May have to get a big saw.

[Marley5]

We had a serious gypsy moth breakout over the summer that completely stripped every Oak on the property and I'm talking bare, nothing Left.
Talked to a buddy of mine who works for the Forrest service and he said I'll likely lose 25% of the big Oaks.
Problem is as I've crept up into my mid 60's, sold all my saws over 50cc.
I've got Chestnut Oaks and White oaks that are 3ft across, acres of them.
Now I'm likely gonna have to purchase at least a 70cc saw.
Maybe I'll get one of those throw away clones off Amazon

 

[Jonny Quest]

What is the range in DBH?

Don't play the "old man" card. I'm 65 and still run around with a 372XP and a 592XP. I'm slower and a bit more cautious now than in my younger days. I take a lot more rest stops when cutting now too! I also make sure that I bring a good helper or 2. If I lived closer, I'd come over and give you a hand.

JQ

 

[Mad Professor]

What is the price of oak stumpage these days?

If you can't get to them, maybe do a sale on the ones that don't leaf out this spring.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

You should've aerial $prayed Supreme IT or Maxxthor for the Gyp$y moth$.

In the immediate future I see you buying a new Echo 7310, or a clean used Stihl, Husky/RedMax/Jonsered, Echo, or Dolkita/Solo.

 

[Marley5]

What is the price of oak stumpage these days?

If you can't get to them, maybe do a sale on the ones that don't leaf out this spring.

My brother has a sawmill and wants the logs.
It's wide open timber with no underbrush so can drive a truck right up to them.

 

[pdqdl]

You should've aerial $prayed Supreme IT or Maxxthor for the Gyp$y moth$.

In the immediate future I see you buying a new Echo 7310, or a clean used Stihl, Husky/RedMax/Jonsered, Echo, or Dolkita/Solo.

Yes. It is a cinch that they will be back next year. And don't give up so quickly on your trees.

" Because deciduous trees do refoliate, it generally takes 2-3 consecutive years of complete defoliation before branch and tree mortality occurs."​

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187452.pdf​

Open the PDF file above and read up on control measures!​

​

Also, you should contact your county extension agent and see if you can get enrolled in any publicly funded eradication programs. Eliminating the threat might or might not be an option in your area.
https://dof.virginia.gov/forest-management-health/forest-health/insects-and-diseases/spongy-moth/

ALSO: be advised that this well known pest seems to have been renamed as "Spongy moth". It seems pointless to change the name after everyone has learned it, but I would speculate that someone decided that might be an insulting term to certain social identities.
I never knew that until today.

EDIT: Yep. I guess correctly.

 

[Marley5]

EDIT: Yep. I guess correctly.
View attachment 1227208

Oh brother !
This " woke " me up

 

[Mad Professor]

Yes. It is a cinch that they will be back next year. And don't give up so quickly on your trees.

" Because deciduous trees do refoliate, it generally takes 2-3 consecutive years of complete defoliation before branch and tree mortality occurs."​

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187452.pdf​

Open the PDF file above and read up on control measures!​

​

Also, you should contact your county extension agent and see if you can get enrolled in any publicly funded eradication programs. Eliminating the threat might or might not be an option in your area.
https://dof.virginia.gov/forest-management-health/forest-health/insects-and-diseases/spongy-moth/

ALSO: be advised that this well known pest seems to have been renamed as "Spongy moth". It seems pointless to change the name after everyone has learned it, but I would speculate that someone decided that might be an insulting term to certain social identities.
I never knew that until today.

EDIT: Yep. I guess correctly.
View attachment 1227208

Seems the Entomological Society of America needs a good pruning and spraying, the are infested with woke jokes.


I agree with You, don't give up on the trees until they do not foliate in the spring.

We had terrible problems with gypsy moths in the 1980s, lost whole hillsides of oaks. Has not been an infestation like that since.

 

[cookies]

Running a 056-045 series will put you back in shape pretty quick !

 

[ElevatorGuy]

36” white oak is ported 90cc territory.

 

[HansFranz]

don't give up on the trees until they do not foliate in the spring.

x10
My understanding is that it takes at least 2-3 consecutive years of being completely defoliated for GM to kill trees.

Back in the 1980s, I remember helicopters spraying entire towns with Sevin for GM...

OP, where in Virginia? (Any chance you might want to sell any saw logs?)

 

[Marley5]

x10
My understanding is that it takes at least 2-3 consecutive years of being completely defoliated for GM to kill trees.

Back in the 1980s, I remember helicopters spraying entire towns with Sevin for GM...

OP, where in Virginia? (Any chance you might want to sell any saw logs?)

Western Rockingham county.
I'm going to have to assess the damage this spring to get an understanding what I'm gonna be up against.
Definitely won't let them rot.

 

[esean]

If any of the oaks that end up dying aren't worth much to your brother, leaving them in place is the best thing for your forest's health. Nothing is wasted in the woods. In some cases dead trees support more living biomass than when they were alive.

 

[Woody912]

Just cut a 42" pin oak with a 036 Pro Stihl and 25" bar. Purtiest stump I've ever made.

36” white oak is ported 90cc territory.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Just cut a 42" pin oak with a 036 Pro Stihl and 25" bar. Purtiest stump I've ever made.

Maybe so, definitely took forever. A 25 on a 60cc saw is painfully slow, especially in hard wood.

 

[sean donato]

Maybe so, definitely took forever. A 25 on a 60cc saw is painfully slow, especially in hard wood.

The newer 60cc saws pull a 24" in hardwood decently well, nothing like a 90+cc saw though. Guess it's one of those things you have to have both and realize the benefits of both, and when to ditch the little saw. Then again I also, have a really bad case of cad so I have plenty of options. Can't argue with the guy that has one saw and never experienced the difference.