What I Learned Last Year - TSI Primer and 2025 Plans | Dream Farm w/ Bill Winke

[@charliecardell]

Great info Bill. This got me excited to get out soon and start working on my lease in SE Mn. Looking forward to more of these videos. Work safe gentlemen

[@joshjenkins7075]

I've done a lot of tree work over the years. When I was younger, I had a little small tree service and I had some experience logging, but I will say a lot of guys that cut trees on flatland or in some yard think they can go and do t. SI and like you said, the trees behave completely different on steep ground. But you're right, it is a ton of fun. Once you get the hang of it to watch those things take off. Good luck next season. I hope the Jordan bought pops out opening weekend for ya and I look forward to following you through the off-season. Great show Really informative. I've learned a lot about food plots and seed blends. Just super fascinating Thanks so much for the time that you put in. If you're like me, doing that kind of stuff is really less like work and more like therapy

[@rickgilles9009]

Bill, I'm essentially doing the same cutting process on my farm. I'm not a young man anymore, so I just cut one or two tanks of fuel each time I go out. My goal is to have a healthy forest so that when my physical abilities dwindle, I still have great habitat for hunting while improving the marketable trees. Like you, hiring a logger isn't worth the minimal reward. Your videos are some of the most interesting and informative on Ytube.

[@robertflannagan6093]

I have learned to use wedges and keep an extra bar and chain with me for when i pinch my saw, im an novice for sure but the deer thanked me with an fawn in my food plot in may and sheds this december great video stay safe

[@squirrelgravy7513]

I've done many acres of tsi work. I'd recommend you keep a small plastic wedge or 2 in your pocket when you do this work. Handy to force trees against the lean like you demonstrated, keep from getting your bar pinched if the tree rocks back in the wind like you talked about. Just don't overestimate how much side or back lean a single wedge will overcome. I just a small tree or branch in lieu of carrying a felling and for driving the wedges.

[@JayN4GO]

Great tips bill! You banked that tree like a 3 pointer and missed the oak. Good job

[@Tom-sf3rx]

Great tips! I had a stay in the Iowa city hospital last year due to a tree kicking back. Broken sternum, scalped severely, shoulder damage, quite a wreck. I’m not new to felling trees but I’m done now. Can’t be safe enough.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Solid safety refresher, there should be many saws firing up in the next weeks in this area with no snow and cool temps. Keep the chains sharpened and gas cans full!

[@justinweyant6107]

I think it's great that you are sharing this info with everyone. However through my trainings I notice a few safety concerns with your felling of trees. 1. When making your back cut, make sure you are looking up, the vibration of the saw can break limbs loose overhead, not to mention you can monitor what the tree is going to do better. 2. Learn how to incorporate wedges into tree felling. A wedge isn't always needed, however I always set one for insurance, just in case. 3. Try avoiding cutting through your hinge wood and be sure you are setting proper hinge width for the tree your felling. Not trying to come off as know it all, but tree felling is dangerous and proper training should be taken into account

[@nonameoutdoors-c7k]

awesome job on details of chainsaw safety. one thing to is good boots - there are ones out there that have the same material as what the chaps are made of, in case the saw hits the boot, it will grab and jam. some plastic wedges and a maul, in case of stuck saw pinch

[@bill-winke]

I do need to start carrying (at least at the ATV) wedges and a maul. I don't think I want to carry them around the bluffs all day long though. It is amazing how exhausted I get after a day of doing this and the less I can carry, the better. That's why I love Carsen being there. He is young enough that the work is not too taxing. We also try to always have a spare saw at the ATV for jams and breakdowns. One time we jammed a saw and then jammed a second one in the same tree. It took three saws just to get that one tree down! Thanks for the comment and the tips.

[@Ralph-p3i]

I prefer dynamite for stubborn trees. Does the trick every time

[@Mariposaland]

Thanks for sharing, Bill. Are you treating the stumps or do you want the tree to sprout again?

[@StevenSmith-7t391]

Lots of good points Bill. What’s your plan for the downed trees? Leave them or move some around, maybe make some piles? Lots of work.

