Tomahawk Leader Tuesday, March 30, 2010 — Page 9

Supplement to the March 30, 2010, Tomahawk Leader

2010 FORESTRY & WOOD

PRODUCTSAdvantages of owning Wisconsin forestland

By Ed SteigerwaldtConsulting Forester

President, Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc.Most private forestland owners that Steigerwaldt Land Services

works with certainly understand the recreational appeal of the land they own. After all, they use their land for hunting, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ATVing and other outdoor activities.

Owning forestland also has a very good investment side that is not well understood. Forestland rode a rising real estate market from the late 1990s through 2008. Land prices escalated at approximately 10% annually during this period and, since then, pricing has pretty much held steady or dropped slightly. Contrast this with what other investments like stocks have done, and you can see that forestland is a wise way to invest your money.

Good forestland has the capacity to make substantial financial gains if the land is managed professionally. This starts with treating forestland ownership as a business. A tree farm that is handled this way qualifies for expensing various items at tax time, including gas, equipment, real estate taxes and road improvements. Other things to consider are depletion tax accounting and capital gains treatment of income.

Additionally, in Wisconsin we are fortunate to have the Managed Forest Law (MFL) tax program, which is a tax deferment plan designed to promote sound forestry practices. Once a 10-acre or larger parcel is entered with an approved management plan, the land is taxed at $1.67 per acre (open to nonmotorized public recreation) or $8.34 per acre for up to 160 acres enrolled under the “closed” option. Timber harvested is taxed at a nominal 5% of stumpage value. This is typically a very good incentive to practice forestry.

Although the tax and business considerations are very good, many people simply don’t understand how fast trees grow. Species such as red pine can grow 1 to 1.5 cords per acre per year. At current stumpage rates of $40 per cord, pine plantations are making $40 to $60 per acre every year. The values get higher when the trees reach marketability for special products such as cabin logs, poles or veneer. Aspen often grows at a cord per acre per year, and at $30 to $35 per cord, this makes aspen a good investment, too.

The key to making money with a forestland investment is picking the right land to start with. At Steigerwaldt Land Services, we now manage 225,000 acres for clients. We help many of them buy good land to start with and then manage it aggressively. Here are some of the ways we generate a cash return for clients: •Selling timber; •Selling wood chips and residues; •Creating and marketing conservation easements; •Christmas trees; •Leasing hunting rights; •Maple syrup production; •Growing wild ginseng; •Balled and burlapped nursery stock sales; •Selling boughs for the Christmas industry.

These are just some of the ways to make the most of your forestland. Remember that good forest management doesn’t cost in the long run. It can pay big dividends.

Forest products play major role state’s economyWood industry will emerge more efficient,

better positioned in global economyBy Scott Bowe

Associate Professor of Wood Products University of Wisconsin-Madison

Trained foresters will tell you that a managed forest is a healthy forest. Planned forest harvests improve forest health, recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. As forest managers, we depend upon the forest products industry to buy the logs, pulpwood and other raw materials harvested from Wisconsin’s forests. Unfortunately, many woodland owners would not manage their forests if a financial incentive did not exist or if they were not informed about the benefits of forest stewardship.

With forests covering 46% of Wisconsin’s land area, the health of our state’s economy depends upon a healthy forest industry. More than 1,400 wood products companies operate in Wisconsin employing more than 72,600 people. This represents $3.1 billion in employee compensation. The forest products industry produces and sells $20.2 billion in products into the world economy yearly. When considering the secondary impacts the forest industry has on the economy, add another $10 billion, which results in an annual impact of more than $30 billion.

Forest products companies are grouped into two general categories – primary producers and secondary producers. Primary producers are those companies that use logs or pulpwood as their major raw material input. Examples include sawmills, veneer mills, pulp and paper mills, and oriented strand board mills. Secondary producers are those companies that use products produced by the primary producers. Examples include cabinet manufacturers, flooring manufacturers, wood pallet manufacturers and other value-adding manufacturers.

What surprises many people is the location of forest products companies throughout the state. It stands to reason that the majority of the primary producers are located in the northern half of Wisconsin since it is more heavily forested than the southern half of the state. What most people don’t realize is that the secondary wood industry is heavily concentrated in southeastern Wisconsin, near the larger population centers of the state

Wisconsin’s forest products industry plays a major role in our state’s economy. Unfortunately, this industry has faced challenges in recent years. Employment is down from more than 99,000 in 1996 and the number of companies is down from more than 1,900 in 2003. Two

major factors influencing this change are the continued globalization of the wood products industry and the current housing decline within the United States.

