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Manufacturers of Eastern White Pine Lumber since 1976
Landowner Education
A renewable, sustainable log supply is essential to the long-term health of our business. Most of our logs come from privately-owned land, and it is up to the landowner to determine how to manage his or her timber resource.
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In General:
UNHCE: Educational Resource for Landowners regarding Trees, Forestry and Timber Harvesting
In New Hampshire, the UNH Cooperative Extension (UNHCE) is a valuable and extensive source of information for landowners. The "Forests & Trees" section of its website contains materials devoted to invasive species & diseases, childhood education and help for landowners, among other things.
Habitat Stewardship Brochures
UNHCE, along with the New Hampshire SFI® State Implementation Committee and the NH Dept of Fish & Game, developed the Habitat Stewardship Brochure Series, a helpful educational tool for landowners, teachers and the general public.
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Other helpful sites: NH Timberland Owners Association, SPACE (NH Current Use), Society for the Protection of NH Forests
Land Management-Related Topics:
Forest Certification, Licensed Foresters and Trained Loggers
Durgin and Crowell encourages landowners to explore the merits of getting their forest land certified under a third-party certification program, such as SFI® or American Tree Farm.
Durgin and Crowell also encourages landowners to use licensed foresters and trained (or "certified") loggers when planning and carrying out a timber harvest. In NH, lists of each can be found on the NHTOA website. In VT, please contact the program coordinator for the LEAP logger training program for a list of trained loggers.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Good and responsible practices by loggers are essential to preventing environmental damage to water quality and soil integrity (i.e. erosion). The New Hampshire BMP Handbook describes the voluntary practices which have been been developed by those within and associated with the industry. BMPs are largely voluntary (that is, not required by law), but Durgin & Crowell asks and encourages each of its log suppliers to follow the standards, and suppliers have responded with a signed commitment to follow BMPs.
NH also has a number of Timber Harvest Laws, which relate to the harvest and sale of timber and other forest residue.
Reforestation and Afforestation
Afforestation is the establishment of forest in an area that was not previously forested. Reforestation is the re-establisment of forest cover. In New England, most land will likely turn to forest, if left to its own devices. However, effective and efficient afforestation and reforestation can best be accomplished through good forestry practices.
Reforestation is, essentially, the regeneration of timber stock in an area that has been depleted (i.e. harvested). Reforestation is essential to a renewable timber supply. The implementation of a management plan, and the use of a licensed professional forester, and good ways to ensure the reforestation and long-term productivity of a woodlot. UNHCE also has a good summary of forestry and silviculture practices.
Visual Quality Management
The objectives and scope of a forestry management plan are dictated by the goals of the landowner. Visual Quality can best be maintained with a long-range perspective, and again, a professional forester and/or a qualified logging professional can assist landowners in realizing and formalizing their goals for their property.
Conservation of Critical Wildlife Habitat Elements, Biodiversity, Threatened and Endangered Species, and Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website lists NH's "critical" habitats and associated species.
"Forests with Exceptional Conversation Value" is a term recognized and oft-cited in SFI® material and guidelines. SFI Program Participants, like Durgin and Crowell, are encouraged to use the database found on the NatureServe website in order to determine the names, characteristics and habitat of "imperiled" and "critically imperiled" plants and animals within the Participant's fiber sourcing area.
In addition to the searchable species database, the NatureServe website contains other helpful information for landowners interested in protecting and conserving imperiled plants and animals.
Management of Timber Harvest Residue
Timber harvest residue (limbs, slash, tops, etc) have both economic and ecological value. Residue may be chipped and sold as fuel to biomass power plants, but if left on the ground in proper amounts and manner, its decay can be critical to the healthy regeneration of the timber stand. Finding a good balance between maximizing economic value and retaining the nutrients on-site, is an important factor when planning a timber harvest. Consultation with a forester and/or logging contractor can help define the landowners objectives, and ensure that a balance is met.
Control of Invasive Exotic Plants and Animals
The spread of invasive plant and animal species is one of the most significant threats to the native habitats. UNHCE has a section of its website devoted to education about identifying and preventing the spread of invasive tree pests and diseases. The importation of infested firewood from out-of-state is a significant contributor to the spread of invasive tree pests. Don't Move Firewood is a helpful site for the identification and prevention of the spread of invasive pests.
Invasive plant species are also a threat to native plants, water quality, and the animals that depend on them. UNHCE has a published an identification guide. In NH , the Coastal Wathershed Invasive Plant Partnership (CWIPP) is working to educate people about the dangers of invasive plant species, and the USDA has a state-by-state resource site.
Special Sites
According to the 2010 SFI® Standard, special sites are "sites that include ecologically or geologically unique or culturally important features."
Climate Change
Regardless of one's opinions, it is hard to ignore the findings and predictions regarding globale climate change. How it will affect the New England forests, no one can say for certain. Regardless, the impact of adverse weather conditions on our forests cannot be ignored, nor should the research and predictions regarding future effects be ignored. Some of the following documents may be worth reading.
"Climate Change and NH's Forest Industry", by Eric Kingsley
"Climate Change", by Eric Nuse and Steve Wright, published in the January/February 2008 edition of the NH Wildlife Journal.
From the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation in NH, "Long-Term Trends from the Ecosystem Research at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest"