We have 65 acres in Anderson county. Half hardwoods and half is pine. Do you have any recommendations on how to get some cover to grow under the pine trees. The the pines are large and not sure how old, but not much sun hits the ground. I think its too open under the pine canopy. I would like the ground to have some cover or maybe something I can plant in there that does well in shady acidic soil due to pine trees. Otherwise I feel the space is wasted and deer will not want to hang out there or even feel comfortable moving thru that area to our food plots. Since the property is not super large I want to take advantage of all the space we have. I am going to have the forester come out but wanted to get other opinions. Any ideas?

Controlled burns, reset succession

I would also say controlled burns, but I know pine tree plantations burn to kill the undergrowth, so you may not want to do that in the pines. Maybe have the interior portion logged, or thinned out considerably, then a burn would clean it up..

Also get your local AG agent out, they are sharp and FREE.

You can try a burn...be careful not to take your trees with it... If you have food plots the deer will figure out a way to get to it...even if it means pole dancing thru the pines. I wouldn't be concerned with the lack of cover. Give them free passage thru the pines then bust them when they enter the food plot

Thanks for the posts. I would be too concerned about burning it all down.

I would use the pines as possible bedding areas with some selective hinge cuts in the pines. That will also allow some of the under-ground to grow some brush and let the sun in a little.

The burns in fact do kill uerbrush, but the pines are very tolerant to fire. After a burn the underbrush will re seed and create lots of browse for the deer/turkey. Forest services use this ALOT. The oak however are easily killed by a fire. I wouldnt advise going out and starting a fire but rather contacting a forester/contractor.

Thanks for the advice. I will get someone out there. I love the tall pines and the idea of having some dense underbrush for deer or other game to feel somewhat secure in there.

Leave the oaks alone and thin the pines to encourage the natural browse to take over. In a matter of 2 years after a 3rd row thinning, you will have youpon and dewberries emerging. Both excellent for feed and cover.

Rake up the needles and toss out some ryegrass. It will grow. Not that nutritious but attracts them when there is no more green stuff around.

Lot's of chain sawing, open up ten acres and let it come back thick, you can essentially create your own bedding area, then hunt between that area and the food and you are good to go. You would be surprised how thick a clear cut gets in only a year.

fire is number one if you have fire cuts.

Good ideas. I will rake up pine needles and thin some of it.

Another question. I have about 10 acres of bottom land by the creek that burned. There are only dead trees in that area but the grass is growing now and but no brush or trees are coming back. The property was like that when we got it. I plan to make some food plots but I would also like some trees around the food plots for cover. What type of fast growing trees should I plant around the food plots?