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Maintaining healthy grasslands is an important part of the department’s wildlife habitat
efforts. Tree invasion in native prairie can reduce the habitat’s value to many wildlife
species, especially prairie nesting birds such as prairie chicken and bobwhite quail.
Trees attract more predators such as hawks, and nest predators such as skunks, raccoons
and opossums. And trees also compete with native grasses for precious water.
Cedar is a valuable wildlife tree, but it can quickly cause trouble. It spreads rapidly
and chokes out good grassland habitat. Many Kansas Wildlife and Parks public lands are
undergoing treatment to remove excessive cedars. At Pratt Sandhills, manager Todd Gatton uses
a bobcat tree shear to snip and kill cedar trees. His work, along with that of contracted
service, has restored thousands of acres of native prairie on this wildlife area.
Similarly, staff at the Byron Walker Wildlife Area use a tree shear to remove cedars from
grasslands, and also to cut large openings in hardwood timber stands. This work, which
benefits a variety wildlife including wild turkeys and deer, is cost-shared by the national
Wild Turkey Federation. Byron Walker manager Troy Smith has conducted public demonstrations
to educate area landowners about the value of controlling invasive trees.
Small cedars are easily controlled with fire. Mined Land Wildlife Area manager Rob Riggin
helps reduce unwanted cedars by annual prescribed burns. The fire kills invading cedars and
creates a healthier grassland.
At Wilson State Park, invading cedars are removed by hand and used for fish habitat
in the lake. Fisheries biologist Tommie Berger uses volunteers to help cut and prepare the
trees. Then they are sunk and located by GPS to help anglers find these excellent new fishing
opportunities.
Finally, trees may be removed to enhance mast production. Manager Karl Karrow at Marais
Des Cygnes Wildlife Area in eastern Kansas mows natural young forests to favor trees
producing the best nut crops for wildlife food. These aggressive, bottomland trees grow
quickly to create tomorrow’s habitat.
Tree removal is an important part of caring for Kansas Wildlife and Parks lands. These
examples help illustrate the day-to-day management of our public natural resources. Other conservation
organizations sometimes help to fund these efforts. The result? Healthier wildlife populations
and better hunting for Kansans.
I’m Mike Blair for Kansas Wildlife and Parks.