Thanks for the replies folks. I will do a soil test before we begin. The work required to prep the area, is one reason why the fall plot for our first try intrigued me. I reckon it may take several weeks to get down to bare soil, or at least clear enough to mow/herbicide. My brother and I will be going up as soon as the snow leaves, and the ground thaws to collect a soil sample. As you asked we will conduct some more specific measurements of the area's size. A burn off would likely be a bad idea due to it's remote location, besides the fact is is probably illegal. Funny you mentioned browse cutting, that was what my brother and I were just talking about. We will be doing some of this over the summer. There are some oaks, but there are no fruit trees. Is there fertilizer for oaks? We did talk one time about planting some apple trees. We wondered how well they would do if we clear cut a little patch, and planted a few trees. Could we keep the deer off them long enough for them to grow?