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Community t Advocacy t Knowledge t LegacyA Monthly Publication of Maine Woodland Owners November 2024 Vol. 49 No. 11InsideProblematic Buckthorn...............4Common Ground Fair.................6Olivia Nicolarsen..........................7Land Donation in Edmunds......8Thanksgiving Turkey..................10Timber Stand Improvement......13Maine Forest Service...................14Blacks Grove Case Study II.......16Forestry for WildlifeTour a woodland in Hiram that is managing for wildlife. More on Page 18Appeal Continued on Page 3A Time to Support Maine Woodland OwnersBy Tom DoakAs we come to the close of 2024, Maine Woodland Owners is looking back on a year of change and growth – with our programs, resources, legislative action, and woodland conservation efforts remaining at the heart of what we do. We have had a strong and successful year. A Very Busy YearIn June, we launched a new Tree Identication Program to help woodland owners learn about their woods, a program we intend to offer multiple times a year. And, we added an additional 484 acres of woodlands to our Land Trust this year, bringing our total of protected working forests to almost 12,000 acres. During the 131st Legislative Session we monitored, testied on, and acted upon dozens of bills impacting woodland ownership, including the Sunday hunting prohibition and the Tree Growth Tax program. And as always, this monthly newsletter delivered important content for woodland owners. Looking AheadIn 2025, Maine Woodland Owners will be celebrating its 50th year as the only statewide organization dedicated to providing the resources, knowledge, and advocacy to support woodland owners. We are looking forward to recognizing the organization’s achievements over these past ve decades, thanks to our dedicated members and supporters. At the same time, we will look ahead to continue addressing the many challenges and changes facing woodland owners. This includes more frequent and stronger storms, increased prevalence of forest pests and disease, volatile wood markets, and looking out for your interest at the legislature! Standish Woodland AcquisitionDuring 2024, Maine Woodland Owners has been
November 2024 Volume 49 Number 11 8 Mulliken Court, PO Box 836Augusta, ME 04332-0836Telephone: 207-626-0005Toll Free: 1-877-467-9626E-mail: info@mainewoodlandowners.orgWebsite: www.mainewoodlandowners.orgStaffTom Doak, Executive DirectorKarla Black, Deputy Executive DirectorDebra L. Ladd, Office ManagerJennifer Hicks, Director of Communications and Outreach, Newsletter EditorOlivia Nicolarsen, Forest Outreach CoordinatorBoard of DirectorsExecutive Committee:President: Tom Allen, Portland1st Vice President: Seth Sprague, Portland2nd Vice President: Jennifer Dann, Orono Secretary: Jeff Williams, Limington Treasurer: John Melrose, VassalboroDoug Baston, Gardiner (2026)Kyle Burdick, Brookton (2026)Hannah Carter, Orono (2027)Jim Clair, China (2025)Mark Doty, Madison (2027)Richard Nass, Acton (2026)Paul Sampson, Lincolnville (2027)Chapter LeadersCentral Maine: Jim Ferrante, SebecDown East: Si Balch, Brooklin Midcoast: Andrew Smart, UnityNorthern Maine: Randy Lagasse, Presque Isle; Lauren Ouellette, Island FallsPenobscot Valley: Larry Beauregard, BrewerSouthern Maine: Jeff Williams, LimingtonSt. Croix: Ernest Carle, Big Lake TwpTwo Rivers: Andy Shultz, AugustaUpper Kennebec Valley: VacantWestern Maine: Merle Ring, NorwayOpinions expressed in Maine Woodlands do not necessarily reflect Maine Woodland Owners’ position unless expressly stated.Maine Woodlands is mailed bulk rate. The post office does not forward. Your current address is essential.A Nonprofit Corporation – IRC 501(c)(3)A Monthly Publication of the Maine Woodland OwnersMaine Woodlands November 2024Page 2A Member-Supported OrganizationBoard MessageBy Jim Clairclairgroup@gmail.comAs the chair of the Maine Woodland Owners Development Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on the organization’s revenue generating efforts and, specically, objectives for the balance of 2024 and all of 2025.First, we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $175,000 during the 2024 Annual Appeal, and its primary purpose is to support our annual operating budget. This is our most important fundraising effort of the year as membership dues and other revenue-generating activities are simply not enough to support our day-to-day work. Your support of the Annual Appeal means that Maine Woodland Owners can continue to provide the support and resources on which woodland owners rely.Also, during this time we are asking our supporters for an additional contribution towards the Watchic Woods Initiative/Standish Woodland Acquition Campaign. The Maine Woodland Owners’ board has determined that conserving the 120 acre property in Standish is a key investment that will leverage the Land Trust land we hold nearby and advance our organization’s woodland stewardship objectives. And as we move into 2025, we are in the midst of nalizing a special fundraiser that will both support and honor Maine Woodland Owners’ 50th Anniversary! There will be more information to come in the next few months about this opportunity, but the premise is to build an endowment to ensure Maine Woodland Owners can continue its success into the next fty years. Your participation in what we’re preliminarily calling the “50 for 50” effort will be integral to the long-term nancial stability of our organization.For additional information about any of these efforts, please contact the Maine Woodland Owners ofce: (207) 626-0005 or info@mainewoodlandowners.org. On behalf of the Maine Woodland Owners board of directors, thank you in advance for your nancial support.Raising the Fundraising Bar
4Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 3A Member-Supported OrganizationAppeal Continued from Page 1Tom Doak is Executive Director. He can be contacted by email: tom@mainewoodlandowners.orgquietly building support to acquire a 120-acre parcel in the town of Standish. This will add to 423 acres already held in our Land Trust very nearby. We see this as an opportunity to increase the protection of intact forests and catalyze conservation in a part of the state facing increasing development pressure. Usually, we don’t purchase land, but you may remember the efforts we made to acquire the two parcels in Standish – the rst a 289 acre lot in 2015 and then an adjoining piece in 2018 – with signicant help from two anonymous donors and many of our members. We have another chance to conserve more land in the Watchic Lake watershed that will also be managed sustainably, conserved as forestland, and kept open to the public in perpetuity. 