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FOREST OWNERA Publication of the New York Forest Owners Association

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1991

People and Trees; Partners in Time

Clearcut 'n 20

OFFICERS& DIRECTORS

Allen Horn, President (991)2978 Pompey Center Rd.Manlius, NY 13104

Stuart McCarty. 'st Vice President (992)4300 East Ave.Rochester, NY 14618

Richard J. Fox. 2nd Vice President (991)RD 3 DresservIlle Rd.Moravia, NY 13118

Morgan Heussler, Treasurer900 Porterville Rd.East Aurora, NY 14052

John Marchant, Executive Director'PO Box 180 .Fairport, NY 14450(716) 377-6060

David Colligan (993)173 Woodbridge Ave.Buffalo, NY 14214

Thomas A. Conklin (1991)10Artillery LaneBaldwinsville, NY 13027

Robert Hellmann (992)PO Box 231Brockport, NY 14420

Verner Hudson (993)246 E. Main St.Elbridge, NY 13060

Alan Knigh\iI992)96 Targosh Rd.Candor, NY 13743

Mary McCarty (993)4300 East Ave.Rochester, NY 14618

Harold Petrie (991)RD 1, Box 117Parish, NY 13131

Sanford Vreeland (993)POBox 185Springwater, NY 14560

Don Wagner (1993)RD I, Box 203CGraham Road.Utica, NY 12870

Affiliate/Chapter Representatives:

THRIFT-Donald Colton5595 Trinity AvenueLowville, NY 13367

Niagara FrontierBobWhite56 WaterSt.Holland, NY 14080

THE NEW YORK

FOREST OWNERA publication of the New York Forest Owners Association

Karen Kellicutt, Editor

Materials submitted for publication should be addressed to: R. Fox, R.D. #3,Box 88, Moravia, New York 13118. Articles, artwork and photos are invitedand are normally returned after use. The deadline for submission is 30 daysprior to publication in March.Please address all membership and change of address requests toExecutive Director, P.O. Box 180, Fairport, N.Y. 14450.

President'sMessage

Members living within drivingdistance of Gurnee Woods (owned byNYFOA Director Vern Hudson)should make every effort to attend theJanuary 26th woodswalk. This is ourfirst attempt at scheduling a winterwoodswalk and has the additionalnovelty of being conducted on X-country skis. The Hudsons operate acommercial X-country ski venture asone of their uses of their property andNYFOA members will learnsomething of the possibilities andpitfalls of this business in case theyhave an interest in trying it out ontheir properties.This is just one example of the

interesting things that members dowith their land. In talking withmembers and reading about chapterand affiliate activities, I have comeacross a number of other innovativeland uses that you don't find in theforestry text books. The best way tolearn about these kinds of things is toget out and see them on woodswalksor to talk with other landowners atchapter meetings. If you want to getthe most out of your membership inNYFOA, there is no substitute fortaking an active part in theorganization.One of the last bills passed by

Congress in late October was theFarm Bill. This is the first time anagriculture bill has had anyprovisions dealing with forestry.Several of these programs will be ofinterest to NYFOA members andother private woodland owners.

Allen Horn

The Forest Stewardship programthat you have heard so much abouthas been funded for another year.Congress must have been impressedby what was done the first yearbecause they doubled theappropriation for the next fiscal year.A new Stewardship IncentiveProgram (SIP) was also funded. Itwill be a cost sharing program formultiple-use benefits. This will bebroader in scope than the cost-sharingfor timber production under the olderFIP. The money for State and PrivateForestry increased from $104millionto $183million. This is the money thatin part finances the DEC foresterswho come out to your property andadvise you. Let's hope this extrafederal money will at least preservethe level of service you have beengetting.

Allen Horn

Catskill Forest Assn. TiogaRichard Black Howard WardCatskill Forest Association 240 Owego St.Arkville, NY 12406 Candor, NY 13743

Allegheny Foothills Southern Tiel'Charles Mowatt Donald KellicottDEC Office, 115 Liberty St. RD I, Box 103Bath, NY 14810 . Lisle, NY 13797

CayugaWendell HatfieldRDIMoravia, Ny 13118

Western Finger LakesRaymond Wager365 Log Cabin Rd.

. Victor, NY 14564

NYS DEC Assistant RegionalForester Robert Demeree dis-cusses the practice of clearcuttingin an article that begins on Page 3.The photos were taken in theCuyler State Forest by Jim Peek.

2 FOREST OWNER

Clear-Cut - Myths, Madness and Controversy

Clear-cut is -a word that alwaysraises controversy. The mention orsuggestion of a clearcut in any area ofthe country is bound to raise thehackles of any so-calledenvironmentalist within a hundredmiles as well as a raft of other peoplewho may not normally beenvironmental activists thehunters, hikers, campers, birdwatchers, etc.Why all the hullabaloo? What is it

about clearcuts that are socontroversial? That is easy to answer.The Society of American Forestersdefines clearcutting as the cutting ofall trees two inches and larger atdiameter breast height in an arealarge enough so that a significantportion of the clearcut area willreceive one hundred percent sunlightduring the day. In central New York,a one acre or larger clearcut will fillthe bill. So it is easy enough to see whyclearcutting is so controversial. Oneday, there is a stand of trees and thenext day or the next week they are allgone, leaving nothing but raw stumpsand generally, tops limbs and debris.To add insult to injury, the leaves orneedles from the cut trees on theremaining tops turn to a rust red colorand remain there for a period of fourto eight weeks and look very unsightly- not a pretty picture. Worst of all, tomost of the concerned citizens, itappears that the trees are gone"forever" . Also, people are convincedthat clearcuts are motivated only byshort term greed.If clearcutting is such madness,

why hasn't it simply been abandoned?Not only has it not been abandoned ona national level, it is probably slightlyincreasing in total area per year. Whywould forest managers continue to flyin the face of adverse public opinion?Why indeed? The answer is simplythat clearcutting works. Almostwithout exception, clearcuts areregenerated to desirable specieseither by natural means or byplanting by man. It is not uncommonin Central New York to have 40,000seedlings per acre be establishedafter clearcutting. Once regenerated,the clearcut area can be left to growfor the period of the rotation age

by Robert DemereeAssistant Regional Forester,

NYDEC Region 7

which can be from 20 to 300years. Theregenerated stand can be cultured atappropriate times to thin outundesired species, trees of low valueand vigor, and achieve optimumspacing to assure good growth of thestand.Probably the biggest single reason

to apply the clearcutting technique isthat the desired regeneration is shadeintolerant in nature. By this, I meanthat the desired species will not growwell in shade. Perfect examples ofthis in Central New York are blackcherry, ash, and oak. It is impossibleto regenerate these three specieswithout some form of heavy cutting toallow sunlight to reach the forestfloor.Also, clearcutting is administra-

tively easy. Picture this scenario. Youown 1010 acres of forest land. Onethousand acres is totally forestedwithout any streams, swamps, or anyother interference to management,and 10 acres is occupied by anexcellent road network that will allowaccess and harvest throughout thetract. You, as the owner, decide topractice even-aged management.Remember the term "even-aged".You go to the far corner of your tractand clearcut 10 acres. The next year,you go to another corner of the tractand clearcut another 10 acres and thenext year, the same and every yearthereafter for 100 years. Obviously,the trees regenerated in the firstclearcut (of course, we are assumingsuccessful regeneration of valuablespecies) will be 100 years old andready to harvest. What could beeasier? There is a harvest every yearto provide income and at the end of 100years, the owner has 100 10-acrestands, everything is wonderful, andyou are a proud 130 year oldlandowner.Sounds crazy? Only the age of the

landowner. With the exception ofstreams, swamps, cliffs, high peaks,and other impediments tomanagement, many of the forests ofthe world are managed undersomething that approximates thisscheme. Many of the forests of theworld, for one reason or another, aregenerally unsuited for any type of

Clearcut 'n 100.Photo: Jim Peek

partial cutting system. The firs of thewest are too tall and immediatelyblow down if thinned, the pines of thesouth routinely regenerate to anundesirable scrub oak complex ifmanaged by a system of partial cuts,and the marvelous oaks of CentralEurope would rapidly be replaced bybeech <also true in Central New York)and on and on. In fact, the Northeast,with its maple, beech, hemlockcomplex, is probably one of the fewregions of the world where partialcutting is a viable option.Careful management by an aware

forester or forest owner can makepartial cutting, "uneven agemanagement", work in some areas ofthe Northeast. Skillful manipulationof the stand that keeps arepresentation of vigorous healthytrees in all diameter classes isnecessary. The danger here is the lossof the intolerants such as ash andblack cherry, and because tolerantssuch as beech and hemlock have suchlow value, they will be eliminated,and a stand of pure sugar maple mayresult. Such a monoculture has someinherent dangers. The price of sugarmaple may fall periodically due tofashion changes in the furnitureindustry, but worse, monocultures areprone to attacks from insects anddiseases.

(Continued on Page 19)

JANUARY IFEBRUARY 3

Tree Cutting Ordinances - Topic of Fall MeetingThe Empire State Forest Products

Association held its annual Fallmembership meeting November Bth,in Ithaca, New York. The meeting,entitled "Timber HarvestingPractices; Local Controls & StateDirections? ," highlighted the issue oflocal harvesting ordinances and therelated concerns of industry, localgovernments 'and others.Deliberations by Chemung County topromote county wide rules along witha number of other local instances.within the past year have sparkedrenewed interest in the subject. Themeeting provided a forum forindustry and local government tocome together and develop anappreciation for each other'sconcerns and to discuss alternativesthat might serve to address localneeds.A panel discussion featured both

local government and industryspeakers on some real life examplesin several regions of the state.Speakers were asked to talk on theirconcerns and interest in severalspecific ordinances and then respondto questions. Local governmentrepresentation was provided by KevinDeLaughter, Senior Planner for theTown of Colonie (a suburb of Albany),Peter Berger, Attorney for the Townof Wawarsing (in the lower HudsonValley), and Lee Hanle Younge,Environmental Management CouncilStaff Consultant for Chemung County.For the industry side: CharlesGerber, Vice-President of LumacCompany in Ballston Spa spoke ofproblems with the Colonie ordinance;Aaron Robinson, owner of RobinsonSawmill in Berryville, commented onhis concerns with the Town. ofWawarsing's harvesting ordinance;and, Mike Hanlon, Controller forCotton-Hanlon, Inc. spoke on theChemung County proposal..The panel generated some excellent

discussions. A number of alternativeswith broad appeal were suggested'such as a notificational process to holdindividuals more accountable and tohelp establish what, if any, realproblems exist. There are a number ofstate guidelines and laws governingharvesting practices that raise thequestion of a need for additional localcontrols. Probably the most'important result of the discussion wasthe improved understanding and

