Resource Guide

CRP Planting & Maintenance

Expert insights from 25+ years of land management experience

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays landowners to convert highly erodible or sensitive agricultural land into forests. Successful participation requires more than just signing a contract; it requires precise establishment and ongoing maintenance. Woodland Works handles the entire lifecycle of your CRP acres, from the initial tree planting to the required mid-contract management.

Resource Background

Converting Cropland to Forest

CRP is one of the most reliable income streams for rural landowners, offering 10 to 15 years of rental payments. However, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has strict requirements for establishment. If your seedlings don't survive or weeds take over, you risk losing your contract. Woodland Works ensures compliance.

We specialize in the specific tree planting protocols required for CRP pine plantations and hardwood riparian buffers. We understand the specific stocking rates (Trees Per Acre) required by the program and perform the necessary herbaceous weed control to ensure your stand is certified as 'established' by the FSA forester.

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Beyond the Planting

CRP contracts often require 'Mid-Contract Management' (MCM) activities to keep the stand healthy and improve wildlife value. This usually happens between years 4 and 6. Ignoring this requirement is a contract violation.

We provide the specific services needed for MCM compliance, such as prescribed burning, light disking, or selective herbicide spraying to release the trees. We document every step so you can report back to the FSA office with confidence.

Why CRP Planting is Different

(706) 525-5334Click to call

Planting trees in an old agricultural field sounds easy, but it comes with unique challenges. 'Hardpan' (compacted soil from years of plowing) can stunt roots, and agricultural weeds are far more aggressive than forest weeds. We use sub-soiling machinery to break the plow pan and specific pre-emergent herbicides to hold back the weeds, ensuring your CRP stand thrives in that critical first year.

CRP Services We Provide

(706) 525-5334Click to call

Machine Tree Planting

High-volume planting of Loblolly, Slash, or Longleaf pine. We use scalping coulters to clear sod and ensure proper soil-to-root contact.

Hardwood Riparian Buffers (CP22)

Installing mixed hardwood barriers along creeks and streams to filter runoff. This requires careful species selection and hand planting.

Band Spraying / Weed Control

Applying a 'band' of herbicide over the seedling row to eliminate competition while leaving grass in the middles to prevent erosion.

Mid-Contract Management

Executing required maintenance activities like prescribed burning or thinning to enhance wildlife habitat and stand health.

CRP Frequently Asked Questions

(706) 525-5334Click to call

What happens if my trees die?

FSA requires a certain number of surviving trees per acre. If it drops below that, you are required to replant at your own expense. That is why professional site prep and planting are so important—getting it right the first time saves you money.

Can I plant Longleaf Pine in CRP?

Yes, USDA highly encourages Longleaf (CP36). It often pays a higher rental rate and offers more establishment cost-share. We specialize in Longleaf establishment for CRP.

When does the planting happen?

For the Southeast, planting typically happens between December and March, when the seedlings are dormant. Site preparation usually needs to be done the autumn before.

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Get Started Today

Protect Your CRP Contract

Ensure your acres meet FSA standards from day one. Contact Woodland Works for professional CRP establishment and maintenance.

What Our Customers Say

Discover why landowners, developers, and timber investors across Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle trust Woodland Works for professional tree planting, chemical site preparation, forestry mulching, land clearing, excavation, and comprehensive forest management services. Our commitment to quality and professional forester-led expertise speaks through every project we complete.

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Roberta K. avatar

Roberta K.

3 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works is a great company. We originally hired a company that ended up walking off the job. Brad and his crew showed up and got to work clearing our 9 acre property. It was incredible to watch them work. Our property looks amazing. Can't recommend them enough!

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James Mitchell avatar

James Mitchell

2 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell and his team at Woodland Works did an outstanding job with forestry mulching on our 15-acre property in North Georgia. They cleared dense underbrush while preserving the mature trees we wanted to keep. Professional, efficient, and great communication throughout.

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S

Sarah Thompson

4 months ago
★★★★★

Hired Woodland Works for land grading and site preparation for our new home build near Atlanta. Brad's expertise as a professional forester really showed. The laser-guided grading was perfect, and they completed everything on schedule. Highly professional team!

Google Logo
D

David Harrison

5 months ago
★★★★★

Outstanding land clearing service! Woodland Works cleared 20 acres for our agricultural development in Alabama. Their modern equipment made quick work of the project, and they were very conscious of erosion control. Fair pricing and excellent results.

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J

Jennifer Collins

6 months ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew built a beautiful pond on our property in the Florida Panhandle. From excavation to final grading, everything was done professionally. The attention to detail and knowledge of land management was impressive. Love our new pond!

