Brush & Logging Slash Burning Technique

Easy way to get fire started when burning wet brush and logging slash. Last year I made this mess when I did a forest thinning. I cut the logs into firewood and milled some of them into lumber on my Woodmizer LT15 sawmill.  Now I am cleaning up the mess by piling and burning all the brush and slash. This is a thinning where I am restoring oak habitat. This is an area where Douglas fir has encroached into an area that is better suited for other species, especially Oregon white oak. Burning the slash helps reduce wildfire hazard. It opens up this area to allow grasses and forbs to grow on the forest floor.  These provide food for wildlife. On many parts of this property, I tend to leave more of the woody debris. Cleaning up this opening creates some forest diversity.
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[@SlainteFromFlorida]

Ignore the "keyboard warrior" types. They don't do anything. I'm reminded of a quote; "Bees don't waste time explaining to flies why honey is better than dung"

[@stevek5988]

That is an excellent quote..

[@WilsonForestLands]

That is a very good quote. I do have a somewhat childish streak though that enjoys messing with them more than I should.

[@TheGrmany69]

We have a similar one in Spanish: águila no caza mosca/ eagles don't waste time hunting for flies😅

[@1SGPARKER]

I learned a long time ago that I'm not nearly as smart as I think I am. So, I won't criticize you since you do this for a living! Thanks for the education!

[@johnfahey7215]

“Stew in its own fireness”! I need permission to use that one, really like it!👍😀 Thanks in advance, The Old Retired Laborer 😂

[@WilsonForestLands]

Use it as you wish. 😁

[@scottperine8027]

You are not obvious, I think you’re enigmatic and very understandable.

[@outsidewithstevep]

I love your dry humor. AND your videos!

[@shanemillard608]

Thank you for showing this process. I just purchased almost 5.5 acres and about 4.5 are wooded here in Kentucky. It has lots of ungrowth of honey suckle and lots of other things. Ash borer came through and there are a lot of dead trees. I'm learning woodland management through this process.

[@garykidd4468]

if you were burning that stuff in the Southeast you would be required to use at least one gallon of off road diesel per pick up load of slash to even consider making it burn.

[@ericrice6748]

Nice job there Sir, it would be nice to see what those spots look like when things start growing in the spring!!!

[@WilsonForestLands]

I certainly will, if I remember. That’s the key phrase, if I remember.

[@jefff6167]

Thanks for taking the time to create this video. Very entertaining. 👍🇺🇸

[@dixongreen]

Great video & info on fire & how it is a benefit to a forest.

[@Bushman9]

Some of my favorite days in the bush are spent burning. Especially in that damp cool weather, where the fire serves a dual purpose by helping keep the dampness out of my bones.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Yep those are the best days for burning. It’s a good thing to do on the cool damp days.

[@snort455]

This video is really a important message. Burning is good. Burning is taking care of the land. These days, every time I burn the fire department gets called even tho Im doing everything safely. Sometimes the fire department has to shut me down because they keep getting nuisance calls. They acknowledge Im doing everything properly, but because people dont know the importance of burning as a way prevent unwanted fire, I get shut down. Its good this video demonstrates how to burn safely.

[@WilsonForestLands]

That sounds obnoxious getting the fire department called on you. I am fortunate to not have people around here to do that. It’s a problem when they try to do prescribed burning on government land. They get a lot of complaints from the public who don’t understand the importance of it.

[@mrose4132]

Those firemen are cowards and don’t deserve your respect. The fact that they shut YOU down because it’s just easier for them is BS.

[@farmboy8261]

Your channel is great! Thank you! Don't let those keyboard turds get to you.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Thank you. I just use the keyboard jockeys for material. I just have to be careful that I don’t become too much of an obnoxious turd to them. 😁

[@snort455]

burning brush is the best cross-fit workout ever! Plus you're making the would a better place while you "exercise". I like to burn as often as I can.

[@WilsonForestLands]

You are definitely right about that. Maybe I need to start a forest fitness program.

[@chaswarren7239]

Your on-screen commentary is hilarious !

[@alexshiro222]

Thanks for the video:) If you remember can you show how it looks in spring?

