building a forest

we've been looking at property to buy... a new home. The one we'll live in for the next 30+ years.

What I want to do is find 2-7 acres that is more or less cleared (not necessarily cleared and gutted though) and spend the next 30 years of my life building a forest. (I am 30)

I am into hiking and want to raise my little girl with an appreciation for our native forests. Utilizing Google Earth, I've found that I can do, approximately, a .50 mile trail within 2 square acres. Obviously, the more land the better.

I figure if I plan the forest from seed and sapling and plan out tree placement and variety accurately I can get a nice density of forest with a pretty awesome little nature trail.

I would want to have something like small clearings in the 4 corners to have things like a picnic area, an outdoor exercise station, a "camping" area and a play area for the kids. All planned accordingly to their designation.

Sort of a life goal i guess.

Anyway, I thought that you guys might have some comments. But I'm really at a loss to figure out the best steps to take when planning and planting a future forest with long term (from my POV) goals.

Please, comments welcome. Watcha think? Know of any resources I could use?

 

Sounds cool.
The biggest thing I would think of is cost of landscaping. I mean, that's if I am correct in taking the term "forest" literally Adult trees are a pretty penny. Very pretty. like $10,000+ each pretty. And I would think you would have to go adult if your daughter is to enjoy the "forest".

 

I have seen Elm trees in my back yard go from 6 foot to over 20 foot in 7 years. I have a water oak and an ash i have raised from when they popped out of my lawn 4 years ago that are now 7-9 feet.

I remember as a kid, between moving into a house and planting a tree and moving out 10 years later we had a tree grow to be just massive. Need to ask dad what that was.

Home Depot sells 12 foot trees for around a 100 bucks.

And yes, some giant trees can cost 10-25k+.

I am thinking a mix of all of these things for my forest.

Obviously this will not be an old growth forest in my lifetime, but if somehow this gets passed on through the generations... I mean, how cool would that be.

But I think it is reasonable that in 10 years I would have a neat nature trail through a young forest of trees that are still taller than the house. In 20, 30 years... all the better.

The slow growth of trees has not escaped my attention

 

Is the point to make the forest yourself? I am trying to understand why you don't buy some land with woods already.

 

im in agreement here with matt. pretreed would more than likely be a cheaper property to buy. and also you would get the initial appreciation for the forested land. you little princess would grow into that same appreciation. and gives you more time to enjoy it all, and you get to carve out your respites also. just my simple way of thinking. i wish you well with it all pered

 

matt i now why he wants to make it on his own he wants to be able to tell his kids he built this forest 30 years a go from the ground up allso allot of self pride in somthing like that and woad make him feel good to watch his family have fun in sumthing he made from nothing. right pred or am i rong? predhill u gotta be retired with cash to spare and lots of time ;D

 

Yes, that is the point. It's one thing to enjoy a forest, it's another thing to enjoy making a forest... at least, so I dream

That's right Mac! Tell my kids, grandkids and so forth. Plus, I can name it!!! ;D

In the 7 years I've lived in my suburban home I have gotten unexpected amounts of enjoyment "raising" trees from seed and nut. The trees that were already on my property I've enjoyed trimming into great shapes and watching them grow taller and fuller. I just really enjoy it. I think it would be a lot of fun to work on from the ground up. A hobby I could spend the rest of my life on without ever finishing... I hate finishing projects (for anyone that's restored a car, you know what I mean; when you finish, the fun is over in a way).

My neighbors gripe at me bc I feed the opposums and coons, etc. They say "it will just encourage them to stick around". I'm like, "yip".

I have a hammock hanging from a couple of 20 foot Elms... I've slept while hiking hanging my hammock from 14 foot, 2 inch diameter trees... it doesn't take giant trees to enjoy a forest...

Anyway, I just think it would be fun and a descent use of my time.


So... does anyone know of any resources on how to plan a forest? Things like tree spacing, etc.

 

AS far as planting trees and i would go to a local green house or nursery they should give you the right info needed pending the type of trees you are wanting to grow in your forest..
The wife and I spend more time outside bird watching and simply not infront of the Tv... And grew up on property ranging from 6-100+ acres.. So if its outdoors i am all about it...

Best of Luck...

 

this is a really cool idea.
how about a property with a stream through it?

 

Right... so what I actually end up doing will depend large part on the actual terrain. These things will need to be considered...

I have not been able to find a good book or link that talks about these sorts of things.