Article about clear cutting trees

Ordinance 2002-16 no longer applies to developers.

the exact people who are guilty of clearcutting the most. what's the deal?


jr

Ordinance 2002-16 no longer applies to developers.

the exact people who are guilty of clearcutting the most. what's the deal?


jr

"It no longer applies to parcels on 30-A which are less than two acres because one person was allowed to do it, thus setting the precedent of rule breaking. To my knowledge, people smoke pot and get away with it, but the law is still on the books against smoking pot, and the gov't still tries to enforce the law regarding pot smoking. These Commissioners and Code Enforcement peoplereally blow my mind.

"It no longer applies to parcels on 30-A which are less than two acres because one person was allowed to do it, thus setting the precedent of rule breaking. To my knowledge, people smoke pot and get away with it, but the law is still on the books against smoking pot, and the gov't still tries to enforce the law regarding pot smoking. These Commissioners and Code Enforcement peoplereally blow my mind.

Seems the only commish with any balls is a blonde lady.

Seems the only commish with any balls is a blonde lady.

You are correct. Commissioner Cindy Meadows was not completely familiar with the "< 2 acre is okay" rule, but in the last BCC meeting, she quickly questioned why we were not using the existing rule which does not make any reference to parcel size.

As a native South Walton Countian, a former tree farmer, yes, in South Walton, I don't see where those protesting have any idea of what they are talking about. Our climate and vegetation is most likely unlike where ever it is you are from, but here, trees grow every where without difficulty. I used to periodically remove them from my roof! I clear cut about 35 acres in South Walton about 20 years ago, and the next year or so there were more seedlings growing on it than you could believe! The neet thing about Pine seeds is that they have a wing on them that enables them to fly! As long as the state, etc., ownes so many thousands of acres of forest land, there's plenty of seeds to go around! Sure I like trees, have a lot of them, but I know that if they are not controled, they will grow anywhere! Funny thing about man, we're supposed to manage the earth.

As a native South Walton Countian, a former tree farmer, yes, in South Walton, I don't see where those protesting have any idea of what they are talking about. Our climate and vegetation is most likely unlike where ever it is you are from, but here, trees grow every where without difficulty. I used to periodically remove them from my roof! I clear cut about 35 acres in South Walton about 20 years ago, and the next year or so there were more seedlings growing on it than you could believe! The neet thing about Pine seeds is that they have a wing on them that enables them to fly! As long as the state, etc., ownes so many thousands of acres of forest land, there's plenty of seeds to go around! Sure I like trees, have a lot of them, but I know that if they are not controled, they will grow anywhere! Funny thing about man, we're supposed to manage the earth.

It's not about removing trees and then allowing the land to reforest.

The issue in SoWal is about clear cutting native vegetation, which is usually followed by unattractive development that is too dense and palms, asphalt and concrete appear where there used to be trees.

Some developers have not learned that it doesn't pay to do that. You can get more money for your property if you leave native vegetation, which also saves landscaping expense, energy, water, and future maintenance costs.

SoWal has beauty and character, stripping the land and replacing oaks, magnolias, and pines with non-native species is not the best plan for development.

Some developers have not learned that it doesn't pay to do that. You can get more money for your property if you leave native vegetation, which also saves landscaping expense, energy, water, and future maintenance costs.

Our community is built among the native vegetation and our landscaping costs -- and thus association fees -- are quite low. No sprinkler system needed, minimal landscaping, etc. And the native vegetation is beautiful and it fun to see the new things that pop up (except for the thorny vines) and take care of the native plants. We feel kind of nested in the native vegetation growing around our porch and can't wait until the plants/bushes/trees grow in more and provide us with even more privacy. We thought about the cost of association fees over time when we bought our place, and native landscaping that needed minimal maintenance seemed to be a way to keep association fees low.

Sorry, I can't resist sharing this old gardener's joke with everyone. It fits the post, so please indulge me!


GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.

ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sodworms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it -- sometimes twice a week.

GOD: They cut it? Do they then bail it like hay?

ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

GOD: Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.

GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn leaves fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD: No fooling? What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD: And where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD: Enough. I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a really stupid movie about....

GOD: Never mind. I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

Oh Mermaid - that's a keeper! I am pasting it now to a safe place!


Bdarg will love that. He has refused to cut our back field so the wildlife will have a place to hang out (and they do )

From Walton Sun


?We all have an ability to conserve and preserve,? said Barbara Stokes, managing member for Stokes Development.
Stokes? company is planning Caspian Estates, a nine-lot, 1.27-acre development on CR 30-A. After learning of a vegetative community on the property, the company revised the development plans.
Though it is cheaper to clear-cut a lot, Stokes? aim is to construct developments that are aesthetically compatible with the buildings and landscape of 30A.
?(The native vegetation) is part of the reason people come here,? Stokes said.

I googled "Caspian Estates" and "Stokes Development" and came up with nothing. Does anyone know if this is the obscenely small wedge-shaped piece of land in front of the Cassine Gardens townhomes? If it is (and only if it is), I am less than impressed with the developer's self-congratulary pat on the back about their environmental awareness and compassion. You could hardly put a Seaside post office on that wedge, let alone cram in nine residences as they're planning.

As a native South Walton Countian, a former tree farmer, yes, in South Walton, I don't see where those protesting have any idea of what they are talking about. Our climate and vegetation is most likely unlike where ever it is you are from, but here, trees grow every where without difficulty. I used to periodically remove them from my roof! I clear cut about 35 acres in South Walton about 20 years ago, and the next year or so there were more seedlings growing on it than you could believe! The neet thing about Pine seeds is that they have a wing on them that enables them to fly! As long as the state, etc., ownes so many thousands of acres of forest land, there's plenty of seeds to go around! Sure I like trees, have a lot of them, but I know that if they are not controled, they will grow anywhere! Funny thing about man, we're supposed to manage the earth.

Are you for real?

Are you for real?

Joe,

I yield the floor to you.

I googled "Caspian Estates" and "Stokes Development" and came up with nothing. Does anyone know if this is the obscenely small wedge-shaped piece of land in front of the Cassine Gardens townhomes? If it is (and only if it is), I am less than impressed with the developer's self-congratulary pat on the back about their environmental awareness and compassion. You could hardly put a Seaside post office on that wedge, let alone cram in nine residences as they're planning.

It is not that parcel Mermaid. That piece is owned by Cassine's developer, Howard.

I will mention that Ms Stokes was ready to clear cut the entire property until Anita Page (sp?) stood up and objected at a recent County Commissioner's meeting. Ms Stokes says, oh, I was unaware that the vegetation on my property is listed as endangered but Ms Page has made me aware and we are environmentally concerned so we will not clear cut, even though we have the right to do so. This is why I say people should have to go to some sort of school for developing land rather than allowing any yahoo to go crazy.

crazy, the timing of some things. from today's treehugger


jr

What I find incredibly difficult to understand is that you are talking about a tiny lot of 1.27 acres! Just a drip in the whole scheme of things! Did it ever occur to anyone what their place looked like before they bought it? I well remember miles and miles of woods! Nothing! Then one happy patron went home and told their friends and family, and next thing you know, the place is over run! If you don't like what's going on here then why did you decide to buy and have a house built? The first thing they did was clear the lot to build your house! Very few were actually built amidst the vegetation. And if you are one of those in areas with close neighbors with lots of vegetion between you, did it occur to you what kind of fire hazzard that is? Our local fire departments shudder at the thought of a fire ever getting started at some of our esteemed developments!!! I think people are bored and need to get out more.

florida girl, there is a big difference between clear cutting and clearing footprints for homes. If every lot was clearcut in SoWal, we would have no vegetation, except maybe for some planted Palm Trees. I would never buy a property which had be clear cut. There are more important things in this world that often get thrown aside in the way of laziness and money. Plants, animals, and ecosystems are not less important than a developers' bottom line.

