This video does look at it from the ranchers perspective. But they're the ones that are dealing with the cedar trees on their property. The larger picture is at the Sandhills is a very unique ecosystem in the world. Basically the Sahara desert with 2 in of soil on top. Quite beautiful in the spring when the flowers bloom. Here's a little more info: The Sandhills, often written Sand Hills, is a region of mixed-grass prairie on grass-stabilized sand dunes in north-central Nebraska, covering just over one quarter of the state. The dunes were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1984.
Thank you for showing that private landholders are engaged in doing the right thing. With the extent of private land holdings in the U.S., they are a critical piece of restoration and conservation. Organizations such as PERC (Property & Environment Research Center) in Montana exist to find ways to assist landowners in achieving environmental goals.
Besides affect on moisture available for forage production has work been done to quantify affect on water table recharge and stream flow caused by encroachment?
Great question! This site has excellent information about how cedars came to invade Nebraska and other states: agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project
The mechanical removal we show is one way to manage cedars, but you are right that it can leave remaining seeds. Fire is the best management option for destroying the seed bank. For more information, please see the guide on this website: www.wlfw.org/landscapes/great-plains/woodland-expansion/
This comes across as an ad for cattle ranchers, and not a rallying cry for saving the unique ecosystem of the sandhills. Not debating that the cedar, as an invasive species in these areas, isn't a problem, however no mention is made of the incredible environmental destruction of cattle farming.
Cattle grazing isn't too bad for prairies, in many ways conservation areas unable to aquire bison use or rent Cattle for prescribed grazing as they in some ways mimic the grazing of bison and elk. Overgrazing is a threat although alot of ranchers make sure to keep up a rotational system to prevent Overgrazing.
Ehh.. im for trees. Theres no longer millions of buffalo roaming artificially keeping the prairies mowed down. Let nature run its course. Let the land decide.
The plains would burn uncontrollably from lightning if it wasn’t for firefighters. The Great Plains have some the highest charcoal content in the soil of any grassland in the world because it historically burned so often. If it isn’t burned periodically there is a higher risk of wildfires in droughts because of vegetative build up including cedar. It is also prudent to burn invasive species that have taken over in part because of the fire suppression.
@cheeserice9211 I read that without human intervention the eastern woodlands would extend much further into the plains. Much of the tall grass prairie was formed not naturally but due to native intervention.
Yes, you are restoring the land to the way you want it. However, you are also destroying the habit for wildlife, which has a better way to use the land. Those cedar bushes make great habitat for birds and small animals seeking shelter (and protection from predators) You folks should be learning from nature, not trying to control it for reasons you think is best for all. Just a thought. Suppose some very large monster attacked your house and neighborhood ripping apart your home like you're ripping apart home and habitat, with a name like Kubota?
You need to watch the video. They ended it with prairie chickens which require large areas of No trees to survive. Same with the sandhill crane. Trees are good for some birds and dangerous for other birds that cant survive with eagles and hawks sitting in trees watching their food on the ground. Sandhill Crane sleep on the river at night and significant work has been done on the platte river to clear trees in their migratory path.
This video does look at it from the ranchers perspective. But they're the ones that are dealing with the cedar trees on their property. The larger picture is at the Sandhills is a very unique ecosystem in the world. Basically the Sahara desert with 2 in of soil on top. Quite beautiful in the spring when the flowers bloom. Here's a little more info:
The Sandhills, often written Sand Hills, is a region of mixed-grass prairie on grass-stabilized sand dunes in north-central Nebraska, covering just over one quarter of the state. The dunes were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1984.
Thank you for showing that private landholders are engaged in doing the right thing. With the extent of private land holdings in the U.S., they are a critical piece of restoration and conservation. Organizations such as PERC (Property & Environment Research Center) in Montana exist to find ways to assist landowners in achieving environmental goals.
As a Rancher that's been fighting cedars for over 35 years, this is a great video and most of the rest of the comments section is wrong.
Besides affect on moisture available for forage production has work been done to quantify affect on water table recharge and stream flow caused by encroachment?
Jason from the Mendota Ranch has developed a product called the Brush Bullet to deal with unwanted trees.
God bless the Sandhills!
Anyone looking at sterilizing trees used for windbreaks?
I've worked on clearing Melaleuca in Florida... it's relentless.
That would be awesome. Ive seen alot of hermaphrodite branches on male trees so i think sterilizing would be the ticket.
Is that cedar a native tree to Nebraska?
Great question! This site has excellent information about how cedars came to invade Nebraska and other states: agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project
A dry cedar juniper might as well be soaked in gasoline and is extremely flamable.
Destroying the tree is not and nor has it ever been the solution. Why … you still have fallen seed on the ground.
The mechanical removal we show is one way to manage cedars, but you are right that it can leave remaining seeds. Fire is the best management option for destroying the seed bank. For more information, please see the guide on this website: www.wlfw.org/landscapes/great-plains/woodland-expansion/
It can be part of the solution.
This comes across as an ad for cattle ranchers, and not a rallying cry for saving the unique ecosystem of the sandhills. Not debating that the cedar, as an invasive species in these areas, isn't a problem, however no mention is made of the incredible environmental destruction of cattle farming.
Cattle grazing isn't too bad for prairies, in many ways conservation areas unable to aquire bison use or rent Cattle for prescribed grazing as they in some ways mimic the grazing of bison and elk. Overgrazing is a threat although alot of ranchers make sure to keep up a rotational system to prevent Overgrazing.
Do you hate bison too? What animals are okay with you?
Would goats help? Sheep, where I live, will eradicate trees.
Nope
Your grazing process is wrong, you obviously need to fight the red cedar.
You're lucky it's not honeysuckle and European buckthorn.
Ehh.. im for trees. Theres no longer millions of buffalo roaming artificially keeping the prairies mowed down. Let nature run its course. Let the land decide.
fire is a natural element that is artificially suppressed by humans.
@@cheeserice9211 seems like all of these burns are man made.
The plains would burn uncontrollably from lightning if it wasn’t for firefighters. The Great Plains have some the highest charcoal content in the soil of any grassland in the world because it historically burned so often. If it isn’t burned periodically there is a higher risk of wildfires in droughts because of vegetative build up including cedar. It is also prudent to burn invasive species that have taken over in part because of the fire suppression.
@cheeserice9211 I read that without human intervention the eastern woodlands would extend much further into the plains. Much of the tall grass prairie was formed not naturally but due to native intervention.
Let's all pray the seeds instead spread and thrive the more these cedars are chopped down :)
Peace
Watch the video and get educated... the trees are not native, and not helping.
Yes, you are restoring the land to the way you want it. However, you are also destroying the habit for wildlife, which has a better way to use the land.
Those cedar bushes make great habitat for birds and small animals seeking shelter (and protection from predators)
You folks should be learning from nature, not trying to control it for reasons you think is best for all.
Just a thought. Suppose some very large monster attacked your house and neighborhood ripping apart your home like you're ripping apart home and habitat, with a name like Kubota?
You need to watch the video. They ended it with prairie chickens which require large areas of No trees to survive. Same with the sandhill crane. Trees are good for some birds and dangerous for other birds that cant survive with eagles and hawks sitting in trees watching their food on the ground. Sandhill Crane sleep on the river at night and significant work has been done on the platte river to clear trees in their migratory path.