As a forestry technician, I spend my days managing woodlands across Middle Tennessee. But when I clock out, I head back to my own patch of woods, where I live with my wife, kids, and a whole mess of chickens, garden beds, and firewood piles. Over the years, I’ve learned how to blend modern forestry science with the old-school values of homesteading—and I believe that’s a way of life worth sharing.

Learning from the Land (and the Old-Timers)

Growing up in Ashland City, I spent a lot of time around folks who lived close to the land. My granddad planted by the moon, used wood heat, and canned everything that came out of the garden. My dad, a part-time logger, taught me to swing an axe before I could drive.

But I also studied forestry in school, and now I work with maps, GPS, inventory tools, and data on a daily basis. What I’ve found is that the old ways and the new ways don’t have to clash—they can actually work together.

Take firewood, for example. The homesteader in me knows the value of heating with oak and hickory from my own property. But the forester in me knows that every cut I make should serve a purpose—thinning overcrowded trees, removing storm-damaged limbs, or clearing room for new growth. It’s not just about burning wood—it’s about managing a renewable resource.

Forestry for the Homestead

Forestry isn’t just for big timber companies or state lands. It’s a tool that every landowner can use, no matter if you’ve got 5 acres or 50.

Here are a few ways I apply forestry to my homestead:

🌲 Selective Harvesting

I never clear-cut. Instead, I harvest trees that are diseased, poorly formed, or shading out better species. This provides me with firewood or lumber while improving the health of the stand.

🪵 Sawmill Projects

I invested in a small portable sawmill a few years ago. Now I can turn my own trees into fence posts, shed siding, and even furniture. Not only does it save money, but I know the source and story behind every board.

🌱 Replanting & Natural Regeneration

When I do cut a tree, I either let nature regenerate (if the seed source is strong), or I replant with native species like white oak or shortleaf pine. This way, I’m leaving something behind for my kids.

The Garden, the Coop, and the Wild

Beyond the woods, we run a modest garden, raise chickens for eggs, and forage when the season’s right. It’s a simple life, but a rich one. Here’s how it all ties together:

• Mulch & Compost: I use leaf litter and chipped branches to mulch garden beds. Nothing goes to waste.
  
• Wildlife Management: I leave brush piles and standing snags in the forest for rabbits, birds, and beneficial insects.
  
• Water Conservation: I collect rainwater in barrels and plant native, drought-resistant species along the forest edge.
  
• Foraging: Morels in spring, chanterelles in summer, pawpaws and persimmons in fall—it’s a gift if you know when to look.
  

Some years are leaner than others. But when you live with the land, you develop patience. You learn to read the seasons like a book.

Passing It On

One of the most important things to me is teaching my kids to love and respect the land. We work in the garden together, split wood side-by-side, and walk the trails behind our house looking for tracks. They may not grow up to be foresters, but they’ll grow up knowing how to live with nature—not against it.

I also do what I can to mentor young folks in our community—whether through the high school’s CTE program or neighbors who just bought land and don’t know what to do with it. If I can help someone grow their own food, manage their woods, or start a compost pile, I consider that a good day’s work.

Lessons from The Land

In a world that’s getting louder, faster, and more complicated, I believe the answer is often getting quieter, slower, and more intentional. Living off the land doesn’t mean turning your back on modern life. It means using what you know—science, tradition, experience—to live with purpose.

Modern forestry has taught me how to look at the forest as a system. Homesteading has taught me how to see that system as home.

If you’re reading this and wondering where to begin, start small. Plant a tree. Grow a tomato. Learn one new skill this season. Over time, you’ll build a rhythm with your land. And once you’ve got that rhythm, you’ll wonder why you ever lived any other way.

Thanks for reading—and if you ever find yourself near Ashland City, I’ll be out back with a shovel, a chainsaw, or a cup of coffee. Come say hello.

The post Living Off the Land: Integrating Modern Forestry with Traditional Homesteading appeared first on Keith Ray.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path—whether you’re hiking solo, scouting for deer sign, or just craving quiet under a canopy of oaks—this list is for you. These are my 10 favorite hidden trails and spots near Ashland City and surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee.

1. Cheatham Wildlife Management Area – Ridge Road Trail

Most folks come here during deer season, but the Ridge Road Trail offers excellent hiking year-round. It follows a long, forested ridgeline with great views, especially in the fall. Plenty of wildlife sign—turkey, deer, and the occasional fox squirrel.

