Paul J Hetzler's Blog – December 2017 Archive (4)
Responsible Forestry
Golden Goose Forestry
Paul Hetzler
What do you call a dairy farmer who spends decades improving the genetics of a herd, then abruptly sells all the best animals to start a new herd from scraggly, unproven stock? Crazy, perhaps, or foolish at the very least, right? (Or maybe someone with a gambling debt).
Under normal circumstances, no livestock farmer culls their best animals to start over with random ones. Yet it’s common for a woodlot owner to sell all the large,…
ContinueAdded by Paul J Hetzler on December 10, 2017 at 9:17pm — 1 Comment
Predicting long-range weather outlooks
Paul Hetzler
Weather modeling has become quite a big deal in recent years, with meteorologists falling all over themselves to report what the latest models say. It sounds like a fun job, and I am trying to find out how to apply for a position. No doubt I could model categories like “large stationary front” or “high pressure system” pretty well. If it involves appearing in a swimsuit, though, forget it.
I love it when a radio announcer chirps “clear and sunny”… Continue
Added by Paul J Hetzler on December 8, 2017 at 8:59am — No Comments
Yule enjoy this tradition
The tradition of burning a Yule or Christmas log has largely fizzled out in most parts of the world. Although often depicted as a modest-size birch log, the monster Yule logs back in 6th and 7th century Germany were tree trunks that were intended to burn all day, in some cultures for twelve days, without being entirely consumed. It was important that an unburned portion of the log remained after the marathon Yule-burn, because this insured good luck in the upcoming year. The Yule… Continue
Added by Paul J Hetzler on December 7, 2017 at 7:07am — No Comments
Pining for a Better memory
During the Christmas holiday season, new memories will likely be made, and recollections of past seasons may be recounted as well. But the holiday season itself can aid in remembering events of long ago.
Speaking as a guy who can hide his own Easter eggs and still not find them all, I marvel how Father Christmas, who is a few years older than I am, manages to keep track of so many kids and presents. Lucky for us that the most enduring memories are those with… Continue
Added by Paul J Hetzler on December 6, 2017 at 7:08am — No Comments
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How to find a Forester
Started by Hannah in Forest Health Jun 25. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Hello! We have purchased a large property in Tioga County, and as part of our contract, we have agreed to put together a forest management plan, which will require working with a local forester!I am hoping to get some advice as to how to find and…Continue
Tags: Forester
Prscribed burns
Started by Gail Sanford in Woodlot Management May 25. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Have prescribed burns for forest health been done in the Finger Lakes area or on Arnot Forest? Thank you.Continue
Sapling Puller
Started by Daniel Farrell in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Peter Smallidge Apr 20. 1 Reply 0 Likes
I'm seeking a broader perspective on devices for manual pulling of undesired shrubs and saplings. The intent is to mechanically remove, including roots to the degree possible, sapling sized invasives and non-invasives in woodland trails and…Continue
Sapling & Shrub Puller Field Guide
Started by Daniel Farrell in Woodlot Management Apr 19. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Click on linkSapling%20and%20Shrub%20Puller%20Guide%20Final%204.19.2026.pdfContinue
Small-Scale Logging
Started by Peter Smallidge in Project Profiles. Last reply by John McNerney Apr 1. 7 Replies 1 Like
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
Practical Woodlot Improvement: Mulching, Drainage Work, and Long-Term Maintenance
Started by Jeremy Edmister in Woodlot Management Jan 27. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Many rural landowners I talk with want to improve woods access, reclaim overgrown edges, or start grazing in a section without making a mess of the land. I’ve found that choosing the right tool depends on your goal, and having a long-term plan is…Continue
grafting beech
Started by Allen Nichols in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Jim Martin Jul 4, 2025. 3 Replies 0 Likes
I am a director for the NY chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. We expect to have a blight resistant tree to introduce to the public in 5 to 10 years.In the interm, before we have blight resistant nuts from these trees, I would like to graft…Continue
Pruning larch and spruce
Started by Jim Martin in Woodlot Management Jul 4, 2025. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I have 20 acres of 25 year old larch and spruce. I would like to prune about 10 percent of them to improve the quality of the timber 50 years down the road. I have heard that pruning green branches can lead to infection unless done at the right…Continue
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