Left to right:Lee Hanle Youge (Chemung Co. EMC Staff Consultant, Reg. 8), Peter Berger

(Attorney, Town of WaWarsing, Reg. 3), Kevin DeLaughter (Sr. Planner, Town ofColonie, Reg. 4), Bob Stegemann (Ex. V.P. ESFPA), Mike Hanlon (Controller,Cotton-Hanlon, Inc.), Aaron Robinson (Owner, Robinson Sawmill, Reg. 3),Charles Gerber (V.P., Lumac Co.).appreciation of each party's needsand concerns. More.of that is neededon issues like this.The discussion then turned to the

state's view on the subject. LangdonMarsh, Executive DeputyCommissioner of the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation,discussed the state's interest in re-solving the issue on a statewide levelindicating that the DEC, at this time,had no interest in promotingstatewide regulation. TheDepartment feels there is littlejustification for further controls. Theexisting laws are adequate inmitigating sedimentation to waterbodies which is a primary concern.The Department's efforts would focuson enforcement of current laws.Marsh indicated that the forestcommunity may want to consider so-called right-to-harvest legislation asan alternative to what appears to be agrowing pa tchwork of localrestrictions.He also discussed SEQRA (State

Environmental Quality Review Act)implications of local ordinances andstate permits. The question of SEQRAapplication to timber harvests inrelation to stream crossing permitshad been raised earlier this year. Theindustry, through ESFP A, expressedgrave concerns over possible lengthytime delays in permit processing.Bob Stegemann, Executive Vice-President of ESFPA, expressedMarsh's comments with thestatement, "This is the challenge, thatthe Governor's Task Force on theForest Industry stated, needs to bemet. Government and industry needto develop a better workingrelationship and ways to deal withsituations like this that do not

unnecessarily diminish thecompetitiveness of New York's forestproducts industry." Lang indicatedthat the Department has developedwhat may be an acceptable solution toall interests. This will involvesimplifying permitting procedures forstream crossing permits andexpanding a model for permitadministration, now used in DECRegion 5, statewide. This shouldreduce turn around time on streamcrossing permits significantly.Marsh conveyed the Governor's

commitment, through DEC and DED,to promite a healthy forest industry.Lang stated that "the industry'spresence is important in helping tomaintain open space and otherenvironmental values." These sameviews were heard and seen in theGovernor's Task Force on the ForestIndustry, as well as, the Commissionon the Adirondacks in the 21stCentury.

Submitted by Kevin King -ESFP AExecutive Assistant

SPEAK OUTLetters concerning timber

ordinances and other subjects ofconcern to forest owners are alwayswelcome. Send to R. Fox, DresservilleRD, Moravia, N.Y. 13U8 .

YOU ARE THEREJohn Marchant, Executive Director

NYFOA, presented NYFOA as one ofseven case studies at a 3-daySymposium (Oct. 24-26) OnVolunteers And Communication InNatural Resource Education held inEast Windsor, Connecticut. TheSymposium drew a national audience,provided some useful exchanges, andsuggests NYFOA must be doing itright.

4 FOREST OWNER

Special Report -

Tree Cutting OrdinancesIn addition to the principal subject

of the fall meeting the 50 ESFP Aattendees heard .from Doug Monteithof SUNY CESF, report on the ESFP A"Information Needs Survey" - of thenearly 25% response ratio, "Safety isclearly a very important matter to theindustry", Tree Farm Program'sMike Virga, Lyons Falls Pulp &Paper, stated there were 250new treefarms for 1990; Mike complimentedNYFOA's Ex. Director JohnMarchant for closer ties; the treefarm program may require higherstandards and some fees prior toenrollment; and finally, Mikeremarked with pleasure that onrecent tours and walks, he doesn'trecognize anyone. John and HarrietHamilton, WFL Chapter, wereespecially recognized as outstandingtree farmer for 1990 (Jul/Aug FO).The HamiItons also captured a doorprize.In reference to the tree cutting

ordinances, some additional notes:There was disagreement amongstattendees and panelists regarding thedegree of participation by industry,owners, and officials in thepreliminary planning of regulations.The laws are crisis driven, originatewith short-lived peripheral aestheticconcerns directed at environmentalmanagement and end as intrusiveregulation of buyers and sellers. Thetiming of harvest and yardinventories with the issuance ofpermits involves additional capital,capital interest, possible layoffs andidle machinery; and all, at a risk tomarket fluctuations and publicdisfavor. The principal focus ismisdirected at the industry; it is morelogically placed at the landowner whomust bear all costs ultimately and hasa direct responsibility to theenvironment. From a reading of theTown of Colonie ordinance, the lawessentially prohibits timberharvesting (30% agricultural, but75,000people per 59 sq. mile) on over1f4 acre except for development. In theTown of WaWarsing the StateEnvironmental Quality Review Act(SEQRA) review process is triggeredby the ordinance and requires 12 setsof data which effectively deprivessmall woodlot owners of the right tomarket. Why is forestry treated so

harshly when agriculture does moreharm to the environment?Prompted by a well received

comment made at the meeting byDavid Taber, he was interviewed byTHE NY FOREST OWNER:Taber said that from his experience

in working wi th : (1) localgovernments, (2) people that wereinvolved in establishing timberharvesting ordinances, and (3)organizations promoting regulationsof logging, he had observed a numberof phenomena. He stated that peoplemake "career decisions", whiletaking positions relative to the forestenvironment, which benefit theperson's economic security in theshort run, regardless of long termimplications, which may not be asbeneficial. Lawmakers like laws.Taber added that it appears that

most owners of large tracts (100acresor more) of forest land did not seem tobe overwhelming advocates of loggingordinances. However, it seemed thatbedroom-community houselot ownersin rural towns, those people who donot own much, if any forest land, hadan interest in "preserving"landscapes, the "natural beauty of theforested hillsides" of their localenvironment. And he said that it wasin one's self interest to vote to gainenvironmental benefits at the expenseof other people, the landowners whopay property taxes on forest lands.Also, Taber argued that people who

take strong positions in promoting"logging laws" commonly havestrong convictions relative to beingpart of the environmental movementand in which they can take personalsa tisfaction from accomplishingsomething as an environmentalist.Taber was quick and emphatic in

his defense of stewardship principlesand the environmental movement; itis an excessive use of government asthe means to obtain desirable ends fora "perceived problem" that isquestioned. The Stick is too Big.David W. Taber is a Senior

Extension Associate with CornellCooperative Extension in theDepartment of Natural Resources atCornell University, and an AdjunctAssociate Professor at the SUNYCollege of Environmental Science andForestry with the Faculty of Forestryat Syracuse.

Progress MadeIn Chapter

DevelopmentBy STUART McCARTY

As I write this, at the end ofNovember to meet a publicationdeadline, good things are happeningin the realm of chapter development:1) In the Albany area, Joe Messina

has just had his first steeringcommittee meeting to organize for thefuture. He sees a chapter that willserve all or part of six counties aroundAlbany.2) Out of Warrensburg, John

Hastings had a great response to hismailing with the result that he hasover 150woodlot owners indicating aninterest in a local chapter in a threecounty area. Since most of the 150arenot NYFOA members, John is goingto have an informational meeting forthem on December 17 with JohnMarchant giving the audience anoverview of NYFOA activities andobjectives.3) In October Bob Davis of

Wappingers Falls wrote to volunteerto organize local woodswalks and a"Lower Hudson Chapter", includingDutchess, Putnam and Westchestercounties and New York City! He isnow getting underway with whatcould be a very dynamic chapter. Ifanyone wants to help, call him at (914)831-8780(daytime number).4) A survey of 130 Tioga Chapter

area woodlot owners confirms that achapter is desired by a sizeablenumber. Steps are underway to forma leadership group to help put thatchapter back on its feet. HowardWard is recovering from majorsurgery and will do what he can as"senior advisor" to the new steeringcommittee.These are exciting times for

NYFOA and certainly the occasion forkeeping the ball rolling. In addition tothe great work being done by thosementioned, we need to get chaptersstarted in Syracuse (55 members inOnondaga County) and Utica (46members in Oneida County, some ofwhom are served by our affiliate,THRIFT). Call me, (716) 381-6373,orwrite, 4300 East Avenue, Rochester,14618,if you want to know more.

JANUARY IFEBRUARY 5

ChapterReportsWESTERN WINDS

Iernbers of the Allegany FoothillsChapter collected 137bushels of blackwalnuts according to DEC's CharlieMowatt. However, Betty Densmore,AFC newsletter editor, acknowledgedspecial assistance from NiagaraFrontier's Mr. and ,Mrs. Bob White.Further cooperation between thesetwo chapters may result in a sharednewsletter. And there's the specialtour by a Japanese Delegationaccompanied by DEC's Region 9Forestry Manager Wayne Cooper andSenior Forester David Waldron on the50 acre SWCD-award-winning woodlotowned by Bob White in AshfordHollow, Cattaraugus County. WesternFinger Lakes sponsored aT1mberStandImprovementWorkshopand Potluck Dinner for 27at the forestand home of Mark & Sue Keister,Pokey Moonshine Hollow (hmm) inWayland, Steuben County (barely).DEC Region 8 Foresters were thedesignated drivers.

IN THE SOUTHPat McGlew, a consulting forester

representing the Southern TierChapter, reported a "Real Tree"mixer jointly sponsored with the NYChristmas Tree Growers Assoc. at theRichard Molyneaux Tree Farm inBroome County near Endicott. TheJuly affair was attended by anestimated 1200; and there were 42vendors from all over the country.The two groups enjoyed a great day ofdiscussions of Christmas treeshearing, forest management, pestcontrol, diseases, Cornell's IntegratedPest Management (lPM), fertilizers,blueberries and buckwheat.The Catskill Forestry Association

has filled the position of ExecutiveDirector formerly held by DonGilbert, with Richard Black, a retiredindustrial forester from Michigan.

Bob White, DEC and a Japanese delegation see how to do it and where theycome from. Details in Niagara Frontier Chapter Report.

FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY From the beginning Tom HewittTHRIFT's Bonnie Colton has made a very significant contribution

reached an unstable pinnacle on to the spirit of the demonstrationsTughill's plateau and will no longer through the use of draft animals. Theybe able to do it all. A hard choice by had to be there. Since the workingBonnie has made the position of area was severely restricted withnewsletter (Hill Talk) editor intermingled spectators, theavailable; for details call her at (315) intelligent and domestic qualities of376-5595.A recent suggestion noted in the horses, mules, and oxen wereHill Talk was directed at beaver safer and more entertaining. Andbattles: Place a 3' x 3' WHITE flag when one adds to the equation, thefastened at the top between two poles animals' spirits, the fever becomesat the construction site of the dam; infectious.the beaver will leave and never come A special committee arranged withback. Obviously beavers know Arthur Nordby II, Fillmore Glen Statenothing of human history. Park Superintendent, the 1989event;

and the First Cabin Fever Festivalwas born. The spirit of MillardFillmore and the replica of his cabinbirthplace provided a flavor ofauthenticity. The weather was superbwith well over a thousand inattendance each day. February 1990,the Second Festival had become aclass act; Cayuga Chapter, NYFOAhad parented a whopper.Although the Third Cabin Fever

Festival (February 9, 10, 1991) wasalready well past the planning stage,New York State closed the parks to allwinter activities. Ignoring some loudnoise originating with owner-types,"Let's buy it back," a recurrenttheme in this neck of the woods, coolerminds prevailed; and a deal wasstruck. With Art Nordby's last officialnod of approval (Art commences hisretirement shortly afterwards, Feb.23, 1991)the support of Robert Tyrrell,NYS Finger Lakes Parks RegionalGeneral Manager; and variousassurances of the Festival Committee- the buildings and grounds will beavailable. No costs to the budget-strapped State of New York. Way togo.

CENTRALLY - CAYUGA'SCABIN FEVER FESTIVAL

It starts in the heart, grows in themind and is driven mightily by thespirit. With the memory of campfiresmoke from the 198538th Woodsmen'sField Days at Boonville and theoccasion of a young woodsman'sdeath, the first outbreak of feverprompted a 1986 Valentine's Daydemonstration at Moravia CentralHigh School - in the parking lot.Despite poor weather and crampedquarters, something was right; theplay was repeated with an expandedcast of characters a year later atLamco Manufacturing in neighboringLocke, N.Y. The weather that dayshattered records, pipes, andradiators; but the crowd was a littlebigger and the spirit only moredetermined. <Remember the Sun, theWind, and the Man's coat"). The thirdyear, a 1988 contingent invadedTompkins County and threatenedTremont State Park's annual winterfestival with the woodsmen'sindustry.

OVER THE LINELycoming County, PA forestry folk

met recently to form a county-wide.Forest Landowner Association. TheBradford Forest Landowners Asso-ciation (formed in 1980) which hasgrown and affiliated with other localgroups, concentrates on the educationof its members and the general publicregarding forest management andrelated issues.

FOREST OWNER6

The Cabin Fever Festival: Winter Fun Since 1986

The 1986 event mixed spectators with snow and coldtemperatures ...

Warm weather greeted visitors to the 1988 festival, thenheld at Treman State Park ...

A bridge built before breakfast (1990) ...

Tim Roberson and his first sawmill (1987) ...

The festival always promises good fun and good times(1989) ...

With more than enough sun, these fine folks get the jobdone (1990) ...

7JANUARY IFEBRUARY -

Send Questions to:Wes Suhr, R.R. 1, Box 59BOswegatchie, N.Y. 13670Ask a Forester

The FernBy WESSUHR

"What can owners do about limitingferns, striped maple, and othergrowths (undesirable) in theunderstory?"Oh, boy! A question from a reader,

who's also a writer (refer to DickFox's article, "My Woods HaveGone Fern Enough", Nov/Dec 1990issue). Now, why would you want to"limit" such a sensitive, fragile,intricate form of Nature which hasbeen the marvel of botanists and theinspiration of artists for centuries?

The sensitive, intricate fronds of fern

CHARACTERISTICS OF FERNAs Dick points out in his article,

ferns are members of an ancientgroup of plants with fossil recordsdating back over 250 million years.They are land plants, but water isrequired for fertilization. The parentplant produces numberous sporeswhich are released to the forest floorto germinate when moisture and lightare adequate. After the sporesgerminate, the developing structure(called the pro thallus orgametophyte) produces both spermand eggs, but the sperm will "swim"to the eggs of another prothallus. Oncethe eggs are fertilized, cellulardivision takes place to form theembryo and the resulting structure oftiny ferns with perennial roots talk andannual fronds and stem. The sitepreference or ecologicalrequirements for prolific fern devel-opment is a very importantconsideration in the management ofour northern hardwood stands.

A fern is classified as a polypody,being a member of the Family Poly-podiaceae. The dictionary definespoly- as "more than one or many" and-pod as "foot"; in fact, many fernhave creeping or branching rootstalksthat spread horizontally between theorganic and mineral layers within thefirst inch of forest soils. Theserhizomes become enlarged by foodstorage and develop many slenderfibrous roots. Pieces of the rhizomemay be broken off or separatedthrough disturbance of the forestfloor, and each piece is capable ofproducing its own roots, stalk andfronds - in other words, it canreproduce vegetatively. This hasconsequences important to theregeneration of northern hardwoodstands.

THE PROBLEMIn the Northeast, the hayscented

and New York ferns have dominatedthe understory of thousands of acres.They grow one to three feet high withfronds that will completely shade theground, totally eliminating all treeseedlings, even the most shade-tolerant. The resulting regenerationlag for commercial tree species maylast 15 to 20 years or more, or untilthere is a significant change in themoisture and light reaching the fernlayer. You're right, Dick - we can'tafford this - I have the same problemon several of my acres. This is animportant economic problem formany forest owners in New York.Now, I like to see some fern in our

forests, as long as it's scattered andnot dominating the understory ofcommercial tree stands. Deer feedcommonly on the green fronds androotstalks of fern in late fall, earlywinter and spring. And at a certainpoint in the history of a specific stand,It may even provide a silviculturaladvantage which I'll discuss in thenext issue. But, if possible, you wantto avoid what is shown in this photo ofone of my sugar maple stands - acontinuous carpet of fern <brownedand t<ppled by frost), completelydominating the understory,eliminating all tree seedling growth.This stand was thinned in 1980!

Sugar Maple stand with 100% fernground cover.

This site happens to be on a poorlydrained flat - the high moisture hereis highly desired by hayscented fern.Incidentally, when the fronds arecrushed in your hand, you do get thescent of freshly mowed hay. Before Ithinned this stand, there was littleground cover, just a few fern here-and-there poking through acontinuous blanket of hardwoodlitter. In terms of basal area, thedensity of sugar maple, with a fewscattered black cherry, was 120square feet per acre. This was a high-density overs tory, what foresters calla "fully-stocked stand" for this site,completely shading the ground,allowing for very little advanceregenera tion (tree seedlings).Many stems were low-quality, so I

really over-thinned this stand (moreappropriately called "improvementcutting"), cutting it back to 65-70square feet per acre in this initialtreatment. This was the first mistake,for it allowed sufficient light to reachthe ground for prolific developmentand rapid spread of the hay-scentedfern. In just three years, the site wascovered by a carpet of green fern,about 5 acres of it! "Misery lovescompany", Dick - we share this fatewith many other forest owners.

(Continued on Page 9)

8 FOREST OWNER

Ask a Forester -(Continued from Page 8)

AVOIDING THE PROBLEMDr. Ralph Nyland, silviculture

professor in the Faculty of Forestry,College of Environmental Science andForestry (Syracuse), suggests it maybe possible to avoid this fate. Heexplains it is the dense shade of thefern cover which eliminates thedesirable tree seedlings - seeds maygerminate, but photosynthesis will notoccur at such low light levels. He saysthere is probably no allelopathiceffect, that is, suppression of treeseedlings with release of a toxic plantsubstance by the fern. Recentresearch by Stephen B. Horsley(USDA Forest Service, NortheasternForest Experiment Station, Warren,PA) indicates that an allelopathiceffect of fern to hardwood seedlingscannot be reproduced ordemonstrated.Ralph Nyland went on to explain

what I should have known before thecutting - these general managementguidelines could help many forestowners:• If there is fern on the site, and inparticular if it approaches 30% of theground cover, you will NOT controlthe fern through silvicultural practice(cutting technique) alone.• So with fern near 30% of groundcover, the recommendation is DONOT CUT or delay the cut until youcan CONTROL THE FERN FIRST.• Herbicidal spray the fernBEFORE the cutting or thinning.• Once you're ready to cut, keepyour overstory residual density highand uniform - in terms of basal area,OVER 65 SQUARE FEET PERACRE.• Treat the stand and remove thewood with a MINIMUM OFDISTURBANCE TO THE SITE. Donot use crawler tractors and planskidder/tractor trails to disturb theleast amount of area.

ICONTROLLING THE PROBLEMOK, Dick, so we have the problem.

What can we do now? Since youwanted some information oncontrolling woody undesirables aswell, I'd like to break the controldiscussion into three problem cases -1) fern alone, 2) striped maple and/orbeech alone and 3) fern with stripedmaple and beech regeneration. Case(2) is as great a problem (or greaterfor some forest owners) as the fern

JANUARY /FEBRUARY

problem. Let it be known that"control" does not imply eradication;effective control in this case meansreducing the problem plant (s) coverby 80% or more. For example, if theproblem plant canopy covers 100%ofthe ground, effective control would bereducing it to 20%or less of the groundcover in terms of its leaf canopy. Allof the recommendations reportedhave been obtained from recentresearch and field trials. This is asummary report of four sources ofinformation, summarized, I hope, tobe the most useful for the forestowner. Case (1) recommendationswill be reviewed in this article, whileCases (2) and (3) will be covered inthe March/ April issue. Theinformation sources reviewed arelisted at the end of each article.If you have extensive acres covered

with these problem plants, the mosteffective and economical sprayingmechanism would be using atractor /skidder mounted storage/pumping/spraying unit. However, formost non-industrial private forestowners, a backpack storage/pumpingunit is adequate. Both Ben Meadowsand Forestry Suppliers sell suchunits; for example, Ben Meadows liststhe Solo Backpack Sprayer, Model 475for $120 which has a four-gallonholding tank and a diaphragm pumpto deliver a maximum pressure of 60psi. You can purchase the moreefficient backpack mist blowers, butthey cost about four times as much.

CASE (1) - FERN ALONE.Chemicals: Roundup from Monsanto

Oust Weed Killer fromDuPont

Application rates: Roundup, 0.25gal/ac or I lbai/ac

Oust, 2 oz/ac or0.091bai/ac

In the studies, these herbicides wereapplied to foliage in 59.5 gal/ac ofherbicide solution (water) using alow-pressure sprayer, spraying in n-sand then e-w direction, attemptinguniform and complete coverage offoliage.Timing: best during fully-developedphotosynthetic period - from mid-July to mid-September; at least %day before rain or wait % day afterrain; wind under 5mph.Both chemicals have achieved

effective control of fern, but Rounduphas no "soil activity", whereas Oustdoes. That is, where the site has beendisturbed, severing the rootstalk offern, Roundup alone may not achievecontrol. So I would recommend usingeither Oust alone or a combination ofthe two (same rates). There is anadvantage to using both in the sameherbicide solution as I will point out inthe next article. Two other importantpoints should be mentioned: bothchemicals together will kill most orall of any hardwood regenerationcontacted, but they have no or verylittle carry-over or residual toxicity tofuture tree seedling reproduction.If you have detailed questions

regarding the use of these herbicides,contact Dr. Larry Abrahamson, theresident forestry-herbicide expert, bycalling 315-470-6751 (answeringmachine) or by writing: SUNY CESF,ONE FORESTRY DRIVE,SYRACUSE, NY 13210.

