Tree of hope

[Jeff]

First, here is a URL to get some basic info from a story we ran early in the year...

www.timberbuyer.net/usatree.htm

Today I was contacted by MFRA with this email.
The National Christmas Tree is coming from Michigan this year and MFRA has been participating on the education committee.  There are going to be contests run through the schools with forestry themes.  The high school contest is a web site designed around a theme that we are in the process of determining.  The committee lacks the expertise to handle the project- would you be interested in representing MFRA as the lead techno person on this project?

I accepted this honor and was then directed to contact the committee chair for this at the DNR.

We had a great conversation, and I learned that I would be the lead guy setting up the senior age group (grades 9-12). I will have more information later and I will be "leaning" on you guys for help with idea from time to time in the next couple months.

The Basic idea for this group will be a contest to design a webpage or website of undetermined specifications on a still undetermined theme (probably sustainable forestry) for an undetermined prizes and honors. IT HAS been determined, that I will be working on it!

Lots of things to do in coordinating this, from innitial ideas to selecting judges, to who knows what. This will be a state level project with ultimate national attention.

Kinda proud to be able to participate in our National Cristmas Tree Program, and kinda proud to have the ability to come here for help and ideas.

[Kevin]

 8)

[Jeff]

Isn't that all of us?

[Kevin]

That would be all of you.
I`m the guy taking the picture.

[Jeff]

Woodstock! Buddy!

[Kevin]

Good one!
Still think`n even at this late hour eh?
Congratulations on your new mission.

[Gordon]

Jeff boy do you keep alot of irons in the fire.

That is quite an honor to be given and for sure it will help with education of forestry in schools. Look forward to see what you come up with.

Congrats
Gordon

[Ron Scott]

Contest Question for you?

Where did the Nation's Capital Christmas Tree come from in 1976 for the Nations Bicentennial??

[Jeff]

You Know I know that one Ron! I'll be

[Kevin]

Jeff;
You`ll never find a big enough tree in Michigan.
Come on up to Ontario and we`ll go out behind my house and get you a nice one.

[Jeff]

Kevin,

The tree you gave charlie in the photo above was about all the generosity from you we need. ;)

Yes, our Michigan seed took off real well up there.

[Ron Scott]

Each of the 3 Michigan National Forests have provided the Tree in recent years.

[Jeff]

Here is a basic over view of what were doing for the edu part of TOH. My part is the 9th to 12th grade.
Jeff;

This might help paint a broader picture of the Christmas Tree Project.

-Bill


DNR is including a Tree of Hope "supplement" with their LAPs program.

Also,

The education committee decided we wanted to have an educational segment on sustainable forestry and the Tree of Hope program that would reach all age groups. Here is what we are working on...

A packet of information with a glossy poster (printed by AAA) highlighting the projects below will be sent to ALL schools in the state. The poster will have a letter from Mrs. Engler on the front asking the school to take part in the projects and to post the information in a prominent place in the school. The info packet will also have individual project sheets explaining criteria, prizes, timelines, reference materials, etc.

Grades K-3, Ornament Contest: Kids will have an opportunity to make ornaments of a Michigan forest animal using wood products/derivatives.

Grades 4-5, MI Forest Scene Artwork: Students will paint or draw a forest scene depicting a Michigan animal in the proper habitat (may be requiring that one forest "product" also be included).

Grades 6-8, Forest Products Video: Students will create a video about forest products and their uses.

Grades 9-12, Sustainable Forestry Web Page: Students will create a web page supplement (not to exceed 3 pages) explaining the sustainable forestry concept.

Adults, Sustainable Forestry/TOH Project Trivia Contests: Radio stations across the state will be given the opportunity to conduct trivia contests and give donated prizes to the winners such as forestry reference books, mugs, t-shirts, local business gift certificates, etc.

Our committee is still working out the details. Packets will be sent to the schools in August. Radio stations will get their invitation to participate sometime in July.

A few highlights:

All winning entries will be highlighted at the receptions in Washington as well as on the TOH webpage: www.holidaytree2001.org

One of the prizes (probably will be for the video) will be that the class gets to go on a forestry field trip (taking them from seed to product). Destinations would include stuff like a nursery, stands at different ages, a timber sale, a mill, etc.

Winning ornaments will decorate one of the companion trees (like at the US Supreme Court or a MI Representative's trees)

[Kevin]

I feel left out.
Whada you want me to do?
I could put my Timber Buyers hat on and parade back and forth across the Mackinaw bridge!

