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Q #1: I have a 20 acre stand with 25% oak, 25% white pine, 40% hemlock, 10% other species with an average diameter at breast hight (dbh). It is in a stand that I have been told by a professional forester has excellent conditions for pine and oak. The property is currently under chapter 61.

My question is, can this stand make enough to at least pay the current taxes under chapter 61 or is it to small a stand to do anything profitable or at least break even?

Q #2: What effect will cutting timber have on the wildlife in my woods?

Q #3: How can I sell timber from my land without it looking like such a mess afterward?

Q #1: I have a 20 acre stand with 25% oak, 25% white pine, 40% hemlock, 10% other species with an average diameter at breast hight (dbh). It is in a stand that I have been told by a professional forester has excellent conditions for pine and oak. The property is currently under chapter 61.

My question is, can this stand make enough to at least pay the current taxes under chapter 61 or is it to small a stand to do anything profitable or at least break even?

A: Red oak and white pine are the most important commercial tree species in central Massachusetts. A stand that has an average diameter of 12 to 14 inches is poised to begin increasing dramatically in value. Crop trees of white pine and red oak are capable of impressive diameter growth if the crowns are full and have room to grow. Oak is large-crowned; crop trees will develop best if spaced 30 to 40 feet apart. Both black and white oak are less valuable than red oak. In mixed stands, white pine is often the tallest tree. Your forester will need to evaluate whether spacing between crop trees needs to be increased.

Tree form and quality are very important in determining tree value and the rate of future value increase. Stem straightness is important for all species. The lower portions of high- quality red oak stems will be free of branches and open wounds. Numerous irregularities in the bark indicate a lower grade. White pines will probably have some dead lower branches. These result in "black knots" in lumber. The fewer and smaller the dead lower branches, the more valuable will be the tree.

Hemlock is far less valuable than white pine or red oak, but is an important part of this stand. Hemlock is shade tolerant, seeds prolifically and is important for a number of wildlife species. Some of the best red oak is found mixed with hemlock, which shades the red oak boles. It is risky to remove hemlock that is providing side shade to red oak crop trees - the sudden increase in light may cause dormant red oak buds to become actively growing branches which degrade red oak stem quality.

As you and your forester discuss management options for this stand, your planning should account for the possibility of an attack by the hemlock wooly adelgid. This insect could kill some or all of the hemlock Since the stand is 40% hemlock, an adelgid infestation could altar the composition and look of the stand quite a bit.

The most recent quarterly stumpage report lists the following values (per thousand board feet) for the major species in your stand:

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Q #2: What effect will cutting timber have on the wildlife in my woods?

A: Cutting timber could mean just a light thinning of trees in your woodlot to fuel your woodstove or clearing an area for a large timber sale--or many things in between. Each method of harvesting timber can have different effects on wildlife habitat. A forest thinning generally provides room for the canopy (top layer of trees) to expand by removing trees that compete with these trees for light. This will not create a significant change in the habitat type or in the wildlife using this area unless only one or two tree species are kept in a forest that was once full of a variety of species.

If you are clearing an area, you will be changing the habitat type and many of the plants and wildlife that will move into that area. While this might be a shock to look at, there are many species of plants and animals that need clearings for part of their life cycle. Natural clearings are created by beaver dams, hurricanes, fires, and even by a single tree falling in the woods. It is important to recognize that landscapes change naturally over time.

Of course, there are a large variety of ways to harvest timber. In most situations the part of a timber harvest that creates the greatest disturbance is the development and use of roads and log landings for moving and stacking timber. The Massachusetts Best Management Practices (BMP's) provide guidelines for foresters and loggers to help minimize the impact of management on water quality and wildlife habitats. The BMP's manual provides information about building roads and trails, working near wetlands and vernal pools, and checking for rare and endangered species. You can ask for a copy of this manual by contacting the Department of Environmental Management at (800) 783-2311 or visiting their web site at www.state.ma.us/dem/programs/forestry/service/.

A great way to reduce the impact of timber harvests on wildlife habitat is to work with a forester. Consulting foresters can write a forest management plan to help you meet your needs. If wildlife habitat is important to you, your plan can specify to avoid cutting in important habitat areas. Also, forest thinning can promote wildlife trees such as standing dead trees or trees that provide food such as acorns or beech nuts by opening the canopy. While consulting foresters charge for these services, their knowledge and experience will likely pay for itself when it comes time to organize a timber sale and make sure the logging job is completed to meet your interests.

You can also request a free visit from a DEM Service forester who can walk your woodlot with you and provide site-specific advice. Use the above contact information to request a visit or to get a list of consulting foresters in the area.

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Q #3: How can I sell timber from my land without it looking like such a mess afterward?

A: There is a lot of work that a logging company can do to improve how your woodlot looks after timber is harvested. Remember that a forest, busy with large fallen branches and tops of trees, might be an eyesore to some while to others it represents fantastic habitat for some species of wildlife. With that said, there are some general considerations which will probably improve forest aesthetics in most people's eyes.

Roads

The roads that loggers use to haul timber and the log landings where timber is stacked before removal have a reputation as quite messy places. With proper planning these can become excellent locations for open trails through the woods and openings where wildlife can feed. Prevent deep rutting in roads by properly positioning roads, logging during frozen or dry conditions, grading, and creating water bars to divert water from roads when they follow steep slopes.

The look of the woods

The crown (the top portion of a tree where leaves are present) is typically the least economically valuable portion of a tree. Crowns that are cut off and left on their own will take a long time to break down. If crowns are cut up and left lying close to the ground, they will decompose much more quickly. If large equipment is used for the harvest, these machines can be used to break up branches in to smaller pieces also increasing the rate of decomposition. Easier walking and better visibility will be the result.

Some landowners even prefer to chip some of the wood that can't be sold for other purposes. These chips are either spread throughout the forest or in some cases sold for landscaping or other markets. It is important to mention here that leaving portions of trees in the woods can benefit forests by returning nutrients into the soil.

Harvesting choices

Hold on to some trees that have a beautiful form or produce eye-catching autumn color, especially close to trails and field edges where they will be seen most often. Careful cutting and skidding (moving trees to a log landing) can reduce the amount of damage done to trees that are left standing, making a logging job more aesthetically pleasing.

If you are interested in reading more about forest aesthetics, there is an excellent booklet published by the Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service called 'A Guide to Logging Aesthetics: Practical Tips for Loggers, Foresters, and Landowners.' To get a copy, contact the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) at (603) 224-9945 or info@spnhf.org

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