Sources reviewed: "Control ofUnderstory Vegetation in AlleghenyHardwood Stands with Oust" by S.B.Horsley, North. J. Appl. For. 5:262-262, Dec. 88; "Control of Grass andSedge in Allegheny Hardwood Standswith Roundup-Residual HerbicideTank Mixes" by S.B. Horsley, NorthJ. Appl. For. 7:124-129,Sep. 90.

9

Europe, Canada, Others ...

Forest-Owner ToursBeing Planned

Picture yourself visiting spruce forests in the alpinefoothills. Your guide, a Bavarian forester, is outfitted inknickers and Loden cape.NYFOA has been there. -Picture yourself enjoying the comraderie of forest owners

at a banquet in a baronial mansion in Denmark, orreturning from a Christmas tree plantation near HansChristian Anderson's home to a welcome cup of cheer in acozy thatched-roof tree farmer's house. NYFOA has beenthere, too.In fact, five times NYFOA has sponsored very successful

tours: to Austria-German-Switzerland; Denmark-Sweden-Finland; across Canada by train; England-Wales-Scotland;and through New England. Always well organized, but withtime to go a 'wanderin'. Always at least cost because notravel agents are used. And always full of uniqueexperiences and - the best part - memorable forestowners who host us.Now you can go, too. Just tell us where and when you

might like to go. We'll put together a tour that would be mostpopular. 0

o Soviet Uniono Quebec/Nova Scotia/

Prince Edward Islando Western Canada (by rail)o Southern USo Australia/New Zealand

Long-time NYFOA director Bob Sand (center) andConnecticut Christmas tree grower Phil Jones (left) visitthe Danish tree farm of Paul Rasmussen (right).Rasmussen later joined NYFOA 's Canadian tour.

--------------------- Cut ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------Please complete thisquestionnaire and returnto: Alan Knight, 96Targosh Road, Candor,NY 13743.

I would prefer tovisit:o Switzerland/

Austria/Germanyo Scandinaviao France/Belgium/:

Hollando England/Scotland/

Ireland

Assuming the tour would be for two weeks, the bestmonth for me to go would be _

Name(s) _

Address: _

Telephone: _

10 FOREST OWNER

.---------------------------------------------------------------------

1990s: Kids and Conservation

Cayuga Chapter member TimRoberson sets up for a sawmilldemonstration.

September 25 provided organizersand participants a clear and warmbeginning for the second annualConservation Field Days, whichcontinued to the 26th. The event wassponsored by the Cayuga County Soiland Water Conservation District andwas held at the Cayuga CountyCommunity College Nature Trail inAuburn,NY.This year's Field Days attracted

over 1300 Sixth Graders fromthroughout the county whoparticipated in events designed toincrease their awareness ofenvironmental issues, conservationpractices, and what they can do toproperly utilize natural resources.Enthusiasm ran high among the

conservation staff membersorganizing the activities despiteinitial cases of the jitters. Over 600students per day would be treated tomore than 4 hours of games, hands-onexhibits, short discussions, anddemonstrations given by experts fromthe various conservation disciplines.

Custom Signs

-- VOSS SignsDept. NYF, Box 553, Manlius. N.Y. 13104

Ph. (315) 682-6418(Mon.-Frt. 9-5)

Family Owned & Operated jar over 25 years

11JANUARY /FEBRUARY

Thanks to advance planning,however, area high school studentsinvolved in environmental studies,classes were given the opportunity tovolunteer their expertise and interestas they led some mini lectures andgames, and guided the kids around thelengthy course to different workstations. Their efforts were a bigfactor in making this large scale eventan educational success.The themes presented at the various

stations covered many areas of long-standing interest and included currenttheories and practices. Students weretreated to Woodsman Skills wherebythey were shown how logs areharvested from the forest. A log truckwas present that demonstrated howthe cut logs were loaded fortransportation to pulp or lumbermills. The students were also shownwhat tools the woodsman has andtheir proper use. A mobile sawmilldemonstrated lumber making.Over at the Organic Gardening

location, the young conservationistswere given information concerningwhat constitutes organic gardeningand why it's becoming so popular ingardens across the country. They arealso given exhibits of insects used tocontrol garden pests. And thisproduced many interestingcomments.The Role of Wetlands station was of

particular interest, especially forchildren who live In or near the manywetland areas of Cayuga County.Here they were told about inhabitingwaterfowl and their special adap-tations that allow them to survive inthis ecosystem.Another topic of widespread

interest and concern was Recyclingand Composting. The volunteers atthis station covered the differenttypes of waste management from therecycling of glass, aluminum, andstyrofoam to the re-use of plastic andpaper bags to help reduce the tonnageof waste being sent to our shrinkingnumber of landfills. Composting ofbiodegradable household waste notonly helps reduce the amount ofproduct shipped to landfills, it alsoprovides gardeners and lawn caredevotees with an excellent base ofnatural, organic fertilizer.

Other topics covered includedEndangered Species, Bats, MigratoryBirds, Energy Conservation, SoilConservation, Racoon Rabies, PondLife, Forestry, Insects, and a studentfavorite, Dog Training.Jim Hotaling, district manager,

who revived the Conservation FieldDays last year after about a 15 yearhiatus, said that he plans to expandthe program in the near future toinclude a field day for adults.

John Rowe, Education ConsultantThe Cayuga County Conservation

Field Days is typical of ConservationField Days held in counties of thestate and supported by Federal, State,County, and other local municipal andvolunteer agencies and organizations.

-Ed.

DEC PUBLISHES SEMIANNUALNEWSLETTER FOR COOPERA-TING TIMBER HARVESTERS

Each DEC Region staffs a foresterespecially schooled in the vagaries ofutilizing and marketing forestproducts; these U & M Forestersprovide an independent resource tothe industry. For some time they haveparticipated as input andadministrative leaders for the 150sawmill publication, Lake Erie andOntario Sawyers and FilersAssociation Newsletter; and foreveryone, the semi-annual StumpagePrice Report. Apparently, they willmake a bridge (preferably wooden)between the trees and whatever orwhoever needs the extension.

JOHN GIFFORD 716-664-5604 (B).Broker 716-487-9709 (R)