Because of this, the forest products industry has been forced to improve its production practices while developing new products and new market opportunities. While painful in the short term, these changes have produced a leaner, more efficient industry. Renowned business consultant W. Edwards Deming captured the constant struggle for improvement within the manufacturing industry when he said, “You don’t have to change, survival is not mandatory.” Despite the loss of companies and loss of employment in recent years, the value of shipments has remained relatively constant at $20.2 billion when compared to the high of $20.3 billion in 2000. This offers hope and demonstrates real gains in efficiency within the forest products industry in recent years.

First, consider the impact of globalization on the wood products industry. In the 1990s, the United States was a major producer in the wood furniture industry, employing thousands of people. Much of this industry was concentrated in Virginia and the Carolinas. Today, this industry is all but gone. Global competition from China and other countries, coupled with the failure to keep pace with technology, led to the demise of our domestic wood furniture industry. Wisconsin lost several large wood furniture manufacturers including Simmons Juvenile Furniture, Richardson Brothers Furniture and Schweiger Furniture.

Today, conservative estimates show that 56% of wood furniture sold in the United States is manufactured in China. This is up from 19% in 1992. Low labor rates and lax environmental policies give Chinese manufacturers a real competitive edge. Production growth in other countries such as Vietnam will continue to drive competition in the wood furniture market.

Second, consider the impact of the housing decline on the wood products industry. The major problem is the inventory of new and existing homes. This inventory was approaching a 10-month supply compared to a six-month supply based upon historic norms. It will take a while to bring down this inventory before new housing starts will recover.

What impact does housing have on the forest products industry? As the number of housing starts decline, so does the demand for wood building products. Softwood dimension lumber, plywood and oriented strand board are used in structural applications – the frame of the house. Hardwood lumber is used in many nonstructural applications such as wood flooring, mouldings, doors and cabinetry.

One saving grace for the building products industry that is largely ignored by the media is the remodeling industry. Many homeowners that were interested in selling have decided to remain in their homes until housing prices recover. In many cases, they decide to remodel the kitchen or bathroom in lieu of moving. Remodeling has tempered the impact of the new housing decline on the forest products industry. In fact, the remodeling industry, and the building industry in general, has helped offset many of the impacts of globalization. Recall the impact of the loss of the domestic wood furniture industry: Much of the hardwood lumber that once went into the domestic wood furniture industry is now sold into the wood flooring, moulding, cabinet and other wood sectors which directly serve the residential building and remodeling industry.

Despite the challenges within the forest products industry in recent years, the wood industry as a whole will emerge more efficient and better positioned within the global economy. As consumers, none of us go a day without using a product made from our forests (paper, lumber, food additives, clothing and pharmaceuticals to name a few of the thousands of products made from wood). Wisconsin’s incredible forest resource and important forest industry are interdependent. As consumer demand continues to grow for forest products, sustainable forest management and good forest stewardship will be integral for our environmental, social and economic needs into the future.

Article provided by Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association – January 2008 TPA Publication

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-Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc.

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Tomahawk Leader Tomahawk Leader

2010 Forestry & Wood ProductsSupplement to the March 30, 2010, Tomahawk Leader

Page 10 — Tuesday, March 30, 2010

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In 2008 I was deeply disappointed by a tree trimming company contracted by the local utility company. Being left with no options from them I had the good luck of meeting Mark Hazelquist, the owner of Quality Tree Service. I discussed the problem that we encountered and Mark drove by my house that very day to look for a solution. Within 48 hours he had a crew at our home, at the time promised and the unsightly tree stump was expeditiously removed. His crew was friendly and courteous and in fact went beyond the call of duty by not only cleaning up the stump remains completely but also picked up construction waste in our yard from a remodeling project that we had underway! Where do you find service like that anymore? Mark and Quality Tree Service are great and I can’t recommend him highly enough. As the general manager of the Washburn Marina I intend to use Quality Tree Service for all our tree service and landscaping needs at the marina as well as continue using them for my personal needs.

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Did you know …•One-third of the United States is covered with trees.•Our hardwood forests are outgrowing us. Net hardwood

growth exceeds harvest by 60%. In other words, we harvest only 64% of the net annual growth, leaving 36% to add to standing inventories.

•Annually, over 1.5 billion trees are planted in the United States – more than five trees for every man, woman and child in America. That averages 4.1 million seedlings each day.

•There are 82% more hardwoods in the United States today than in 1952.

•Each year, six trees are planted for every one that is harvested.

•More than 80% of new seedlings are planted by forest product companies and private timberland owners. The rest are planted by federal and state agencies and individuals.

•There are 737 million acres of forest in the United States – 70% of the forests that were here in 1600.

