What considerations are needed to clear overgrown portion of my property and develop into healthy ecosystem
Current portion of land is overgrown; a lot of vines and tall sickly-fungus trees. Thinking of clearing and replacing with christmas trees. Also have a small vernal pool which I would like to protect/enhance if possible. Combined I feel with the right plan I can develop a ecosystem that is healthy and protected for years to come.
Prepare the site by cutting, piling and burning existing vegetation. Find out what native species of trees are appropriate for the site from your extension forester. Maintain the trees by controlling competing vegetation and animal damage for several years until the trees are free to grow. Growing Christmas trees falls into a catagory of an agriculture crop and does not really develop into an ecosystem of native plant species, but it is better than brush.