Vice President - Real Estate

~~~,t~;tTIMBeijIJ\ND:~~REALTYSALES. AbQuistriQN·S~.-J:.PRAISALS

. ,"~i~~r:i~:;..3~~~"A Division O¥/,fiPRECON.lnc.Crown Building, 100 E. Second Street,

Jamestown, N.Y. 14701

480A: A BUilding Block toForestry Management

The outstanding Nov/Dec issue ofthe NY FOREST OWNER has beenreceived and devoured by this reader.In short order form, the salient pointsbrought forth in the five articles in theissue seems to be as follows:Concern for and action favoring our

environment has become ofparamount importance.Proper "stewardship" of millions of

acres of "Non-Industrial PrivateForests" could provide vast benefitsto the environment and to theeconomy of our state.Government regulations and

harvesting ordinances are on the rise.Fragmentation of forested lands is

of grave concern. .Forest ownership in New York

needs to be converted from anexpense item to a mildly profitable orat least a break even enterprise.Many constructive building blocks

are needed and available in varyingdegrees to aid and strengthen thegoals of good forestry management.Many of you will not be surprised to

hear from me that we have thestrongest of building blocks of goodforest management almost in place.- The New York State Forest TaxLaw (Section 480A).The almost is the catchword. Large

numbers of talented people on allsides of the question worked for manyyears to develop and to help pass thelegislation into law.The almost revolves around the one

major defect in the law and explainswhy only 217,000 acres out of 13.5million acres of NIPF are certifiedand receiving the good managementcalled for under it.The defect, of course, is that the 80%

tax benefit received by the certified

Forest Management PlansEnvironmentally SoundHarvestingPremium Prices Paid

Gregory PhillipsForester

Rr...binson Saw Mill Works. Inc.Quality from Tree to Trade

Hillside RoadBarryville, NY 12719

(914) 557-6666FAX (914) 557-6901

Evenings (914) 457-5671

12

forest lands is transferred to the othertaxpayers in the townships and schooldistricts in the relevant taxjurisdiction. In many areas this is aminor consideration, but in heavilyforested areas, with an otherwise lowoverall assessment base, the blow canbe devastating. What can be done toremedy this situation?Bills have been introduced each

year, A4539Hinchey, and S3282Cook,to amend the tax law to provide statereimbursement to local taxjurisdictions for tax revenue losses.Passage of these into law would

loose a steady stream of forest landsinto the fold of good forestmanagement.Let's check the estimated costs

involved. The forest owner would stillbe paying a fair tax per acre on hisforest land. The State would receivethe 6% cutting (stumpage) tax on allharvested timber and all moneysderived from charges incurred byforest owners by change of use and/orpenalties for non-compliance.And let's say 2% million acres

became certified at a saving to forestowners of an average of $10.00 peracre per year. The cost to the Statewould be 25 million dollars less thedesignated income. This sum is asmall fraction of the State budget inthese hard scrabble times and itwould provide tremendous economicand environmental gains. So, what'sto be done?Many of us have always felt that

when "The New York Forest OwnersAssoc." attained the numbers and thefar flung membership it now hasattained that it could be a strongpolitical force for sound forestry in theState.

So, let's go, forest owners, ForestPractice Board and all otherinterested organizations and groupsand get this important and beneficiallegislation passed into law. All of NewYork State will be a winner.

Submitted by Francis A. "Mike"Demeree; Charter member NYFOA;1985 National Outstanding TreeFarmer.

WORDS FROM THE WOODSBy Bill Berry, senior vice president,Rayonier Forest Resources, andchairman, Forest Industry WetlandsTask Force.The Administration's policy of "no

net loss" of the nation's wetlands hasparticular significance for the timberindustry. More than half of all theremaining wetlands within the U.S.are forested In the South alone, about33million acres of land recognized aswetlands are under forestmanagement by private timbergrowers like Rayonier Timberlands.L.P. About one-third of thePartnership's Southeast timberlandcomprises wetland areas.The 1987National Wetlands Policy

Forum * sponsored by the EP A andcoordinated by the ConservationFoundation, concluded that goodforest management is compatiblewith other natural functions and is oneof the preferred economic uses ofwetlands."To order a copy of the NationalWetlands Forum Report contact TheConservation Foundation, P.O. Box4860 Hampden Post Office, Baltimore,MD 21211.

M£MBERWE SPECIALIZE IN LOGGING

AND ALL YOUR FORESTRYWORKBuyers of Standing Timber

A A PEPPETimber ProductsLOGGING and FIREWOOD

Dept. FMoravia, NY 315/497-1760

FOREST OWNER

New Members GARY P. EVANS WFL JUAN M. SANCHEZ TH

BRUCE L. RICHARDS 8407 co. rd. 14 110 SUMMIT AVENUELOUIS ABBOUDAUFIERI WFL PEACEFUL VALLEY RD. IONIA, NY 14475 HACKENSACK, NJ 07601RD 2, WEST HOLLOW RD. NORTH CREEK, NY 12853 BOB EVANS TH H.ROBERTSCHOENBERGER WFLNAPLES, NY 14512

RD1,BOX58 12MERRYHILL LANETONY SHELLEY WFL PITTSFORD, NY 14534

MRS. WILLIAM L. ADAMS NFC 202 GIBSON STREET GLENFIELD, NY 133431009 BLAKELEY ROAD BATH, NY 14810 MEL AND KATHY FRANK NFC CURT SCHWALBE THEAST AURORA, NY 14052

RICHARD M. STEDMAN NFC 30 VULCAN STREET R.D.1, BOX 215E

L.G.ALDOUS 6846 EAST WEBSTER BUFFALO,NYl4202 CONSTANTIA, NY 13044

RD2,BOXl64 ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127 DAVID L. GOODSELL AFC JOSEPH J. STEINW ACHS WFLCANTON, NY 13617

FRED M. THURNHERR NFC RD4,BOX310 169McINTOSH ROAD

BRYCE BAYER 7272 DAVIS ROAD HANOVER HILL CHURCHVILLE, NY 14428

30 BOUCHARD DRIVE WEST FALLS, NY 14170 WELLSVILLE, NY 14895 B.C. STEVENSBRUNSWICK, ME 04011

THOMAS R. TRACY SOT WALTERE. GRABOWSKI NFC 212 CALIFORNIA AVE.

PETER BOGNAR NFC BOX 93 8920 TONAWANDA CREEK WATERTOWN, NY 13601

42 REBECCA PARK KIRTWOOD, NY 13795 CLARENCE CENTER, NY 14032 BOB SWINARSKIBUFFALO, NY 14207 SCOTT K. GRAY 41 ROSS STREET

GENE AND MARIE BONO JOSEPHW. WANEMAKER NFC 29 CAMPBELL ST. BATAVIA, NY 14020

P.O. BOX 685290WILLI I\M STREET LOWVILLE, NY 13367 ALVIN AND HANNAH TANZER CFA

ROSCOE, NY 12776 LANCASTER, NY 14086EDWARD AND KATHY GWITI NFC HCR 2, BOX 143

STEVEN BOWIE SOT TOM AND ELLEN WHITELEY WFL 8336 EAST EDEN ROAD MARGARETVILLE, NY 12455

BOX 607, HC78 105WHITE VILLAGE DRIVE EDEN, NY 14057 N.H. THISSE THCASTLE CREEK, NY 13744 ROCHESTER, NY 14625

S.A. HERRICK; JR. NFC 295 TURNPIKE ST.

ROBERT AND DIANNA COLLIGAN DAVE AESCHBACHER NFC 395 GIRDLE ROAD CANTON, MA 02021

119KNOX ROAD 2244 WILCOX ROAD EAST AURORA, NY 14052 JOHN AND ESTHER THOMAS WFLNFC NORTH COLLINS, NY 14111EAST AURORA, NY 14052 EDWARD A. JANULIONIS NFC 428 ELMAR DRIVE

DON CONVERSO NFC RICHARDJ. ATIEA NFC 44 WHITNEY PLACE ROCHESTER, NY 14616

2586 MARSHFIELD RD. P.O. BOX 120 BUFFALO, NY 14201 WILLIAM L. TRUDNOWSKI AFCLAWTONS, NY 14091 NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110

JOCELYN R. TERRY 3151 RT. 39, RD 2

EDWARD DUGUE, JR. SOT STANLEY AND PAULINE BATES TH BOX 241 FORESTVILLE, NY 14062

1121 CASTLE CREEK ROAD 735 JAY STREET SPECULATOR, NY 13164 JOE VOGEL WFLCASTLE CREEK, NY 13744 ROME, NY 13440

ANGUS JOHNSTONE NFC 26 WOODBURY PLACE

TOM AND CLAUDIA GASIEWICZ LARRY BECKER WFL P.O. BOX 430 ROCHESTER, NY 14618

37 DEER CHASE ROAD 714 MIDDLEBURY ROAD EAST AURORA, NY 14052 WILLIAM AND CARMEN WASHBURN AFCWEST SENECA, NY 14224 NFC WEBSTER, NY 14580 5229 COOPER HILL ROAD

OTTO C. HENNINGSEN SOTJACK E. BERTSCH NFC MARK KURZEN WFL HINSDALE, NY 1474336 COVENTRY LANE 17 OSAGE TRAIL

BOX 544, HC78 ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127 SPENCERPORT, NY 14559 DEANW. WHITCHER WFLCASTLE CREEK, NY 13744 46 ROSLYN STREET

GRAHAM HOFFMAN WFL, ROBERTA. BOEHLECKE PHILIP A. KUSTER ROCHESTER, NY 14619545 GARDNER ROAD 4323 MURPHY HILL RD.

5738 CR#33 RD 3 HORSEHEADS, NY 14845 HORSEHEADS, NY 14845 AMBROSEJ. ANDRE, JR. THCANANDAIGUA, NY 14424 P.O. BOX 27

DAVID C. HOSELTON WFLROBERT BOEHLECKE, JR. PAULD.LEONARD TH BRANTINGHAM, NY 133121157 E. SHORE DRIVE R.D.l,BOX64

4 STONEY CLOVER LANE ITHACA, NY 14850 MARTVILLE, NY 13111 DEBBIE ARMSTRONG SOTPITTSFORD, NY 14534 56MAIN STREET

ELAINE BOSHART TH GERALD F. LICHTENTHAL NFC OWEGO, NY 13827GERALD S. LAZARCZYK NFC RDI 76 EMERSON DRIVE2484 OAK HARBOUR TURIN, NY 13473 EGGERTSSVILLE, NY 14226 WALTER H. AUSTIN, JR.GRAND ISLAND, NY 14072 2695 DOELLNER DRIVE

REGINA BOWEN TH FELIX G. LIEBMANN WFL CASTLETON,NY12003DONALD E. LOWN WFL RT. 2, BOX29A 8747 TABORS CORNERS RD.1779WALKER LAKE ONTARIO RD. HARRISVILLE, NY 13648 WAYLAND, NY 14572 WALTERA.BARRY AFCHILTON, NY 14468 85 FREMONT AVENUE

MIKE MALONE WFLBERNARD B. BRAUN ROBERT W. LISLE NFC WESTSENECA,NYl~4WOODLAND MGT. SERVICES 8123 WEST AVENUE

74 ERNESTINE ST. P.O. BOX 2 BOX 309 THOMAS A. BARTLETTROCHESTER, NY 14619 RICHMONDVILLE, NY 12149 GASPORT, NY 14067 R.D. 1, BOX 647THOMAS MICHENZI NFC TOM AND GERRY CASEY AFC MARK J. LISZEWSKI NFC GOWANDA, NY 140704357 ARONDALE 1024 LOVEJOY STREET 3504 WALDEN AVENUE STEVEN C. BEANWILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221 BUFFALO, NY 14206 LANCASTER,!I.'Y 14086 5405 CHAPMAN RD.DR. ERNEST B. MILLARD WFL DAN AND CAROL CASH AFC DAVID J. MARCHNER WFL CORTLAND, NY 130456 PARSONS LANE 1600 EAST HILL ROAD 41 BAYLOR CIRCLE KENNETH P. BROWN NFCROCHESTER, NY 14610 FRANKLINVILLE, NY 14737 ROCHESTER, NY 14624 180 S. OSTRANDER ROADJOSEPH W. NATOLI CAY MAURICE AND ELIZABETH CLARK ROBERT H. METZ NFC

EAST AURORA, NY 140523174 GRACIE RD. 202 PEART AVENUE WFL 90 GODFREY ST. HOWARD W. CLOTHER NP'CCORTLAND, NY 13045 ROCHESTER, NY 14622 BUFFALO, NY 14215 39337 HUMBERT ROAD

'{ JACK NEIDICK SOT SILAS H. CLINE NFC W.E.METZ NORTH JAVA, NY 14113RD 3, BOX 3582 12054WARNER HILL ROAD P.O. BOX 305 ROBERTT. COUPAL WFLWINDSOR, NY 13865 SOUTH WALES, NY 14139 LYONS, NY 14489 25 HARRISON CIRCLETOM O'BRIEN CAY JOHNP. CONSTABLE TH MICHAEL ELMO DRILLING NFC PITTSFORD, NY 14534COLONIAL LODGE 1838 STATE STREET 255 IVYHURST CIRCLE JOSEPH C. D'AURIA NFCRD2,BOX312 WATERTOWN, NY 13601 AMHERST, NY 14226 149DALE DRIVEMORA VIA, NY 13118

NFC TONAWANDA, NY 14150JAMES COUFAL DAVID AND ANNE MOOREBRIAN OLIVEIRA TIO NYSAF SCHOOL OF FORESTRY 1196 UNDERHILL ROAD RICHARD E. DAYTON CAYR.D. 3, BOX248A COLLEGE OF E.S.&F. EAST AURORA, NY 14052 1621 PERUVILLE ROADENDICOTT, NY 13760 SYRACUSE, NY 13210

