Clearing Woods off 283 (?)

**eddiej** · 04-12-2010, 08:40 AM

Anyone know what's happening on the west side of Hwy 283? A large area of trees has been cleared. Just wondrin'....

**Jdarg** · 04-12-2010, 08:56 AM

A huge area inside the forest of 395 has been cleared as well- we came upon it while walking the 5 mile loop. The tree debris and logging trucks have made the road/trail very difficult. It appeared that big pines were logged and the rest clear cut- I was thinking that this is some sort of forest management process.

**John R** · 04-12-2010, 09:03 AM

It's for Longleaf Pine reforestation. You can call FL Division of Forestry for more info. 850 267-8325

**Buz Livingston** · 04-12-2010, 09:24 AM

Actually it is pretty decent forest management technique.

Timber prices have spiked up fairly significantly.

State Forests are supposed to be logged and at least they are generating revenue.

I saw the log trucks last week.

**Jdarg** · 04-12-2010, 09:39 AM

I figured it was something like that. But word of caution- it is tough going on the 395 trail! And it is kinda weird to come out of the woods and be standing in a huge cleared area (several acres), ringed by trees with blue spray paint. Looked like a tornado came through!

**Buz Livingston** · 04-12-2010, 12:03 PM

I wish they would selectively thin the timber rather than clear cut.

The stand could be so thin selectively thinning is impractical.

I marked timber before I kissed a girl...bad priorities I guess.

**Joefromseagrove** · 04-12-2010, 01:02 PM

I am not sure, but I think the revenue from logging actually goes to the school board also.

**Christian** · 04-12-2010, 04:10 PM

This is the DOF clearing what's called "off site" slash or sand pine that was planted years ago (to produce pulpwood/timber) on land where it naturally would not have grown--hence the term "off site." They clearcut these areas to get rid of all of the trees that should not be there and then replant with longleaf pine randomly rather than in rows. These state and federal lands, along with a few private lands like Nokuse Plantation, are really the only place to see Gulf coastal plain forests that look somewhat like they did naturally for thousands of years--mostly longleaf pine with an open understory kept open by frequent wildfires.