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R

Robert Williams

7 months ago
★★★★★

We needed selective land clearing for our timber property in South Georgia. Woodland Works used their forestry mulcher to create fire breaks and improve access roads while maintaining the health of our forest. Brad's forestry expertise made all the difference.

Google Logo
E

Emily Davis

8 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works transformed our overgrown property into a beautiful homesite. The forestry mulching left a natural mulch layer that's already helping with erosion control. Brad was great to work with - very knowledgeable and responsive. Highly recommend!

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M

Michael Patterson

9 months ago
★★★★★

Needed emergency land clearing after storm damage on our Georgia property. Woodland Works responded quickly and handled everything professionally. Their CAT equipment made short work of the downed trees. Great service during a stressful time.

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L

Lisa Martinez

10 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell is the real deal - a professional forester who truly cares about the land. His team cleared our hunting property while enhancing wildlife habitat. The combination of technical expertise and environmental stewardship sets Woodland Works apart.

Google Logo
T

Thomas Anderson

11 months ago
★★★★★

Excellent excavation and grading work for our commercial development. Woodland Works handled a complex site with challenging terrain. Their laser-guided technology ensured precise grading. Professional crew, modern equipment, and fair pricing.

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A

Amanda Richards

1 year ago
★★★★★

We hired Woodland Works for land management services on our family timber tract. Brad created a comprehensive forest management plan and executed the initial clearing perfectly. His knowledge of Southern forestry is exceptional.

Google Logo
Christopher Lee avatar

Christopher Lee

1 year ago
★★★★★

Outstanding forestry mulching service! Woodland Works cleared our property line and created beautiful trails through our wooded acreage. The mulch left behind enriched the soil naturally. Brad and his team were professional from start to finish.

Google Logo
Rebecca Turner avatar

Rebecca Turner

1 year ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works did an amazing job clearing land for our horse pasture in Alabama. They worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and the final result exceeded our expectations. The grading was perfect for our needs. Very impressed!

Google Logo
Daniel Foster avatar

Daniel Foster

1 year ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew are the best in the business. Professional land clearing with attention to environmental impact. Their Fecon mulcher is impressive - cleared dense brush and left nutrient-rich mulch. Great experience working with Woodland Works!

Google Logo
Roberta K. avatar

Roberta K.

3 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works is a great company. We originally hired a company that ended up walking off the job. Brad and his crew showed up and got to work clearing our 9 acre property. It was incredible to watch them work. Our property looks amazing. Can't recommend them enough!

Google Logo
James Mitchell avatar

James Mitchell

2 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell and his team at Woodland Works did an outstanding job with forestry mulching on our 15-acre property in North Georgia. They cleared dense underbrush while preserving the mature trees we wanted to keep. Professional, efficient, and great communication throughout.

Google Logo
S

Sarah Thompson

4 months ago
★★★★★

Hired Woodland Works for land grading and site preparation for our new home build near Atlanta. Brad's expertise as a professional forester really showed. The laser-guided grading was perfect, and they completed everything on schedule. Highly professional team!

Google Logo
D

David Harrison

5 months ago
★★★★★

Outstanding land clearing service! Woodland Works cleared 20 acres for our agricultural development in Alabama. Their modern equipment made quick work of the project, and they were very conscious of erosion control. Fair pricing and excellent results.

Google Logo
J

Jennifer Collins

6 months ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew built a beautiful pond on our property in the Florida Panhandle. From excavation to final grading, everything was done professionally. The attention to detail and knowledge of land management was impressive. Love our new pond!

Google Logo
R

Robert Williams

7 months ago
★★★★★

We needed selective land clearing for our timber property in South Georgia. Woodland Works used their forestry mulcher to create fire breaks and improve access roads while maintaining the health of our forest. Brad's forestry expertise made all the difference.

Google Logo
E

Emily Davis

8 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works transformed our overgrown property into a beautiful homesite. The forestry mulching left a natural mulch layer that's already helping with erosion control. Brad was great to work with - very knowledgeable and responsive. Highly recommend!

Google Logo
M

Michael Patterson

9 months ago
★★★★★

Needed emergency land clearing after storm damage on our Georgia property. Woodland Works responded quickly and handled everything professionally. Their CAT equipment made short work of the downed trees. Great service during a stressful time.

Google Logo
L

Lisa Martinez

10 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell is the real deal - a professional forester who truly cares about the land. His team cleared our hunting property while enhancing wildlife habitat. The combination of technical expertise and environmental stewardship sets Woodland Works apart.

Google Logo
T

Thomas Anderson

11 months ago
★★★★★

Excellent excavation and grading work for our commercial development. Woodland Works handled a complex site with challenging terrain. Their laser-guided technology ensured precise grading. Professional crew, modern equipment, and fair pricing.