•In the United States, 43,700 companies employ 1.75 million people in wood products, paper, furniture and related product manufacturing.

•Trees are oxygen factories. An acre of young, healthy trees will produce 4,280 pounds of oxygen and capture 5,880 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year.

•In growing one pound of wood, a tree will release 1.5 pounds of oxygen.

•Inch to inch, wood is 16 times more efficient as an insulator than concrete, 415 times as efficient as steel and 2,000 times as efficient as aluminum.

•Ninety-four percent of all new homes are built with wood frames.

•Wood products make up 47% of all industrial raw materials manufactured, yet use only 4% of energy needed to produce these materials.

•Annually, each person in the United States uses paper, lumber and other wood products equivalent to one tree, 100 feet tall and 18 inches in diameter.

•Hardwoods are used for making over 10,000 products.•Cutting trees responsibly lessens the “greenhouse effect”

on the environment because old and dying trees use more oxygen than they produce (and begin emitting carbon dioxide).

•Forest management helps wildlife. It creates more openings which stimulate new food sources and shelter.

-Forest Products Equipment magazine

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The lowdown on Loaders… When the current owners of Loaders Bar and Grill, located at the intersection of Tomahawk Avenue and Southgate Drive, decided to purchase the old Alamo Restaurant, they knew they needed to make some changes as the establishment was no longer going to offer just a supper club atmosphere. They wanted to use the logging theme that is an integral part of the community, and with that thought in mind, recruited the help of Terry Smith, a 30-year veteran in the logging business. With Smith’s help, they came up with the name and logo. The business name, Loaders, comes from a piece of equipment on a pulp truck used for stacking logs on a trailer called a loader. That’s the lowdown. So stop in and say hello to owners Debbie, Joyce and Dave and their friendly staff the next time you want to take a load off. -Contributed Photo

From LP TomahawkTom Jacobs is a couple of

years ahead of most people. As resource manager

at Louisiana-Pacific Corp.’s Tomahawk LP SmartSide siding mill, Jacobs has to be. He’s shoring up plans to ensure there’s an adequate supply of wood to run the mill in the coming years.

“What I’ll be doing for the better part of this year is getting prepared for the next year and the year after that,” Jacobs said.

While these have been trying times economically for the forest products industry, LP has been able to hold its own in terms of maintaining an adequate supply of wood for the Tomahawk mill.

That’s thanks in part to the mill’s work with local loggers and landowners through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), which helps to ensure the mill’s wood comes from well-managed forests.

Through the slump in the housing market, LP Tomahawk has continued to operate, buying wood from within a 50-mile radius of the plant.

“You try to keep your local guys working,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs, a forester with more than 30 years of experience, including the last 11 at LP,

LP’s Jacobs planting seed for tomorrow’s forestlandspends his work days interacting with loggers, landowners and suppliers, reinforcing the need for sustainable practices.

In addition to his work at LP, Jacobs is past chairman and treasurer of the Wisconsin Tree Farm Committee, a national program under the guidance of the American Forest Foundation that is dedicated to promoting sustainable forestry across the country. Jacobs and his wife, Leslyn, who is also a forester, also own their own tree farm.

Most area forest owners and loggers have had a market for their products during the economic downturn. Wisconsin’s paper and wood products industries and the emergence of wood as a fuel for energy production have kept demand steady, although below normal levels, Jacobs said.

Demand for wood is expected to increase in the coming years as the country starts to shake off the effects of the recession. The challenge is to keep forestland intact so that it can continue to support Wisconsin’s paper, wood products and biomass industries well into the future, Jacobs said.

“We need to increase public awareness and understanding of the role that forests and the environment play in our lives, and

build the skills and commitment needed to conserve and sustain them,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs points to the American Forest Foundation’s goals for ensuring a sustainable future.

“To ensure a sustainable wood supply, we need to stem the loss of America’s woodlands,” Jacobs said. “We need to enhance the quality of America’s woodlands and ensure that people, especially decision-

makers, understand and value America’s woodlands.”

The state’s Managed Forest Land law has helped in that regard. The law gives tax breaks to landowners who agree to keep their land forested. In return, forest owners must develop a sustainable management plan, which also calls for regular wood sales.

Between 60-65% of forest-land in Wisconsin is privately owned.

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Tomahawk Leader Tomahawk Leader

2010 Forestry & Wood ProductsSupplement to the March 30, 2010, Tomahawk Leader

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 — Page 11

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If you’re a rural landowner who is interested in ideas on how to manage your land and practice good stewardship, make plans to attend the eighth annual Northcentral Wisconsin Land Stewardship Conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 10 at Prentice High School.

