What to do with the plot?

[shaman]

When we got the place back in 2001, there was a disused 1.5 acre pasture about 200 yards from the house. It is 300 yards long and about 25 yards wide. It had an old fenceline running across the top and it presented a gentle south-facing slope that ran from a pond on the west to the edge of the property to the east. We never did anything with it, and now it is all grown up with cedars. Here's a pic of it:


It's the bright green band stretching from lower left to upper right.

My original plan was to clear out the cedars and try to save the deciduous trees. We were back that way after deer season this year. We found all sort of deer trails.
My question to y'all is this: What should I do with it? I've got cedar thickets all over the property, I don't need another.

 

[Flatiron75]

Not knowing what else is around there food-wise, or the heights of nearby trees - I might cut a few patches of cedars down along that strip to create openings. I'd plant a few crab apple trees or pear trees in those openings to provide extra food items, plus break up the mono-strip of cedars. Add to the diversity with extra food sources .... critters will find 'em.

 

[catscratch]

What do YOU WANT it to be; food or cover?

 

[Turkey Creek]

Looks like it would be a killer spot for a food plot or a couple of small ones at least.

 

[shaman]

What do YOU WANT it to be; food or cover?

That's just it. I've got 8 acres currently planted in various food plots fairly near those cedars. On the other hand, everywhere I look, I've got 20+ yr old cedar thickets.

The one thing I don't have currently is habitat that encourages the larger bucks to stick around during rifle season.

 

[buckdeer1]

Cut out the extra cedars so that it's arms width between them,if there is native grass that is trying to come up.Let the sun in and it will grow.You will have to drag them out and burn but that shouldn't be a big deal.If it was mine I would clean out that area to left of field and plant clover,chicory and alfalfa mix under about 6 fruit trees and a couple chestnuts with a good water hole 25 yards from a couple of good trees for your wind directions.