2024 Annual AppealSoon, you will be receiving our Annual Appeal letter and donation form in your mailbox. I hope you will consider making a generous contribution to Maine Woodland Owners to help us meet our ambitious fundraising target of $175,000. The funds raised during the 2024 Annual Appeal campaign will help ensure that we will continue making a measurable impact conserving working forests and supporting woodland owners. Making an end-of-the-year donation at this time provides the critical operating funding we need to sustain our work. We also hope you will consider making a donation to our Standish Woodland Acquisition Fund. We have already received contributions from foundations and individual donors, as well as pledges for donations, and are nearly halfway to meeting our goal to raise $300,000 to acquire the land by the end of 2024. The parcel outlined in red on the right shows the 423 acres Maine Woodland Owners currently holds in Standish. The parcel on the left is what is proposed for conservation.Maine Woodland Owners 20oz Arctic Zone® Titan Thermal HP® tumbler is made of double wall stainless steel and is insulated to help keep drinks hot or cold for hours. Includes a clear push-on lid with a thumb-slide closure. Maine Woodland Owners logo is prominently displayed on one side.Maine Woodland Owners Thermal Tumbler Thank You GiftsAs always, Maine Woodland Owners is offering thank you gifts to those who donate at certain levels. For donations of $500 or more you can receive:For donations of $300 or more you can receive:A Signed Copy of “White Pine: American History and the Tree that Made a Nation” By Andrew VietzeThe history of the ubiquitous pine tree is wrapped up with the history of early America – and becomes a compelling read, almost an adventure story. Andrew Vietze is the author of more than two dozen books and splits his time between the coast of Maine and the North Woods. For half of the year, he's a ranger at Baxter State Park.Maine Woodland Owners Stone/Black relaxed prole capFor donations of $150 or more you can receive:This is our most popular ball cap with a new color combination: stone colored, light weight cap and black visor. With sweatband and leather adjusting strap. Be one of the rst to try it out!I encourage you to visit our website to learn more: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/annual-appeal. While there, you can donate using our online form. Above all, THANK YOU for your continued support!
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 4A Member-Supported OrganizationInvasive Buckthorn Creating Big ProblemsBy Maxwell McCormackIncreasing threats of buckthorn woody brush in Maine woodlots have become a focal point among concerns about invasive plants. Maine’s native buckthorn species, alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), similar in appearance to our wetland alders (Alnus spp.), is not a culprit. Two alien invaders merit our attention; glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) introduced from Europe, and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) introduced from Eurasia in the mid 1800s. Originally, they were planted as ornamental shrubs, hedges, shelter belts, and wildlife habitat. They escaped and became invaders now rated as SEVERELY INVASIVE by the Maine Natural Areas Program. These two species are similar and, from a silvicultural perspective, can be considered together as buckthorns.The invasive buckthorns ourish on disturbed, moist sites but, they can invade any productive Maine woodlot when suitable conditions occur. Buckthorns have an inherent ability to regenerate, spread, and outcompete desirable, native vegetation. They are tolerant of shade and will quickly occupy patches of sunlight in woodland openings. In comparison with most native plants, buckthorns initiate growth earlier in the spring and extend growth later into autumn, growing rapidly through their prolonged seasons. They can produce multiple seed crops during a single season and the fruits are effectively distributed by birds and other wildlife. Seeds remain viable in the duff and surface soils but, fortuitously, it appears that the seed remains viable for only a few years.Buckthorns are disarming charmers with their lush green foliage and colorful berries (photo). However, the above-ground attractiveness conceals their aggressive root systems that wage a domineering offensive against the roots of desirable trees and regeneration. This stresses overstory trees and suppresses regeneration. Established thickets of buckthorn exclude native plant regeneration. A precautionary, peripheral concern has come to light in recent studies and eld observations. Buckthorns are among the woody brush habitats that foster tick populations.Hand pulling of small stems is not advised because viable root fragments usually remain in the soil. Effective reduction of buckthorn growth requires application of prescribed herbicide treatments. Young patches and thickets with foliage that is readily covered with secure spray patterns can be efciently suppressed while in full-leaf. In such cases post-spray brown-out should be acceptable. Target vegetation must not be physically disturbed before, during, or after treatment. Stressed, bruised, or damaged vegetation usually will not effectively translocate active ingredients to its root systems.Brown-out is avoided when using treatments executed during dormant seasons using fresh-cut stem applications. Spring ush growth periods should be avoided. Cut stems without accompanying herbicide applications will sprout prolically with vigorous height growth of three to six feet, maybe more, in a single year. Sprout growth is capable of producing seed during the second growing season. Some practitioners have carried out stem cutting without herbicide treatments intending to cut again in subsequent years. This merely cultures the root systems and results in more vigorous regrowth. Special caution should be exercised whenever buckthorn stems are cut and removed. In many cases, crowns of cut brush are bearing clusters of fruit and their transport can result in seed dissemination.On locations where buckthorn has been allowed to develop over several seasons there can be stems that are 20 feet, or more, in height with diameters large enough for stem injected herbicide applications. This Branch tip of glossy buckthorn. The fruit progresses through the growing season, from owering to ripening, from the basal portion of the cluster toward the tip of the branch.Photo: Max McCormack
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 5A Member-Supported OrganizationMaxwell McCormack is research professor emeritus at the University of Maine,. He lives in Orono. Maine Public Video ShootAuthor’s Note: Pesticide (e.g. insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) users are required by federal and state laws to follow label directions. Be precise with brand names and note all the ingredients of each product. The label is afxed to the product container, often with extensive details included in an attached pamphlet. Label information includes proportions and amounts of ingredients, hazard warnings, and rst aid guidance. Also included are: precautions and prescribed uses; handling, storage, mixing, and application procedures. The product should only be used according to the label instructions.could be a convenient way to handle large stems, letting them die and break down in place. I do not advocate basal-bark spray treatments.Removal of established buckthorn vegetation is not a one-and-done treatment. Likely, there is a viable buckthorn seed bank on treated sites, and birds feeding on nearby buckthorn vegetation are potential contributors of fresh seed. Judicious monitoring and follow-up are essential to insure dominance of healthy, desirable woodland vegetation.Production crew from Maine Public spent the day in the woods owned by member Bob Wagg, to record content for a promotional video about Maine Woodland Owners and its mission. Maine Woodland Owners serves as an underwriter for Maine Public’s Climate Desk.Photo: Jenn Hicks
