[at-l] These...

[Bob C]

Absolutely true. I like to encourage tree limbs to expand the canopy over the trail, thus reducing the growth of brush. A common mistake of new maintainers is to clear too wide a path, thus making future maintenance even more difficult.

Weary 




> ------------Original Message------------
> From: "Carla & Dave Hicks" <daveh at psknet.com>
> To: greyowl at rcn.com, "AT-list" <at-l at backcountry.net>
> Date: Wed, Feb-28-2007 5:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [at-l] These...
>
> FWIIW
> 
> I've maintained trail (not the AT in this case) in areas where gypsy 
> moth had 
> killed the canopy for miles and opened the trail to "more sunlight."  
> Results 
> = greenbrier heaven.  Plus the poison ivy took off also.  BTW-- poison 
> ivy is 
> a good food source for some wild life.
> 
> Sure I know there are natural balds.
> 
> But my experience with opening up trail to more sunlight has been 
> opening up 
> trail to a maintaining nightmare, which results in the use of 
> herbicides, or 
> very poor hiking conditions, because there are not enough volunteers to 
> keep 
> up and the "government" partners take the short term cost effective 
> approach.
> 
> Chainsaw
> 
>