Woods Wise Wire - April 5, 2016

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Woods Wise Wire


In this issue:


Managing a Small Parcel for Wood and Wildlife – Temple

Saturday April 9 in Temple, 9 to noon

Please join the Upper Kennebec Valley Chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine at the woodlot of Chuck Hulsey in Temple.  Chuck is a regional wildlife biologist with the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (and a forester) and has been managing this wooded nine-acre home site very intensively for the past 17 years.  His focus has been wildlife, aesthetics, and timber.  Chuck will cover what to cut for the woodstove, and what should be retained for high quality saw timber in both the near and long term. You’ll learn the difference between a weeding, a thinning, and a regeneration cut.

We will also see and discuss cavity and snag tree management for wildlife, plus the management for future hard mast trees. There will be examples of techniques for propagation of natural cavities and snags, as well as the use of nest boxes. Nearly 60 species of wildlife in Maine need snags or cavity trees.

BONUS!!! There will be questions to test your basic knowledge of trees and wildlife.  Up to 10 of the smarter folks will be rewarded with a bluebird/chickadee nest box to take home. Others can take home any leftover or partially eaten doughnuts.

Directions:    

From Farmington---Take Rt. 43 to Temple.  Go just past the Temple Town Office (brown shingles) located on the right, then turn left on the Varnum Pond Road.  The home and property is on the right, 1.9 miles after the turn onto the Varnum Pond Road.  Because there is not enough room to park in the driveway, park on the right side of the road, starting at the driveway.  There are four mailboxes opposite the driveway which are in sequence: green, blue, black, and black.  Number 391 is on the green mailbox.  There will be a SWOAM sign marking the starting point to start parking.  Parking should be on the right side of the road only.  Use the driveway only to turn around.

From East Wilton----Take the Temple Road until you reach the Varnum Pond Road.  Turn left onto the Varnum Pond Road.  Go approximately 1.5 miles until you see the four mailboxes on the left—or parked cars on the right.

From Washington Township--- Starting somewhere from Rt. 156, park your vehicle then start hiking due east, four very difficult miles through the woods, then over Varnum Mountain to the western end of the Varnum Pond Road. There is no trail.

This is a free event open to all, no need to pre-register.  Any questions contact Patty Cormier at 592-2238 or patty.cormier@maine.gov.


Free Invasive Forest Insect Outreach & Training Workshop - Searsmont

SEARSMONT - The Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation District in partnership with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will be hosting a workshop to train people to recognize, report and spread awareness about the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) and other invasive tree pests that are being watched as a potential threat to Maine’s forests. Asian Longhorned Beetle and Woolly Adelgid have not been found in Maine to date, but the Emerald Ash Borer is in New Hampshire, just 35 miles from our state line. The best defense for our trees and forests is early detection by people who work in the wood harvesting and forestry fields, those who enjoy the outdoors and those involved in community education.

Training topics will include: potential impact of ALB, EAB and HWA in the state of Maine, current management activities, identification & life cycles, how to report a suspect insect, host tree identification, community response planning and how to share what you have learned.

This workshop will be held Tuesday, April 19th, at the Searsmont Town Office from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Handouts and light refreshments will be available.

For more information or to register for this free workshop, please contact Kym Sanderson, Waldo County Soil & Water, 207-338-1964 ext. 4, kym.sanderson@me.nacdnet.net.


Tour of Maine Mountain Timber Frames, LLC - Avon

Saturday May 21st, from 10 to noon.

Please join the Upper Kennebec Valley chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine for an informative tour of the workings of Maine Mountain Timber Frames with owners Jence Carlson and Katherine Jones-Lippy.  Located in the foothills of western Maine, they are a small company focused on crafting high quality timber frames that meet the needs of each individual client. They utilize time tested joinery techniques to create timber frames large and small, simple and complex. A focus on local materials and energy efficient construction is central to their business. In addition to timber frames they offer design/build services, as well as custom woodworking.  We will meet at their workshop on Route 4 in Avon, right beside the Avon Town office at 10 a.m.

All are welcome and this is free to all with no need to pre-register, just show up!  Any questions contact Patty Cormier at  patty.cormier@maine.gov or 592-2238.