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 6A Member-Supported OrganizationMANAGING YOUR FORESTIS OUR BUSINESSProfessional, Licensed Foresters serving Maine & New Hampshirewadsworthwoodlands.comA well-managed, sustainable woodlot isgood for you and even better for the forest!Call Us Today for a Free Consultation207-625-246835 ROCK CROP WAY • HIRAM, MAINEWadsworth Woodlands Inc.is a diverse consulting forestry companysupplying economical service to landownersin all aspects of forest land management.Forest Management Plans • Timber HarvestingExcellent product markets formaximum return to landowner.WadsworthWOODLANDSMaine Woodland Owners Day a SuccessThe Maine Woodland Owners booth welcomed hundreds of visitors.The tent where Maine Woodland Owners hosted presentations.Retired Maine Forest Service forester, Merle Ring, leads a Tree ID talk during Maine Woodland Owners Day. Board member, Mark Doty, helped with setting up the Maine Woodland Owners booth.Maine Woodland Owners hosted a series of forestry presentations on and ran an information booth during the Common Ground Fair September 20 through September 22. Longtime member, David Greeley, talks with Executive Director Tom Doak.Photo: Jenn Hicks Photo: Jenn HicksPhoto: Jenn HicksPhoto: Jenn Hicks Photo: Jenn Hicks
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 7A Member-Supported OrganizationIntroducing Olivia NicolarsenBy Jennifer HicksMaine Woodland Owners serves as an essential resource for woodland owners, and as part of that, the organization, in partnership with Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), has hired Olivia Nicolarsen to be its forestry outreach coordinator. Olivia, who started the position on September 16, will assist woodland owners and foresters with the implementation of practices to enhance their forestland. This is a three-year shared position with the NRCS and is based in the Maine Woodland Owners’ ofce in Augusta.Specically, Olivia helps landowners understand all of the cost-share programs available, work closely with them to explain, encourage the use of, and qualify them for forestry cost-share programs, and promote forestry and land improvements. She is also working with NRCS to help increase the effectiveness of their cost-share programs and encourage resource professionals to become qualied technicians to help implement the various practices that the program funds.A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Olivia’s previous role was as a small tooling coordinator with the rm Infrasource Construction. There she was in charge of inspection, calibration, inventory, and generally making sure all workers had the equipment they needed for their construction jobs. Olivia became interested in the forestry outreach coordinator position because of her desire to get back into professional conservation work and to utilize her GIS skills. She also wanted to make a move to the eastern part of the country. After graduating in 2021 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in sheries and wildlife, a concentration in conservation biology, and a minor in urban forestry, Olivia served as an Americorps volunteer for the organization Conservation Nebraska. There she provided education, event planning, and public outreach around environmental protection issues. Since childhood, Olivia has wanted to work outside and with animals. She enjoys the challenge of conservation work because, she says, “there is always something new to learn and it’s always changing.”In particular, Olivia is interested in learning more about the forest management part of the position and hopes to use her training in urban forestry and wildlife conservation to contribute to the work. Looking ahead, Olivia hopes to get a masters degree in applied sciences and receive a certication with the International Society of Arborists and the Society of American Foresters.She currently lives in Waterville with her 70 lbs puppy, Midas, and during her free time she likes to bake, powerlift, camp, and hike. She sees the opportunity to live in a new place as a chance to grow – she has only lived in one state all her life. She noted that Maine is much different than Nebraska. “The landscape is so different. In Nebraska, the land continues as far as the eye can see. In Maine, with the mountains and trees surrounding us, it makes one feel smaller. It has been a nice change.” Olivia explained. To learn more about the cost-share programs available through NRCS and to receive assistance applying for a cost-share program, contact Olivia at (207) 626-0005 or olivia@mainewoodlandowners.org. Additionally, visit: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/cost-share.Jennifer Hicks is Dir. of Communication & Outreach and the editor of Maine Woodlands. jenn@mainewoodlandowners.orgForestry Outreach Coordinator, Olivia Nicolarsen.Photo: Jenn Hicks
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 8A Member-Supported OrganizationLand Donation in Edmunds TownshipBy Karla BlackWith the acceptance of a 35-acre land donation in Edmunds Township in mid-September, Maine Woodland Owners Land Trust has expanded its presence in Washington County and acquired its rst saltwater coastal property. Located on Dennys Bay, the parcel was donated by Gerry and Katheryne Gall of Connecticut.Karla Black is Deputy Executive Director and can be reached at: karla@mainewoodlandowners.org. Longtime annual visitors to the Cobscook Bay region, the Galls decided to look for property in the area and purchased their land in 2002. Soon after, their forester recommended joining Maine Woodland Owners to learn more about woodland ownership. They have been members ever since.The property has a long history of agricultural use as this restored forest was once pasture and tillage land. It contains walking trails that have been maintained by hand by the Galls, and lead to 2000 feet of ocean frontage. The woods are varied with a predominance of r and red maple and some beautiful white pine. It has good regeneration from a 2013 harvest. A eld is mowed annually in late summer to support wildlife habitat and the Galls report that there are several game trails near the shore that get signicant use. When the time came to make a plan for the future of their woods, the Galls decided that donating their land was their best option. Concerned about the rate of development in the Cobscook Bay area over the past 20 years, the Galls wanted to ensure that their land would be protected forever. They explored several alternatives and ultimately determined that Maine Woodland Owners would be the recipient because of our policy to keep all of our land enrolled in the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law program and pay property taxes. Additionally, they very much liked that the parcel would be actively managed. No other organization the Galls spoke to were able to guarantee these conditions if they were to donate the land to them. “Maine Woodland Owners’ approach to managing it’s lands really aligned with our values and goals for our property.” said the Galls.Named Cobscook Woods, a bench will be installed in one of the Galls’ favorite places where visitors can sit and rest and view the bay through the trees. Gerry and Katheryne used the spot for their lunch breaks when conducting trail maintenance.The Galls expressed a sense of relief after the donation was completed and they commented that the process went very smoothly. They shared that they are “so happy to know that the woods will be preserved, appreciated and well-tended in the future.” Maine Woodland Owners thanks the Galls for their generous donation of land and their longtime support of the organization. For more information about the Maine Woodland Owners Land Trust please visit: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/land-trust-1. Cobscook Woods is a 35-acre woodland in Edmunds Township and is the rst coastal parcel acquired by the Maine Woodland Owners Land Trust.A view of part of the 2000 foot shoreline of the Cobscook Woods parcel. Photo: Gerry and Katheryne Gall
