Reports From The States

[OneWithWood]

Erradicating invasive plants using a paint ball gun could be a fun way to get it done.

[Ron Scott]

Traverse City, Michigan

http://record-eagle.com/local/x1133189643/Neighbors-worry-trees-felled-too-freely

[Ron Scott]

Michigan's U.P.

Besse Forest Products Seeks Tax Breaks to Expand Sawmill
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/538702/Besse-Forest-Products-plans-to-

[Ron Scott]

Oregon

Judge Halts Logging on Oregon State Forests

Boise State Public Radio.com (November 28) - A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting 11 timber sales in Oregon's state forests. The state is being sued by three conservation groups who say the logging projects imperil a federally protected seabird.

US District Judge Ann Aiken granted the injunction earlier this week. It halts 11 timber sales in the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Elliott State Forests that are home to the threatened marbled murrelet.

In her ruling, Judge Aiken wrote that conservation groups have shown they are likely to win the lawsuit on its merits. She says leaving the sales open to logging could cause irreparable harm.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

Conservation Districts now have Foresters to Help Landowners. Private landowners can now contact their local conservation districts for advice on how to get help in managing their forest lands. In a cooperative program involving DNR, MDARD and local conservation districts, thirteen conservation district-employed foresters will provide on-site technical assistance to assess land quality and potential. These foresters can help landowners identify objectives for their land. After an initial visit including these actions, owners will be referred to private consulting foresters for more detailed assistance.

MDAlistserve

[Ron Scott]

Michigan's U.P.

NEW MILL TO LOCATE IN WHITE PINE, MI

Employment in the 70-80 range.

http://www.yourdailyglobe.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=46704

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

2012 FOREST HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

Just off the press from the DNR . . .

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/ForestHH_409440_7.pdf

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

THE UPPER PENINSULA - BIRTHPLACE OF THE CENTER LINE

http://www.pasty.com/cam/2008/07/20/cameo/index.html

[Ron Scott]

Michigan's U.P.

IRON RIVER--The Michigan Association of Timbermen has announced that the Michigan Capitol Christmas Tree for 2013 has been chosen.
The harvest will take place on Nov. 6 in Iron River at the home of Iron River attorney Jonny Waara, who is quite excited to have his tree selected for the trip to Lansing.   
This will be the 27th Michigan Capitol Christmas tree that the Michigan Association of Timbermen has harvested in conjunction with the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association.
At each year's harvest, local school children, the local high school band and many neighbors and visitors are on hand to watch and listen as the tree is cut from its stump, lifted by crane to the street and placed on a waiting truck and trailer. Securing the limbs for the long road east and south is usually a job for four to six men and takes several hours.
Once the tree is secured onto a flat-bed trailer pulled by a semi-truck, it is transported immediately to Lansing, where it is lifted upright again in its usual spot in front of the Capitol building. Capitol workers then spend two weeks placing lights on the tree in preparation for the annual Silver Bells festivities to kick off the Christmas season in Lansing on Nov. 22. For further information visit www.silverbellsinthecity.org.
More details will be made available on the Timbermen website, www.timbermen.org, regarding physical location of the tree, exact harvest time, and the estimated crossing time for the tree's adventure across the Mackinac Bridge.

[Ron Scott]

Wisconsin

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin Pushing for Federal Forest Management Reform

Stevenspoint Journal.com , January 8 - US Sen. Tammy Baldwin saw enough on her visit to Forest County in August to be convinced that Wisconsin's 1.5 million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is being underharvested and change is needed.

The first-term Democratic senator now says supporting the state's timber industry is among her top priorities and she pledged to work for reform of the forest management system. Her efforts include calling for increased funding to support additional logging and clarifying regulations to promote environmentally sound harvesting.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

California

Redwood Park Closes Road to Deter Burl Poachers

ABC News.com (March 5) - Authorities say unemployment and drug addiction have spurred an increase in the destructive practice of cutting off the knobby growths at the base of ancient redwood trees to make decorative pieces like lacey-grained coffee tables and wall clocks.

The practice—known as burl poaching—has become so prevalent along the northern California coast that Redwood National and State Parks on Saturday started closing the popular Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway at night in a desperate attempt to deter thieves.

The E-Forester

[ashes]

Wow!

I'm right in this neck of the woods, and this is the first I've heard of this. I hope this is a deterrent. Such a shame.

[Ron Scott]

Wisconsin

Thieves Stealing Valuable Walnut Trees in Wisconsin

Madison.com (April 29) - Unscrupulous loggers looking to make a quick profit are cutting down valuable walnut trees without permission on private property in rural areas of southern Wisconsin, a law enforcement official said.

