the voice of 255,000 forest owners in New York - representing an ownership of 11 million acres
INDEX estry Progress Through Applied Research. . . . 2,3,4 Message from Luella B. Palmer. . . . . .
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Message from Your Editor-Publisher.
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istmas Gift Suggestion 5 oods Walk at Dover Furnace . . .
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juvenation of a Forest. . 7
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FORESTRY PROGRESS THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH A NBW PROGRM1 AT THE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY by Sharon R. liiller, Director Applied Forestry Research Institute State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University During 1967, the College of Forestry at Syracuse University took another significant step to help serve the needs of New York through r-esear-ch, Hith the assistance and support of the New York State Con....• servation Department, the Applied Forestry Research Institute (AFRI) was established at the College in response to an indicated need for practical and tim.ely information to help solve pro bl.ens being encountered in forestry activities. The basic intent was to provide a means of conducting organized and funded research on forestry problems of a ~ractical nature needin~ ~mediate attention and havin£ relatively broad a221ication within the State. The first question that mi.ght, logically be asked at this point is what; is the basis for an applied research program such as this for forestry in New York State? The significance of forests and related resources to the econo~y and well-being of the people of the State is often not wel.L understood. Follovr.ingare some statistics about New York State that should be kept in mind: 1.
There are over 12 million acres of "commercial" forest land (does not include the Forest Preserve) with an estimated present land market value of nearly ~500 million.
2.
Current market values applied to tdrnber voLume estimates provided by the latest-Forest Survey of New York State (conducted during 1967, 68, and 69) indicate that the present tLlber resource is wor-th more than .~lbillion.
3. It is estimated that "tourism" is now worth $3.4 billion per year; a significant portion, but not all of this can be credited to the forest environment.
4.
Value added by timber-based economic activities in New York State Ls 'eatimat.ed to be in the neighborhood of billion per year.
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From this, I think that it should be easy to see that Ne1'iYork forests and forest lands are very important and that Lnvestraent.s in research to provide information on new and better ways to manage and utilize this resource are justifiable. Furthermore, the combined effects of an increasing population, an increasing demand for· suitable outdoor facilities and space for recreational activities, an increasing per capita consumption of paper and other wood products, and a growing need for clean water supplies are all placing a growing demand on our
2.
n abLon ts forests and forest lands. For years, vte have felt that Southern and 1Jestern forests could and should provide the nation with most of its timber needs because' of the excellent forest growing conditions that exist there. However, as needs increase, other par t s of the country must begin to assume a greater role in satisfying all types of demands upon the forests. Economically speaking, this could be a favorable trend for New York. Now back to particulars concerning the Applied Forestry Research Institute. The Irist.Lt.ut e ' s primary objective is to perform, as needs indicate, applied research in the management. and use of forests and related resources in New York State and to make operational reCOIIl .. men+ dations t.her ef'r-om , It is independently constituted, 'staffed, and funded. Administratively, it operates under the supervision of a Director.. it Steering Com:nittee, composed of College and Conservation Department administrators, and an Advisory Cormri t.t.ee , composed of selected individuals having concern for wise and reasonable use of forests and related resources in New York State, provide guidance to the Institute •• Research by AFRI is concentrated on problems currently inhibiting the progress of forestry in New York State, solutions to which generally lie outside the t.irne andz'or- knowledge of operating personnel. Special attention is given to assisting the New York State Conservation Department, but wi.t.h due regard for the needs of forest industries and other landowners. Examples of research project areas falling within the total scope of the