Custom Forestry Applications LLC

10/15/2026

“Keep swinging the hammer” on habitat improvements.

10/08/2026

If you’ve followed along for a while, you know there’s effort to celebrate customers and colleagues passing in a way that recognizes their accomplishments and impacts on our lives.

A memorial tree planting was conducted by the Kansas Forest Service in Hiawatha at the new softball complex honoring former State Forester Larry Biles and his wife Sarah.

Perfectly described by KFS staff, Larry challenged everyone he came across to “show up” and had a way of getting the most out of you. He was a true gentleman, forester, and leader.

The two maples will be amazing trees for visitors of the ball field for years to come.

10/02/2026

The Waiting

As one of my favorite artist Tom Petty wrote “that waiting is the hardest parts.” While this song had a different meaning than what a habitat business is geared towards, the waiting in life can be hard.

So, as I wait on conditions to be right for a particular project, it seemed suitable to ponder on what do people who work the land wait on.

For it to quit raining
For it to rain
For warmer weather
For colder weather
For parts to arrive
Decisions on projects
Money
For the calmer winds
For the fog to lift and dew to dry
For plants to fully develop or senescence
For a gate to get unlocked
Email response
Tires to get repaired
For time to review the work that’s been completed
Equipment to get repaired
On a call back

I’m sure many others could be added to this list.

While dwelling on “the wait” can be unhealthy, it’s good to review a particular delay period and challenge one’s brain on how to reduce the wait if possible.

Because after all, Tom Petty also wrote a song called Runnin down a dream. Working the land can truly be that dream if the wait isn't the hardest part.

09/29/2026

Full-time front wheel assist and automatic diff lock has been the norm for this years cover crop season so far. Mercy

09/24/2026

Shrub Lespedeza is a non-native invasive plant. Brought to the US in the 1850’s as an ornamental, it quickly spreads into offsite locations. At maturity, it can produce hundreds of berries which are consumed by birds adding to the movement.

Pictures were taken in southern Iowa.

Get the invasive plants out of here.

09/23/2026

Pretty sweet setup from a customer in Atchison County, KS.

09/21/2026

Spotted a Kansas anaconda in Leavenworth County.

09/20/2026

The Sunday Moment-

Most days start early for me, like the songbirds haven’t even thought about making a sound yet early. It’s not uncommon to see 3:30 AM on the phone when stumbling out of bed. Some of you have “your” time in the morning or evening and the early morning hours is what I classify as “my time.” It’s usually filled with office and computer work, but loading trailers, gear, and fueling equipment usually gets worked on as well. The problem is this time is “full” of activities.

A few years ago, Kelly Twombly, pianist at the church we attend, played “The Prayer” during the communion meditation. It was powerful and really spoke to me. Nearly every morning since hearing that song in church, The Prayer came across the early morning office YouTube playlist and reminded me of Christ and brought a calm upon me. A couple covers with just a piano and violin are pretty good. Kelly hadn’t played that song for a while, and I hoped she would bring it back soon. During service today, I had this feeling the song Kelly was about to play during communion, but it probably wasn’t a feeling at all, “The Prayer.” She really stroked the keys, and it spoke to me again.

Life is way too busy at times. It’s hard to imagine my week can sometimes only have 1 minute of pure quiet time, often during communion. More quiet time is an area to improve upon in my life. Kelly’s God given musical talent made it extra special for everyone in our service today. Have the quiet times spoken to you?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1 35

Providing quality technical and contracting forestry, habitat management, and conservation services

09/14/2026

Is it worth it

There are times when writers block, mental overload, time constraints, and burnout happens; sometimes all at once. Possibly like a musician looking for the perfect lyrics to a song, certain phrases and topics pop in my head. These single words or a few sentences frantically get typed in iPhone notes before the idea leaves as quickly as it arrived. Sometimes a story or lesson comes from these thoughts and other times it slowly fades away, only for me to think about.

“Is it worth it” came from a stretch where the workload was intense. All the hours, money, fuel, employees, equipment, and busyness were probably getting the best of me. Obviously, this topic is tied to land management focusing on the core missions we provide. At times it’s hard to gauge how large of an impact half dozen guys and gals can make on the land, leaving a question of “is it worth it” wondering through my brain.

It’s easy to say we do this job because we love to manage natural resources. Feelings aside, three focus areas strike to the core. Managing top notch properties, training and coaching employees to their fullest potential, and developing customer relationships into friendships. So, yes, it’s worth it.

09/10/2026

Giddy up on an Eastern Red Cedar mechanical tree clearing project.