CFA FREEVILLE, NY 13068DAVID NELSONJACK AND MARY OPIELA NFC RICHARD DAVIDSON CAY RDl,BOXl99 STEPHEN W. EATON AFC23 TEMPLE DRIVE RD 2, BOX 123A DELANSON, NY 12053 TEN MILE ROADBUFFALO, NY 14225 MORA VIA, NY 13118 ALLEGANY, NY 14706ROBERT POOLE CAY THOMAS NYQUIST NFC

JOHN E. DICKINSON NFC 387 CAYUGA CREEK RD. GARFIELD TREE FARM12 LOCKERBY HILL RD. 236 PORTERVILLE RD. BUFFALO, NY 14227 P.O. BOX 3233LANSING, NY 14882 EAST AURORA, NY 14052 EAST GREENBUSH, NY 12061THOMASJ. PALUCH NFCRAY AND PRUDY PRAY LOUIS T. DILORENZO 25 GLENDALE TERRACE ROBERT AND THIRZA GIBBS3656 PEARL ST. RD. 10217 MILLERS ROAD ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127 3935 BREED HOLLOW ROADBATAVIA, NY 14020 LYNDONVILLE, NY 14098 WFL HORSEHEADS, NY 14845ROBERT RECTORROBERT E. PRESTON NFC JOHN AND JILL EISENHARD STRAWBERRY HILL FARM KATHERINE GILDA WFL450 SPRUCEWOOD TERRACE 10650 SOUTH STR. ROAD 160 COUNTY ROAD 27 371'.!N. MAIN STREETWILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221 PAVILION, NY 14525 CLIFTON SPRINGS, NY 14432 HONEOYE FALLS, NY 14472

JANUARY IFEBRUARY 13

NewMembers- WFL

DONALD D. GROSZ7100 GULICK ROADNAPLES, NY 14512

HARDEN FURNITURE INC.BOB SAUERMCCONNELLSVILLE, NY 13401

HARRY AND RITA HASSEY NFC2800 RT. 98VARYSBURG, NY 14167

DAVID R. HOY NFC1300 SMITH ROADEAST AMHERST, NY 14051

J. WARRENHOY NFC660 RICE ROADELMA, NY 14059

LAWRENCEW.HOYT CAYRD4CHESTNUT RIDGE ROADAUBURN, NY 13021

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT HUNT TIOR.D. 1, BOX 136BERKSHIRE, NY 13736

PETER INNESRDl,BOX84CNORTH ROADE. WORCESTER, NY 12064

BERNARD J. KLINE NFC27 WINKLER ROADCHEEKTOWAGA, NY 14225

WILLIAM H. LAMALE NFC#663WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14231

LANE'S SAW SERVICEP.O. BOX 15MCCONNELLSVILLE, NY 13401

HARRY C. LIKELPINE FARM, RD 2LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY 12758

EDGAR LORCH CFA445 RIVERSIDE DRIVENEW YORK, NY 10027

ROBERTS. MACARTHUR106APPLETON STREETCAMBRIDGE, MA 02138

H.R. MERRITT, JR. NFC299 PINE STREETEAST AURORA, NY 14052

DON MILLER CAY14 STANFORD PLACEMONTCLAIR, NJ 07042

JOHNF.MUELLER6220 E. SENECA TPK.JAMESVILLE, NY 13078

NORMAN E. MURRAY NFCP.O. BOX 1066BUFFALO, NY 14215

WILLIAM O'NEILL321 POST CREEK HILLBEAVER DAMS, NY 14812

ROBERT AND LAURA PEARCE WFL2950 EMERSON ROADBRANCHPORT, NY 14418

BRUCE PENROD WFL6528A, RTE. 15ASPRINGWATER, NY 14566

JAMESL. PITT WFLBOX 552BATH, NY 14810

JAMES V. RALL WFL294 MAIDS:rONE DRIVEWEBSTER, NY 14580

GEORGE R. RATERMAN8219 KIRKVILLE ROADKIRKVILLE, NY 13082

FRANK ROSE824N.AURORAST.ITHACA, NY 14850

MICHAEL ROSS5099 CONRAD ROADCINCINNATUS, NY 13040

DR.DAVIDW.SAND WFL1561 LONG POND ROADROCHESTER, NY 14626

WFLWILLIAM R. SCHLEIGH WFLP.O. BOX 855CLARKSON, NY 14430

HAROLD SENDER CFA1070 McDONALDBROOKLYN, NY 11230

THOMAS D. SHEARERP.O. BOX 123NORTHVILLE, NY 12134

SAMFORD S. SMITH207 WEST 5TH AVENUEWARREN, PA 16365

PAUL AND ALICE STEVENS AFC1200 ALMA HILL ROADWELLSVILLE, NY 14895

PAULE. TRUSZDEER RIDGE DRIVESTAATSBURG, NY 12580

WILLIAM R. VAN DEUSEN WFL376 CLAY AVENUE .ROCHESTER, NY 14613

GORDONS.WAMBOLDT28 CEDAR STREETFAIRHAVEN, VT.05743

PHILIP AND IRENE WARNER WFL201 WINONA BOULEVARDROCHESTER, ~l'14617JAMES AND CAROL WISE NFC8202 HILLSIDE DRIVEANGOLA, NY 14006

ZEN MOUNTAIN MONASTERY CFABOX 197MT. TREMPER, NY 12457

RICHARD A. ZILKOWSKIWATERSHED MANAGERCITY OF LITTLE FALLSLITTLE FALLS, NY 13365

C.D. CLARK TIOR.D. 3, BOX 151OWEGO, NY 13827

N.Y.S. TREE FARMMIKE VIRGABOX 338, CENTER ST.LYONS FALLS, NY 13368VIRGINIAS.DEWALD WFL24 MENLO PLACEROCHESTER, NY 14620

RICHARD MARGOLIS WFL225 BARRINGTON STREETROCHESTER, NY 14697

MARKJ. WEST10028 CREEK ROADOAKVIEW, CA 93022

JEAN AND PHILIP LECOMPTE125 JACKSON STREETNEWTON CENTER, MA 02159

ROSE OTTMAN347 FRENCH ROADPITTSFORD, NY 14534

DONALD P. SCHAUFLERR.D. 1, BOX 250LANGFORD CREEK ROADVANETTEN, NY 14689

RICHARD STARR231 FARMVIEWDRIVEMACEDON, NY 14502

JEAN MILLERP.O. BOX 267LAFAYETTE, NY 13084

WILLIAM H. STRAIN4959 REITER ROADEAST AURORA, NY 14052

EARL S. JOHNSON, JR.75 NORTH MAIN STREETPITTSFORD, NY 14534

DONNA AND DANIEL ERSING132 CUSHING STREETBUFFALO, NY 14220

JOHN AND CINDY ERSING343 SOUTH FISHER COURTWEST SENECA, NY 14224

EDWARDJ. WOODGENESEE ROADEAST CONCORD, NY 14055

GEORGE McVAY12059 SWAG ROADCHAFFEE, NY 14030

EARL DOMINESEY3288 ROUTE 77VARYSBURG, NY 14167

JAMES E. KENNEYR.R. 2, BOX 2379WINDSOR, NY 13865

AMERICAN FOREST COUNCIL415 RIVER STREETTROY, NY 12180GEORGE DIBBINS, JR.RDl,BOX93RODMAN,NY13682

MARY ANN JAMESRD1,BOX505HOLLAND PATENT, NY 13354

REG SARGENTNORTH CAMDEN ROADPARISH, NY 13131

DENNIS DOEING289 WALNUT STREETEAST AURORA, NY 14052

JOHN R. HARMON149HARMON ROADCHURCHVILLE, NY 14428

NFC

GORDON KAMMAN101 NANETTE DRIVEELMA, NY 14059

WALTER K. MINTEL, JR.RR1,BOX130MADISON, NY 13402

ROBERT A. PAPWORTH228 HAMPTON ROADSYRACUSE, NY 13203

DANA BATLEYP.O. BOX 4285ITHACA, NY 14852

EARL AND CLAUDIA CLIFFEL450 BRIDGEWOOD DRIVEROCHESTER, NY 14612 WFL

WILL DAILEYR.D. 1, BOX 485COLTON, NY 13625

DONALD GAIGE3736CR6ALPINE, NY 14805

MICHAEL GIALLOMBARDO111 IRVING TERRACEKENMORE, NY 14223 NFC

DANIEL H. HURTUBISE42 PROSPECT AVENUEHAMBURG, NY 14075 NFC.

MATTHEWD.KUBICKR.D. BOX 13G, RT. 28POLAND. NY 13431

WFL

EMIL MELTZ, JR.R.D. 1, BOX 158HUDSON, NY 12534

THADDEUS NASKIEWICZKINGS COURT 30065 SOUTH STREETAUBURN, NY 13021

CHRISTOFER ORGANRT.1,BOX16STOCKTON, NY 14784

ALLEN PETTERSONP.O. BOX3COSSAYUNA, NY 12823

HERMANN L. RITTLERRD2,BOX384CORNING, NY 14830

HORACE H. SCOTT50 ELIZABETH STREETWHITEHALL, NY 12887

TERRY R. CULPBOX 249STAMFORD, NY 12167

ROBERT AND SUE GOOD1582 CREEK STREETROCHESTER, NY 14625

DANA L. KEISER3881 BRADY HILL ROADBINGHAt"dTON, NY 13903

STUART McCARTY, IIP.O. BOX 70TUNNEL, NY 13848

NATE JOHNSTON85 SUELLEN DRIVEROCHESTER,NY14609

RICHARD A. ERNST4209 CLINTONWEST SENECA, NY 14224

. GEORGE E. RUTARD1,BOX308EAGLE BRIDGE, NY 12057

JOSEPH D. TOOKER, JR.423 L ROUTE 199STANFORDVILLE, NY 12581

DOUBLE AUGHT LUMBER, INC.P.O. BOX 446OWEGO, NY 13827

NORMAN O. AAMODTBOX/652LAKE PLACID, NY 12946

F.W. DRUMM, JR.322 WILBUR ROADSCHUYLERVILLE, NY 12871

(Continued next issue)

NEW MEMBERS DIRECTORY:WFL = Western FingerlakesNFC =Niagara Frontier ChapterSOT = Southern Tier ChapterCAY = Cayuga ChapterTIO =Tioga ChapterTHR~THRIFTCFA = Catskill Forest AssociationAFC =Allegheny Foothills Chapter

FRED E. WINCH, JR.BOX 312BRADFORD, NH 03221

MILDRED NUFFER THR.D.1,BOX313CASTORLAND, NY 13620

CHARLESE. VALENTINE THR.R.1,BOX3RODMAN, NY 13682

GERHARD POPP WFL1116WEBSTER ROADWEBSTER, NY 14580

JUDSON B. BEATTIE, AFCPRESIDENTSOUTHERN TIER FOREST PRODUCTS74 ADAMS STREETSALAMANCA, NY 14779

NEWMAN D. TRYONP.O. BOX2ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932

DARREL D. RIPPETEAUR.R. 1, BOX W333AALEXANDRIA BAY, NY 13607

TOM COLLIGAN NFC521 LAFAYETTE AVENUEBUFFALO, NY 14222

RONALD D. MAIDA55 MOORE AVENUEBUFFALO, NY 14233

CAY

AFC

WFL

NFC

WFL

CFANFC

WFLNFC

SOTNFC

SOTNFC

WFLNFC

NFCSOT

TH

TIOTH

TH

NFC

IN MEMORYThe New York Forest Owner has

learned that NYFOA award winnerand past director Evelyn A. Stock ofCamillus died on Nov. 29, 1990 whilevisiting in Massachusetts.

Evelyn was a strong and sensitiveeditor of the Forest Owner from1978-1985. She was a travelingcompanion of Moira and Al Roberts tothe Huntington Ecological CenterWoodswalk in the Adirondacks, and tolast October's NYFOA Fall Meeting.

14 FOREST OWNER

Rommel Wins NationalTree Farm Inspector

Dick Rommel, Senior Forester forthe N.Y.S. DEC in New Paltz, hasbeen chosen the National Top TreeFarm Inspector. Dick, the firstrecipient of this new award, waschosen among 9,000 volunteerforesters nation-wide who administerthe Tree Farm Program locally.Without dedicated foresters andwilling employers the Tree FarmSystem could not exist.Dick received the National Award

at the National Forests ProductsAssociation's Annual Meeting held inNovember in Seattle, Washington.Prior to winning the national award,Dick also won Top Inspector honorsfor New York and for the Northeastregion. He has been an active TreeFarm inspector since 1976 and hascertified over 100Tree Farms, mainlyin Livingston and Ulster counties. Onenotable Tree Farm certified byRommel is the 12,000 acre forest atWest Point managed by the U.S.Military Academy. Dick is also anactive Project Learning Tree facilita-tor and has trained hundreds ofteachers throughout the state.New York State Tree Farm Chair

Mike Virga from Lyons Falls Pulp &Paper said, "Dick's participation inthe Tree Farm and PLT programs hastruly established him as one of NewYork's outstanding forest stewards.Rommel sets a unique example by hisdedication to the presentmanagement of our forests, and to thefuture stewards of these woodlands."Jane Difley, Regional Manager for

the American Forest Council,

Nolan'sSporting Supplies

Outdoor EqUipment Specialist

37 - 47 Genesee StreetAuburn, N.Y. 13021

315-252-7249

JANUARY /FEBRUARY 15

Dick Rommel receives his award during ceremonies held in Seattle, Washington.

presented the Northeast RegionalAward and had this to say aboutRommel: "When it comes to TreeFarm, Dick is both a visionary and ahands-on practitioner. Countlesslandowners, teachers, students and

foresters have benefitted from Dick'senthusiasm and stewardship ethic."The New York State Tree Farm

Program congratulates Dick andwishes him continued success in thefuture.

Loggers Saw Mills

Skidders Log Trucks

Fire Liability

607 -898-3821 315-497 -0410evening • • day

AGENCYDAVID W. TREGASKIS

All forms of insurance10 Central Street

Moravia, N.Y. 13118315-497-0410

INSURANCEMember Cayuga Chapter - NYFOA

BRIEFSFROM THE WASHINGTON

WILDERNESSThe U.S. Congress doubled

appropriations for the StewardshipFund and added 20 million for cost-sharing Stewardship IncentivesProgram (SIP) ; the ForestryIncentive Program (FIP) wasrenewed; and, both the AgriculturalConservation Program (ACP) and theConservation Reserve Program(CRP) were increased. There waslittle movement on capital gains (thebubble).

NYFOA, INCOME TAX,& NATIONAL TV