[@WilsonForestLands]

I will if I remember. Remind me if I don’t.

[@lpeterman]

One small add-on, if I may: buck up smaller diameter logs (3"-4") and form a ring around said burn-pile. That way the material to be burnt up stays within and the ring provides a modicum of containment, similar to a rock ring around a campfire. Just my dos centavos. Another likeroo. Cheers from a drying out and warmer, Linn County.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Sounds like a good thing to try. Starting to dry out here too. Hopefully not too much though, we are still a little behind in rainfall.

[@ronaldmatros9890]

Fire is hot? Are you sure? Can't be. Oh ya that's right God made fire. Your humor slays me. Enjoy every video. Thank you.

[@WilsonForestLands]

At least every fire I have built so far has been hot. 😁👍

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Good information Mr. Wilson.. never thought about moving the fire around like that..😉👍

[@WilsonForestLands]

Thank you Mr. Atkins. 👍

[@irishcherokee8884]

I wish our department of forestry managed public lands as well as you

[@WilsonForestLands]

Thank you. Out here in a lot of cases, we just wish they would start managing them in general.

[@Averagewhiteguy4980]

That’s a perfect disclaimer . Smart move.

[@araimis]

Burning is good when done correctly. Interesting point on the fire ring staying barren for years. I never have this problem. In N Texas, and anywhere I have had these, they grow over in a few months and you can't even tell is was a burn spot. Also grows back stronger and we tend to get more desirable wild grasses over the blackberries or vines.

[@WilsonForestLands]

I meant to mention that in the video but I forgot. A lot of places they grow over quickly. Like on the coast near here where it’s a cooler wet climate and things just grow like crazy. I spent some time in Oklahoma and it was the same way there. Things like grass really want to grow.

[@ronsilva516]

Your smart burning off all the slash and by doing what you do you protecting the forest by getting rid of the fuel that causes forest fires . Now me I even burn off all the oak leafs off to

[@CWME02]

Never thought of moving the fire to the slash. Going to file that one away for future use. Good stuff, thank you.

[@paulchristensen6722]

I wish I could work that fast😁

[@WilsonForestLands]

That’s why you need to eat your Wheaties for breakfast.

[@billgilbert8130]

Love your wit humor and advice !

[@cascademtman5901]

Where I'm at, we go from snow season right into fire season. So we only burn in the fall. Then it's slash piles the size of houses and we burn until first snow. Then we leave or risk being snowed in.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Yeah that’s a different situation in snow country. Sometimes I wish we had more snow here land less mud.

[@benjobello]

Thanks for the great video, super helpful info

[@scottauer7188]

Was working on the wood splitter today. Then splitting wood all day. I have two fires going one in the garage one in the house. I won't ever listen to what you have to say. Only the usfs service and the government. Good info. Will not try this at home!!! Thanks

[@WilsonForestLands]

Excellent 😂

[@mikecook2714]

Brother I love your knowledge and wit !

[@edwinlikeshistractor8521]

Ok, this is a totally different take on this video. I think it was a deep and meaningful metaphor on marriage. " It needs some attention." " You don't want it so hot it kills the underlying soil." " It's time to shut this fire down," Your level of philosophy gets better every video. I am learning a lot about life from you. Also, thanks for answering my request on how to move fire. You still need a patreon section.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Maybe my subconscious mind is adding more to my videos than I realized it was. 🤔 I did sign up for Patreon but haven’t done anything with it yet. I feel like I need to add extra value for my Patreons, I just haven’t figured out what I want to do with that yet. Maybe go deeper into philosophy.

[@edwinlikeshistractor8521]

You are worth having patreon's just by doing what you are doing. No extra needed.@@WilsonForestLands

[@mfanamanzini7330]

Tending fire is hard work. You will definitely get a good nights sleep after this.

[@michaelsinclair8279]

Thanks

[@michaelsinclair8279]

Get yourself a beer to wash the wood smoke taste out!

