Greetings From A Field Forester

[jrdwyer]

Well, some good responses by the landowners. I hope to own more than a 1/4 acre someday. Actually, we still have 10 years left on the mortgage, so I don't even own the 1/4 acre yet!

For the record, I'm not really in favor of mandating that only licensed foresters call the shots on which trees to cut.

I do see a lack of forest management, and especially intensive timber management, in the hardwood forests around here. I think the incentive programs need to require more intensive management from the landowners. Require them to cut the grapevines, deaden the cull trees, thin the young pole stands, harvest 80-100+ year old trees as part of a timber harvest plan, and control the exotic species in order to get the state or federal incentive. Maybe even boost the incentives if studies show a higher total economic return from intensive management.

But if more of our wood and paper products keep coming from SE Asia and Russia and S. America, then intensive management of our forestlands might not really be that important in the scheme of things. How is that for a downer!

[WDH]

Jrdwyer,

What you say about wood products coming into the US could be a disincentive for intensive management.  On the other hand, for many landowners who do not intend to sell their land speculatively as real estate, that good forest management will result in more returns from the land over the long term than doing nothing.  Sometimes it is hard to see the long term for the short term fog, but as you know forestry is a long term activity.  To me, growing good timber for the future generations is reason enough for me to keep going to the woods and working to improve the quality of the property.

[jrdwyer]

WDH,

You are right about forestry being a long term proposition. It is very encouraging that landowners, such as yourself, want to leave something better for future generations and actively manage to do so. So much news today does seem negative about the future of this country.

The short term trends like red oak and ash being down (and now hard maple), will shift again as worldwide forest resources become less available. In fact, two recent news events give some hint about future imporvements in pricing for USA and Canadian stumpage. First, Russia has announced that export log duties will increase from a current 6.5% to 80% by Jan. '09. Russian is a huge softwood exporter and also sells a lot of hardwood to Chinese manufacturers.

Also, Newpage Corporation, with paper mills in Wickliffe, KY and Escanaba, MI among others, has gotten a ruling from the Dept. of Commerce that says other countries have been artificially supporting their paper mills. It will be applying countervailing duties of 10%-20% on certain paper products. So this will, for the time being, keep these mills alive and well. This is really important for loggers and landowners in these areas to have a market to sell low grade material and/or hardwood sawmills to have a market to sell chips. Here is the link:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-30-2007/0004556819&EDATE=

[OneWithWood]

Tom, the 'or else' is withdrawal from the program and loss of the tax benefit which is substantial for some locations. 
I have a very good relationship with my district forester and I look forward to his visits.  He is extremely knowledgable and has been very helpful to me.  the awards I have received for forest stewardship are directly attributable to his input and the input of the consulting foresters I have used.
BTW the judging team for the Tom Wallace Forestry Award are due at my place Monday.  I am one of four finalist for the award.  Two will be chosen to receive the award.
JR if you are ever in the area I would enjoy showing you what I have going on. 
Drawing the line between private ownership and the public trust is difficult.  I tend to err on the side of individual ownership rights.  I agree with Tom.  If the government or some special interest group wishes to restrict my use of my land and resources I need to be compensated, otherwise I consider it an illegal taking.

[jrdwyer]

WDH,

It is good to stay positive and motivated as a forester working with landowners. I have my ups and downs with being really excited about the profession after doing it now for 17 years. Having to pay the bills sure helps with the motivation part. I implied that you are also a forest landowner?

OneWithWood,

I don't get much north of Crawford or Orange County for work purposes. But if I am traveling up your way sometime, I would love to check out what you have done with your woods.

[WDH]

Yes Jrdwyer, I am both a forester and a landowner. The economics of growing trees is really tough right now with declining wood prices and no relief in sight.  If it weren't for long term hope, the short term would really suck .