[Tom]

Hey Kevin,

I was going to ask you what a Mackinaw bridge was but then had a brain storm and entered it into my RoadRunner address bar. Mightymac.Org came up and displayed one heck of a humongous bridge.  Man, you don't want to parade over that thing....It's over 8000 feet long.  Probably get a nose bleed too.

Naw, somebody that totes a rifle to the top of those little hills you posted probably wouldn't be bothered, might get your hat blown off up there though.  :D

[Jeff]

Tom,

  You gotta see the Mighty Mac to appreciate it. I cross it several times a year, and no matter how many times you do, your in awe.


Kevin,

I may be looking for help in Judging entries. I don't have final say on anything, A committee does, but I will need not only people who know some forestry, but people that know the web a little. Sometimes those paths don't cross. But I know they do here...

[Ron Scott]

They only allow you to walk it on Labor Day, a 5 mile walk.

Maybe have the Canadian Fire Bombers do a fly over. They are very impressive. Fire season would be over when the Tree crosses Big Mac.

[Kevin]

We need a tree for the hopeless.

[Gordon]

I've driven over and sailed under the Mighty Mac. It is a sight to behold no doubt. Isn't it the longest suspension bridge in the world?

Sail over to the island to get some fudge and rent a bike for the day. But boy is that water cold even in the middle of summer. Burrrrrrrr!

A coulple of other large bridges that I've been over and under are the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel in VA. The George Washington bridge in NY. One bridge I would love to go over and under is the Sanfransisco Goldengate bridge. But I've never been that far west. Maybe some day. Craftsman of concrete and steel.

Gordon

[Ron Scott]

Yes, I believe she is still the longest suspension bridge between two anchor piers. She opened for traffic in late 1957.

As a salvage diver back in the early 60's, it was a steel workers haven in the waters below across the straits.

The Minneapolis, one of the first sail ships converted to steam, is sunk in 120' of water just NW of the south anchor pier.

[RavioliKid]

I like this contest!

I'll be sure to get my school involved. Ornament making (K-3) is right up our alley. We're getting a new art teacher this year, so maybe s/he will want to get the older kids involved in the painting.

This is really exciting!

Jeff, count me in on the judging - as long as no one will say that there's a conflict of interests. ;)

[Ron Scott]

The tree will be cut on November 13. It will take a couple of days to prepare it for the long journey to Washington DC.

It is due to arrive in Iron County on Friday November 16 at approximately 11:30 am at Bewabic State Park between Iron River and Crystal Falls.
Iron County was selected to host the kick-off celebration for the "Tree of Hope"

The tree was selected from approximately 12 candidates on the Ottawa National Forest by James Matthew Evans, Landscape Architect of the United States Capitol. He will also direct his staff to decorate the tree on the capitol lawn when erected.

[Ron Scott]

Cadillac is also one of several Michigan cities planning ceremonies for the Nation's 2001 Christmas tree.

The tree will pass through Cadillac in November. It is expected to arrive at 5:00 pm Sunday November 18. A community celebration is being planned for that time in City Park.

Contact Carol Potter; Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau Director.

[Tom]

Ron,
How do you move a mature conifer over a period of several days without losing the needles and small twigs to desication.  Those rascals pump a tremendous amount of water. How do they nourish it?

[Jeff]

I just returned from a 620 mile 4 hour meeting covering all sorts of things on the project. I will try to post some good stuff tomorrow when I can thunk straight again!

I think you would be surprised how early the trees Florida receives every year from MI were cut, The National Tree will not be cut until almost mid November, (I'll tell you exactly tomorrow) But I do know a frame will be layed over the tree, and then this will be shrink wraped, to preserve moisture, and help with wind. Also provides room for graphic art! I also have a pic of the 1500 lb cradle that will support the trunk.

[Jeff]

Here is a preliminary schedule on the cutting and transportation of the Capital tree. This is still subject to change. More stops may and probably will still be added.

2001 Community Overview Calendar - Tree of Hope
November
13: Cutting at Ottawa National Forest (ceremony)
16: Iron County
17am: Marquette
17pm: Bridge
18: Cadillac late afternoon - early evening
19: Standish
20: Frankenmuth 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
20: Lansing
21: Lansing (official ceremony)
23: Kalamazoo
24: Ypisilanti
25: Port Huron
29 - 30: Lake Orion  Canterbury Village
December
3: Arrival in Washington, D.C.