The program includes 25 breakout sessions

covering topics on woods, water, wildlife habitat and general landownership issues. Among the sponsors are University of Wisconsin-Extension, land conservation departments and the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry in Price and Taylor counties. Professional foresters and loggers are eligible for continuing education credits through the

Society of American Foresters and the Forest Industry Safety Training Alliance (request this when registering).

Registration is $45 per person through April 2 at www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/price/. For information or a printed copy of the conference brochure, call Price County UW-Extension at 715-339-2555.

By Kathy TobinTomahawk Leader Editor

kathy@tomahawkleader.comIn the midst of an investigation of a fatal July 2008 explosion at

the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) corrugated cardboard mill in Tomahawk, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board (CSB) has paused to issue a national Safety Bulletin it says could have saved the lives of the three local men who died in that accident and many others around the country who have been killed or injured under similar circumstances.

“Seven Key Lessons to Prevent Worker Deaths During Hot Work In and Around Tanks” is a wake-up call to any site that does “hot work” involving burning, welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or soldering. Hot work is one of the most common causes of worker deaths among the accidents CSB investigates. The CSB has identified more than 60 fatalities since 1990 due to explosions and fires from hot work activities on tanks. And, those accidents continue, observes the independent federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents.

“Workers are potentially at risk not only in the oil and gas industry, where flammables are handled regularly, but also in many other sectors within general industry, such as food production, paper and wastewater treatment,” the CSB bulletin states.

In particular, there is a need for effective hazard assessment and proper monitoring of potentially flammable air concentrations in work areas, CSB stresses.

“Flammable gas and vapor concentrations are generally determined using a portable combustible gas detector, also called an LEL meter. Combustible gas detectors are relatively inexpensive and widely available. Training in LEL instrument use is a key component to effective gas testing and is a critical aspect of an effective hot work safety program,” CSB further states.

The PCA accident involved welding repair work being done on top of an 80-foot-high storage tank that contained recycled fiber waste. No one realized the two experienced welders and a supervisor who were working in the outside elements atop a tank that contained simply water and paper stock were in imminent danger. No one suspected the potential presence of flammable gas from the decomposition of the organic material in the tank; gas that was leaking through a nearby vent.

But doing a hazard analysis prior to initiating any hot work and using a properly calibrated combustible gas detector prior to and during hot work activities “will save lives,” CSB Investigations Supervisor

Donald Holmstrom says. The handheld, scientific tools, which can cost between $300 and $400, will detect unsafe gas levels and initiate an alarm, he noted. Calibration, training and continuous monitoring are important, he stresses.

The seven key lessons cited in the CSB safety bulletin include:

1. Use Alternatives – Whenever possible, avoid hot work and consider alternative methods.

2. Analyze the Hazards – Prior to the initiation of hot work, perform a hazard assessment that identifies the scope of the work, potential hazards and methods of hazard control.

3. Monitor the Atmosphere – Conduct effective gas monitoring in the work area using a properly calibrated combustible gas detector prior to and during hot work activities, even in areas where flammable atmosphere is not anticipated.

4. Test the Area – In work areas where flammable liquids and gases are stored or handled, drain and/or purge all equipment and piping before hot work is conducted. When welding on or in the vicinity of storage tanks and other containers, properly test and if necessary continuously monitor all surrounding tanks or adjacent spaces (not just the tank or container being worked on) for the presence of flammables and eliminate potential sources of flammables.

5. Use Written Permits – Ensure that qualified personnel familiar with the specific site hazards review and authorize all hot work and issue permits specifically identifying the work to be conducted and the required precautions.

6. Train Thoroughly – Train personnel on hot work policies/procedures, proper use and calibration of combustible gas detectors, safety equipment and job specific hazards and controls in language understood by the workforce.

7. Supervise Contractors – Provide safety supervision for outside contractors conducting hot work. Inform contractors about site-specific hazards including the presence of flammable materials.

The CSB has produced computer-animated safety videos on some of the hot work accidents it has investigated. They may be viewed at www.CSB.gov (Video Room) or on YouTube. The CSB distributes a two-DVD set of all CSB safety videos free of charge to anyone who orders them from the website.

Seven key lessons ‘will save lives’‘Hot work’ accident leads to national Safety Bulletin

Land stewardship conference in Prentice

The aspen-grouse connection

Not merely a coincidence By Gary Zimmer

Senior Regional BiologistRuffed Grouse Society

It is not merely a coincidence that the range of aspen and the range of ruffed grouse in North America overlap so well. Famous ruffed grouse researcher Gordon Gullion estimated that 92% of the native range of ruffed grouse was located where aspen trees made up a major part of the forest community. But why are aspen so important to ruffed grouse? The answers can be found by looking at the unique traits of the aspen tree themselves.