Google Logo
A

Amanda Richards

1 year ago
★★★★★

We hired Woodland Works for land management services on our family timber tract. Brad created a comprehensive forest management plan and executed the initial clearing perfectly. His knowledge of Southern forestry is exceptional.

Google Logo
Christopher Lee avatar

Christopher Lee

1 year ago
★★★★★

Outstanding forestry mulching service! Woodland Works cleared our property line and created beautiful trails through our wooded acreage. The mulch left behind enriched the soil naturally. Brad and his team were professional from start to finish.

Google Logo
Rebecca Turner avatar

Rebecca Turner

1 year ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works did an amazing job clearing land for our horse pasture in Alabama. They worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and the final result exceeded our expectations. The grading was perfect for our needs. Very impressed!

Google Logo
Daniel Foster avatar

Daniel Foster

1 year ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew are the best in the business. Professional land clearing with attention to environmental impact. Their Fecon mulcher is impressive - cleared dense brush and left nutrient-rich mulch. Great experience working with Woodland Works!

Google Logo
Roberta K. avatar

Roberta K.

3 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works is a great company. We originally hired a company that ended up walking off the job. Brad and his crew showed up and got to work clearing our 9 acre property. It was incredible to watch them work. Our property looks amazing. Can't recommend them enough!

Google Logo
James Mitchell avatar

James Mitchell

2 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell and his team at Woodland Works did an outstanding job with forestry mulching on our 15-acre property in North Georgia. They cleared dense underbrush while preserving the mature trees we wanted to keep. Professional, efficient, and great communication throughout.

Google Logo
S

Sarah Thompson

4 months ago
★★★★★

Hired Woodland Works for land grading and site preparation for our new home build near Atlanta. Brad's expertise as a professional forester really showed. The laser-guided grading was perfect, and they completed everything on schedule. Highly professional team!

Google Logo
D

David Harrison

5 months ago
★★★★★

Outstanding land clearing service! Woodland Works cleared 20 acres for our agricultural development in Alabama. Their modern equipment made quick work of the project, and they were very conscious of erosion control. Fair pricing and excellent results.

Google Logo
J

Jennifer Collins

6 months ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew built a beautiful pond on our property in the Florida Panhandle. From excavation to final grading, everything was done professionally. The attention to detail and knowledge of land management was impressive. Love our new pond!

Google Logo
R

Robert Williams

7 months ago
★★★★★

We needed selective land clearing for our timber property in South Georgia. Woodland Works used their forestry mulcher to create fire breaks and improve access roads while maintaining the health of our forest. Brad's forestry expertise made all the difference.

Google Logo
E

Emily Davis

8 months ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works transformed our overgrown property into a beautiful homesite. The forestry mulching left a natural mulch layer that's already helping with erosion control. Brad was great to work with - very knowledgeable and responsive. Highly recommend!

Google Logo
M

Michael Patterson

9 months ago
★★★★★

Needed emergency land clearing after storm damage on our Georgia property. Woodland Works responded quickly and handled everything professionally. Their CAT equipment made short work of the downed trees. Great service during a stressful time.

Google Logo
L

Lisa Martinez

10 months ago
★★★★★

Brad Powell is the real deal - a professional forester who truly cares about the land. His team cleared our hunting property while enhancing wildlife habitat. The combination of technical expertise and environmental stewardship sets Woodland Works apart.

Google Logo
T

Thomas Anderson

11 months ago
★★★★★

Excellent excavation and grading work for our commercial development. Woodland Works handled a complex site with challenging terrain. Their laser-guided technology ensured precise grading. Professional crew, modern equipment, and fair pricing.

Google Logo
A

Amanda Richards

1 year ago
★★★★★

We hired Woodland Works for land management services on our family timber tract. Brad created a comprehensive forest management plan and executed the initial clearing perfectly. His knowledge of Southern forestry is exceptional.

Google Logo
Christopher Lee avatar

Christopher Lee

1 year ago
★★★★★

Outstanding forestry mulching service! Woodland Works cleared our property line and created beautiful trails through our wooded acreage. The mulch left behind enriched the soil naturally. Brad and his team were professional from start to finish.

Google Logo
Rebecca Turner avatar

Rebecca Turner

1 year ago
★★★★★

Woodland Works did an amazing job clearing land for our horse pasture in Alabama. They worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and the final result exceeded our expectations. The grading was perfect for our needs. Very impressed!

Google Logo
Daniel Foster avatar

Daniel Foster

1 year ago
★★★★★

Brad and his crew are the best in the business. Professional land clearing with attention to environmental impact. Their Fecon mulcher is impressive - cleared dense brush and left nutrient-rich mulch. Great experience working with Woodland Works!

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