Under the leadership of Priscilla M.Johnson, Cooperative ExtensionAgent in Chenango County, December5, 1990 the University of Georgia'snationwide broadcast of "FederalIncome Tax Strategies for TimberOwners" was made available in New,York as an interactive videoteleconference that included 4 on-siteresource professionals. A toll-freenumber was provided for thena tionwide participants to askquestions of the tax experts in theGeorgia broadcast studio during the2% hour satellite relayed livebroadcast. On-site panelists atCornell's Extension Education Centerin Norwich were Stuart F. Smith,Cornell's Dept. of Ag. Ec.; Hugh O.Canham, Forest Economics, SUNYCESF; William Betts, NYS DECRegion 7 Forester; and David Tabor,Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dept.Natural Resources.Timber taxation is very complex

and there seems to be some interest orpleasure in keeping it that way. It wasappropriate that NYFOA contributedto the financial costs for the program;there were many forestowners, someforesters, a few accountants and ailawyer in attendance. A later issue ofThe NY FOREST OWNER will treatthe subject with competence; I. Usecapital gains treatment whenappropriate to avoid self-employment tax or to offset capitalgains; II. Allocate Basisappropriately to land, structure orimprovements and timber; III. Seekhelp from professional foresters

16

and/or tax advisors; IV. Obtain:USDA, Forest Service, 1989. "ForestOwner's Guide to TimberInvestments, the Federal IncomeTax, and Tax Recordkeeping." Ag.Handbook No. 681 from theSuperintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Wash-ington, D.C. 20402.

1991 NYS INVIROTHONThe NYS Envirothon is getting

complicated. The competitive HighSchool (9-12) program is partly led bythe U.S. Soil Conservation Servicethrough the Soil and WaterConservation Districts and because ofthe number of participants, theDistricts are cooperating in order tohold preliminary events. Cayuga andOnondaga SWCDs, for instance, willhold their preliminary, May 9, 1991.The New York State Final Testing willbe May 23, 1991.Further details in theMar/ Apr issue.

WHAT IS, IS WHAT?The Wall Street Journal recently

displayed a cartoon depicting themountain top exchange between aHimalayan teacher and his disciple:"If a tree falls in the forest, andthere's no one to hear it, who fills outthe environmental statement?"

EQBA - TWENTY FIRST CENTURYWho owns the mountains? NYFOA

does.

RECIPROCITYThe American Agriculturist, a

former patron of NYFOA and a longtime voice (Founded 1842) in NewYork has a new format. TheDecember 1990 issue features anarticle on Forestland Resourcesbased on an informative interviewbetween Editor Gordon Conklin andrecently retired Cotton-Hanlonforester, Robert Sand. Bobenthusiatically endorsed NYFOA inthe article.

BIOMASS IS NATION'S TOPRENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCEBiomass - including wood, wood

waste, and agricultural waste - is thelargest renewable energy source inthe U.S., according to a surveyconducted by Public Citizen, aconsumer group formed by RalphNader.The survey indicated biomass

accounts for 3.46 quadrillion Btu..more than 50 percent of U.S.renewable energy production.The report, "The Power of the

Sta tes: A Fifty-State Survey ofRenewable Energy," is availablefrom Public Citizen, 215Pennsylvania. Ave., S.E.,Washington, DC 20003.

from SOLID WASTE & POWER/DECEMBER 1990

For information on:

1. Tree Farm Survival Handbook - $30.2. Tree Farm Services and Membership

Contact: NYS Tree Farm Committeec/o Empire State Forest Products Assoc.123State StreetAlbany, N.Y. 12207(518) 463-1297

FOREST OWNER

A Response to Forestry CriticsRecent articles in Time and Life

magazines imply forest plantationsare void of value beyond producingfiber. Not necessarily so. All too often,in trying to make a point, complexecosystems are viewed in overlysimplistic terms.For years I have heard red pine

plantations described as biologicaldeserts. Red pine, more so than manyother species, tend to grow uniformlyand often stagnate withoutmanagement. Because the trees donot express dominance because theygrow at about the same rate, they canbecome dense stands with littlediversity and no understory; hencethey gain the biological desertreputation. Norway spruce, on theother hand, will grow in stands whereindividual trees will outdo neighbors.The issue has risen to the public eye

in discussions over spotted owls andcutting old growth western primevalforests. The argument is thatreforestation of clearcut with singlespecies (monoculture) plantations isremoving all but fiber productionvalues from forest land. I will notargue over how much primeval forestwe should save or harvest. I definitelysupport saving an amount that willguarantee future generations aperpetual primeval forest. But I willtake exception to the Simplisticcriticism of managed plantations andthe negative connotation towards"tree farms."Let me discuss a plantation that I

have worked with repeatedly over thepast twenty years. In the late 1920'sthe plantation site was depleted,abandoned farm fields and pasture.Poor farming practices coupled withheavy soils overlaying shalepresented a pretty bleak future. Thestate purchased the land andreforested it under the U.S. CivilianConservation Corp. (CCC) workproject. In the early years theplanta tion controlled erosion,provided cover for a variety ofwildlife, stored carbon and began tofilter air. Though not an ideal red pinesite, most of the seedlings survivedand grew to be 8-10inch diameter polesized stems about 45 feet tall by 1970when I began working for DEC. Athinning was in progress at the time Iwas hired and I took over supervision.

In response to forestry critics, the author refutesrecent claims implying forest plantations are void ofvalue beyond producing fiber. Photo: Peter Innes.

At that time markets were limited.A few small operators were buyingred pine for rustic rail fence stock andpulp. Because they could not affordnor cut large volumes in a year, Ielected to mark relatively lightthinnings over as many acres as themarket would bear to preventstagnation of the many plantations indire need of thinning. Around 1975thepulp market increased dramaticallyand I was able to complete the initialthinning cycle and return to manysites for a second cut.At some point a cluster of 25 pink

lady slippers was noticed. Being in theorchid family, these plants are on theprotected plants list. Care has beentaken not to risk destroying theirhabitat during the variousmanagement activities that have beenconducted over the years. Today thatoriginal cluster, after four harvestingoperations, has expanded to at least

165plants. One could argue that forestmanagement has enhanced theirhabitat.

Old fencerows within the plantationhave red oaks, maples and othernative trees held over from farmingdays. These trees have been a seedsource for natural regeneration thathas occurred in response to thethinnings. Today there is a lushunderstory with the best component ofdesirable red oak that I have seen inmy career. Foresters are oftenfrustrated in attempts to assure redoak reproduction; consequently thissite is especially appreciated. Theoaks and shadbush in the hedgerowsprovide mast (seeds) for deer, grouse,turkeys, squirrels, and a variety ofsongbirds. The lush understoryprovides browse and cover.Besides benefitting wildlife, this

(Continued on Page 18)

JANUARY IFEBRUARY 17

processing the product can be hardbut very rewarding work.Conveying a negative image of tree

farms does a great injustice to a trulyfine group of forest owners. TreeFarm has fifty years investedrecogrnzmg these outstandingstewards. Let's not let critics passunchallenged.Michael C. Greason is an associate

forester with DEC's Division of Landsand Forests.

Forestry Critics -(Continued from Page 17)

plantation has provided other valuesas well. The present logger and hishorse as well as several loggersbefor~ temporarily and periodicallyearn ~ living through harvestingmarked trees here. Between otherState Forest and private forest sales,loggers are a significant part of thelocal economy. State land annuallyproduces around $3.5 million instumpage sales (trees sold standingon the stump). New York's forestindustry yields approximately $4.5billion a year. The multiplier factorfrom a dollar in stumpage to return onfinished product is around twenty-five. Therefore, wood is a valuableeconomic renewable resource in thestate. Stumpage income is oftenneeded for private forest owners to beable to afford to retain their forestland. Even though most forest ownersdo not own their land primarily fortimber production, forest produc~scan serve as an important economicfactor and serve as a tool forachieving landowner goals. In onecrop rotation this plantation mayyield $1000per acre in stumpage.Main skid trails have been laid out

to serve as recreational trails. Theylink up to ones in .adjacent stands(homogeneous forest types of thesame size classes) to form a networkover the entire State Forest. Hikersand cross-country skiers candetermine the size loop they want toundertake and enjoy a few hours or awhole day.Even nonusers benefit. Tree growth

stores carbon in wood fiber. Thiscarbon sink is considered veryimportant in the global warmingconcern. As forest products such aslumber and paper are harvested, thecarbon remains stored unless theproduct is burned or the carbonreleased through some otherchemical break down. Surfaces of theneedles and branches captureparticles from the air therebyfiltering air. The organic duff layer onthe soil and the tree's fine root systemfilter water. Shade from the crownsslows snow melt and the various partsof the tree intercept rain thusreducing erosion and runoff. Thesefactors contribute to trees modifyingour climate and improving our waterand air quality. Years of needles,

branches and dead trees falling andreturning to the soil has done wondersfor the soil that had been abused forover a century before the plantationwas established. Today the soil isricher, has better structure and holdswater better than it did a few decadesago.Other benefits include raps berries ,

blackberries, and, for those who knowthe safe ones, mushrooms. I usuallyenjoy chewing on checkerberry leavesand berries as I walk through thewoods. I enjoy seeing partridge berry,pink ladyslippers, flowering shadbushand any creature that crosses mypath.Is this plantation void of value? I

think I have proven not necessarily so.Now a few words on tree farms. The

