Considering Logging? Hiring a Qualified Logger

I wrote last week about researching, planning, and exploring your property before commiting to logging- or a logger.

Today, I noticed on the Ontario Forestry Association website a new resource they have developed called Hiring a Qualified Logger- it's a matter of doing your homework!

It includes:

• Questions you may want to ask when hiring a logger
• Questions to ask when checking references
• Additional Tips

Check it out and Good Luck!

Considering logging? Read this first!

Have you been offered money from a logger to harvest your woodlot?

Interested but think there is a better way?
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!

Access resources: do some winter reading.

Attend workshops: learn from others and the experts

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.

I'd love to chat with you about how the program can help you! Contact me today.

Hike Up Your Tree I.D. IQ

How is your tree I.D?

I brushed up on my tree I.D. yesterday as I attended the first Nature Quest workshop of the summer, along with a few of the Master Stewards. The workshop was hosted by Mike Walsh, Tree Marker Instructor and retired Stewardship Coordinator for the Parry Sound Muskoka Stewardship Network.

Together, the group walked through the unmanaged forest of Arrowhead Provincial Park examining the trees for species, defects, potential growing stock, cavities and mast. We examined 25 trees in total; each tree giving us different insight into its value in a managed forest situation.

My favourite are the trees that are ideal cavity trees. Cavities are little nooks or holes where an animal has dug or burrowed into a tree. Cavities are used as habitat or places to escape bad weather or predators. Cavity trees have a high wildlife value and tree markers recommend leaving 6 cavity trees per hectare in your forest where the tree is at least 25 cm DBH (Diametre Breast Height).

The best kind of cavity tree is called C1. These trees are at least 25 cm DBH and have one of the following:

• Pileated woodpecker nest cavities
• Pileated woodpecker roost cavities
• Swift roost cavities
• Other woodpecker nest cavities
• Natural nest or den cavities

The next best, or a fair cavity tree, also is at least 25 cm DBH and has one of the following:

• Escape cavities
• Feeding cavities on the bole or major branches

We also learnt about common tree diseases in Ontario like black bark, punk knots, spine tooth fungus, frost cracks, and sugar maple borer. Some trees are able to heal themselves from the diseases and can still be valuable to a forest. Other diseases have air borne spores and can infect neighbouring trees so it is best to cut them down.

I have lots of information and pictures about tree defects and forest management at the office. Of course, the Resources section of the blog is also a good place to start. Contact me or check it out!

Learn more about cavities on the Ontario Woodlot Association website.

Didn't make it out yesterday? There are more workshops in the series! Check out the blog posting from June 23rd called "Nature Quest Stewardship Series" for more information.