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 9A Member-Supported OrganizationMaine family wishes to purchasewoodland to be held long term,actively managed, and having akeen eye for wildlife preservation. For a confidential discussion,please contact Robby Graham. WOODLAND WANTED207-831-2946robgraham825@gmail.comNorthern WoodlandsPOB 270; 16 On the Common, Lyme, NH 03768 (603) 795-0660If you are interested in New England and New York’s natural history, the forest products industry, changes in the environment; if you enjoy a look back at the region’s forested past and appreciate a window into its future, Northern Woodlands is for you.Our award-winning quarterly oers unique and balanced insights into the outdoors, the living landscape. northernwoodlands.orgNeed a Bush Scythe for your woodlot?A perfect tool for saplings and young unwanted growth. Scythe Supply is a Maine business sellingand promoting the European Scythe.(207) 853-4750www.scythesupply.comPost-Harvest TourThe Two Rivers Chapter leader, Andy Shultz, organized a tour of the Wagg Family Memorial Woods in Lisbon on October 6 to showcase a recent timber harvest that was conducted on the property this past summer. The attendees had an opportunity to see how a nished harvest looked and learn about the various approaches taken to protect a stream that cut through the harvested area. Land Trust forester, Mike Kinney walked the group through lightly thinned pine stands to explain how it supports the health of the remaining stems. He also discussed how the harvest provide a tree release in an oak/pine stand by creating small canopy gaps. The tour created a positive view of timber harvesting and a better understanding of a cut-to-length mechanical operation.To learn more about this Land Trust property visit: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/land-trust-properties-2/waggBob Wagg, donor of Wagg Family Memorial Woods, talks with event participants about the history and unique characteristics of the parcel during the October 6 program.Photo: Andy Shultz
By Bob DuchesneTurkeys are everywhere. They didn’t used to be. Pilgrims took turkeys for granted at the rst Thanksgiving, and for the next 200 years the birds remained plentiful through all parts of the Bay Colony, including present-day Maine.Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 10A Member-Supported OrganizationBarkyard BirdingBehind Thanksgiving Tradition, the Bird ItselfThen Maine changed. Wars and other hostilities discouraged settlement in the interior part of the state until after the War of 1812. An extended period of peace followed, allowing axes and plows to changethe landscape. Habitat loss and overhunting drove Maine’s turkey population nearly to extinction by the end of the 19th century.At the dawn of the 20th century, agriculture in Maine was in decline. Fields became forests again – which comes as no surprise to woodland owners, who recognize the remnants of old stone walls running through their woodlots. While trees returned, the turkeys didn’t.By mid-century, biologists were trying to re-establish turkeys in Maine. They failed. Successful reintroduction did not occur until 1977, when scores of turkeys were brought in from Vermont and Connecticut. This time it worked, maybe too well. There are now tens of thousands of turkeys in Maine,and they’ve spread farther north than might have been expected. Historically, turkeys were limited primarily to southern Maine. Prior to logging, the old-growth forest in the northern part of the state was inhospitable. Winters were longer, and snows were deeper. Nowadays, it is no longer shocking to see moose and turkeys sharing the same habitat.Within just nine years of reintroduction, the turkey population was large enough to support hunting. In Editor’s Note: This article was orginally published in the November 2018 edition of Maine Woodlands.1986, 500 hunting permits were issued. Only nine turkeys were bagged. They can be clever, and perhaps our turkey-hunting skills were rusty. The wild turkey is exclusively a New World species. There are distinct populations across North America, grouped into ve subspecies. Many of these subspecies are limited to small pockets, with discrete populations in Florida, southwestern states, and in some mountainous areas of the west. Our turkey – the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) – is the most widely distributed.There are turkeys in Europe, descended from birds that were brought over by the Spanish in the 1500s. Infact, those may the ancestors of the domestic turkey that will be the centerpiece on your holiday table this month. The wild turkeys brought to Europe by the Spanish most likely originated in Mexico, where the subspecies has white tail tips. Our wild turkeys have brown tail tips.Even though 500 years have passed, the genetic trait remains. It’s less noticeable now, because most domestic turkeys are completely white. The brown has been bred out of them for cosmetic reasons. Whena turkey is plucked for the table, a few pin feathers remain. White pin feathers are less obvious than brown, and so breeders favored the production ofwhite turkeys.While Mainers have gotten accustomed to seeing wild turkeys, most people are unfamiliar with some of the quirks these birds display. Their romantic behavior is amusing, and we’ve often seen the toms fanning their tails and strutting their stuff for the hens. Dominant males will mate with as many females as possible.But neither are the hens faithful. They typically mate with several males. A clutch of 10-14 eggs might contain the offspring of multiple fathers. Hens are also known to lay their eggs in the nests of other hens, tasking the victim with the child-rearing obligation.Once a hen starts incubating, she alone is responsibleThe eastern wild turkey is a common site in Maine’s woods.Photo: Shutterstock