American Tree Farm System is aprogram sponsored by forest industrythrough the American Forest Council.It is a program that recognizes someof the finest land stewards in theworld. Tree Farmers are privatewoodland owners who tend to bepeople from all walks of life who arededicated to leaving their land betterthan they found it. Few own their landprimarily for fiber production. Theydo use forest products and harvestingto pay taxes and other landownershipcosts and as a tool to achieve otherowner goals. Many enjoy the harvestfor the satisfaction they receive fromthe maple syrup, firewood, Christmastrees or logs. Tapping or cutting thetrees, hauling the product, and

INTERCHEM COMPLETESSYNTHETIC FUEL OIL FACILITYInterchem Industries of Vancouver,

British Columbia, has completed itsfirst plant to make synthetic fuel oilfrom wood waste. In making thatannouncement, Interchem saiddeliveries of fuel oil and charcoalwould begin in late 1990 followingcompletion of final testing at asouthern Missouri location.The wood waste is vaporized in a

process that converts it into fuel oiland other materials, includingcharcoal. Approximately 13,000 tonsof wood waste will be processed eachyear at a plant in Howell County, M~.,the company said. The enterprise willcreate 1.7 million gallons of syntheticoil annually, which will be used as areplacement for No. 6 fuel oil, anindustrial grade of fuel oi!.Total revenues from the Missouri

plant are expected to reach $100million annually, the company said.

Pink Lady Slippers have spread from a cluster of 25 plants to at least 165 on thisplantation as described by author Michael C. Greason. Photo: Peter Innes.

18 FOREST OWNER

Wood/Coal MixMay Cut Emissions,Costs at Generating Plants

New York State Electric & Gas may stoker coal firing process, thus stations from the June 1989 issue ofget cleaner air and save fuel costs in improving combustion efficiency; Tie Lines News, the NYSEG's1989by using wood products and other mixing coal with wood improves coal employee/retiree newspaper.fuels at Jennison and Hickling, its two fines retention which has been a To update you somewhat, NYSEGstoker-fired generating stations. problem at the stoker stations; and continued to evaluate wood burningWith help from the New York State the mixture process permits a larger during 1990 and is currently compiling

Department of Environmental Con- surface area of coal to be exposed to its final report on the tests. Thatservation (DEC), the Company began air and this further aids burning. report will recommend the Companytest burning wood products at Because of their size, wood chips use wood as a commercial fuel duringJennison Station in Bainbridge last can only be used at the stoker plants. 1991. This means that wood will besummer. When those tests proved The chips are stored separately and evaluated on much the same basis as 'successful, NYSEG started a similar then combined with coal in the desired coal as a fuel source - cost availab-program at Hickling Station in East proportions during the coal bunkering ility, waste disposal, handling con-Corning. process. The bunkered coal/wood siderations etc.The goal of this alternative fuels mixture is further mixed as it is Our generation department

evaluation program is to reduce fuel transported to the stoker. expected to burn about 4,000 tons ofand production costs. The effort is The fuels group is examining other wood a month at Jennison Stationcoordinated by the corporate plant fuels which may lead to economy and during 1991. Hickling Station is notperformance and fuel engineering operational efficiencies in the power currently burning wood, nor is itdepartment with plant personnel. plants. Coarse sawdust may be expected to use any significantThey think use of wood products may acceptable for mixing with coal in amount in the next year.eventually cut overall costs by 10 plants which burn pulverized coal. If I can be of further assistance, dopercent. NYSEG is now setting up Other potential fuels for blending with not hesitate to write or call. If youvendor sources and networks to get coal may include rubber tires, refuse- include some aspect of NYSEG'smore wood by-products. derived fuels, railroad ties and other operation in a future publication of theThe fuels group would like each wood products. New York Forest Owner magazine,

plant to burn up to 2,000 tons of wood NY Forestowner: I'd like to see a copy.products each month, primarily chips Here is a copy of a story I wrote on By Nancy J. Kirtlandand coarse sawdust. Jennison now wood burning at NYSEG's generatingburns about 750 tons a month in a .-------------------------------proportion of 75 percent wood chips Clear Cut _and 25 percent sawdust. These woodproducts are blended with coal. At thisstage the wood makes up 3 to 4 percent(by weight) of the fuel being used.The DEC identified potential wood

product suppliers within 40 miles ofeach plant. In seeking out vendorsources and networks, NYSEG mayexplore innovative transportationarrangements. For example,municipalities which buy bottom ashfrom the plants for winter roadmaintenance may be asked toexchange chips from municipal treetrimming for ash.Using wood products at the

generating stations may havesignificant benefits, according to RickMancini, manager-plant performanceand fuel engineering: wood hasvirtually no sulfur content, so its usereduces overall plant emissions; woodcontains very little ash, which reducesparticulate emissions and the totalash produced; because of the highcombustion temperatures, there is nocreosote or smoke from burningwood; the natural moisture in woodmay reduce the moisture added to the

t,

(Continued from Page 3)There is another problem. Let's

suppose that you own a 50 acresawtimber stand. You have been toldby your faithful DEC Service Foresterthat the stand is mature and needs atimber sale. You are conservationminded and want to do it right. Youengage a consultant forester andinstruct him to make a light harvest.He follows your instructions andmarks only the larger trees along withsome poor "culls" and some smallertrees that needed to come out forspacing reasons. The timber is soldand cut, leaving you with a niceresidual stand and a potential harvestin the next fifteen to twenty years andyou feel good about the job.So what's wrong? Just this;

unbeknownst to you, your stand is aneven aged stand, like a large majorityof timber stands in New York, a resultof a commercial clearcut around theturn of the century. (A commercialclearcut is one in which allmerchantable trees are cut, and sincewood markets were very good in 1900,

the cuts were very heavy). Your standregenerated immediately after thecut so that all the trees are prettymuch the same age. Now rememberwhat you have just done. You have cutthe larger mature trees and left thesmaller ones. Oh Oh, the smaller onesare the same age as the bigger ones.Why are they smaller? Unfortunately,they are smaller because they arepoorer. Yes, poorer, eithergenetically or physiologically. Whatyou have done is cut your best free-to-grow dominant trees and left not quiteso good codominants and interme-diates, trees that will produce neitherthe growth nor the quality of the treesthat were removed. Two or threerepetitions of this treatment will leavea very poor forest indeed. This type ofmanagement, especially when cullsare not cut, typifies high grading.Unfortunately, this type of cutting isvery common in New York and isoften recommended by ill informed"environmentalists" .What's to be done? Am I

recommending that you all rush outand clearcut your timber so that it will

(Continued on Page 20)

JANUARY /FEBRUARY 19

R.D. #1, Box 103Lisle, N.Y. 13797

ClearCut-(Contin ued from Page 19)

regenerate to valuable, free-to-grow,dominant trees? Of course not. What Iam trying to do is demonstrate therationale and logic of larger publicand private owners who are usingeven aged management and areconducting clearcutting on theirprivate lands. By and large,clearcutting is not appropriate for thesmall private forest owner. It is muchtoo drastic. Unless markets change agreat deal, no merchantable productis available from a clearcut for atleast fifty years and a final harvest ofmature sawtimber should not occuruntil about age ninety.Some clearcutting may be

appropriate for smaller owners. Avery poor quality stand that offers nopotential for growth and developmentof good timber may be clearcut andregenerated. Some owners areinterested in wildlife managementand small clearcuts offer excellentdiversity for many species. The factremains, however, that a clearcutarea is out of economic production fora long time and the tax bills comeevery year on every acre. Mostowners are unwilling to conduct sucha drastic treatment and rightly so.There are viable alternatives to

clearcutting for the smaller owner.Hopefully, these will be discussed in afuture issue.Stay tuned.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMarathon, N.Y.

13803

Permit No.2

FOREST OWNER

L

WOODLOT CALENDARJan. 2-Mar. 15 NYS DEC Saratoga Tree Nursery Seedling Orders,

(518) 587-1120Jan.8 Cayuga Chapter, Annual Meeting, Panel Discussion

"Woodlot Management; 7:30 PM Central High SchoolCafeteria, Moravia, NY (315) 497-1078

Jan. 18, 19 NY Christmas Tree Growers, Winter Meeting, Shera-ton Inn, Liverpool- John Webb, (315) 568-5571

Jan. 19 Southern Tier, "Your Regional Forest PracticeBoard" Extension Office, Upper Front St., Bingham-ton (607) 699-3846

Jan. 19 Niagara Frontier, Potluck Dinner, Holland, NY TownHall, (716) 537-2803

Jan. 23, 25 NY Soc. Am. For., "The End of Forestry", HolidayInn, Kingston, NY

Jan. 23 Western Finger Lakes, ESFPA Ex. Director BobStegemann, Extension Office, 249Highland Ave.,Rochester

Jan. 26 NYFOA "Woodski", Gurnee Woods, 10 am, ChatfieldRd. (South NY5, West of Elbridge) off Hamilton Rd.,(315) 689-3948

Feb. 9, 10 Cabin Fever Festival, 10 am - 4 pm, Fillmore GlenState Park, Moravia, NY (315) 497-1078

Feb. 16 Allegany Foothills, Bruce Robinson presents "Tree Bi-ology" by Dr. Alex Shigo, 10am, Parkside Drive, Elli-cottville

Reminder: The 1992 CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST: MaryMcCarty 4300East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618

AND<, Mar/Apr. Calendar Inserts by Feb. 1, (315) 497-1078 FAX: (607)

849-6611

20