All Blog Posts (253)

The value of forests

The National Association of State Foresters, a group that supports the efforts of the state agency foresters throughout the country, conducted a survey of voters in 2011, the International Year of the Forest.  As reported in this article, there are some interesting economic impacts of forests:

"In a struggling economy, we can…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on January 3, 2012 at 8:30am — No Comments

Private forest taxation policy position - Society of American Foresters

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has reissued its position statement on the taxation of private lands.  In NY, land taxes hover at the top of the list of concerns held by private forest owners.  The full SAF position is here, and the summary position is pasted below.

From the SAF eforester website

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) believes federal…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on January 2, 2012 at 12:18pm — No Comments

Private Forests - A World View

Although this blog is generally geared towards the sustainable management of private forests/woodlands in the Northeast, this recent article on how private forests are managed in other countries caught my attention.  I think it offers some interesting perspectives on the utilization of these forests, all of which support societal needs and typically at some cost to the owner.  For example:

  • Shade…
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Added by Peter Smallidge on January 2, 2012 at 11:34am — No Comments

Protecting hardwood seedlings from deer

A recent blog about the impact of deer has been of interest to many.  I came across this link to a story about strategies to protect seedlings from deer, at least from browsing the terminal buds.  Check out the site here.  The story relates to oak, but would likely have application with all hardwoods. 

Are there other strategies that have proven efficient and effective?  Offer…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on December 22, 2011 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

Our nation's worst ecological disaster - American Chestnut

The blight of American Chestnut, first noticed from the early years of the 1900's and spreading throughout the range of this mighty giant, has been described as the nation's worst ecological disaster.  A species that was once up to 40% of some forest ecosystems and occurred throughout most eastern states has been reduced in current forests to a minor component.  There is great hope and energy to reverse this pattern.  The story of the once mighty, but now diminished, tree that served society…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on December 21, 2011 at 10:30pm — No Comments

on Mushrooms, Ducks, and Healthy Forests

"This polyculture is but one small story I am beginning to write. It is one piece of a larger "book" that outlines how value can be put back into northeastern woodlots, which is part of a "genre" of strategies for integrating systems in agriculture and forestry."

see full article: www.WorkWithNatureDesign.com

Added by Steve Gabriel on December 11, 2011 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Walnuts and climate change

This in from Purdue about walnuts and climate change.  While maybe not a big deal for Western Mass it may be a bigger deal for those of you in walnut country in NY and PA.

 

http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/111128JacobsWalnut.html

Added by Jeff Jourdain on November 30, 2011 at 6:54pm — No Comments

Education for private forest landowners

Private forest owners throughout the country have access to a wide variety of educational opportunities through their local Cooperative Extension and their partners.  In New York, private woodland owners have access to education on topics that span the range of those within timber, woodlands, wildlife, water, agroforestry, etc.  These topics are available via workshops, bulletins, webinars, conferences, and trained volunteers.  So, what's the point?  The ForestConnect program is part of a…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 30, 2011 at 1:16am — No Comments

Summary notes from recent Silvopasture Conference

"Farmers and foresters who are looking for systems where they can put animals out to pasture or plant crops with little interaction until harvesting will not be good silvopasture candidates. Those that enjoy watching their animals, observing their plantings, taking good notes, and making small adjustments all season long will reap the benefits of increased economic and ecological health.



We also cannot wait for research to provide all the answers, though coordination between sites…

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Added by Steve Gabriel on November 22, 2011 at 11:53am — No Comments

Linking forests and water - new USDA Forest Service project "Forest to Faucets"

Forests and fresh drinking water are inextricably linked.  We all live in a watershed and our actions affect those downstream to greater or lesser extent, positively or negatively.  The USDA Forest Service has recently released a new project called "Forest to Faucets" with extensive documentation and interactive maps.  The project description is below or linked HERE

 

The…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 21, 2011 at 3:05pm — No Comments

New York Times - Sunday - November 20, 2011 - Hydro Fracking

Reminding you again to read a terrifying article… Fracking in Pennsylvania, NYT Magazine, today.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/magazine/fracking-amwell-township.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Added by Carl DuPoldt on November 20, 2011 at 3:57pm — No Comments

Thousand Cankers Disease - New Website at Purdue University

Thousand cankers disease affects walnuts in the western US and threatens walnuts in the east.  I found this new resource thanks to the Society of American Foresterse-Forester news letter.

 

Purdue Develops Website on Thousand Cankers Disease

Purdue University (November 2) - Purdue University researchers have helped develop a …

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 15, 2011 at 6:49am — No Comments

Invasive plants - presentations and webinar available

Invasive plants can cause considerable damage to forest (and other) ecosystem, limiting productivity, diversity, access, aesthetic appeal.  Control of these species can be expensive, and not done correctly can further aggravate ecological problems.

 

I have two recent presentations that might be of interest.  One presentation was offered for the Cornell University Cooperative Extension in-service training on November 15 - 17, 2011 in Ithaca, NY.  This training was for CCE…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 14, 2011 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Creating a silvopasture - adding trees to a pasture

An interesting story about a livestock farmer who is adding trees to the pasture.  He has focused on creating swales and establishing fruit trees.  The farm is based in Bloomington, IN.  The story (see the link) has some nice photos and diagrams of the design. 