[@mariocasasola1285]

Mr. Winke, thanks for the quality content you're posting. I've kept up with you for the past 2 years. I have some major FSI projects coming up this Winter/Spring and in hunting this new property in 2024 and thinking about the various stands that I need to focus on in 2025, I am planing to start on the South facing slopes/ridges 1st to get the most impact for the efforts in getting sunlight to the ground. Are you considering this in the zones you're cutting on your farm or does this make an overall difference in your plan? Which direction was the slope facing in the area you cut on this episode?

[@ST-xx9rt]

I worked as a sawyer cutting pulp for 3 years followed by many years at a highway department, frequently cutting storm damaged trees. We received yearly training for insurance purposes. The second round of training I would give would be regarding sharpening and maintaining a chainsaw. Particularly when working in rough terrain. You don't want to have to wrestle a saw that won't cut. Steel and Husqvarna both have videos on KZbin on how to properly sharpen a saw. Follow your owner's manual for the rest of the maintenance. Stay safe everyone

[@catchemalive]

Great video bill!! You can always just girdle or Hack/squirt the questionable trees and let them fall on their own time. How have you seen the deer respond in the past to fresh clearcuts like that after a year or so of new growth?? Do they kind all the downed trees everywhere they have to walk thru??

[@mikejohnson2874]

I almost always girdle my trees. This avoids a lot of the safety issues, but sometimes you do need to cut it completely off. I had a buddy get his front teeth knocked out and a concussion. He was cutting a Cedar tree, and it fell downhill and bounced back uphill due to the branches. So be safe. I also switched to using a Milwaukee battery powered saw that has an 8" bar. Complete game changer. I don't need ear protection and easier to maneuver around. I just have extra batteries charged. Usually, when they run out of juice, so do I.😂

[@bill-winke]

I understand the logic there, and I did some girdling back in the early 2000s on my other farm - mostly with locust trees. I wasn't overly impressed with the results. I don't want all dead trees standing on my farm. When they do fall they will hang on my better trees that I want to flourish and they may even be standing dead next to my tree stands. I guess there are reasons to girdle, but it is not for me. Also, I have seen that dropping the tree creates a "protection cage" for regrowth because the deer won't push into the downed tops very aggressively so you can get browse to establish that otherwise might get snipped before it even gets started. That is my reason for dropping them. Plus, I can drop a tree way faster than I can girdle and squirt. But I do understand why people girdle them and in some situations it does make sense. Your system with the electric saw sounds pretty slick. Thanks for the comment.

[@TheTacticalHouse]

@@bill-winkeI don’t want any dead trees either. I don’t use chemicals/poison to kill weeds.. I use natural ways. My land looks better than my buddies. He’s obsessed with pesticides and girdling. No thanks.. I want organic land. Burning the woods properly will produce better trees as well.

[@gsquared2394]

I like a combination of the two. Real big trees or leaners get a girdle, the thigh size and smaller get put on the ground. The girdles can take a year or two to kill the tree, and then the branches fall down slowly over time. It’s all fun

[@gregbunn4642]

Really good episode. I was wondering is there not any marketable timber in that stand to get some money for it?

[@tommyhunter1817]

Been cutting all morning and took a lunch break to watch y’all cut for a while. 😂😂. I swear it is such a shame to see all those big cedars, just like on my farm in Kansas, go to waste. There has GOT to be a way to make money on those things. The wood is so pretty, durable, and fragrant. Bill, figure out how to do it and I’ll invest.

[@bill-winke]

Tommy, you figure it out. I have sure tried. There is no local market for them here. I would have to find a way to truck them to a place where they are in demand, but I am sure that would be a loser in the end. Cedar mulch would sell, but you have to get it to the mill first! Good luck and be safe.

[@tommyhunter1817]

@ you would think animal bedding or OSB for cedar closets and other woodworking. Plus some of those you cut are big enough to mill into boards. Such a shame.

[@R_Wyatt545]

@@tommyhunter1817there’s usually a fence post market

[@tommyhunter1817]

@ that too

[@gouchmcdougal7831]

Yes sir my friend. Safety first , safety always!! Wished I lived closer. I’d gladly help out. And there is guy on KZbin that I watch felling trees. He’s a good clean channel. August Hunicke. I think he’s in the North West. Seems to be top notch arborist. No pun intended. Be safe pray big!! Luke 9:62

[@jbilly24]

People also need to realize that once you cut down a cedar tree, it will be there for a LONG time, as it is very resistant to decay. Even through prescribed burns, the skeleton will remain for many years on a big tree.

