Summer or Winter?

[Peck]

I plan to have some clear cutting done this summer. This is  part of my habitat management plan. Will a summer cut create as much new growth as a winter cut? the driest part of the summer will be less damaging to the forest floor. Last winter my ground had lots of moisture and no frost in the ground, had to hold off. Next winter could be the same way. Any opinions?  Thank You

[SwampDonkey]

Peck:

Depends alot on the silvics of the trees your regenerating. If its spruce, or yellow birch, a late summer or early fall cut is best after cones have ripened and the ground is still dry enough for a bit of screefing from the skidding. Same would hold true for the oaks, although alot of the acorns may be crushed by machinery on the paths. With the oaks if its a late fall cut you have the leaf fall to help stratify the acorns and keep them moist during germination the next season. If its aspen suckering your looking for, it doesn't make alot of difference although a winter cut seems to yield a higher density of sprouts the first growing season after the cut.

cheers