Woodswise Wire
Thursday,
November 13, 2014 12:00 PM at Walter Gooley’s Tree Farm on Cowen Hill Road in
Farmington.
Please join the Upper Kennebec Valley chapter of the Small Woodland Owner’s
Association for a session on growing Christmas trees for beginners. Growing
quality trees can be a complicated business or hobby. Come learn the basics
from the experts: Maine Forest Service District Forester, and Christmas Tree
Expert Dave Rochester and Christmas tree farmer Walter Gooley of Conifers
Unlimited in Farmington. They’ll explain acquiring growing stock, picking a
site, planting, fertilizing, controlling, shearing and marketing. Gooley's tree
farm is on Cowen Hill Road off Route 27 in Farmington. He is the first
white farmhouse on the right about 1.5 miles up. Contact: Patty Cormier,
592-2238, or patty.cormier@maine.gov
Please
join the Upper Kennebec Valley Chapter of the Small Woodland Owner’s
Association for an interesting talk with Max McCormack, research professor
emeritus at the University of Maine, on "Clearing the Deck, When to Start
over in a Low-Quality Stand." Recently, Max wrote in his Maine Woodlands’
column about his personal experience of working with low-quality stands, and
making the decision to start over. From that column came requests from chapter
members to meet him. Clearcutting means many things, and Max will focus on the
silvicultural system: When is it best to carry out a stand rehabilitation or
conversion? The talk will focus on stand characteristics, site conditions, and
operational considerations. After an inside portion, the discussion will move
into the field. No need to pre-register. Directions: The extension office is at
7 County Drive in Skowhegan. Look for sign. Contact: Patty Cormier, 592-2238 or
patty.cormier@maine.gov
Join us on November 14 for Maine's first-ever statewide
conference to build momentum for and awareness about Maine's local wood
economy. The conference will bring together stakeholders from up and down the
processing chain, landowners and foresters to mill owners and craftspeople.
Speakers include Brian Donahue from Brandeis University and Harvard Forest,
Collin Miller, formerly of The Northern Forest Center, and Ken Laustsen from
the Maine Forest Service. The conference will feature "success
stories" from Maine businesses thriving in various forest-product related
industries. An expo showcasing businesses, workshops and an open house field
day (November 15th) will round out the conference. Online registration is open until
November 12. For full details on the program, registration and
sponsorship information, please visit: localwoodworksmaine.com.
Have you ever
wanted to learn more about how you can support the health of the Maine woods
you love? Perhaps you cherish the sight of steam rising from the back of a
working ox in the autumn air, or you've envisioned yourself holding the lines
behind a powerful team of draft horses as you harvest firewood from the forest.
For stewards
of a small - or large - Maine woodlot who would like to safely develop a set of
skills to cut and harvest wood products in an ecologically sound tradition,
MOFGA's Low-Impact Forestry Workshop is a must. Participants start the weekend
with an introduction to low-impact forestry principles with the Maine Forest
Service, then choose a hands-on, specialized track for the rest of the weekend:
draft animal logging, mechanical logging or chainsaw safety. For homeowners,
farmers and loggers who operate a chainsaw at least once a year, the gift of
two days with a safety expert will offer skills to reduce your risk and likely
lengthen your life expectancy! Participants working with draft and mechanical
logging will have plenty of hands-on time with professional loggers and
teamsters who will impart the initial building blocks necessary for working
safely in the woods with horses, oxen and/or small-scale mechanical equipment.
Participants
are invited to stay on the campus of MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in
Unity for the duration of the workshop. The MOFGA kitchen will provide
delicious local and organic meals throughout the weekend. There is nothing
quite like a good donut, hot cup of tea or home-cooked meal with a superb group
of new friends after a brisk November day in the woods.
For more information, or to register, contact
Anna Mueller, MOFGA events coordinator, at 207-568-4142 or events@mofga.org or visit www.mofga.org
The Maine
Forest Service in cooperation with Maine’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s
education committee will be holding two wooden skidder bridge mat construction
workshops. Bridge mats, when used properly; allow temporary stream
crossings to be installed with minimal impact to the waterbody being crossed.
These workshops will be hands with participants learning how to construct a set
of hemlock skidder bridge mats using a few simple tools. Temporary bridge
installation Best Management Practices will also be discussed.
Workshops
are approved for 3 Maine licensed forester recertification credits and
CLP contact credits.
The workshops
are free and lunch will be provided but Registration is required.
To register please call the registration contact listed for the workshop you
want to attend.
Monday
November 17th 10AM-1:30PM In Codyville at John Burrill's garage located on the
North side of Route 6 - 2.2 miles east of the intersection of Route 1 and Route
6. Co-Sponsor Passamaquoddy Forestry Department.
Tuesday
November 25th 9:00 AM-12:30 PM in Frankfort at the W.C. Tripp Forest
Products Garage located just North of Frankfort village on top of the hill on
Route 1A. Address 163 main road north. Co-sponsor W.C. Tripp Forest Products.
To Register:
Contact Keith Kanoti e-mail: keith.kanoti@maine.gov
or call 207-287-1073
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