Aspen are pioneer species, adapted to respond quickly to disturbances, whether man-made or natural. The ability to regenerate from both their roots or through seed dispersal in a wide range of soil conditions gives them a huge head start on most competitors. An existing aspen stand that is impacted by harvest, wind or other events can quickly re-sprout through its established root systems. It is not unusual to see aspen stands with over 10,000 stems per acre regenerating within months of a disturbance event.

Aspen are also prolific seed producers and their small, light seed can disperse with the wind for many miles, if conditions are favorable. Large fires can create ideal seedbeds for the germination of seed and colonizing of sites by aspen. This situation occurred in the early 1900’s when young aspen forests quickly dominated the parched Upper Great Lakes landscape.

Aspen forests provide essential food and cover for ruffed grouse as well as many other wildlife species. For ruffed grouse, their key to survival is to hide out in the thickest tangle of young trees and shrubs available. Dense, regenerated aspen stands from 6 to 15 years of age provide that crucial secure habitat. Most other tree species are unable to regenerate and prosper at the 8,000-10,000 stems/acre density preferred by ruffed grouse.

In addition to cover, aspen provides ruffed grouse with important food sources, especially during the most critical times of the year, winter and early spring. The buds of aspen trees greater than 30 years old are high in fat and carbohydrates and provide an important and readily available food source during winter months. The buds of other tree species like black cherry and ironwood also provide ruffed

Continued on Page 13

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National forest plans for Emerald Ash BorerIt’s not often you hear the word “SLAM” associated with insects and forests but

those trying to save the northern forests from the Emerald Ash Borer are making plans for the invader.

The best offense is a good defense say experts at the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. While no Emerald Ash Borers have been found in the forest, a tree control process called SLAM or “Slow Ash Mortality” could help because it’s just a matter of time before they arrive, says Mark Theisen, a silviculturist with the forest. SLAM has four parts. Infected ash trees in small areas are cut as are those within 50 feet because they’ll likely die anyway. Then Theisen says other trees in the area are purposely damaged to be bait for surrounding Emerald Ash Borers.

Thiesen says they will come back later and destroy the stressed trees that have attracted the Emerald Ash Borer before the insect can hatch and spread in a greater area. Plus the trees within two miles of the infestation site are closely watched for two years. Theisen says SLAM was successful on one small site in Michigan. While the insect is still in the Upper Peninsula, it’s not in the area where SLAM occurred. Theisen says all true ash trees are vulnerable to the borer – white, black and green, but not mountain ash.

-Mary Jo Wagner, provided through Wisconsin Public Radio

By Kris Tiles Basin Educator for Natural Resources, Central Wisconsin Basin

University of Wisconsin-ExtensionOver 57% of Wisconsin forests are owned by families, rather

than public entities (federal, state, counties), tribes and industry. This amounts to somewhere around 300,000 family woodlots in the state. The unfortunate part of this story is that only about 10% of landowners have a written management plan for their forests.

Management plans are important decision-making tools in the long list of decisions that will need to be made, from selling timber for money or improving forest health to preparing for passing land on to the next generation. The good news is that there is help available for family forest owners, including websites, people and programs.

There are several Wisconsin-based websites that can answer basic questions a landowner might have. One portal for several of these websites is http://woodlandinfo.org, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Check out the numerous publications on the site which can help landowners identify trees or find a sample timber sale contract. There are also testimonials from landowners that provide insights into how they work in their forest to meet their goals. Through this website

there is a link to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources webpage for private woodland owners. This is a great place to find a DNR forester or a consulting forester.

DNR foresters are available to assist landowners with any questions one might have regarding their forest. This is a great place to figure out what kind of plan fits with a landowner’s goals for their land. A DNR forester can either assist with a plan or refer a landowner to a consulting forester. Consulting foresters are hired to work strictly for the landowner. Training and experience varies among consulting foresters, so it is wise to get references before hiring one. Again a list of consulting foresters can be found on the WDNR website, and additionally on the Wisconsin Consulting Foresters website at http://www.wi-consultingforesters.com/find.htm.

Another resource for landowners in this part of the state is the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA). It is a statewide resource, but has local chapters to facilitate more landowner interaction. Events provide opportunities to learn what others are doing on their own woodlots, and get advice on foresters and loggers. The association can be found at http://www.wisconsinwoodlands.org/.

Sites offer resources for family-owned forests

as one of the state’s largest private landowners, Plum Creek welcomes outdoor enthusiasts on nearly all of its 250,000 acres across the state. In fact, our acreage is prime biking, hunting and fishing land, and we’re proud of the way we maintain and preserve it. Through the state’s

Managed Forest Law (MFL), nearly all of our land is open to the public. Even wildlife benefit from our management because healthy forests are crucial to the wildlife that calls them home.

