Reports From The States

[Ron Scott]

Michigan
The Michigan DNR Is Paying People to Collect Pine Cones
WILX-TV, Aug. 23, 2021
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources needs help collecting pine cones. It's paying people $75 for red pine cones Sept. 1-30. Red Pines are among the most common trees in Michigan, and one of the most in demand trees. "It's important from the prospective of being able to take out Carbon from the atmosphere and store it. And it's also important as a basis of our forest products industry," said Richard Kobe, MSU Professor of Forestry. The trees are used to make things like utility poles, 2x4's and log cabins. The DNR is collecting these pine cones to replace trees cut down for industry.

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[Ron Scott]

Michigan
Fir Tree-Killing Insect Detected in Michigan
Michigan Radio, Aug. 30, 2021
Another tree-killing insect has been found in Michigan. The balsam woolly adelgid is an invasive sap-sucking insect which kills fir trees. The first confirmed case was found near Rockford in Kent County.

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[Ron Scott]

Florida
IKEA Buys Land Damaged by Hurricane in Florida to Plant Forests
Reuters, Jan. 13, 2022
Ingka Group, the owner of most IKEA furniture stores worldwide, has bought more land in the United States as part of a long-term commitment to responsible forest management. Ingka Group will plant seedlings of mainly longleaf pine on the 1,321 hectares (3,264 acres) of land in Florida. "The new forests will support increased biodiversity, help ensure sustainable timber production from responsibly managed forests, and recover land damaged by Hurricane Michael in October 2018," the company said.

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[Ron Scott]

Michigan DNR Utilization & Marketing Newsletter- Summer 2022

Forest Utilization & Marketing Newsletter - Summer 2022

[Ron Scott]

Michigan's UP, Sad News!

RE:  COLLIN HAGAN TRAGEDY
 
Collin Hagan, son of Shawn and Jeanmarie Hagan, died in a fire-fighting accident on 10 August on the Big Swamp Fire near Oakridge, Oregon.  The Douglas County, Oregon press release is https://www.radioresultsnetwork.com/2022/08/11/218175/
 
·        The Fireman's Honor Guard procession from the airport to the funeral home was this past Saturday. 
·        Thursday evening – TBD – visitation, Mountain View Mortuary, South Range
·        Friday morning – TBD – Funeral mass, Holy Family Catholic Church, South Range
 
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Prayers sent!

 "I know Shawn and Jeanmarie Hagan and remember when their son Collin was born in 1995. Shawn and Jeanmarie are both forestry graduates from Michigan Tech. and are foresters in the UP". 
 

[Ron Scott]

Wisconsin

Grazing Goats: Herd Grazes on Invasive Plant to Save Brule River State Forest (WI)
KBJR-TV, Aug. 30, 2022
A herd of goats in the Brule River State Forest is grazing on an invasive plant to promote native plant growth. The group of about 30 goats is contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, who manages the forest.
 

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[beenthere]

Any idea of what the cost is to have a company like Regenerative Ruminants contract a herd of 30 goats? Assume it would be for a season, and they take them "home" for the winter. 

Ask because close friend was quite interested for buckthorn management, and it was very expensive. 
Setting up the pen fences, monitoring the food supply, moving the fences when needed, supplying water and shelter, etc. does cost a lot when looking into a herd of goats moved to a new site. 

[Ron Scott]

No idea on the cost but imagine its pricy with what's involved as you stated. The Brule River State Forest should be able to provide some price information on this service.

[Ron Scott]

Michigan
Hiawatha National Forest Paying For Collected Pine Cones (MI)
Radio Results Network, Sept. 12, 2022
The Hiawatha National Forest is accepting cones that have been collected from the Upper Peninsula for purchase beginning October 1, 2022, and ending January 1, 2023, or when bushel goals have been met. Species that will be purchased are white pine at $60 per bushel, red pine at $100 per bushel, and hemlock at $200 per bushel.

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[beenthere]

Ron
What are the specs for picking cones? Likely have to be picked green from the tree in the time period beginning Oct. 22. Seems to be limited info in the resource cited. 

[Ron Scott]

Yes, if you are going to pick cones for the various agencies or private nurseries, it is always best to get a current year copy of the specific cone specs from them before picking as the specs can vary and be quite purchaser specific for what they will accept for purchase.

The announcements and sale add for cone purchases does not always contain the total specs as to what is buyer acceptable. 

[Ron Scott]

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Has One of the Best National Forests for Fall Foliage WMMR-FMM, Sept. 20, 2022 Fall foliage season is here, and the beautiful colors will start popping up soon. When it comes to Pennsylvania, we always get an array of beautiful autumn shades to enjoy throughout September and October. As it turns out, Pennsylvania even has one of the best national forests in the U.S. to see fall foliage. READ MORE

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I was the Recreation, Fire, & Information Staff Officer on the Allegheny National Forest,1978-1982. It has some of the best black cherry timber in the country. Our timber sales would often go over a million dollars on the stump.

