Hinge Cutting Trees For Deer | What Trees To Cut? | Habitat Management

[@chadhouser973]

I’m no expert, but it seems like he’s cutting too far through the trees for a hinge.

[@daronsmith2229]

I agree but it’s for informational purposes. Great info on which trees do what when cut.

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

Totally agree.

[@colinleeflang5032]

100%

[@goblingaming4651]

The thinner he makes his cuts shows u more details about how the tree reacts. U can hinge cut every tree but hes trying to show u which ones will actually survive after u do. And very good job on catching that detail though.

[@kevinfarmer8132]

Really need to talk about cutting dead trees and the danger of the top falling out. It can be very dangerous.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Agreed. Kip did mention the dangers relating to dead ash trees, and the same thing applies throughout.

[@snowserfireansmoke]

Outstanding identification of da different species in PA / Great info 👍💰🏆🔪🇺🇸🔥💨

[@daronsmith2229]

Awesome information

[@robertmense8906]

Kip, was kinda surprised you cut the crabapple tree,,, they're a good wildlife tree. Years ago I took a buck that his stomach was packed full of crabapple! Was wondering what the thought process was here? Respectfully, Rob

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Yup! Deer certainly like crabapples. Mainly just to show how different commonly found species react to a hinge cut to show the viewer that in fact there are species that hinge better than others.

[@figandcloverranch5871]

Great video , thanks

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Thanks for watching!

[@creatednordestroyed5339]

Ash always cuts gnarly.

[@garrettm5408]

I heard, red maple, poplar, and beech are good, everything else, take down. What about sweetgum, cedar, locust, elms, hemlock, holly, and sycamore?

[@Blitz4688]

Great video, what about Poplar?

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Poplar trees do not hinge well. They are prone to snapping and can potentially be dangerous when attempting to hinge. Even with great technique, the risk is not worth it. What we recommend you do with poplars is to cut them off.

[@creatednordestroyed5339]

Hickory is high value as nut and timber tree, almost always leave grow unless surrounding higher quality tree.

[@stevegermain1222]

And sawing with the facemask up

[@1949texan]

Why do you cut so far through the trees? I normally only cut just past middle of tree for a greater hinge.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

In this particular video we were more so trying to demonstrate which tree species are good candidates for hinge cutting. Not necessarily trying to show proper technique for hinge cutting a tree. Sorry if there was any confusion.

[@robertlivingston1634]

I'd like to know how hard maple would respond to hinge cutting

[@patrickrooney1307]

Is there any certain direction that should hinge cut trees in? When hinge cutting are you trying to force the deer to go in a certain direction?

[@Whitetail_Properties]

You could potentially use hinge cuts to direct deer, but typically the intention is to bring browse closer to a deers level, while providing some horizontal cover as well.

[@creatednordestroyed5339]

Whatever direction is easier, safer

[@todsimpkins8908]

shouldn't the benefit as deer food be the priority on which trees to cut?

[@Whitetail_Properties]

It could be. It all depends on what the objective of the landowner is. Are they prioritizing food? Or cover? Or both? That's why determining your objectives prior to starting any habitat work is key!

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Will hard maple out compete beech in a newlyTSI forest? I have a ton of beech in my woods after my first TSI, and wondering if I should start killing off the beech.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Both beech and hard maple are shade tolerant, and the beech is low browse preference. We would suggest you start thinning the beech with foliar or basal treatments to encourage more than just maple, herbaceous and brambles would be best.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

@@Whitetail_Properties I didn't think beech was much of a browse species for deer either, ive not seen browse pressure on them. what i do like about them is they hold their leaves thru December and the entire hunting season and with that provide pretty good side cover. But too many is not good either. appreciate the feedback

[@Whitetail_Properties]

@@stevedenoyer5956 Yes that is a good point from a cover perspective. We don't think you need to remove all of them, but certainly thinning them and allowing some herbaceous stuff and brambles to start to grow would provide that cover the beech are and provide forage as well.

[@cliffordchristman6145]

What about hinge cutting bass wood?

[@Whitetail_Properties]

You can try it. Basswood is a softer hardwood, so you may have some trouble hinging them without having them break.

[@skymagruder5270]

If I wanted to hinge cut for let’s say opening day here (oct 1), when should I do the cutting for maximum deer usage? Thanks!

[@Whitetail_Properties]

You really can hinge cut anytime, when done correctly, the tree will continue to grow and provide food (depending on species) and cover for many years. We like to implement it in the winter, mainly because it cooler, which makes running a saw for hours much easier.

[@dontump2286]

@@Whitetail_Properties Winter may be better for long term survival bc they're dormant and have time to heal a defensive layer against bugs and insects before it gets warm. I just made that up, but it seem logical that fall is best time.

[@waylonlegend4603]

Not sure why you’d want to hinge cut crab apples or get rid of them.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

We were just showing how a few different species react to hinge cutting. Crab apple wouldn't be a top candidate for hinge cutting.

[@larrydooley1472]

Still trying to find information on hinge cutting conifer trees like pine, etc.. Any information? thank you

[@swostillwateroutdoors]

I have recently tested out hinge cutting a balsam fir on my land. The hinge tends to snap not bend. I do have some sap wood still in tact. Will have to wait and see how it does. Was a small tree. Big ones would not work at all I don’t think.

[@rustinnobinger6668]

Conifers do not hinge well at all

[@randydvorak8460]

Good to show the difference between trees. You lack the safety part by never pulling down your face guard, standing behind the cut and you hinge cut across your road.

[@CamSternberg]

If he had some one with hime with pull stick he would not have to cut as far though the tree

[@stevegermain1222]

Why wouldn't you turn the saw off before you go pushing on that Hickory

[@stevoky]

Because it has a chain break.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

Yes because it has a chain break, and also in case the tree needed to be cut a little bit more.

[@dougkraemer8327]

I dont understand cutting the next generation of trees and taking away a layer of the forest.

[@Whitetail_Properties]

In almost every instance the trees we are cutting are not valuable trees from a timber harvest standpoint. Removing a layer of trees allows sunlight to hit the forest floor allowing herbaceous species to grow, while also providing cover for deer and other wildlife with the trees the were cut. Theres some nuance to this, we have a ton of videos explaining the process and school of thought on it.

[@linthicum75]

P

[@ggrinnell22]

Cutting way too far through the tree for habitat hinge cutting. Beech provides no value to deer. I’m less impressed with this channel the more I watch

[@Whitetail_Properties]

The purpose of the demonstration was to cut the tree and discuss whether or not it was a good candidate for hinge cutting and why. Not necessarily to demonstrate proper technique or cut trees that are actually beneficial for wildlife.