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 11A Member-Supported OrganizationBob Duchesne founded the Maine Birding Trail, www.mainebirdingtrail.com, and writes for the Bangor Daily News. He lives in Hudson. For more information on The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) www.sfimaine.org www.sfiprogram.org Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a program that provides a convenient way to ask questions regarding specific forestry activities. SFI commits to: Include public concerns in the management of industrial forestlands and foster the same philosophy on non-industrial forestlands. Inform the public about sound forestry practices already in place. This program is important for all of us: loggers, landowners, wood buyers and the public. Forestry Hotline: Do you have questions about a forest harvest in your neighborhood? If so, we invite you to call 1-888-SFI-GOAL (1-888-734-4625). This call-in service, although not an enforcement program, will help Maine’s SFI companies better understand issues of public concern and identify problem areas for improvement. for bringing up the kids. The toms play no role.Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They are able to walk immediately, and can forage on their own within just a few days. However, it takes ve weeks before the poults can y– a dangerous time for the youngsters. Adults usuallyroost in trees at night, reducing the threat from predators. The young gobblers can’t get up there. If they survive those ightless weeks, their odds improvetremendously, and the average lifespan is 10 years.In non-breeding season, turkeys group together in gender-specic ocks. Each ock has its own peckingorder. Males and females don’t associate with each other until courtship begins in late winter. Enjoy your holiday turkey, and count your blessings. Historically, dining on turkey was something only the wealthy could do. The poor had to settle for goose. You might remember that in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the Cratchit family was going to feast on goose before Ebenezer offered them a meal of turkey. Bon appetit.Save the Date!The Maine Woodland Owners Annual Meeting and Forestry Forum will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Augusta Civic Center during the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s (DACF) Agricultural Trade Show. Our event will start with a brief membership meeting at 8:30 a.m., with presentations beginning at 9:00 a.m., a break for lunch, and nishing up by 3:00 p.m. As in the past, this year’s program will be accessable online using Zoom. If weather conditions force DACF to cancel the Trade Show on the 15th, Maine Woodland Owners will hold their program completely online.Additionally, Maine Woodland Owners will again hold an online auction geared to woodland owners and those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors. Information about the event and auction will be available in the December 2024 and January 2025 newsletters. Starting in early December nd details at: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/annual-meeting. Contact Jenn Hicks, Director of Communications and Outreach at (207) 626-0005 or jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org.
By Mike KinneyManaging a woodlot takes a great deal of patience. For most landowners, a timber harvest may happen only once or twice during their tenure of ownership. Some landowners won’t ever see a harvest on their property. But for those who want to actively manage between commercial harvests, timber stand improvement is an excellent way to promote the health and productivity of a woodlot. Timber stand improvement, often abbreviated TSI, is a term used to describe activities that manipulate the distribution of tree and other plant species on a property. The most common goal of TSI is to increase the growth rate of desirable species. In many cases, TSI activities are easy to implement and qualify for funding through federal cost-share programs. Competition control is one TSI activity that Maine Woodland Owners frequently uses on its Land Trust properties. This typically involves removing unwanted vegetation like beech sprouts and striped maple saplings that compete with desired tree species for light and water resources. Competition control is easily performed with a brush saw or chainsaw and is considered a climate smart forestry practice by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or NRCS. Federal funding is available, and landowners can complete the work themselves or hire a contractor. The results can be very satisfying as desired regeneration often responds quickly to release. This year, Maine Woodland Owners was awarded funding through the NRCS for roughly 200 acres of competition control at the Chandler Brothers Snow Hill Land Trust property in New Gloucester. To help us complete this work, we hired a Maine Conservation Corps eld team made up of one crew leader and two crew members to spend six weeks at the property this summer. They worked nine days on and ve days off. The crew camped at Sebago Lake State Park and traveled to Snow Hill each workday. They focused on cutting dense beech regeneration to provide growing space for pine and oak saplings. The crew did an excellent job, and their hard work has helped ensure that the Snow Hill lot will continue to be a productive and diverse stand of high value trees. The Maine Conservation Corps Field Team Program provides job readiness skills and promotes education and engagement in natural resource conservation. Its goals align well with Maine Woodland Owners’ mission and it’s one of the reasons we contracted with the group. Maine Woodland Owners organized several educational activities for the crew this summer. They spent time with foresters learning about Maine’s forest trees, plants, and invasive species. They visited two active timber harvests where they talked to loggers, saw equipment, and learned about the importance of the forest products industry to Maine’s economy. They visited the Maine Wildlife Park where they got to see and learn about the state’s unique fauna. They also spent a morning learning to y sh with a registered guide. At the end of their six weeks, Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 12A Member-Supported OrganizationLand Trust NewsMike Kinney with the results of a timber stand improvement activities at the Chandler Brothers Snow Hill woodlot.Mike Kinney with the Maine Conservation Corp crew to go over the day’s workplan. Timber Stand Improvement at Snow Hill WoodlotPhoto: Jenn HicksPhoto: Jenn Hicks
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 13A Member-Supported OrganizationTIMBERLAND LOANS • COUNTRY HOME LOANSAPPRAISALS • TAX PREPARATION • PAYROLL SERVICESBUSINESS CONSULTING • RECORD-KEEPINGESTATE PLANNING • EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY LEASINGAUBURN, MAINE | 800.831.4230PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE | 800.831.4640FARMCREDITEAST.COMFULL FINANCIALSOLUTIONSMike Kinney is a forester with Prentiss and Carlisle and serves as a Land Trust Forester for Maine Woodland Owners. Email: mpkinney@prentissandcarlisle.com.the crew said the eld team program allowed them to experience a side of Maine they never knew existed. They also said that the waterfront camping on Sebago Lake helped keep their spirits up after longs days of running a brush saw in dense beech regeneration. A private contractor has picked up where the MCC crew left off and anticipates completing the rest of the project this fall. Now that much of the beech and striped maple is gone, existing oak and pine regeneration is getting the resources it needs to thrive. The mature oaks on Snow Hill have also produced a bumper crop of acorns this year. I seem to dodge falling acorns every time I walk the property. With more light reaching the understory, I expect to see a carpet of red oak seedlings next spring. Whether it’s on an acre or 200 acres, competition control is an excellent way for landowners to practice forest management between harvests. It ts a wide array of landowner objectives and property types. Competition control can help a landowner manage for oak and pine in Cumberland, cedar in Dover-Foxcroft, or spruce in Addison. Reducing competition from unwanted vegetation improves resiliency and increases growth rates in crop trees on any woodlot. For woodlot owners who want to do the work themselves, it’s a great opportunity to spend time outside enjoying the woods and practicing silviculture. For Maine Woodland Owners, competition control is an essential part of the equation for managing beech on our land trust properties. We hope that our work on Snow Hill this summer serves as an example for landowners that timber stand improvement between harvests is an important part of forest management and something they can do on their own property. Access & Enjoy Your PropertySpecializing in developing recreational trailsand remote access projects along with: Invasive plant management - food plotsbridges - road building/maintenancedrainage - bush hogging - boundary line maintenance - and more.A Maine Conservation Corp crew member conducting a forest thinning at the Chandler Brothers Snow Hill woodlot.Photo: Jenn Hicks
