Environmental Stewardship
at Five Oaks Ranch and Barrett Tree Farm
Both at Five Oaks Ranch and Barrett Tree Farm, there is a serious commitment to
preserving and improving the environment. Cattle on the ranch are grown on
natural pastures in a program that utilizes intensive-grazing cells and improved pastures.
Large recreational areas of the ranch are devoted to the development and improvement of
wildlife habitat. Working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a flock of wild
turkeys was established and is still maintained on the property. Streamside management
areas are maintained. Pecans are also harvested each year from the 400-tree organic pecan
orchard located on the Brazos River Bottom of the ranch property.
In the timber program, the 1900
acres of pine forest have been managed under a Tree Farm
program since the early 1970's. Streamside management areas are designated and maintained.
Prescribed burning is used to control excess undergrowth in the pine forest so trees can
better utilize the sunlight and moisture and wildlife can flourish on the tender, young
vegetation that results. Both the wildlife population and volume of timber have increased
greatly because sound environmental management is in place at all times. The Barretts were named by Region IV Texas Soil and Water Conservation
Districts as Forestry Conservationists of the Year 2002.
Strict adherence to conservative
harvesting has allowed the forests to regenerate naturally. Seed trees with outstanding
genetics are left in the forest for propagation, while weaker and less desirable trees are
removed during the annual harvests.
For more information about our timber
program or natural pecans
Cattle on the ranch are grown on
natural pastures in a program that utilizes intensive-grazing cells and improved pastures.
Large recreational areas of the ranch are devoted to the development and improvement of
wildlife habitat. Working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a flock of wild
turkeys was established and is still maintained on the property. Streamside management
areas are maintained. Pecans are also harvested each year from the 400-tree organic pecan
orchard located on the Brazos River Bottom of the ranch property.
In the timber program, the 1900
acres of pine forest have been managed under a Tree Farm
program since the early 1970's. Streamside management areas are designated and maintained.
Prescribed burning is used to control excess undergrowth in the pine forest so trees can
better utilize the sunlight and moisture and wildlife can flourish on the tender, young
vegetation that results. Both the wildlife population and volume of timber have increased
greatly because sound environmental management is in place at all times. The Barretts were named by Region IV Texas Soil and Water Conservation
Districts as Forestry Conservationists of the Year 2002.