The price of walnut, a high-quality hardwood, has increased with demand worldwide and especially in China. With relatively few walnut trees left, a top-quality, 16-foot log that's 26 inches in diameter can bring in $3,000, according to information from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

UTAH

Utah Adopts the Aspen as Its State Tree

Salt Lake Tribune.com (May 12) - Fourth-graders from Monroe Elementary in Utah lobbied their local lawmaker, state Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund to help pass legislation-SB 41- to switch the state's tree from the Colorado blue spruce - Utah's state tree since 1933-to quaking aspen.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Weyerhaeuser Lands

Weyerhaeuser's Plan to Charge $150 for Access Rankles Hunters, Outdoorsmen

TDN.com -May 8 - In the Longview area, Weyerhaeuser said it will charge a $150 fee for motorized and non-motorized access to 340,000 acres of its land from August 1 through January 31, 2015, a move that has filled outdoors enthusiasts and elected officials with dismay.

Rep. Ed Orcutt called the fees a "public relations nightmare" for the company, while Rep. Brian Blake said they have resulted in "culture shock" and "frustration."

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

Cornell, Michigan Logging Company Named "2013 Logger of the Year"

Daily Press.net (May 21) - In partnership with the Michigan Sustainable Forestry Initiative Committee (SIC), the Michigan Association of Timbermen awarded Marvin Nelson Forest Products, Inc., of Cornell, with their highest yearly honor-the 2013 Logger of the Year Award.

The E-Forester

[Barney II]

Ron are you aware of what if anything is happening with our white pines .  I was out in my woods this afternoon and found a lot (more than 20) white pine that are 50 to 60 footers with all of the lower branches without any needles and the tops(1/3 up) very light green to others around them being very dark green.  You are  able to look through the whole upper story of the tree.  These are all very good trees shape wise and hearty bark etc.. I have not noticed this before.  There are no cankers visible on any of the trees.  This whole observance was only in a 10 to 15 acre area.  I will contact a local forester in the morning.  Just wondering for now if you had an idea of what is going on.  This in Bayfield County---right on the Sawyer County =====Bayfield County line.  In Cable Wi .   Thanks------Don

[beenthere]

Might be white pine blister rust.

http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/white-pine-blister-rust

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_white/white.htm

[Ron Scott]

Yes, to Blister Rust, but best to have the local Conservation District Forester or WDNR Service Forester take a look.

[Ron Scott]

Virginia

CHINESE PULP & PAPER PLANT IN VIRGINIA

"Tree free" paper from agricultural "waste" - $billion investment.  "Tranlin, Inc."

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2014/06/19/massive-paper-factory-deal-unfolds-in-chesterfield/

[Ron Scott]

California

Logging Companies Ordered to Report Water Use in Controlling Dust

SacBee.com (July 5) - Logging companies in the Sierra Nevada and elsewhere in California will now be required to report how much water they extract from streams for dust control.

The California Board of Forestry adopted the emergency regulations in response to the drought. The action arose from concerns that very low water flows in many mountain streams could be further depleted by water extractions related to logging.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Indiana

Purdue Publication Offers Resources for Urban Woodlots Owners

Purdue.edu - A new Purdue Extension publication gives owners of Indiana urban woodlots crucial information they need to best manage and care for these environmentally important forest areas.

The free, 24-page booklet Indiana's Urban Woodlots is meant to make owning and managing urban woodlots less intimidating and help owners enhance their experiences with their land while reaping the benefits of the property. The publication covers topics such as the benefits of trees, laws and zoning, stewardship planning, management, and planting and renewal.

https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-489-w.pdf

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Alaska

State Seeks to Join Forest Service in Defense of Southeast Timber Sale

ADN.com (September 16) - The state of Alaska is weighing in on the side of the federal government in court, hoping to help keep alive a US Forest Service timber sale in Southeast, and with it what's left of a once-booming industry.

The Forest Service in August announced the Big Thorne sale on Prince of Wales Island, with nearly 150 million board feet of timber badly needed by local mills, but was almost immediately challenged in court by the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council and other environmental groups.

Gov. Sean Parnell announced this week that Alaska would seek to join the case on the side of the Forest Service.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

 New Law to Crack Down on Timber Theft
Georgia

Macon.com (September 20) — Prior to a Georgia law that went into effect July 1, owners of timberland had little recourse if trees were intentionally or, more likely, unintentionally cut from the wrong property, said Matt Hestad, communications coordinator with the Georgia Forestry Association.

Now, the Timber Security Law gives the Georgia Forestry Commission more investigative and arresting power in cases of unauthorized timber harvest, much like its authority in cases of timber arson.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Minnesota

Demand for Firewood Crackles Up North

Star Tribune.com (September 21) — Having firewood trucked in from 100 miles away or more is a choice more northern Minnesota homeowners are making after last winter's propane prices and this year's wet weather dried up the area's supply of seasoned firewood.

The E-Forester