Institute are: (1) forest and rela.ted resource management; (2) multiple-use applications to forest properties; (3) silviculture and soils; (4) forest protection and damage; (5) product development and technology.; (6) wood harvesting, forest engineering, and nar-ket ing ; (7) woods and tri.Ll. safety; (:3) forest recreation and aesthetic enhancenent ; and, (9) forest influences. The Institute disseminates results of its in.vestigations through various publ.Ic atd.ons and through direct or indirect contact with forest owner-s and managers within the State. A brief summary of specific studies that have been undertaken by AFRI in its short history wi.Ll. help define the type of program that is being developed. First of all, at the request of the State Conservation Department., a study was organized to determine if and hew coniferous nursery stock could be successfully and practically stored over winter in refrigerated rooms at the Departnent 1 s two nurseries. Such storage is desireable for the purpose of providing llshipablell seedlings earlier in the spring and to even out labor requirements for lifting seedlings a t the nurseries. This study is still in progress, but helpful information has already been developed~
Also for the Conservation Department, a system for computerizing inventory records "VITaS developed for the 700,000 acres of managable State forest land. This system is now being dmpl.eraented by personnel in the Conservation Depar-tment , A third study that has been completed and published concernsdevelopnerrt of volume tables for determining the board-foot volurne of treelength hardwood logs in Nell York St.at.e, These tables will be useful to buyers and sellers of tree-length inat.erLal., New studies
spring
that and sumner of
are being initiated
and installed
during the
1969 are:
(1) Development of population sampl.Ing techniques and estimation of amount of dw~age caused by the saddled pro~Jnent caterpiller, which has defoliated many thousands of acres of maple and beech stands in New York 8J1<1 surrounding states in the last several years. (2) Evaluation of various herbicides for controlling unwanted st ens in hardwood arid conifer stands, wi.th emphasis on effectiveness and safety.
(3) Deterrnirlation of wood characteristics and properties of conifers growing in p.Lant.at.Lons in NewYork State, for the purpose of promoting narket.s for this material.
(4)
Various studies concerning hardwoods in New York State. (5) Two studies equipment.
regarding
management and regeneration
timber harvesting
techniques
of
and
In conclusion, indications are very encouraging that the program being undertaken ~y the Applied Forestry Research Institute at the College of Forestry has a bright future in helping to serve the people of NewYork State. It has the unique opportunity to link higher education-basic research \'lith operational application. The need is real, possibilities are unliBited, the goal is clear, and some results have already been put into operation.
1 Message
from Luella
Bj Pah1er
October 2,
1969
Dear he.i"11bers of the NYFOA: I have enjoyed working with and for all of you for the past 5~ years, The first entry in my account book is dated Nay 1, 19641 I have come to know nany of you personally and others by correspondence onl.y, It is with deep regret that I find it advisable to resign as Mernber-sh.Lp Secretary-Treasurer. For reasons of health I am no longer able to devote the time and energy required to accomplish the results needed in this important job~ I leave you with my very best wishes for the continued growth of the NYFOA~
good health
and happiness
and
Sincerely, Luella
B~ Palmer
A Message from your Editor-Publisher
vIe are
always pleased to be able to draw on a large selection of material suitable for publication in the Forest Owner. Our stock on such material is low and we invite your contributionso
If 411
you have pictures x 511â&#x20AC;˘
Nail
all
na t er ial
available,
please
supply then as glossy
prints,
to: Henry Haag P. O. Box 185 Castleton on Hudson, N. Y. 12033
Christmas
Gift
Suggestion
Just recently, one' of our NYFOA members has published. a book about "PLarrted Larch in New YorkII , based on his long experience and deep interest in this interesting and unusual tree. Besides, it contains a lot of the author1s philosophy about private forest land ovmership and manag~,ent, as viewed by one who has been at it for mor-e than forty years. Even if you do not have a burning inter est in Larch, the book is easy and int er esting reading. Here is an unusual Christmas present for someone who is already or who might be interested in forest ownership. Copies may be had from the author, Dave Cook, 12 licf'her son Terrace, Albany, N. Y. 12206, ~ 2.00 postpaid.