[@WilsonForestLands]

I appreciate that, thank you very much! That’s very generous of you. It may take something stronger like a shot of whiskey. 😁

[@joeyrector1015]

I agree 💯. It's looking a lot better around there. I've got to do the same around here

[@WilsonForestLands]

Yep looking better, just as long as I don’t cut more trees down and mess it up again.

[@joeyrector1015]

@@WilsonForestLands right that's me. But it's so hard not to cut more trees

[@realairplane261]

Different places in the US will have different ideas about burning. Here in N Wisconsin it is best to just cut it up so it is low to the ground and it will compost in a few years. No need to burn.

[@WilsonForestLands]

I do that in some areas. It can also be good for wildlife habitat. This is an area I wanted to clean up. That helps it become a good grazing area for wildlife.

[@DrDjones]

Good fires prevent bad fires! With that said, do you do prescribed burns?

[@WilsonForestLands]

I can but without a crew they make me nervous. I only do very small ones once in a while in areas when it’s barely dry enough to burn. There are some possible programs coming out with the department of forestry for doing prescribed burns. hopefully that will someday turn into something I can use.

[@davebloggs]

A great video as always, I do tend to find that most of the keyboard warriors have never actually done any of the things they like to add an uneducated opinion to. . Many years ago I worked with a forestry guy who has done this kind of work all his life and he did the same thing, guess whos job it was to move the fire :-) . controlling fire fuel load at ground level is very important, nice to see you making great videos and actually showing how it should actually be done.

[@Bryan-yl7mg]

I'd bet 90% of these keyboard warriors hear something said on another video and take it as gospel. Too many people "learn" by word of mouth instead of research and just end up making themselves look like annoying idiots to anyone with a little common sense.

[@davebloggs]

@@Bryan-yl7mg Exactly most have no clue what they are talking about.

[@WilsonForestLands]

I think a lot of them here one thing that applies to a certain situation. Then they think that is the only way to do things in every situation.

[@davebloggs]

@@WilsonForestLands Agreed , where I live we have good snow cover for a good part of the year some 5 months usually so I do the same thing just scatter all the embers in the snow. good luck setting fire to that.

[@realairplane261]

Burning in the US is different, depending where you are. Here in N Wisconsin it is best to just cut the brush up, so it is low to the ground and it will compost in a couple of years.

[@brianjonker510]

So much this. A fair bit of the hard feelings in the comments are not from any exact right or wrong way to make a fire, when to burn, or deal with slash. Most of that is entirely site dependent. Here in central NYS there is typically just a few weeks a year or less you shouldnt burn a brush pile UNATTENDED.

[@dgoodman1484]

I’ve seen slash that was still on the forest floor 50 years after it was left there.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

@@dgoodman1484 If it's in contact with the ground it rots pretty fast.

[@WilsonForestLands]

How the slash rots can depend on the site and the climate. It rots fairly quickly here if it is lopped up and close to the ground. That is more so in shady areas. This open area where the oaks let more sunlight in, it doesn’t rot as fast. On most of this property I just leave it. These open areas I want to clean up though. Opens it up for wildlife grazing and it looks nice.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

@@WilsonForestLands The species and time of year makes a big difference, too. Birch, poplar and balsan fir will rot faster than maple or hemlock. Wood that's cut in spring or summer contains more moisture and rots faster than wood that's cut when the tree is dormant.

[@user-ik4fd9ny4b]

Can you tell me what length bar and size saw you use? Can I put a long bar on my old 031 ? Not to cut larger diameter trees, I have a bad back and rather not bend over with the saw? A large saw would be too heavy for my back. And I’m seventy years old.

[@WilsonForestLands]

This is a 32 inch bar. I think an 031 would be underpowered with this length bar but if you are just cutting small things, it may be sufficient. I haven’t tried it so I couldn’t tell you for sure though. I do recommend the light bars. I used to run a 24 inch bar a lot of the time, but when they came out with the light bar, the 32 became my go to. I like being able to cut upright and not always be bending over.

[@user-ik4fd9ny4b]

@@fastbusiness darn AutoCorrect! That’s pretty funny. Thanks for pointing it out. Ha ha.

