Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum 1.5yr old pines (Added before after pic)

These were planted in 2025. These pine grew quite a bit since ~April when I first saw the property (had good rain). When I saw the property I was thinking that it would take another year or two before there was enough cover for the deer to feel comfortable. Just after 1.5yrs it looks pretty good.

It is full of blackberry bushes. Dragging deer through that is gonna be very tough.

I didn't know what to expect, so I assume others are also curious.

Edit: I added a pic from I think the same area from March. Huge difference.

This pic was from ~June 6th, 2026:




This pic is from ~March, 2026 (~3 months earlier)

You must have an incredibly good site index. Those look to be older than 18 mth pines.

I don't know anything about growing trees. There are some smaller one, even in the photo, but many are chest high. Lot of them have ~over

These are loblolly. They look much "fuller", "bushier" that I expected. Again I am ignorant.

That's a nice stand!

You may have a few volunteers in that loading deck. I’d be curious what they look like out in the clearcut. We’ve had good weather and rain either way. Good luck!!

If you want a trail through them now is the time to bushhog. Also do not plant too close to a road you plan on using.

That’s great advice, IF you’re the landowner. Especially the part about not planting too close to the roads. Most folks should know this, but if you start removing planted trees on leased ground you’ll probably be looking for a new lease. Based on some of the dumbassery we’ve seen over the years it’s probably good to remind folks.

Aw man, them little trees ain’t worth nothing. 😁

Nice looking bunch of young pines. What general area is that ?

Keep it wide around the roads. I also make sure that I run a good firebreak around my stands that are twice the width of my bush hog. Even if you're not burning, it provides great access to view your property, hunting lanes and possible food plot locations between different types of habitat. Obviously proximity to property lines and terrain can alter that plan.

Cuthbert GA

I tracked several deer around Cuthbert back when I first started......Found a couple pretty nice ones.....Seemed like a pretty good area

I would have a tree picked out to climb for opening day of gun season. That cutover will have deer all in it depending on the size

Man one of the best artifact dig sites I have ever been on was in Cuthbert. It was phenomenal

We have a place in north Washington County Al. Trees were planted about the same time & don’t look nearly that healthy. Good luck with the deer, as you have some really good suggestions here.

After 1.5yrs I expected waist high trees & not enough cover for deer, except on the edges. Lots of these are 5ft tall. Post a pic of your trees. They seem to be growing best in areas where there is a lot of debris from the old trees.

I added a "before" pic to the first post, because I wasn't sure that I remembered correctly how small the pines were when I first saw the property. I am amazed how much they grew in ~3 months. If they continue that growth rate (may with the El Nino rains) by hunting season there should be plenty of cover.