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l!OOOS WALK AT DOVER FURNACE '!he October 25th WoodsWalk at CampSharparoon, Dover Furnace, was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Steinfeld, son Joseph and dog, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mincieli and dog, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles '!hornton. It was unfortunate that more of our memberswere not able to enjoy Dave Hanaburgh's guidance, insights, and hospitality that day. His lmo1dedge of the 1700 acre site is impressive. This knowledge covers the site1s natural history, humanhistory, and their relationship to one another. For example, the mining operations, which continued untU the end of the 19th century, produced many changes including sane deep pits and many acres ot slag heaps. This resulted in ponds, changes iri slope and vegetation. Each of us received a topographic map of this varied area. There are meadows,ravines, cliffs of garnet schist, native hardwood farests, old and new softwood plantations (including mature larch), streams, marshes and ponds. At one time, Dave's professional forestry skills were used by the New York Mission Society, owners of the tract, for a -selective timber harvest. NowDave is employed in maintaining and improving the site for its best use as a campsite and humandevelopment resource. .tis requires an approach to farestry which emphasizes educational and esthetic values rather than maximum. production of quality trees. People from NewYork's inner City, with little oppcrtunity for any contact with forest and little incentive to teel that land, water and wildlife could becomeimportant to them, use this forest. '!here are campsites for families and for different ages of children. Someof the youth develop an attachment for this forest over a period of years, and visit during all seasons. Many, who started as young campers, becomecounselors.
Paul Steinfeld
Dover Furnace
Cadet Camp
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THEREJUVENA nON OF A FOREST Part III by Ehiel D. Palmer While Lnspectdng the aesthetic timber harvesting in the Girl Scout forest at Cal:J.P Hoover, I discovered that the forester had stopped marking trees at a f'orner property line and that he had overlooked about 12 acres of forest that had been purchased separately. This area was heavily wooded JX1ddark. Also, it Has quite swampyin some places near Tully Lake. There were a higher percentage of dead and dying trees -here, and the nerchantable tiuber was ena.Ll.er and generally of a poorer grade. It would be difficult to find a logger that would bid on this snal.L amount of good tilnber. The cost of felling all the dead and dying trees would be prohibitive. However, I had a bu:i::l t-dn solution. An efficient logging cr-ew was operating on the adjacent property. Perhaps they could be persuaded to "pul.L o~ chestnuts out of the fire" if ,fe offered them a reasonable number of trees -~ that they could consider ner-chant.abl,e, Assuning tllat as tdmber agent I had the authority to make an additional cutting, I asked forester Richard Garrett to cone to our assistance. He responded by marking 300 additional trees, a large proportion of which wer-e in the swampyarea. This was accomplished on snow shoes ",Ii th an occasional break through the thin JViarchice. Below is the statement of the second t Inber sale at Camp Hoover. Less than 10% of these trees were the very valuable nature trees that vall improve in the futUre only at the expense of sunlight, grass, yo~!g tree reproduction and growth, and greater future use of this area. These are the trees that vie might His s for a-while, but the entire forest 1.;ill now begin to grow and the improvement should be remarkable by the end of the third sumner. About one eighth of the trees marked were not mature but shOUld be to allow better trees nearby to grow at a faster rate. Over one fourth trees were defective and vfere considered as possibly becoming hazardous the next cutting but should be merchantable at this tirrLe. Slightly uore one half of these l~arked trees were dead or were considered hazardous. cull trees had no tinber value and we paid to have theI:J.felled and left The forester esti.mated 29,000 board feet. ~i2056.18 for 3405 thousand board feet delivered price was only ~;;856 .18 since the logging cr-ews trees and cut and tr8nsport logs to the loading as 24 man (and machine) days @ ;~50.C0/day.
reooved of the before than TI1eseas is.
Tne Girl Scout COill1cil was paid to the roadside. But the net were paid to r-emove the cull area. TI1is cost was agreed upon
Perhaps, in the future, aesthetic timber harvesting nay be done at a lesser coste HO\-18ver,this operation was successful and we expect; that this type of forest management, wi.Ll, become increasingly popular. Here is an unusual opportunity to eat your cake and to keep an increasing supply of better cake coming along for future consw:J.ption. SOlle tales end with a'1i10ral. Try this. A tinber agent vTill secure a top price for your timber. Or, if you prefer, he can see to it that the harvesting is done to your satisfaction. The .impor-t arrt part to remember is that the cost of the- extra care and extra wor-kmust come from the gross price paid for the timber.