🗺 Best for: Moderate hiking, scouting, birdwatching
🌲 Tip: Park near the Lookout Tower off Petway Road and head west.

2. Montgomery Bell State Park – Creech Hollow Trail

While Montgomery Bell isn’t exactly unknown, Creech Hollow is a quieter part of the park. This 2-mile loop wraps around a scenic little lake and connects to several longer trails if you want to extend your day.

🗺 Best for: Peaceful lakeside walks, beginner hikers
🌲 Tip: Bring binoculars—herons and kingfishers are common here.

3. Narrows of the Harpeth – Hidden River Loop

Most people just hike up to the bluff overlook at Narrows of the Harpeth. But if you cross the old canal trail and head down along the riverbank, there’s a quiet loop trail that winds through bottomland forest and offers some great fishing spots.

🗺 Best for: Fly fishing, river views, early morning solitude
🌲 Tip: Great spot for springtime wildflowers and pawpaw trees.

4. Loblolly Woods – West of Ashland City (Private Land with Permission)

If you’re lucky enough to know someone with land west of town, keep your ears open for a spot we call Loblolly Woods. It’s a patch of tall southern pines with soft ground, gentle slopes, and almost no underbrush. Deer love bedding here.

🗺 Best for: Bowhunting, peaceful walking
🌲 Tip: Always get permission—Cheatham County folks are friendly, but they take trespassing seriously.

5. Bell’s Bend Park – Loop Trail

Just 25 minutes from Ashland City, Bell’s Bend offers sweeping meadows and river views without the crowds. The loop trail passes through old farm fields and forest edges—excellent habitat for quail, rabbits, and migrating birds.

🗺 Best for: Trail running, wildlife photography
🌲 Tip: Go in early morning or sunset for deer sightings.

6. Cedar Hill Swamp Boardwalk (Robertson County)

A real gem for nature lovers. This raised boardwalk leads into a hardwood swamp where you’ll hear frogs, wood ducks, and even barred owls if you’re lucky. Not strenuous, but rich in biodiversity.

🗺 Best for: Nature walks with kids, springtime visits
🌲 Tip: Bug spray is a must from May through August.

7. Pace Point – South of Dover, TN

A bit farther out, but worth the drive. Pace Point juts out into Kentucky Lake and is mostly used by birders and duck hunters. Gravel trails lead through woods and open fields down to the water’s edge.

🗺 Best for: Waterfowl observation, scenic sunsets
🌲 Tip: Late winter and early spring are peak migration seasons.

8. Yellow Creek Trail – Land Between the Lakes (LBL)

If you venture west, Yellow Creek Trail is a lightly used trail in the southern part of LBL. It’s remote, has nice elevation changes, and follows a winding stream through dense hardwoods. Plenty of deer, and I’ve even spotted bobcat tracks here.

🗺 Best for: Backcountry hiking, trail cameras
🌲 Tip: Carry a paper map—cell service can be spotty.

9. Hidden Falls Trail – Marrowbone Lake

Just outside Joelton, Marrowbone Lake is mainly used for fishing, but few know about the Hidden Falls Trail off the back side of the lake. It’s short but rugged, with a small seasonal waterfall that flows after heavy rain.

🗺 Best for: Quick hikes, photography
🌲 Tip: Great in early spring when the falls are active and the underbrush is low.

10. Tornado Hollow – Cheatham WMA (Off-Trail Exploration)

This one’s for the more experienced woodsman. Tornado Hollow is an unofficial name we locals use for a pocket of forest hit by a storm years ago. It’s not on a map, and the trail is faint, but the regenerating habitat is full of browse, saplings, and young growth—great for wildlife.

🗺 Best for: Off-trail hiking, wildlife tracking
🌲 Tip: Bring a compass, wear snake boots, and let someone know where you’re going.

Through It All

Middle Tennessee is full of surprises if you know where to look—and you don’t need a long drive or fancy gear to enjoy them. Whether you’re hiking for your health, scouting new hunting grounds, or just clearing your head, there’s something powerful about stepping into a quiet piece of woods most folks pass by.

Just remember: pack in what you pack out, respect private property, and leave the land better than you found it.

If you’ve got a favorite trail I didn’t mention, drop me a line. I’m always looking for new ground to cover.

See you out there.

The post 10 Hidden Trails in Middle Tennessee for Hikers, Hunters, and Nature Lovers appeared first on Keith Ray.