Where would I get them and how much you think that many trees would cost?

You usually plant and spray Arsenal the year after it's cut. 3 years is a while. I seem to remember $120/acre, but not sure if that covers spraying.

From what I've read longleaf stays in a grass stage for several years. Seemed like the first 5 to 7 years it's growing down not up putting on a serious root ball. I'm sure someone will correct any wrong info as I'm going off memory,.

After the roots are established, the long leaf will catch up to loblolly by age 10-15 or so. I don't remember the exact figures. I just remember seeing a small long leaf and a loblolly that was well over head high and the forester explained that they were probably about the same age but the long leaf would soon outgrow the other.

Personally I like the 9' by 9' or 10' by 10' spacing.

But here is what I would do: burn as soon after the deer season is over. And then burn again in November. Replant pines in December.

In other words, skip the expensive spraying.
Yes, spraying is best, but personal I would burn twice then plant.

BUT HERE is the main thing: I would make a plan to re-plant pines in such a way as to create a lot of funnels and pinch points and to also create several large open areas that will allow for 3 or so big spring and summer food plots for deer.

Also map out two or three other smaller food plot locations.


Study the aerial and topo maps to do this the most scientific way possible to maximize the place for deer and hunting. Create funnels!!! Let the streams/creeks/drainages be untouched and let those also create funnels.

Also, use a bulldozer after the second burn to secure you permanent open areas. A good operator can do that without taking away all your top soil.

If you don't overpay for the land itself you have a great long term opportunity.

I would never recommend spending the money to plant pines without spraying an appropriate herbicide recommended mixture, but if that is what you want to do on your own property........

If there is no competition I would not worry about it, especially if it was just a hunting project or something. You could do a band spray in the grass where you are planting if you wanted to. IMHO if you are planting pines after a clear cut to me it is like planting corn, peanuts or another crop. The less competition you have for those young seedlings the better result you will have.

So what if your main goal is to produce awesome wildlife habitat for deer and turkey? Still go the herbicide route? Seems every QDMA article or article on timber production in regards to creating good wildlife habitat, all reccomends strongly against herbicide treatment.

So is it better to create a barren landscape early on for your trees and hope the habitat improves after 2 or 3 years post herbicide, or if you goal is deer hunting would it better to leave the herbicide off in order to grow more natural browse for the first 3 to 4 seasons before it get's too thick to see?

What do the most common herbicide treatments one year after cutting do the green fields the next fall?

Seems every QDMA article or article on timber production in regards to creating good wildlife habitat, all reccomends strongly against herbicide treatment.

Link to a story?

Depending on the treatment of course, but this is not true. The wildlife sector is mostly pro-herbicide. Selective herbicide used the correct way is a great tool for habitat management.