 

The author mentions films by Geoff Lawton, but I have not seen these.

Added by Peter Smallidge on November 11, 2011 at 12:42am — No Comments

Controlling buckthorn with hogs

I found this story about an application of silvopasture to both use the pasture of the woods, but to do so and deliberately control undesired vegetation....the plant we love to hate Rhamnus cathartica (European buckthorn).  This farmer is aware of the concerns of silvopasture, potential for compaction and damage to residual trees, but also alert to the value that it brings.  The…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 11, 2011 at 12:00am — No Comments

Silvopasture Conference a Great Success

The first (but not last) Northeastern Silvopasture Conference occurred November 7-8, 2011 in Watkins Glen, NY; it was hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County.  The conference was fully successful in its intent of bringing together the types of people who would be important in the silvopasture discussion and forming some ideas for how to share the opportunities of silvopasture with those who would benefit from what it offers.  The types of people attending the conference…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 10, 2011 at 6:00pm — 2 Comments

Information about trees and plants

We all can benefit from the networks we access.  I just gave a presentation at the Northeastern Silvopasture Conference in Watkins Glen about things that graziers should know about forestry.  One aspect of the presentation was the need to learn about the biology of tree and other plant species that occur in areas that might be used for silvopasture.  During the discussion, we talked about where to find information that describes the characteristics of these plants.  I knew of one resource…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 8, 2011 at 11:00am — No Comments

The Impact of Deer on Forests

As deer hunting season approaches, or continues as the case may be for early archery season, a recent post about the contribution of hunters to others in their community via "Hunters for the Hungry" reminded me of the important contribution that deer hunting can make to the health and sustainability of our hardwood…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 4, 2011 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Women Managing Woodlands

Our friends in PA have done a great job at connecting with women as woodland owners and managers.  A recent training workshop shared a variety of skills sessions with female woodland owners.  Kudos to the Keystone state.

Added by Peter Smallidge on November 3, 2011 at 6:21pm — No Comments

Supreme Court requested to act on ninth court ruling for working forest roads as point source

The issue of whether or not forest roads serve as a point source for water pollution or fall under the provisions of non-point source remains an open question.  Recent actionsby the Attorney's General in 26 states and industry/owner groups have requested action and review by the Supreme Court. 

 

If other have information on…

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Added by Peter Smallidge on November 3, 2011 at 6:14pm — 1 Comment

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Looking for white mulberry trees for research

Started by Connor Youngerman in Agroforestry Aug 14. 0 Replies

Greetings forestry ning communities! My name is Connor Youngerman, and I’m an extension support specialist at the Cornell Small Farms Program; my focus is agroforestry and mushroom production. We are currently working on a research grant to…Continue

How to get rid of buckthorn

Started by Randy Williams in Woodlot Management. Last reply by John McNerney Aug 2. 3 Replies

I have some property where the best timber was harvested several years before I purchased it.  There are now many areas where the buckthorn is so thick that nothing will grow under it.  I am looking for suggestions on how to get these areas back…Continue

Small-Scale Logging

Started by Peter Smallidge in Project Profiles. Last reply by John McNerney Apr 15. 4 Replies

Small-Scale Logging: Sugarbush and Woodlot Management Issue:  Many woodlot owners and maple syrup producers want to be more active in gathering logs or firewood from their property.  Often there are too few acres or too few trees to attract a…Continue

Tags: yourself, harvesting, woodlot, management, it

Replanting after timber harvest with climate change in mind

Started by Ben T. in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Patrik Schumann Mar 26. 1 Reply

Hi Everyone,I’ve been wondering what tree species are going to thrive over the next 50+ years as the climate warms in New York and I’m curious if folks are enhancing plantings of particular tree species for future commercial harvest with warmer and…Continue

Rust Colored Hemlock Bark

Started by Carl Albers in Woodlot Management Dec 31, 2023. 0 Replies

Picture of a hemlock with rust colored bark.  When I cut a nearby tree, also with rust colored bark, it was infested with HWA.  Attached picture shows a Logrite ATV arch in use.Continue

Rust Colored Hemlock Bark

Started by Carl Albers in Woodlot Management Dec 31, 2023. 0 Replies

The hemlocks in my woodlots have been infested with hemlock wooley adelgid (HWA) for at least three years now.  Lately I've noticed some of them having a rust colored bark and I wonder if this is normal and that I just didn't notice it previously? …Continue

How to control mature white pine and hemlock to allow enrichment planting of hardwoods

Started by Peter Smallidge in Woodlot Management Nov 28, 2023. 0 Replies

I had a question about control of mature white pine and hemlock to improve sunlight for enrichment planting of hardwoods.  Following is my response, but I would like to know if anyone else has any experiences to share with control of these to…Continue

Story in Northern Woodlands Magazine on Deer Impacts

Started by Brett Chedzoy in Woodlot Management Aug 8, 2023. 0 Replies

This Spring we had an opportunity to speak with writer John Litvaitis about the big picture of deer impacts on the hardwood forests of the Northeast.  I posted the original story from the summer edition of Northern Woodlands to the…Continue

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