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

This US Resort Is Now Home to the World's Longest Timber-Towered Suspension Bridge
Travel and Leisure, Oct. 3, 2022
Michigan's newest attraction may not be for the faint of heart, but for travelers who want to add some thrills to their next trip a visit to Boyne Mountain Resort will surely scratch the adventure itch. The world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge is opening this month at SkyBridge Michigan.
 

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[Ron Scott]

Michigan
Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Found at Benzie
County Country Club (MI)
Michigan Invasive Species, Feb. 1, 2023
A new location of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid has been found in Benzie County, approximately 50 miles north of what was previously thought to be the northern edge of infestation in Mason County, Michigan. Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network staff members conducting a winter survey for the pest detected the insects on hemlock trees at Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort.

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[Ron Scott]

Montana

(Video) Why Am I a Logger? (MT)
Montana Logging Association, March 2, 2023
There is more to logging than harvesting trees. Today, timber harvesters are stewards of our forests, committed to responsible forest management practices working to maintain healthy forests and protect our communities from destructive forest fires.

[JonathanPace]

It's amazing how individuals can't understand fundamental reasoning. 

[Ron Scott]

Michigan NEWS RELEASE

Contacts Brian Buehler 517-324-5244 / brian.buehler@usda.gov

USDA Funds Available to Improve Michigan Forest Habitat EAST LANSING, May 1, 2023 — Private forestland owners in Michigan can receive conservation financial assistance through a partnership including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Bird Conservancy. The partnership is offering financial assistance to forest owners in the Upper Peninsula and 19 counties in Northern Michigan to improve habitat for at-risk bird species and other wildlife. Private forest owners can submit applications to their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office. The Improving Forest Health for At-Risk Wildlife Resources Partnership was created through the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The funding is intended to create young forest habitat for the benefit of the golden-winged warbler and other at-risk species. Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2023, to be considered for the current round of funding. Landowners in the Upper Peninsula and the Northern Michigan counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Wexford are eligible to apply. The project also includes counties in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin which will have their own application cut-off dates. The Improving Forest Health for At-Risk Wildlife Resources Partnership was initially selected for funding in 2017, and received additional funding in 2020. The new funding included $718,000 for the Michigan portion of the project. Financial assistance is available for selected core conservation practices, including forest stand improvement and early successional habitat development and management. Additional supporting practices include; brush management and tree, shrub and grass planting. In addition to improving habitat for at-risk species, many of these practices also improve habitat for other wildlife such as ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer. Landowners should make an appointment with their local NRCS office as soon as possible to begin the conservation planning process. More information about the Improving Forest Health for At-Risk Wildlife Resources Partnership, and other USDA conservation programs, is available on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.

[Ron Scott]

Wisconsin Biron Mill is Back in Full Operation 🏭

One of the oldest timber mill sites in      Wisconsin is back in full operation after the conversion of one of its      two machines to packaging paper. The ND Mill in Biron now is back to an      employment level of 300. The machine was converted from graphics paper to      packaging material. Besides two papermaking machines, the Biron facility      also makes old corrugated paper pulp (OCC) pulp for its manufacturing      operations.      There has been a forest products facility on the site (near Wisconsin      Rapids) since 1837.            Read More

Timber Tracks

[Ron Scott]

Georgia The Importance of Georgia's Timber Industry Saprota Report, July 3, 2023 Georgia is well known for its variety of outstanding attributes. With a temperate climate and a strong workforce, it offers an appealing place to live and do business, which are just two reasons the state's forestry industry is thriving. READ MORE

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[customsawyer]

It's one of the biggest industries in the state of GA. Trouble is that we are getting lots of folks moving in. Just in my little town of Rentz we are getting them from CA. and MI. They are driving up the prices of land and homes to double what they are worth. Great if you are selling, not so great if you are buying.

[SwampDonkey]

Central Canada transplants did that here also. The majority from my observation locally are retirees or very nearly so. My assessment is double the construction cost 5 years ago, that means higher tax. Old places not kept up for years, worth $40,000,  went to $100,000 plus and need tons of work on them after that. Seen one old place go for $80,000 it was torn down and built new. That's a lot of money for an acre building lot up here in the boonies where there's nothing but woods and potatoes. A demolition is $20,000 up here if done 'legal' where it's hulled off to a designated site. Money's no object. :D

[Ron Scott]

Maine State Raises Alarm about Discovery of Fast-Growing Invasive Vine (ME) Portland Press Herald, Aug. 10, 2023 A fast-growing invasive vine called mile-a-minute weed has been discovered in Maine for what experts believe is the first time. Read More

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[Ron Scott]

'Biggest Tree in West Virginia' Falls in Marshall County
West Virginia

The Intelligencer, Aug. 29, 2023
West Virginia's biggest tree — as declared so in 1963 — came tumbling down this past weekend in Marshall County. Read More

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