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 14A Member-Supported OrganizationThe Northeast Master Logger Cercaon Program recognizes loggers who provide professional, protable harvests that preserve and improve your woodlands while meeng your goals for wildlife, recreaon, and your family. The Northeast Master Logger Cercaon Program oers third-party independent cercaon of logging companies’ harvesng pracces. The program is built around standards that have been cross-referenced to all of the world’s major green cercaon systems. There are more than 100 Master Loggers in Maine. Find one in your area at: masterloggercercaon.com 108 Sewall St. PO Box 1036, Augusta, ME 04332 (207)-688-8195 (207) 942-8295 | www.prentissandcarlisle.com 107 Court Street | PO Box 637 | Bangor, Maine 04402-0637Maybe you'd like to create a trail, protect wildlife habitat, or generate some income. Or maybe you just need some professional care to keep your woodlot growing strong and healthy.Management Plans Timber Harvesting Property Appraisals Road & Bridge Building Forest Consulting & Valuation Maine Tree Growth Tax LawNo matter what its size... Your woodlot can be both beautiful and profitable.Whatever your goals, we can help you reach them.Contact us today for a free consultationMaine Forest Service is a Valued PartnerBy Jennifer HicksMaine Woodland Owners often collaborated with partners to connect members with resources and expertise needed to meet their forest management goals. One such partner, Maine Forest Service (MFS), plays an important role in our ability to support our members.A division of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF), the MFS encourages sound long term forest management, protects forests from the effects of re, insects, disease and misuse, and supplies the public with information about Maine's forest resources. The MFS forest pathologist and several of the forest entomologists have developed and led education presentations and written articles for Maine Woodland Owners. They also offer regular, timely, and in depth information about pests and disease, and help the public identify bugs and signs of disease found in their woods.The MFS District Foresters offer many services including meeting with with owners on their land and providing guidance and expertise. Foresters Jim Ferrante, Lauren Ouellette, and Randy Lagasse serve as Maine Woodland Owners chapter leaders and have organized many in-person and online programs for us. Even the Forest Service Director, Patty Cormier, was once our Upper Kennebec Valley chapter leader while she was a District Forester! The MFS Forest Rangers have helped countless landowners, including many of our members, with various enforcement issues. They make themselves available to anyone who is need of help, whether they own just a few acres or several thousand. The good news is the MFS is building its capacity; they have added three new District Forester positions and a climate specialist role in the past year. For more information visit: www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs.Jennifer Hicks is Dir. of Communication & Outreach and the editor of Maine Woodlands. jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 15A Member-Supported OrganizationReader Forest Management LLCServing Forest Landowners in Maine & New HampshireSpecializing in:• Forest Management Plans for Maine’s Tree Growth Tax Law, NRCS, and MFS WoodsWise program• Timber Harvesng - from start to nish• GIS Mapping using GPS and color aerial photos• Boundary Line Maintenance • Timber Inventory & Valuaon • Tree Farm CercaonBrian Reader LPF #353824 Oer Drive, N. Waterboro, ME 04061207-205-5917Email: breadertrees@yahoo.comwww.readerforestmanagement.comLike us on facebookMadison(207) 612-6823Winthrop (207) 377-7196info@twotreesforestry.comwww.twotreesforestry.comExperience & ethicsTwo Trees has the experience and ethical practices to guide you in all your forestry decisions.v Serving Maine landowners since 1984.v Assn. of Consulting Foresters member—we never buy ourclients’ wood. v Manager of Town Forests in China, Litchfield, Manchester, Readfield, Belgrade, Winslow, and Monmouth.Madison(207) 612-6823Winthrop (207) 377-7196info@twotreesforestry.comwww.twotreesforestry.comManagement planningTwo Trees produces plans that link each landowner’s goals with your property’s potential.v Detailed description of soils, timber, habitats, and history.v Tree Growth, WoodsWISE, and USDA-NRCS-style plans; ArcGIS mapping. Two sample plans available on our website.Madison(207) 612-6823Winthrop (207) 377-7196info@twotreesforestry.comwww.twotreesforestry.com Timber harvestingTwo Trees helps landowners gain excellent incomes while conserving your woodlands.v We mark each tree to be cut and contract with the best loggers.v We auction or negotiate timber sales for the best prices.v We help minimize timber sale income tax liabilities.Madison(207) 612-6823Winthrop (207) 377-7196info@twotreesforestry.comwww.twotreesforestry.comWorking with a foresterTwo Trees helps you identify and then meet your goals as a landowner.v Experience and ethical practices help guide landowners in all their forestry decisions.v Timber sales gain excellent incomes while protecting timber, water, and wildlife. v Management plans link landowners’ goals with their property’s potential.v Thorough assessment of opportunities and prediction of income/costs.Timber Marking, Sales & AdministrationForest Management Plans - Timber Inventory & AppraisalTree Growth Tax Law Assistance - GPS & GIS ServicesForest Mapping - Boundary MaintenanceConservation Easement Monitoring & Baseline DocumentationFSC®Certified Resource ManagersGregory M. Seamans317 Allen Hill RoadOxford, ME 04270207-890-0802gregseamans@gmail.comSherman R. SmallP.O. Box 621Bethel, ME 04217207-824-6122sherms@megalink.netEdward T. TellingP.O. Box 678Norway, ME 04268207-515-0505ntelling@neforestryconsultants.comLL Bean Donates JacketsKaren Chase, Charitable Giving Specialist with LLBean presents executive director Tom Doak with one of the 50 eece jackets the company donated to recognize Maine Woodland Owners’ 50th anniversary. In September, LLBean donated 50 eece jackets to Maine Woodland Owners with the new 50th Anniversary logo embroidered on each (the logo will be revealed soon!). The jackets will be available for purchase starting in early 2025 as part of the many ways the Maine Woodland Owners will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary throughout the year.This donation is just another example of the generosity of LLBean over the past several years. The company has been an important and consistent contributor to Maine Woodland Owners and we are very grateful for their support of our mission and our work. Photo: LLBean
