Eastern redcedar is arguably the biggest threat to the native Sandhills grassland. Cattle do not eat cedars, grass doesn’t grow under cedars, and cedars grow and spread quickly in a pasture. At one time, intense wildfires regularly occurred, either sparked by lightning or set by Native Americans; the highly flammable cedar trees were killed on the open prairie. As the Sandhills were settled by Europeans and equipment improved, wildfire suppression enabled cedars to spread. Additionally, cedars were planted throughout the region as windbreaks and for “wildlife habitat.” However, we now know that cedars do far more damage to wildlife habitat than the small benefit they provide.
As a result of the suppression of wildfire and the increased seed source present from cedar plantings, grassland acres are being taken over by invasive cedar. This is an awful scenario for a rancher. With education and financial assistance provided by the Sandhills Task Force and its partners, ranchers are learning how to control cedar through cutting and burning. Pasture is cleared by mechanical means, with a follow-up treatment of a prescribed burn two to three years after the mechanical treatment to control the seedlings that come back after the disturbance.
The net result is that cattle will have more grass to graze, the grassland birds will have the tree-free habitat they need, and the entire ecosystem will thrive with a diversity of plants, insects, and wildlife. This is a win-win-win outcome.