ridecamp@endurance.net: Trail Maintenance--Cutting Trees

Trail Maintenance--Cutting Trees

Linda B. Merims (lbm@ici.net)
Tue, 10 Jun 1997 05:31:42 -0400 (EDT)

Crews of us have been going through our local trail
system cleaning up after a late winter snow storm.

A question has arisen: when you cut down a sapling or
small tree, *where* do you cut it? I'm not talking
about right in the middle of the trail--those we try
to get as close to the ground as possible. I'm talking
about immediately adjacent to the trail, or just
encroaching.

Two competing theories have emerged:
<pre>

- You cut it off as close to the ground as possible

Arguments against:

You can never get it flush with the ground. The
stump is always a few inches high. The horses and
riders won't be able to see the stump and
might stumble over it.

- You cut it off high--about 18 inches to 2 feet. This
way the horses/riders can still see it and avoid it.

Arguments against:

Aren't you just creating something the horse might
impale himself on if he shied off the main trail?
</pre>

The debate rages. We need expert guidance.

Linda B. Merims
lbm@ici.net
Massachusetts, USA



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