What I find incredibly difficult to understand is that you are talking about a tiny lot of 1.27 acres!

Try broadening your outlook a bit. It's the entire issue that we are concerned with, not just one lot.

As a native South Walton Countian, a former tree farmer, yes, in South Walton, I don't see where those protesting have any idea of what they are talking about. Our climate and vegetation is most likely unlike where ever it is you are from, but here, trees grow every where without difficulty. I used to periodically remove them from my roof! I clear cut about 35 acres in South Walton about 20 years ago, and the next year or so there were more seedlings growing on it than you could believe! The neet thing about Pine seeds is that they have a wing on them that enables them to fly! As long as the state, etc., ownes so many thousands of acres of forest land, there's plenty of seeds to go around! Sure I like trees, have a lot of them, but I know that if they are not controled, they will grow anywhere! Funny thing about man, we're supposed to manage the earth.

What the heck????

Has anyone seen the huge area clear cut back on Chat Holley??? :shock:

Has anyone seen the huge area clear cut back on Chat Holley??? :shock:

It has been mostly cleared for a while, but more recently had more of it cleared and a road built. It is listed as being held by the Charles Forman Trustee account, and whoever that is owns a crap load of property in Walton County.

I think Baywood reality has something to do with that?

When I moved from Grayton Beach to Santa Rosa Beach in the 60's, there were about 300 people here. What I fail to understand is if you don't like the vegetation removed, how do you think they put your house in? If you feel that strongly, then why don't you sell, and free up your house to allow someone else to live there, so they won't have to cut anything else to build for all the people who want to live here! The state owns about 22,000 acres in Walton County. This does not include Eglin AFB or the Northwest Florida Water management District holdings. Go to FNAI.org and click on the conservation lands map.

It's not about removing trees and then allowing the land to reforest.

The issue in SoWal is about clear cutting native vegetation, which is usually followed by unattractive development that is too dense and palms, asphalt and concrete appear where there used to be trees.

Some developers have not learned that it doesn't pay to do that. You can get more money for your property if you leave native vegetation, which also saves landscaping expense, energy, water, and future maintenance costs.

SoWal has beauty and character, stripping the land and replacing oaks, magnolias, and pines with non-native species is not the best plan for development.

Amen, brother.

When I moved from Grayton Beach to Santa Rosa Beach in the 60's, there were about 300 people here. What I fail to understand is if you don't like the vegetation removed, how do you think they put your house in? If you feel that strongly, then why don't you sell, and free up your house to allow someone else to live there, so they won't have to cut anything else to build for all the people who want to live here! The state owns about 22,000 acres in Walton County. This does not include Eglin AFB or the Northwest Florida Water management District holdings. Go to FNAI.org and click on the conservation lands map.

You do not have to clear cut to build roads. You do not have to clear cut to begin a development. In Seacrest Beach, where we have a home, quite a few of the lots that have not been built on yet -- and there are many -- still have the native vegetation. The development is nearly 10 years old.

There is a distinction here: We are not talking about individual lots. What upsets people are developers who clearcut a huge swath of land before doing anything else! An example that comes to mind, though I'm sure there has been others, is the new "town" of Prominence. Lots aren't even for sale yet and yet the developer decided to clear cut the whole property. It is an eyesore, and considering the way the market is languishing right now, it is going to take a LONG time for that place to become a "town." Right now it is just ugly. I don't think the developer helped himself (or herself) by taking the lazy way out instead of working around the vegetation.

Unless you really know your plant life what you think is native vegitation may actually be exotic plant life that is not indiginous at all.

In fact, I once had property reviewed by an environmental consultant only to find that what I thought was beautiful thick native vegitation was actually classified as nusience plants by the State DEP that should be eradicated.