Do a Patch Cut
True old-growth forests have greenery at every level from the forest floor to the top of the canopy. You can start some new growth on the ground using small patch cuts, which remove every tree from an area less than an acre.
How to Information
The “Clear Cut” Advantage for Wildlife and Forest Health (
This brochure from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection discusses how careful timber harvesting, including the limited use of small clearcuts, can improve habitat for wildlife like chestnut-sided warbler, brown thrasher, and eastern box turtle.
Did You Know? Cutting Trees Can Help Wildlife
Timber harvests, especially heavier cuts like patch cuts, can look ugly after they’re first cut. But nature recovers. This poster from New Hampshire’s Fish and Game Department shows photos of a clearcut over 25 years to show how new growth emerges.
Success Story: Working for Woodcock
When New Hampshire landowners Bob and Trish Leipold realized their property was no longer supporting American woodcock, they worked with a forester to harvest trees and improve habitat for the birds. This article shares their story in their own words.
Complete MyWoodlot Goal: Harvest Trees
Selling trees is one of the most complicated tasks you’ll undertake as a woodlot owner. Plan ahead to get the best results for wildlife habitat, earning income, and protecting your land’s soil and water.
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