Timber Framers Guild Forums General Discussion Forestry Topics Guild posiion on forestry practices

Around here lately there have been a lot of trucks drivin by loaded with ash logs. A lot of places are cutting out their ash while they still can. EAB won't damage the heart wood, but Indiana places a quarantine on any county with the bug so that no green ash can be hauled out at all. The only way ash wood can be transported from an EAB infested county is if it has been sawn and dried -no bark. The larva live in cambium layer, that is their food. They won't touch the wood, but they eat out all of the cambium which kills the tree.

one more, from Purdue:

"New efforts to hybridize remaining American chestnuts with blight-resistant Chinese chestnuts have resulted in a species that is about 94 percent American chestnut with the protection found in the Chinese species. Jacobs said those new trees could be ready to plant in the next decade, either in existing forests or former agricultural fields that are being returned to forested land."

Hi;

I stand corrected that it looks like the EAB came into Detroit.

Here is a map showing infestations. I have heard there was a single report in far western New York, but not a widespread infestation there, yet.

http://images.publicradio.org/content/2009/04/22/20090422_eabmap_33.jpg

Jim

Hi folks-
I recently attended a workshop on coastal douglas fir (CDF) here on Vancouver Island, BC. Afterward, I began a dialogue with one of the provincial ecosystem biologists who is working on the CDF issue. I told him a bit about the 'Inimim forest in California: a project TFG member Len Brackett worked on. The thrust of the 'Inimim, as I understand it, is sustained yield. Here in BC in the CDF ecosystem, it seems to me current practice is either clear cut or set aside. There is no effort to do selective harvest or sustained yield or even longer rotations.
I've been asked to sit on an advisory board that will help shape provincial policy. I'm a bit out of my league (I have very little biology in my background) but as an end user of high grade timber my perspective seems to be valued.
I'm keen to be put in touch with any TFG member who can help me contribute to this discussion in a knowledgeable and sensible way. Thanks!

Hi Chris,

I am amazed that you do not appear to be aware about Merv Wilkinson and his famous 55 acre privately owned forest located at Yellow Point on Vancouver Island where he pioneered the concept of continuous cover forestry.

I have emailed you 2 articles about Merv and the forest exploitation / management policies that he pursued and reading these will allow you to talk about BC forest policy like a seasoned pro !

My son James visited with Len Brackett in Northern California and came away much impressed by both the quality of his work and his business / life ethos.

Regards

Ken Hume

Hi Ken-
Thanks so much for the articles. I haven't lived here long enough to know a fraction of the amazing folks who do good work here.. so thanks for turning me on to Merv.

Ken,
Can you email me a copy?
Thanks,
Jim Rogers

Hi Jim,

The articles are now speeding on their way to you.

Anyone else want a copy ?

Regards

Ken Hume

wew... we're at the same thing..I also read it..

Thank for the info