We at Plum Creek work with federal and state officials to protect

and enhance habitat for threatened and endangered species. In Wisconsin, there are several threatened or endangered species under the watchful eyes of foresters and wildlife experts, from the bald eagle to the Kirtland’s warbler.

To help protect the warblers, Plum Creek, along with state and local agencies, works to protect the rare songbird’s habitat, which consists mostly of young jack pine forests. In 2007, the first warbler nest was discovered in Wisconsin on Plum Creek land in Adams County. Since then, through the joint efforts of the US. Fish & Wildlife, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Plum Creek and others, a total of 10 male and 10 female Kirtland warblers were documented during breeding season in Adams County. Their nest yielded nearly two dozen young.

Another one of Wisconsin’s treasured endangered species is the Karner blue butterfly, which is about the size of a postage stamp. It is only found in seven states, and Wisconsin supports the largest and most widespread Karner blue butterfly population in the world. Seventeen years ago, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with other private and public partners, developed a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Today, tens of thousands of acres of Plum Creek’s land is prime habitat for the butterfly, and Plum Creek works to maintain early forest habitats that provide flower species that are essential food sources for the survival of this butterfly.

Another way to protect the land is to plant trees to keep forests vital and strong. Many organizations in Wisconsin, and across the country, make commitments every year to replanting trees in their communities. In fact, this spring, Plum Creek will plant nearly 800,000 seedlings in Wisconsin.

All of these efforts to protect wildlife and habitats, and regenerate the forests, are important to Wisconsin and those who spend time in its great outdoors. Plum Creek takes this responsibility to renew, grow and conserve our region’s resources very seriously. As outdoor lovers head into the woods this spring, they’re encouraged to take in our region’s forests and appreciate the science behind their management, respect the wildlife habitats being protected on those lands and realize the collaborative efforts between the businesses, state agencies, local wildlife and conservation groups, and others to ensure our forests remain healthy and abundant for generations to

Tomahawk Leader Tomahawk Leader Tuesday, March 30, 2010 — Page 13

2010 Forestry & Wood ProductsSupplement to the March 30, 2010, Tomahawk Leader

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However, aspen may be even more important in the spring as a food source to ruffed grouse as they switch their diet to the flowering catkins of the male aspen trees. These silky catkins are 1-½ to 2-½ inches long and start appearing in mid to late April in this region before the leaves come out. These catkins are sought out by ruffed grouse during this time period due in part to their high fat and protein content. Studies have shown that these high fat catkins are crucial to the development of egg yolk material and reproductive hormones in ruffed grouse. Through much of April and May, the most active breeding season for grouse, aspen catkins make up nearly their entire diet. Up to 92% of spring ruffed grouse droppings contained aspen catkins in one study.

The drumming logs of male grouse, while in thick cover, are usually in close proximity to clones of older male aspen trees. Grouse prefer male aspen catkins so much in the spring that in a Minnesota study, where mature aspen trees were cut down near drumming sites, the sites were soon vacated.

The key to developing better habitats for ruffed grouse is providing the proper arrangement of aspen age classes in a relatively small area. Develop a plan that creates a situation where stands of young aspen adjoin older stands. Set up a rotation where stands are periodically harvested to provide a continuous supply of habitat in various ages in small blocks less than 10 acres in size.

Fall and winter are the periods recommended for conducting aspen harvests for ruffed grouse. Aspens store nutrients in their root systems during the dormant season. Cutting these trees at this time stimulates root suckering in the next growing season sending up thousands of new stems, providing ideal grouse habitat in just a few years. Because young aspen requires full sunlight to grow, a clearcut is the suggested harvest method with few residual trees left standing to shade out the regenerating aspen. Reserve clumps are preferred to a scattering of reserve trees, providing a clump of potential budding trees rather than isolated individuals. Single reserve trees provide a higher level of perches for avian predators as well as shading out a larger amount of young trees.

Aspen-birch forests, that provide crucial habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock, have been declining at a rate of 1% per year in the Upper Great Lakes Region. Aspen forests in this area continue to mature and succeed to more shade tolerant and less grouse friendly hardwoods like sugar maple and basswood. In the mid-1930’s, as a result of disturbances due to land clearing, intensive timber harvesting and wide spread fires, aspen-birch forests made up 42% of this areas forests. Currently less than 18% of the Great Lakes forests are this important type. If this decline continues so will our future ruffed grouse populations.