Here is a pic for you. Sorry about quality, this is as good as they gave me.

[Tom]

That cradle looks a lot like Florida's "old Sparky" lately nick-named "Old Smokey". They wouldn't strap a tree in that though, it might blow out the lights.  :D

[RavioliKid]

Hey!

The TOH is coming to Kalamazoo!

Wow!

 8) 8)

[Jeff]

Kim, they are planning a scroll to accompany the tree that you can sign. since the tree is coming to your town, your class has an great opportunity to participate in some extra things!

[RavioliKid]

Cool!
Keep me posted!

 

[Ron Scott]

Next year, the Capitol Holiday Tree will come from the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon. Passed on from Michigan to our Oregon Forum members to keep us posted on the happenings there.

[swampwhiteoak]

From a National Forest?  Well that sounds like a below cost timber sale to me.  I'm contacting my army of lawyers at Sierra Eco Liberation First and we'll just see about that.   :D

[Ron Scott]

Yes, the tree usually comes from a designated National Forest often rotated around the country but specific political influences of a State's Congressman or Senator may dictate what state it comes from that specific year.

When I was responsible for providing the Bi-Centennial Tree in 1976 for the Nation's 200th Birthday it came from the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest (Richwood, West Virginia). It was to come from the Pisgua National Forest in North Carolina, but was changed at the last minute by the then influential Senator Randolf of West Virginia.

That was during the period of the Monongahela Controversy on clearcutting and the moratorium on timber harvesting on the Monongahela during the writing of the National Forest Management Act of 1976.

Environmentalists did content that the cutting of the Bi-Centennial Nation's Capital Tree was a clearcut on the Monongahela, but Congressional direction prevailed. We did plant 6 trees in its place however at the harvest location on Kennison Mountain.

Yes, this tree is quite a "below cost" timber harvest when only the special harvest and hauling costs are accounted for and the many "public benefits" are not valued to off set the logging costs.

What are the non-monitary benefits of providing a Christmas Tree to the Nation's Capital and attending its Tree Lighting Ceremony??  To me and many others, the experience was priceless.

[Jeff]

What are the non-monitary benefits of providing a Christmas Tree to the Nation's Capital and attending its Tree Lighting Ceremony??  To me and many others, the experience was priceless.

Absolutely!!  Pretty cool Ron, you got the Bicentenial and I got to work on the first tree of the new millenium.

[Ron Scott]

I'm sure that you will always remember the Tree of Hope. A "priceless" experience to be remembered especially at their point of time in history.

How about the makers and future owners of all those ornaments? I'm sure that these values weren't calculated to offset the harvest values of one expensive tree cutting. How about the value of your volunteer time, was it a cost or a  benefit??  Probably some of both.

[swampwhiteoak]

Course I was just kidding around  ;)

Well worth my tax dollars as far as I'm concerned.  

[Jeff]

Yer just jealous cause Ohio aint got no trees.:D ;)

Buckeye make a poor Christmas tree...

[Bud Man]

Well let's see : Bush lost in Michigan-Explained 2001       Bush lost in Oregon-Explains 2002      Bush lost in Washington and California--Wanna bet on 2003 ??

[Ron Scott]

Swamp, We know you were kidding. Your Wayne National Forest should be able to provide a tree one of these days when they get all the strip mines healed over.

[swampwhiteoak]

Hey ya'll that isn't too funny and I take high offense.   >:(  The Wayne is a model NF and perhaps the prettiest----aw, nevermind maybe you are right.  I guess the Austrian and red pines growing on the strip mines won't make a good Christmas tree. ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Little early for Christmas, but they used to send a Christmas tree to NY city from New Brunswick, a great big 'ole balsam fir. Carl Landegger who owns St. Anne Pulp and Paper (Parsons and Whitemore) in New Brunswick was the contributor. I dunno if they've been able to since 9/11.  :-/

[SwampDonkey]

Once again the Nova Scotia Dept of Natural Resources is on the hunt for a Christmas Tree for the City of Boston in rememberence of the support and compassion given to victoms of the Halifax explosion in 1917.

They are looking for a Balsam fir, or white spruce, or red spruce, 40-50 feet tall, healthy with good color, medium to heavy density, uniform and symetrical.

Folks are asked to contact the DNR Christmas Tree Specialist at 902-543-0638

www.gov.ns.ca/natr