D :D ;D
By the way, that Fawn photo above... How do I get MY kids to stay still for 4-5 hours?????
No fair. Coming back as a Doe next life.
asy :D
Yes, this is some of the worst "cutting" that I've seen. They are going through the aspen stand just chewing the trunks through to a "pencil point" and then letting the wind blow them over. They are getting more barber chairs here than I'm seen in most " beaver operations".
Beaver Control Method. Trapping is a control method being used within this aspen timber area in effort to suppress some of the aspen timber damage being caused by beavers. Austin timber harvest area; 4/05.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/beaver_trap_set.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/beaver_trap_set_2.JPG)
Wildlife Den Tree. Porupine den in a large red maple tree within a hemlock/lowland hardwoods stand. Mosher hardwoods timber harvest; 7/05
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/den_tree_porcupine.JPG)
You should blow the pic up and frame it, you don;t get many shots like that, Nice find 8)
"Woodpecker" white pine tree. Schirmer woodland property.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/woodpecker_white_pine.JPG)
A pileated woodpecker?
This thread is fascinating. Thanks for bringing it back. Ron, you have some truly great shots that don't come by very often.
Bank Swallow Nests. A bank swallow nesting community in the banks of the Yellowstone River above Livingston, Montana; 7/07.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/bank_swallow_nests.JPG)
Osprey Nest Platform. Nest platforms are constructed on power poles along the Yellowstone River corridor away from power lines so as to provide alternate nest sites for the osprey to discourage their constructing nests on active power line poles.
This nest was active with young in the nest.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/osprey_nest_platform.JPG)
we have several osprey nests at work over a local river. They are beautiful birds.
I keep trying to get a coworker to wear a fish on his hat while outside, but he won't play along :(
Found this tree when I was recutting a trail this summer.
Looks like a grand foyer for some lucky squirrell. ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11412/jmanimaldoorOP.jpg)
Found 2 animal dens the last time we were at camp.
One was in this tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Animal_Den.JPG)
The other looked like an animal stacked branches and twigs into a lean to.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Animal_Shelter2.JPG) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Animal_Shelter.JPG)
Wildlife Cavity Tree. Tree marked with a "WL" is to be retained from cutting or damage on timber harvest area. If tree is cut or damaged by the logger, they are assessed $50.00 for damages. Sheffer timber harvest; 10/07.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/wildlife_cavity_tree.JPG)
Great thread. The fawn on the steps and the baby owl - oh yeah and the baby coons in the tree are my favorites so far.
LOGDOG
Rabbit in the Log Deck. This rabbit has made a home in our aspen pulpwood deck and has remained there during all the activity and noise on the landing. Sheffer timber harvest; 12/07.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/rabbit_in_log_deck1.JPG) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/rabbit_in_log_deck.JPG)
I really did, but I didn't mean to. :-\
I had a dead hollow tree blow down on my property this winter, and part of it was still hanging in the air on another tree and it was dangerous, so I went out to cut it into firewood. I normally would have left it until I actually needed wood if it had not been hanging and it was in the way for driving on to the other end of my property. On the very last cut, I found out there was a nest of squirrels in it as one of them ran out of the hollow and back in. To my dismay I found that its sibling had been killed by the saw. When I stopped the saw, Mamma came running at me from another tree. She did a circle around me and ran up third tree and was threatening to come back at any moment. Tammy ran and grabbed the camera, we took a photo, a short video of a very angry squirrel, and then plugged up with leaf litter, some of the holes that were formed as the firewood sections rolled apart, and then left the area. The young squirrel looked like it was old enough that it would be able to handle the near eviction. Mamma on the other hand may not forgive me. The second photo was taken inadvertently during my hasty retreat.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/grey_squirrel_1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/grey_squirrel_2.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7TYdkEO0cM
Easter Screech Owl:
This little guy was hanging out all day in a dead maple. I took a picture while he was sleeping...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/mURI_temp_f12a9061.jpg)
I tried to get closer for a better photo, but I woke him up. He hid in the tree for a little while and then popped his head back up, rested it on the lip of the hole, and went back to sleep...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/mURI_temp_e4de5b14.jpg)
I don't know what lives in it, but I think it is kind of funny. Previous owner builds tree stand, kills tree in the process, creates animal magnet.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17404/DSCF0578.JPG)
Although nailing stuff to a tree aint good, I doubt if that killed the tree.
There does seem to be a causal relationship with boards nailed between two big tooth aspen boles and tree mortality in my neck of the woods. Cherry seems to decline rapidly after a nailing also.
I counted 35 nails in one of those boards in my above pic and most had over 20, and judging by the pile of rotten boards at the base they have been replacing them that way for 10-20 years. I bet several hundred nails could kill that tree.
The tree stand may kill the hunter before the tree. ;) Not a very safe tree stand method.
Yes, and it fortifies my theory that people won't use one nail if six will work. :D
Came across a few Animal Inns this year. This one was at a Beaver Dam off the ATV trail.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/The_Beaver_s_Inn.JPG)
This one was created by some high winds but could become a possible Bear Den.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Possible_bear_Den2.JPG)
Mooseherder, that last picture, is that birch? That looks like the mouth to a cave. Maybe you should poke around in there ;)
They were mostly Fir Trees. It looked a little like a gravel pit under there.
Oh gosh, my bad, when I posted I had it in my mind that swamp donkey posted that. My bad ::) :D
This downed hollow piece of the large white pine tree will soon be the makings for a new "animal inn" by one of the local forest critters.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_1030.JPG)
On the timberland that I work, we are responsible to retain habitat trees of all kinds per our Habitat Conservation Plan. I completely agree with the idea. Usually those trees are of little value for timber, and much greater value to wildlife. Lately, the Thompson Big-ear bat is the latest animal that we have been on the lookout for. The trees they inhabit are large >48" with cavities that extend upward into the bole 3 feet. Of all the trees I have found that meet this criteria, I have never seen evidence of bats, although I am not allowed to look into the tree (DFW). The bats I've seen on our property have all been associated with homesteads. Still looking though!