Woodswise Wire Plus - July 11, 2014

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Woodswise Wire Plus

Getting White Pine Started

White pine stem

For the past few weeks we have focused on Eastern White Pine, a vital tree species to the economy and ecology of Maine, the “Pine Tree” state. White pine has long been designated as Maine’s official state tree, and the white pine cone and tassel as the official state flower. So how can you get pine to grow in your woods?

For a tree that seems so well suited to Maine soils and growing conditions, establishing a new stand of naturally seeded white pine is not as easy as it seems.  It’s easy to be fooled by the nearly pure stands of white pine found throughout Maine, which suggests that white pine naturally and easily reproduces itself, replacing an established pine stand with another stand of young white pine.  In reality, many of these “pure” stands are the result of discontinued agricultural land, and are only a relatively early stage of forest development. This process is sometimes referred to as “old field succession”. Without active management, many of these stands will eventually give way to the growth of mixed species. Regenerating new white pine under an existing stand of pine can sometimes be challenging to the woodland manager.

Once established, white pine grows statewide on most sites, from nearly pure sand to forested wetlands.  It grows best in open sun or partial shade, putting on a foot or more of height growth each year under good conditions. Although sunlight it a requirement for tree growth, the role of shade and space in growing white pine is extremely important.  Growing white pine trees in partial sunlight as well as with the proper spacing between trees can minimize weevil damage, reduce impact of funguses that cause needle blight, and minimize lower branch size, ultimately resulting in higher quality trees for future generations.

Here is a tip for regenerating white pine:

  • Although white pine stands usually produce some seeds every year, good seed years generally occur only every 3 – 7 years.  A good forest manager should watch the appearance and abundance of pine cones in a stand.  Since pine cones take two years to develop, planning a regeneration harvest around the summer months of the second year of cone development, just before the mature cones drop their seeds, is ideal.  The soil scarification that results from skidding operations may provide a good seedbed for the falling pine seeds. If harvesting at that time is not feasible, a separate scarification operation within the next year or two may also be effective.

In summary, regenerating white pine, while often challenging, can usually be accomplished with good timing of harvest and seed/cone years; adequate soil disturbance; effective management of sunlight ; and realistic expectations of future species mix.

 To find out more, check out MFS information Sheet # 22, Regenerating White Pine Stands In Maine: A Landowner’s Guide.

 As always, you can call the Maine Forest Service for more information or assistance at 1 800 367-0223 (in state) or (207) 287-2791, or e-mail forestinfo@maine.gov


Reminder: Calling all Tree Chuggers in the York County area! Tree-totallers welcomed too!

Woodland owners in the York County area are cordially invited to a series of informal woods forums over the next month to socialize and discuss the recently launched Maine Timber Harvest Satisfaction Survey.  The schedule is as follows:

  • 5 p.m. Thursday July 17 - Gneiss Brewery, Patterson Road, Limerick
  • 5 p.m. Wednesday July 23 - Funky Bow Brewery, Ledgewood Lane, Lyman
  • 5 p.m. Wednesday July 30 - Bradford Block Bistro, Main Street, Springvale
  • 5 p.m. Monday Aug. 6 - Banquet Room, Province Lake Country Club, Parsonsfield

The meetings are organized by the Forest Works! project. These woods forums are informal opportunities for landowners to share experiences and learn from each other. The public is welcome whether or not they have conducted a recent harvest or received a survey. Foresters from the Maine Forest Service will be on hand to talk about the Survey and help answer general question about timber harvesting and forest management.

FMI, call Lee Burnett at 324-1596 or check www.forestworksme.org