[@matthewowens5992]

Try using wedges, this can negate another of the leans you encounter

[@bill-winke]

Yes, I should start doing that. I just don't want to take the time to carry them and pound them in. I think my system is working as long as I don't have to be too exact. I will probably experiment with wedges this year just to gain more experience.

[@lonniechartrand]

I wish I could start some TSI, but we have a LOT MORE SNOW IN NORTHEASTERN MISSOURI than what you have on your farm!

[@Jay-hu1pc]

Hey bill. I’m doing this right now to on about 20 acres. I have alot of oak. I’m taking out all the iron wood, box elder, elm, some butternut hickory, and some basswood and oak that aren’t healthy. What trees are you treating with herbicide. I have been letting a lot go just to sprout back. Is that a good idea?

[@bill-winke]

Most of the stuff you are cutting will either die or stump sprout something the deer will eat. The notable exception is ironwood. You definitely need to kill those stumps or you will have soon have multi-stem trees of each stump. In my experience, the don't eat ironwood sprouts. Good luck.

[@natemihlbachler3511]

Not all chaps have the saw jamming fiber in them either. My buddy was using a pair of mine a couple weeks ago and bumped the chaps and just nicked his pants. Wont be using those again.

[@karsonhull7230]

New to TSI, is it okay to burn after cutting or should I burn before cutting? Or does it matter? Thanks!

[@kevinfowler6065]

In maybe a percentage of total woods, how much are you looking to cut/manipulate over all?

[@bill-winke]

Kevin, we will hit the entire farm before we are done. It will take about four more years (at least) to get it all. There will naturally be pockets that get more cutting and some that get less due to the kind of trees present. The result will have a huge long term impact on the quality of the cover and browse and that will benefit the better timber that we leave (and the deer and grouse) for decades to come (as long as we keep up with regular fire). It is a ton of work to do this well, but it does make a huge difference. Good luck and be safe.

[@PassionfortheWildandWonderful]

Watch for the dead tops and dead limbs that can break loose when falling. Be aware of where your partner is as well and they everyone is paying attention when dropping. Pay attention for any hollow trees.

[@tedrickabus2087]

Cutting trees is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. A big mistake when cutting is also wrong cut type. Humboldt or birds eat depending on direction and lean is best. Key-ways are really gaining popularity. Wind can reverse a leaning tree the opposite direction. Particularly conifers. They catch the wind more easily. Stored energy is a big problem. Trees leaning on another puts a lot of stored energy into the receiving tree, which makes them unpredictable. Once cut, that energy is going somewhere and it's something to be aware/concerned about.

[@dadlife333]

Great that you waisted no time. Big deer coming in 2025.

[@paulbernitt4280]

Absolutely great advice Bill.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Paul. Have a great day.

[@jasonkelly5760]

Bill, why not hire a logger? 12k trees is a good enough number to harvest and make some money.

[@bill-winke]

I wish it was marketable. Most of the stuff we cut is under 14" diameter. They are firewood at best. No market for that locally. A few were big enough for pallet wood, but I don't want the farm torn up by a log skidder for a few thousand dollars. Eventually the quality timber will be big enough a limited harvest.

[@Gregg-o3l]

Bill I’m about to do pretty much the same thing. But I have a logger coming first to take all the big ones. Can’t you do the same ? The check is also pretty nice when they are done. Gregg

[@Jay-hu1pc]

What types of trees is he taking

[@Gregg-o3l]

@ Hard maple. That’s pretty much all that’s on my property

[@bill-winke]

You are basically doing a commercial harvest. Most of what we are cutting is junk with little market value beyond pallet wood if it big enough. I don't have any of the quality trees that I want to cut right now. When the walnuts are ready, maybe 10 to 15 years, I will look at a commercial harvest. But that is a good starting point before TSI if the marketable trees are big enough.

[@Gregg-o3l]

@ Yes. But I am also going to work on parting of it for the deer habitat. Bedding areas. Travel corridors exc. Be save while cutting.