Forestry Focus: Of Cows and Trees

October 20, 2000

Cows are noble animals. And some folks get downright goosebumpy over the sight of big, old trees. But can you mix the two? Should cattle be allowed to graze in a woodlot? What happens to cattle grazing in the woods? What happens to woodland soils and trees in grazed woodlots? The answer is “It depends”.

In certain parts of the country, woodland grazing is a valuable part of land management and profitable operations. Usually, however, this is confined to coniferous (evergreen) timber stands. In the piney woods of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, good grass often grows under open pine stands. Similarly, in parts of the western states, grazing cattle in timber can be very useful. Fire hazard is reduced and with proper management, the low vegetation is very nutritious for cattle. However, in hardwood forests of western Virginia, we have different soils, timber types, and vegetation.

In southwestern Virginia, woodland grazing is somewhat traditional. It goes back many years to the earliest white settlement of the area. In those days, it was almost a necessity. Non-forested land was needed for raising crops. Pasture usually wasn’t that good. And, fall acorns were especially valuable for hog food. However, most farmers don’t have hogs any more, and cattle grazing in the woods is a practice which has outlived its value for most farms. It is not good for the trees or the cows.

Farmers who have invested substantial money in pasture improvement need to have their cattle out feeding on this grass. In the summer, cattle which are lolly-gagging around in the cool shade of the woods are not putting on maximum weight. Recent studies have documented that cattle, which have access to shaded timber stands, will not spend as much time in the pasture as cows which cannot get into timbered areas. The loss in feeding time amounts to a significant weight loss.

Another serious problem for the cows is that there are several local woodland plants that are poisonous to cows. Black cherry is especially dangerous. Cyanide is naturally present at low and non-toxic levels in live leaves of cherry. However, if limbs carrying green leaves are knocked out of the trees during summer storms or by other methods, the wilting process allows the cyanide to concentrate. Cattle seem to be drawn to this plant, and it only takes a few bites to send ol’ Bessie to “Heifer Heaven”. One southwestern Virginia farmer recently lost four animals after a logging operation. He had not removed his cattle from an adjacent, unfenced pasture. Several cherry trees had been cut during the harvest and as the tops wilted, the temptation was too much for his animals. Investing $1,300 for a quarter mile of fence would have paid excellent dividends in this case.

As bad as the woods are for cattle, cows are even worse for trees. Heavy use of a woodlot by cattle will compact the soil. Compacted soil slows tree growth, increases water runoff and can cause soil erosion. In addition, trees growing in grazed, compacted soil often develop a mineral stain in the wood. This can, in many instances, substantially reduce log value – sometimes by as much as $200 to $500 per acre.

In most cases the worst problem with woodland grazing is that tree seedlings will be eaten. This effectively eliminates the next crop of trees. Over several logging cycles, the result is the replacement of good, high quality timber with “green junk” (black locust, multiflora rose, and/or laurel) and rocks. Farm value is diminished, sustainability of timber and other forest resources is jeopardized, and there is less of a farm to pass on to a farmer’s children or to the next owner.

There’s an old saying that “good fences make good neighbors”. In this case, good fences between the woods and the pastures make good cows and good trees. Fencing livestock out of the woods provides long-term total farm profitability.