Done a lot of searching on the interwebs, but I figured I'd throw this out and see if anyone had some suggestions.

Bought a property last year that is about 20acres worth of wooded area. Its pretty much a ravine with a mix of hardwoods (cherry, maple, and a lot of dying ash) and hemlock. From my observations, there is a small group of resident does, but the woods seem to be mostly a travel corridor for many of the deer in the area since I'm bordered by open areas on both sides and I79 to the E. The creek bottom is fairly thick and the deer travel it regularly. There is a small opening maybe a 60yd radius that get a decent amount of sunlight (see the pics) that I am thinking about turning into a foodplot to give the critters some more feed and maybe add some attraction for them.

Here's where I am at if I want to do this. Don't have tons of money to spend on implements and such, but I'm not opposed to putting in the elbow grease to make it happen. Thinking about clearing out the downed limbs, trying to chop down the competing grasses, and maybe throwing some white clover down for the first try. My issue with clearing this area is with the creek nearby I really do not want to spray the existing grass with roundup. Anyone have any experience with eliminating the competition without the weedkillers? Any suggestions on what to plant in the bottom land?

Also, there are a few old apple and crabapples trees that I am thinking about trying to rehab and get them to be producers. Any tips on pruning some of these taller old trees that don't put off much fruit?

Anyway, that's what I have for now. Looking forward to any insight you guys might have.

Pm sent

Kill it, Till it, and plant Biologic Perfect Plot. Add some chicory. Bucks cant resist it.
 
BH

I too did a small plot that I wouldn’t spray. Clean up the brush and dead wood. Can you get a mower in there? I’d go the throw and mow method at 1st. Clean it up and just mow it a few times this summer and then around late August seed it with winter rye. The local critters will appreciate it and it will help build up the soil. Remember it’s a drawn out process unless you want to dump a ton of money in it.

You say you don't want round up the area but, is a small, controlled burn possible?  Dry conditions in the early spring, slight breeze blowing right towards that creek seems like it would be a good set-up for a controlled burn.  Most likely need to call the local firefighting jurisdiction to get permission but it would really help with some of the initial work.

The key word being "budget" if indeed you need to control stuff like 'poison ivy" (which animals can/do eat) heavy under brush, etc then Roundup is not the best buy.

I'll stand by "Farm Works" non-selective weed control concentrate for both effectivness and money. 2.5 gal concentrate at Tractor Supply. The weed/brush killer has the same ingredients as Roundup annnnd there is no need to buy "specially marked bottles" for select weeds like poison ivy.

Carefully follow the instructons as the herbicide is what it says.."NON-SELECTIVE".

For spot or close tolerance weed control place a soup can or styrofoam cup over the nozzle of the spray wand using a course spray. (course spray is generally recommended to minimize overspray in any condition) Placing a cup or can over the nozzle further limits overspray and will allow for spraying a 'weed' mixed in with the flowers. Another trick, if the budget allows, buy a sprayer having a "bubbler or foaming" applicator tip. Lastly but not leasely, for close application, us as little as pressure as possible. Hold the applicator tip over the target with valve open and slowly work the pressure pump.

For ivy growing up and around trees, not a good idea to spray the tree trunk. Cut the vine at ground height and spray any ivy on the ground. Caution, dead ivy vine still contains the nasty oil. The trick is to stop the ivy from spreading.

Under brush, ivy, etc must have leaves plus bushes and such should be minimal height or a second application may be required for effective control.

Glyphosate is the key ingredient for weed control in most weed/brush killers and must be absorbed by the plant where it settles into the roots and prevents the plant from feeding keeping the plant from returning.

Instructions say to apply at least an hour before any rain. Once the product is dry, it's safe & good to go

HOWEVER, don't expect the area to remain weed free as seed and weed not yet sprouting will take over. Stupid weeds.

Remember to read and follow all the directions & recommendations when using any chemicals.


Mowing the area before the weed goes to seed is the next best solution. Of course, that's a constant job but over time, will prove effective.

Crappie-Slayer, I'd like to recommend making any changes to your newly purchased parcel of land [congratulations BTW]. Be subtle with cleaning up and making any changes. Not that it may happen to you but I did something similar and the deer completely avoided the area.

Cutting a trail is one thing but clearing the area caused problems. It's their house and they know, somethings up, when the furniture has been re-arranged.


Before anybody panics about using non-selective herbicides, even near water. Stop by a local grain farmer and ask "what's on your fields"?

A novel idea that is being used in some areas around here that is completely safe,you do need a fence, is to buy or rent GOATS. Yes I mean 4 footed ones. I understand that they especially like weeds & poison ivy. They  used them at Keystone State Park & did a great job. Also I saw them being used at a couple of local properties. Then when you are done with yours you can have a Barbecue. Sorry my bad.  sam

I am by no means an experienced food plot person, so please dont beat me up too bad for offering my thoughts on this....but for some of what you are developing I would seriously consider edging the area with berry bushes such as blackberry, raspberry and blueberry.  Once they get ahold they may keep the undesirables choked out. They can get pretty thick so mowing paths and edges should help.
 Along the same line would be adding apples and paw-paw trees and if you are experiencing swampy pathways or flatland areas a willow tree or two should aid in keeping it drier so 4 wheelers and mowers can get in there without cutting it up too bad. 
You may be able to get a soil sample tested to see what nutrients may be lacking by your local Agricultural cooperative representative... this could save you time and wasted money by avoiding either wrong or unneeded fertilizer or lost seedlings if the soil isn't right for your chosen grasses. 
 I know you are targeting white tails, but the berry bushes should help with small game and bird life and the more rounded the habitat the better. Side benefit could be bee boxes and some great seasonal pies. 

Edit to add: Maybe add a few oak or other nut trees around the area... check with game commission or local ag extension to see if there are any tree planting promotions going on right now. Sometimes saplings can be had for a lot less than what you normally pay through a greenhouse. Any 4H or Future Farmers of America group person should be able to help you find resources.

Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to offer up your advice. I'm on vacation (work vacation...not so much fun) so I've been slow to reply.

I really don't want to go the spray route, so I will be stuck with a sickle, weed eater, rake, chainsaw, and small tiller to try and clear the area. I had actually thought about burning it off, but don't know that I want to try that. The goat method....I had not thought about that. Most of what I am trying to get rid of is some sort of tall grass (3ft tall in the summer). I have no expectations of this being a perfect weed free field, just looking to add a little extra nutrition for the critters.

The edges of the area have some thick cover including black / raspberries around about 25% of it, and some other sort of thick low growing bush covering much more of the surrounding area. Judging by my observations, the deer seem to be extremely comfortable traveling this area.

I'm sure this could backfire and with me in there doing a bunch of work I could throw the deer off, but the area is already pretty open other than the existing grass, so its not like I'm changing the entire habitat. A couple years ago one of the properties bordering my parents got timbered pretty hard. I walked up about 20min after they shut down the saws and saw a group of doe already checking the area out. I think deer are somewhat curious creatures.

Thats it for now. Time to get to work

I had a similar situation — high grass on paths that needed cleared. I rented a walk behind brush hog from the local True Value for about $80 for the day and was able to not only cut that high of grass down to the point of being able to mow it from that point forward, but also made some quick work of some undesirable stuff like privit.