Have you been offered money from a logger to harvest your woodlot?
Interested but think there is a better way?
There is!
There is!
It requires researching sound advice to make the best decisions possible to protect the health and integrity of your woodlot.
Woodlot owners harvest trees for many reasons: to generate income, produce lumber or firewood for your own use, create recreational trails for skiing, hiking, or hunting, improve wildlife habitat, or to maintain the health of your forest.
These reasons are not mutually exclusive.
Whatever your reason, there are many factors to consider first.
Do Some Research
The choice of a silvicultural system depends on characteristics unique to each woodlot. The book "A Landowners Guide to Careful Logging" provides landowners with sound advice as they make decisions to protect the health and integrity of their woodlots, while maximizing financial returns. Download it, or pick up a free copy at MHF.
In addition to a silvicultural system that is appropriate for your woodlot, a reputable consultant and/or logger is a must. They ensure that logging operations are conducted accordance with good forestry practices and that other values in the woodlot are protected and maintained. This guide also has more information about this selection process. Contact me for a list of loggers in Muskoka.
Make A Plan
Download or pick up a copy of "A Guide the Stewardship Planning for Natural Areas". Fill in the blanks on the worksheets to make a personalized plan for your woodlot. I have these books at the MHF office and they're free! Also, see the upcoming December issue of the MHF newsletter, the Steward, for an article about planning for your stewardship activities.
Learn, Read, Explore!
Explore your property: what wildlife lives there? when and where is it wet, dry? what kinds of trees? what do you use it for?
Consider becoming a landowner participant in the Stewardship Program.
No comments:
Post a Comment