Article provided by Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association – April 2009 TPA Publication

Aspen-grouseContinued from Page 11

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Lincoln County owns nearly 99,000 acres of county forestland, the 11th largest acreage of all Wisconsin counties. The forest includes about 39,000 acres of aspen (poplar) types, 28,500 acres of hardwood types, 7,000 acres of lowland conifer types and 4,500 acres of upland conifer types.

LC forest is divided into three forest units:

•The Harrison Forest Unit is comprised mostly of the Harrison and Underdown Hills, which are typical morainic hills and ridges interspersed with bogs, swamps, ponds and small kettle lakes. Hardwood forest types with some areas of aspen cover the majority of this region of the forest.

•The Somo/Wilson Forest Unit is located in the northwest part of Lincoln County and is an area of elongated drumlins and low recessional moraines segmented by drainage valleys of bogs and swamps. The soil is mostly sandy and grows the majority of LC’s pine plantations.

•Harding/Tomahawk Forest Unit is located in west-central Lincoln County. It is mostly level with a few morainic mounds that are slightly higher than the surrounding plain. It has many drainages and wet basins. Aspen is the major forest type with scattered conifer and hardwood types also present.

Lincoln County Forest is home to an abundance of wildlife. Habitat management that interrelates and benefits wildlife and complements sound forestry practices are emphasized.

A primary goal of wildlife management on the County Forest is to provide a diversity of healthy ecosystems necessary to sustain wildlife populations for their biological, recreational, cultural and economic values.

Aspen, white and jack pine, red oak, fir, spruce and other early successional species are considered to be valuable habitat types for many forest wildlife species, especially deer, ruffed grouse, black bear, timber wolves and numerous songbirds. Long range planning is taking place to maintain these types were practical and essential to meet habitat requirements.

Permanently sodded openings are essential to well-balanced wildlife habitat and the LC forestry department maintains several openings and will develop others as needed.

Cedar, hemlock and balsam fir-

Lincoln County Forest factsspruce types are important for winter cover for many wildlife species and are maintained where practical.

Since oak type forest is important to wildlife for its food production and potential for forming dens and nesting sites, future management will focus on increasing regeneration of this type.

The LC Forest has an average annual allowable harvest of 2,600 acres with 800 acres of aspen, 1,600 acres of hardwoods and 200 acres of pine, fir-spruce and other cover types. The actual acreage of timber harvests varies from year to year due to the size of sales set up and which sales get cut during the given year. Lincoln County also allows evergreen bough cutting and firewood cutting by permit only. Monies from these timber sales and permits amount to nearly $1 million per year.

Revenues generated from timber harvests on LC forest land is distributed as follows: 10% goes to townships with County Forest lands; 20% goes to the county general fund; 50% goes to the County Forestry fund; and 20% goes to forestry undesignated fund for the next year’s use.

Aspen is managed via clear-cutting mature aspen to regenerate new aspen. Aspen, as a cover type, is decreasing in acreage in Lincoln County, as well as Wisconsin. Aspen provides wildlife with too many benefits to allow it to become a rare cover type. Clear-cutting is the only successful management technique to maintain and regenerate aspen.

The majority of the hardwood cover type of forest in Lincoln County is fairly young. Sugar maple, basswood, birch and some oak make up this cover type. The hardwood forest is managed on a 15-20 year thinning cycle by selectively removing the poor quality, diseased or high-risk trees to improve the overall health of the forest. Selective thinning also gives the remaining trees more room to grow. This forest type regenerates naturally by seed from the mature trees.

Pine and spruce plantations are found throughout Lincoln County with the majority located in the northwest part of the county. These trees were hand planted since the 1940s and selectively thinned every eight to 15 years to provide pulpwood, saw timber and cabin logs. These plantations will eventually be clear-cut and replanted to provide another generation of wood products. The LC Forestry Department annually plants an average of 50,000 trees.

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Tomahawk LeaderPage 14 — Tuesday, March 30, 2010

2010 Forestry ProductsSupplement to the March 30, 2010 Tomahawk Leader

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With summer right around the corner, Tomahawk Pellet

Stove Junction is offering a flavorful alternative to propane and messy charcoal, with a new

Green Mountain Grill pellet grill now available.

Just fill the hopper, flip the switch and the

pellet grill is ready to cook in just 12-15 minutes. Set the temperature, from 150 to 500 degrees F, and the grill can be used for hamburgers or

steaks or slow roast prime rib for that s a v o r y f l a v o r . Low heat can be used to smoke fish, turkey, ribs or make jerky. It can be used to cook virtually anything on . . . meat, fish, game, pork, poultry, casseroles, meatloaf, even pizzas, breads and cookies.