[@user-ik4fd9ny4b]

@@WilsonForestLands thank you very much for responding. For a couple of hundred dollars. I think I’ll give it a try. I know I can change a sprocket on the saw that may help also. My intentions aren’t to be cutting large timber. If I do, I can always switch the bars back. Great way to burn/piles. The wood dries out pretty fast when near a hot fire. Your woods are just gorgeous. I always thought you needed to leave the/behind for the decay to nurture the soil but a friend of mine who is an arborist said the leaves the twigs etc. will take care of that. There’s nothing like a clean forest. And there’s nothing more unsightly than a harvested/Forest.

[@jamesfrancisco7308]

I have done that for years. Dont tell anyone!

[@spencerh2860]

Do you not warm your saw up before cutting with it or do you cut smaller stuff to warm it up before cutting larger diameter material ?

[@WilsonForestLands]

I just run it easy until it warms up. If I let it idle for a while it might make the saw last a little longer. But not sure it’s enough to justify the time letting it idle for a while.

[@spencerh2860]

Thanks for the reply and interesting to know your thoughts and views. Love the channel and content. Much respect from across the pond 🇬🇧

[@TomTurner704]

I always use a pitchfork to handle slash, and for the same reason you use a 32 inch bar, you don't have to bend over. I watched the time lapse of you moving slash and you do a whole lot of bending over. I like a three-tine pitchfork, it grabs whole big bunch of slash at once.

[@dgoodman1484]

Yep, I’m a huge pitchfork fan myself but not if you are hiking in and planning to move coals. Maybe I’d pack in both but not if I was bringing the chainsaw and gas. But yeah, pitchforks are as handy around fires as they are peasant uprisings 😏👍🏼

[@WilsonForestLands]

It’s probably a good idea with the smaller material. There was more fine small material in this spot than I am used to.

[@Wheelloader__]

Smoky bear says only you can prevent forest fires. Don’t hear much from smoky bear anymore. Guess he don’t give a rats ass about no forest fires. Smoky video Wilson 😁

[@karlrovey]

That's because that program resulted in more intense forest fires. That's why we do controlled burns instead of trying to eliminate fires altogether.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Yeah Smokey Bear is laying low these days. He could potentially be in big trouble for the situation he’s gotten us into now.

[@spencerh2860]

First 🎉

[@patrickcreath217]

Well here I am, having tolerated yet another one of your videos. Just know that there are not any laws or regulations (yet) barring you from bragging about your chainsaw. 462? I prefer a husky...when I can't find my stihl that is. One more thing, being your elder, I'm sure. You must listen to everything I say. I say, that a 20" bar is quicker to sharpen, and keep those drags knocked down. Carry on friend. Xlogger, Piedmont Region, Virginia.

[@lucasdog1]

Keep a leaf blower nearby, in case the surrounding leaves start spreading the flames.

[@WilsonForestLands]

That is a good idea. But these leaves are so wet, no need to pack one in in this case.

[@willbass2869]

"listen only to government people.." You're my kinda guy😱

[@Mael01369]

Anybody else notice that fire awareness warning wasn’t issued by the government? Very suspicious 😂

[@WilsonForestLands]

You weren’t supposed to notice that. 😁

[@jlc3867]

Wondering what model of Stihl you are using and if that is a 32" bar ? YOu very well may have said on previous posts but I must have not caught it. Anyone here know ?

[@aweoak7763]

He've said it in another post, Stihl MS 462.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Yep, 462 with 32 inch bar.

[@WarGardensForVictory]

I have a question, I just bought some land in O’Brien, OR and parts of it were cleared for greenhouses. How’s the best way to help the land reforest these areas.

[@WilsonForestLands]

That could depend on a lot of factors. If the soil is compacted it might be good to bring in some equipment and do some site prep. If you are going to plant seedlings, they can do very well in disturbed and freshly dug soil. A lot of times better than planting them in undisturbed soil. If you are going to do any burning, seedlings actually do good in the places where the burn piles were. In the case of planting, I would just let the coals bake the soil then plant in those spots. The opposite of what I was showing here. Without knowing details, it’s hard to give much advice. I know O’Brien can get a lot of rain so you have that on your side.