By Bob SeymourLast month I described our Blacks Grove Tree Farm in Mariaville, a hemlock-dominated property where the silviculture has included a commercial improvement cutting of low-value wood, understory beech control, and extensive enrichment planting. Over my entire 50-year career I have often heard that labor-intensive inputs such as tree marking, harvest layout, and tending regeneration are too expensive and not justied in a world of low-value timber markets. I have always been skeptical of this view, but until we began managing our own land, I had no evidence to support my hunch. Silvicultural research uses permanent forest sample plots, where the same trees are measured over repeated growth cycles, to monitor tree growth and stand development, but historically, no family forest landowners have employed these methods. The major goal of our forest landownership is to practice a high level of silviculture and document what happens in response, so we have installed hundreds of permanent sample plots (sometimes called “CFI” for continuous forest inventory) to ll this void.Forests earn money for landowners by growing wood and storing carbon. Growth of merchantable wood is the sum of three factors: (1) accretion of annual improved somewhat during the more recent four-year interval, with net growth now up to 0.56. At this rate, the 2015 preharvest stocking will be reached in another nine years, 17 years after the harvest. In general, our management goal is to sustain a cutting cycle of 15-20 years, so we are on track here.We have been surprised and discouraged that mortality, mainly from severe fall and winter storms has offset 26% of the gross growth, and did not diminish between periods. The dashed line shows what the standing inventory would be if there were no mortality. Over the entire property, recent mortality is about eight cords per year, about a wheeler load of wood every year. If we lived on the property, owned a skidder, and had the wherewithal to salvage this wood and sell it roadside, then the net growth would equal the gross growth. We have done this on a small scale on three Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 16A Member-Supported OrganizationPractical Silviculturerings on living trees of merchantable size (typically 4.6 inches dbh and larger); (2) ingrowth of smaller saplings (1-4 inches dbh) into merchantable sizes; and (3) mortality, the volume of merchantable trees dying from any cause. The sum of the rst two positive components is termed “gross” growth; when mortality is subtracted, the result is “net” growth.One can get a rough idea of net growth by inventorying a property twice, calculating the increase in standing volume (stocking), and dividing by the length of the interval between measurements. No remeasured plots are needed. If a property is harvested between inventories, then the volume removed must be added to the difference. My Kenduskeag property (Maine Woodlands, July 2022) is such an example. However, simply measuring a forest twice yields no insight into how it changed. This can only be determined by remeasuring an initial sample and determining the fate of each tree. At Blacks Grove, we installed plots before the 2015 harvest, and remeasured them immediately afterward and twice since, after the 2019 and 2023 growing seasons.The 2015 harvest reduced the inventory by 363 cords, a 32% removal to 19.9 cords per acre (Fig. 1). During the rst four years afterward, gross growth was 0.58 cords per acre per year, but 0.15 cords of mortality reduced the net growth to 0.43. Gross and net growth Fig. 1: 8-year trends in growing-stock volume (left axis, black) and value (right axis, green). Values in blue are stocking in cords per acre. All nancial data are in constant 2021 stumpage values and do not include ination.Blacks Grove II: Growth and Financial Returns
Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 17A Member-Supported OrganizationBob Seymour is Professor Emeritus of silviculture at the School of Forest Resources, UMaine. Email: rseymour@maine.edu. Bob’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@tmimotfoccasions on other properties, but most dead trees on our lands remain in the woods.Financially, the picture is brighter. After eight years, the value of the residual growing stock has nearly returned to the preharvest level. A much higher proportion of the residual stand is now in sawlog-size trees worth more per cord, hence the same volume of growth is worth more than formerly. Annual net growth in value was $18.30 per acre or $733 over the entire woodlot. We have achieved higher returns on our other woodlots where we have more valuable pine, spruce, and hardwood sawlogs. These modest values are a result of the dominance of low-value hemlock, which comprises 57% of the volume but only 39% of the value of the growing stock (Fig. 2). The $733 annual growth in value equates to a compound annual rate of return of 2.6% on the 2016 value ($25,728) of the residual stand. This may seem low compared to more speculative investments, but it is a real rate of return in addition to ination, and accrues steadily, year after year, regardless of whether the stock market is rising or falling.I was curious about how these growth and mortality rates compare to other benchmarks, so I queried the US Forest Service FIA database using the Evalidator online tool to see what these values are for Maine during the most recent ve years. Overall, Maine’s forests are growing nearly a half cord per acre per Fig. 2: Composition of the growing stock volume and value by products. OS=pine, spruce. EH=hemlock.year (Table 1). The similarity between our observed mortality and Maine generally is striking and similarly discouraging. Over a quarter of the gross growth of all of Maine’s important forest types is being lost to mortality. You might ask why Maine landowners don’t capture more of this mortality with salvage harvests. The reason is that trees are not dying en masse in large, commercially harvestable blocks; they are dying a few at a time over all acres every year in a pattern that precludes any practical salvage effort.We also measure the sapling regeneration (1-4 inches dbh), and this tells a good-news story (Fig. 3). Beech is down, owing to our control efforts, but virtually all other species have responded positively, especially white pine as our planted seedlings grow to sapling size.Fig. 3: Changes in the composition of sapling regeneration over the 8 years after harvest, by species. AB=beech; BF=r; BT=Bigtooth aspen; EH=hemlock; PB=paper birch; RM=red maple; RS=red spruce; SM=sugar maple; WA=white ash; WP=white pine; YB=yellow birch.Forest TypeGross GrowthMortalityNet Growth % MortalityWhite-red-jack pine0.98 0.27 0.71 27%Spruce-r 0.67 0.18 0.49 27%Oak-pine 0.76 0.22 0.54 29%Maple-beech-birch0.54 0.14 0.40 26%Aspen-birch 0.64 0.20 0.44 32%All Types, Maine0.63 0.17 0.46 27%Table 1.
