As is true with Hinlicky, Leffel has also cut many of his red cedar patches. In several places, he has replaced them with a hybrid pitch pine/loblolly cross. The hybrid will provide perfect habitat for quail and rabbits, as well as deer and songbirds, for several years. For me, I found it fascinating that a tree with as poor a reputation as the pitch pine actually could lend its genes to a beneficial hybrid. Yet another ongoing activity is to thin existing timber stands.

“Any tree that is crooked, doubled up, or just not growing well is cut, regardless of the species,” Leffel explained. “I also will thin trees if too much competition exists. All this goes for oaks and hickories, too, although I admit that I will cut the oaks a little slack if they aren’t quite perfect. But for the most part, if trees don’t look like they are or will become good mast providers, they have to go. I try to accurately judge a tree’s potential.”

Last September during my visit, Leffel invited me to examine an approximately 2 1/2-acre parcel in the lowlands of his property, which borders the James River. A headwaters rivulet runs through the area, and the vegetation grows exceptionally lush. Understandably, the farmer is very enthusiastic about his plans for this natural wetland.

“I would like to double the size of this wetland,” he explained. “The federal government has already designated the 2 1/2 acres as a protected wetland.

“What I hopefully can do is use a bulldozer to lower the elevation of several more acres adjoining and surrounding the existing wetland. To date, the unknown variable is: Will the soil profile allow me to accomplish this goal and would the new wetland be any good for wildlife? I’ve contacted Engineering Concepts of Fincastle, and the business is working with me to access the potential of doing all this.”

If Leffel is able to accomplish his initiative, the little postage stamp of wetland would become larger and even more hospitable to wildlife. On my visit, redwing blackbirds dwelled in the lowland, and we counted 14 hummingbirds flitting about various tubular and other flowers. I heard song sparrows and cardinals as well, and one doesn’t have to think too long before he can imagine the locale being habitat for woodcock, too.

All over the Commonwealth, landowners like Paul Hinlicky and Jack Leffel are implementing positive practices for deer and other wildlife. Deer hunters, hunt clubs and landowners are in the forefront of improving and creating wildlife habitat.

INFORMATION SOURCES
James River Association, at www.jamesriverassociation.org.

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (WHIP), www.dgif.virginia.gov.

Virginia Outdoors Foundation, www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org.

Sources For Vintage Apple Trees
Miller Nurseries, Canandaigua, NY, (800) 836-9630, www.millernurseries.com.

Urban Homestead, Bristol, VA, (276) 466-2931, urbanhomestead@aol.com.

Vintage Virginia Apples, North Garden, VA, (434) 297-2326, www.vintagevirginiaapples.com.