FORESTRY

The Mason-Lake Conservation District Conservation Forestry Assistance Program had an unusual HOT and DRY year for FY 07. County residents called for assistance and concerns about their woodlots and wildlife issues. Educational material was made available about several “pest” and “diseases” and the drought throughout the County. A lot of the concerns turned to a prevention issue of not spreading the problem. Site visits, education and communication were the main tools to inform our private landowners how to deal with these bugs and diseases; especially the absentee landowner who comes north occasionally for a visit.

Forest management and how the selling market faired this year were again at the top of the list. Maple log prices as well as red pine products remained steady this year with little if any price increases. The demand for these species remained constant, so if you’re thinking about a harvest soon or just need assistance on forestland management, contact me at the Wexford District office. An on-site visit might just help ease the decision making process. **Note at left!

A brief year end summary:

The number of on-site visits and assistance was slightly higher then last year; 79 with 100+ others by phone calls, e-mails, and follow-ups. On-site visits (walked) covered approximately 5000 acres with assistance on forest management, wildlife habitats and food plots. Recommendations and/or referrals to other agencies were processed. Another eight (8) timber sales were initiated directly from these contacts, the sales totaled an estimated $250,000! Six Resource Management plans were written accordingly to the needs of the landowner’s resources and a few wildlife food plots were developed with proper planning. Other activities included 27 urban assists, six Farm & Orchard Market radio programs, Tree Planting Workshop at the Annual Meeting, participation at the Forestry Workshop on State & Federal Assistance Programs, two Out Door Shows to promote Conservation District forestry and leading the Forestry portion of the Mason-Lake Tour in August.

**Note: Mason-Lake Forestry Assistance Program concluded on a “sorrowful note” last year with the news that the private lands forestry program was totally eliminated from the State Budget. What does this mean to the private landowners of Mason & Lake Counties? Tom won’t be able to visit your properties and recommend proper management this coming year without “charging a fee” for his services. However, if you just need information, you can still contact the Mason-Lake office or call Tom personally at 231-775-7681. Or email: tom.williams@mi.nacdnet.net with your questions. He is currently only able to provide on-site service to Wexford Conservation District residents only this year (2008).

Hearing a tree fall in the forest is not as “silent” as one may think...

At the left, Tom Williams, 2007 District Forester talks to the participants of the Conservation District’s 2007 Forest Health Tour about the differences in symptoms of Oak Wilt and Oak Anthracnose while standing underneath an oak with Oak Wilt Disease. A bus took the group to four locations around the Ludington area to look at various tree health issues last August as part of the Forest Stewardship Program grant the district received from MDNR.

Executive Director’s Note: We are hoping to be able to offer our Forestry Assistance Programs again next year, but we unfortunately will have no funding for these past free services in 2008.

FORESTRY OUTREACH GRANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

By Lynda Herremans, Executive Director

Two workshops and a tour were completed in 2007 as part of a successful grant application for an MDNR Forest Stewardship Program Outreach and Education Grant. The first workshop was held after the District’s Annual Meeting last February. Tom Williams, District Forester presented a PowerPoint detailing “Tree Planting Techniques and Selection”. Twelve people attended this session. As part of this program, Administrative Assistant Pat Fricke made up 3 color brochures, “Seedling Planting Guide”, Tree & Shrubs for Moist/Wet Sites” and “Trees & Shrubs for Dry Soils”. These brochures are still available at the office or upon request.

The second workshop was entitled “State & Federal Assistance Programs” and was held at the Mason-Lake ISD in March with 30 people in attendance. The primary speaker for this workshop was Steve Kalisz, from MDNR who explained the new Qualified Forest Program and the Forest Stewardship Program. Kelly Bushong, NRCS District Conservationist also explained some of the Farm Bill Programs that pertain to forestry.

This program culminated in August with a bus tour that was combined with a Groundwater Tour. After completing the Groundwater portion of the tour we had dinner at Sutton’s Landing and than boarded the bus for the forestry tour. Tom Williams led the tour, showing a group of 36 people what some of our common tree diseases look like at 4 different sites around Ludington. He also explained methods of control if prudent. Some of the examples the group looked at were Oak Wilt, Oak Anthracnose, Beech Bark Disease, Birch Bark Disease, and Bronze Birch Borer damage. The tour was very enjoyable and educational to all who attended.