The Green Mountain Pellet Grill has an internal sensor that

maintains a constant temperature inside so that food cooks at the same temperature, whether it be January or July. Plus, pellets impart a true wood flavor to the food, as charcoal and propane are mere sources of creating heat – propane has no flavor at all and charcoal burns the wood into flavorless coke which is then compressed into briquettes.

According to Pellet Stove Junction owner George Dalbec, many improvements have been made to the pellet grill over the past several years, including the stock of Green Mountain Grills that he now carries. Along with providing a great flavor, the longtime pellet grill owner himself says the new models are very easy to use.

Green Mountain Grills notes pellets impart the true wood flavor in food. You will enjoy this clean, healthy method of grilling your favorite foods. The pellets ignite automatically when the switch is turned on. No more switching and hauling propane tanks or the mess of charcoal and smelly lighter fluids – and it’s safer, the company adds.

To get a better flavor for how well the new Green Mountain Pellet Grill works, stop in at Tomahawk Pellet Stove Junction, located in downtown Tomahawk, and let Dalbec and his friendly staff show how taste, aroma and healthy cooking add up to one great grill.

Treehaven Tree Farm 50 years, growing

Biff Kummer, son of Gordon and Dorothy Kummer, next to original Treehaven Farm sign from May 1957

Clemson University and AFF).In a letter recognizing Treehaven’s recertification, Robert Simpson,

American Forest Foundation vice-president, said Treehaven’s contributions to the nation’s healthy forests, clean air and pure water are important.

“For over 50 years Treehaven has been a member of the select community of landowners who are managing their forestland wisely with an eye toward future generations, Simpson stated. “Tree farmers share a love of the forest and the desire to learn more. The CNR (College of Natural Resources) has actively promoted Treehaven as an education, demonstration and research site for UWSP students, the general public, K-12 students and Wisconsin’s land management professionals. Active, on-going management of the property provides a unique stewardship classroom for demonstration and hands-on learning opportunities for up to 6,000 individuals annually.”

According to Treehaven Forest Ecologist Kevin Burns, the recertification validates the commitment of UWSP CNR to sustaining healthy forests, wildlife habitat, water resources and outdoor recreation. He added sustainable management of the Treehaven forest also fulfills the social obligation to harvest timber resources in a manner that provides local jobs and the wood products that are necessary to sustain the economy and standard of living.

The UWSP-Treehaven campus is a field station for the College of Natural Resources during the summer months instructing over 200 resource management students annually. During the winter months, Treehaven serves as an Environmental Learning Center offering public programs, K-12 experiences, continuing education and professional conferences. To learn more, visit Treehaven’s website at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven.

small ceremony represented a significant milestone at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point-Treehaven March 11, as staff at the property located just north of Tomahawk celebrated recertification after

50 years in the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Although there are older Tree Farms in the United States, Treehaven

is the first Tree Farm in the state to receive the 50-year commendation. The American Tree Farm System is a national program of the American Forest Foundation’s Center for Family Forests. The mission of the Tree Farm System is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.

The 1,400-acre Treehaven forest was originally accepted in the Tree Farm System on May 13, 1957, and since that time has continually practiced resource stewardship according to the standards of sustainable forestry advocated by the American Tree Farm System. The definition of sustainable forestry is: to manage our forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation, growing, nurturing and harvesting of trees for useful products, with the conservation of soil, air, water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, and aesthetics (U.S. Forests Facts & Figures,

A

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Treehaven has announced the selection of Tomahawk Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) Region Forester Dean Pelkey as the recipient of the 2010 “Friend of Treehaven Award.” This honor is awarded annually to a community member in the Northwoods who has provided outstanding service and support to Treehaven and its mission of natural resource and environmental education.

For the past few years Pelkey has worked closely with the Treehaven Resource Ecologist and Land Manager Kevin Burns to conduct efficient and professional forestry prescription treatments on Treehaven’s 1,400 acres of diverse forest stand types, and had provided educational support for University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources undergraduate classes. Because of the multi-use aspect of Treehaven’s educational role to students and the community, this effort has had special considerations and restrictions uncommon to most projects, and has required a close working relationship and intimate knowledge of Treehaven’s landbase and associated programs.

“Dean has been exemplary in meeting and exceeding our educational and sustainable forestry needs, and we are truly honored to have him as our ‘Friend of Treehaven’,” John Heusinkveld, Treehaven assistant director, noted.

PCA’s Pelkey named‘Friend of Treehaven’

www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven • Treehaven@uwsp.edu • 715.453.4106TRE200 F10

Kevin Burns, Treehaven forest ecologist, left, and David Czysz, Tree Farm inspector.