[@WarGardensForVictory]

@@WilsonForestLands thank you for the response, the soil is pretty compacted they somewhat leveled the ground in those areas to put the green houses on. All vegetation is gone so I’m assuming no hidden seeds are in the ground and will naturally pop up. I was considering taking seedlings from the under growth on other parts of the property and replanting them. Not sure if they will survive.

[@WilsonForestLands]

I haven’t had much success transplanting seedlings that way. But that was just doing it out in the woods and leaving them on their own. Also out in the woods where they have competition from other vegetation. If you are able to give them some water the first year to get them through the hot dry summer, that might help. Maybe even just once or twice to get them through. The advantage is you would have seedlings that are genetically suited for the area. I have had some success with that over on the coast where it isn’t as hot and dry. That was without giving them any water. I think it would be worth at least trying a small amount. If you need seedlings you could contact J Herbert Stone Nursery outside of Medford. At the end of planting season, if they have leftovers they make them available to the public. You can see if they have any stock suitable for your area.

[@WarGardensForVictory]

@@WilsonForestLands thank you I will contact them

[@WilsonForestLands]

I will add to my last comment. When I have planted nursery seedlings out in the woods and just left them alone, I have usually had good survival on years where the weather isn’t unusually hot and dry. Often up to 90% survival.

[@jimputnam2044]

LOL ignore SAFETY SAM AND WORRY WILLIE, Most of the time they have never done this kinda work.

[@novampires223]

I think your way is brilliant, I will not, definitely not, do this with our small brush piles. I have always disliked the dead zones..

[@WilsonForestLands]

I hope not doing this works out well for you. 😁

[@danstevens2204]

Just put a disclaimer at the start of your vids and save your breath for commentary

[@hobbyfarmer62]

Wilson forest janitorial service? Hey maybe you can start a new business going

[@WilsonForestLands]

If I had to do this more than just a few times a year, I think I would begin to dislike it. 😁

[@stephendickinson9929]

Grandma told me if you play with fire like that you will wet the bed.

[@Bryan-yl7mg]

That usually comes from letting yourself get dehydrated working around the heat, then when you go back in you chug a bunch of water without thinking about it right before bed. At least that's my take on it. Take regular water breaks while working, no matter what the job is or how cool/comfortable the weather is.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Everything went well last night. We’ll see how it goes tonight.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

Isn’t it amazing how keyboard warriors who are 20 years old and have spent their lives living in a concrete jungle all know more about forestry than people who have 40 years of experience as foresters?

[@johnfahey7215]

Amen, brother!

[@brianjonker510]

Isnt it amazing how some self righteous suburbanite watches a few videos and is an expert. Yet at the same time understands zero about on site conditions that vary drastically across the country

[@Maryland_Kulak]

@@brianjonker510Yeah man. I made a video where I made a campfire in the rain, and they were all commenting that I was going to start a forest fire.

[@brianjonker510]

@@Maryland_Kulak Where I live in NY state it is better forestry stewardship to leave slash on the forest floor to rot down over time. Between the Siera mountains and the Mississippi leaving behind slash is a fire load.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

Yep. I own 163 acres of woods in Maryland and West Virginia and I’ve never burned anything except in my fireplace. I’m not trying to sell timber so my forest management is to leave it alone and let nature take its course. The bears and coyotes and bobcats and deer love it.

[@jokebaker22]

What’s wrong with you?? I could have used those to make ornamental wreaths

[@WilsonForestLands]

You should’ve told me that before I burned them all. 😁

[@jokebaker22]

@@WilsonForestLands I can just tell by the way you talk that you don’t know the first thing about making, drying or selling or ornamental wreaths

[@piotrkozbial8753]

Seriously, why do you have to keep on about "keyboard warriors"? Do you want to get them angry and comment even more or what?

[@lpeterman]

Seriously? Because those keyboarders in their profound ignorance, keep attacking him. That's why.

[@Bryan-yl7mg]

Because they are annoying and need to realize they don't know what they're talking about. At least he isn't calling them out by name like some KZbinrs to make them look dumb individually.

[@WilsonForestLands]

Just an attempt to be entertaining at the expense of some obnoxious people.