Virtual Information Sessions Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 18A Member-Supported OrganizationMaine Woodland Owners Members Page:www.mainewoodlandowners.org/members-pagePassword: BEECH2024% Organizational NewsVisit Our Events Page!www.mainewoodlandowners.org/events Down EastPreston CarterBrenda and Kim CartwrightMidCoastJessica DicksonMaren Granstrom and Emilio CodegaBarbara MacLennanJane PironeLowell RheinheimerGlenn RuesswickDiane SturgeonPenobscot ValleyTomas and Mya DundzilaSouthern MaineMalcolm CatalanoChris ChessieSusan McPherson and Richard PeeleEvan RyanMark WoodwardUpper Kennebec ValleyMilton BastonJulia MahonJoin Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) Private Lands Wildlife Biologist Joe Roy for a tour of a 50-acre woodland whose owner is interested in managing the property for wildlife habitat. The program will discuss the make up of the woods, the practices that can enhance wildlife activity, and opportunities that the IF&W program Beginning with Habitat can offer to help landowners develop management plans that reect their wildlife priorities.Pre-registration desired but not required. Please contact Jenn Hicks, Director of Communications and Outreach jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org or (207) 626-0005, for more information or with any questions. Western Maine ChapterForestry for Wildlife WorkshopSunday, November 24, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Allen Woods, HiramFireside Forestry: Silviculture Q&AThursday, November 21, 2024 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Bring your questions about tree growth and forest health for this online Q&A session with Bob Seymour, professor emeritus, and Jessica Leahy, Henry W. Saunders Distinguished Professor in Forestry, School of Forest Resources University of Maine. This presentation will be held on Zoom and is free for members. A $10/per session donation is requested from non-members. Once registered, participants will receive log-in instructions a few days before the program. Contact Jenn Hicks, Director of Communications and Outreach at jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org or (207) 626-0005 for more information. Registration for this program: www.mainewoodlandowners.org/events. Bandsaw Blade Sharpening ServiceRobby GrahamWarren Maine 207-831-2946 robgraham825@gmail.com
Think Holiday Gifts!Maine Invasive Plant Guide$30.00 – The guide includes 46 different invasive species with color photos and details about identication and more. Waterproof pages makes this a practical tool. Maine Woodlands November 2024Page 19A Member-Supported OrganizationTick Tools and/or Tick Kit$25.00 – This kit provides a great tick solution for people who spend their time enjoying the outdoors. The kit includes one pair of velcro pant-leg straps and 4 tick removal tools.$15.00/4 – These tick removal tools make it easy to remove those unwanted ticks. Just place the notch near tick and slide forward.Member SignA member sign is a great way to show your supportfor Maine Woodland Owners. This is a 16” x 24” aluminum one-sided sign.$45.00 mailed$40.00 if picked upWoodland Owner HandbooksThree Pack: “Creating a Legacy,” “Managing for Wildlife,” and “Small Woodland Owner’s Handbook.” Order all three manuals for one low price – $30.00Forest Trees of Maine PosterBoth educational and beautiful, this full-color poster was made by artist Lee Bean. Size: 24” by 36”. Printed on glossy high quality paper. Add $8 for lamination. – $17.00Visit our online store at www.mainewoodlandowners.org/store to see all merchandise available for purchase. Items can be ordered online or call our ofce at (207) 626-0005 to place an order.BooksAmerican Axe: The Tool that Shaped a Continent, by Brett McLeod. McLeod pays tribute to this iconic instrument of settlement and industry, with rich history, stunning photography, and proles of the most collectible vintage axes. – $30.00Signed Copy of White Feathers: The Nesting Lives of Tree Swallows, by Bernd Heinrich. Heinrich has signed copies of his latest book where he captures the rich life of tree swallows in the nesting season through his written word, as well as, his photographs and illustrations. – $40.00This eece jacket comes in navy blue with our logo on the upper left side, embroidered. Cuffs and waist are elasticized. Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL – $52.00Fleece Jacket
8 Mulliken CourtPO Box 836Augusta, ME 04332-0836November 2024CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTEDNonprotOrganizationUS Postage PaidPermit No. 129Augusta, MEServices provided:• Management plans• Timber harvesting• Forestry consulting• Wildlife habitat management• Timber marketingLet’s meet your forest management goalsStart managing your natural resources now and for generations to come.• GIS mapping• Road and bridge building• Navigating town, state and federal regulationsTo create the best plan for you, contact a Sappi forester by visiting sappi.com/sappi-maine-forestry, scanning the QR code or calling us at (207) 238-3058.With Sappi’s Forestry Program, you’ll partner with highly trained forestry professionals who provide reliable access to competitive pulpwood markets. Whether you’re managing your woodlot for long-term forest health or promoting wildlife, we’re here to help.forestrymaine