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Wisdom in the Woods

Planning a orchard

Kirsten Benot, with daughter Kateryna, looks on as Mark Shepard assesses an open area of property for the new Restoration demonstration project on the Prairie Heritage near Gimli. The project will group different species of fruit- and - bearing together in a orchard.

For more on this story, see pages 6 and 7.

Bitterly cold winter unlikely to impact spread of pests By Sheilla Jones The polar vortex that brought record-breaking cold mortality, since the insects begin reducing their cold temperatures to much of this winter may tolerance.” have warmed hopes for a chill on the spread of forest Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories pests. But experts say that the bitter cold may have had all recorded sustained severe cold in January, with little impact on the emerald ash borer, mountain pine sustained lows ranging from -37C to -28C. beetle and elm bark beetle. But it takes more than cold temperatures to kill larvae “It takes substantially colder temperatures to cause overwintering under the bark of trees. substantial insect mortality in the middle of winter,” said “The actual temperatures,” said Bannerman, “that these Jordan Bannerman, an instructor in entomology at the insects experience are higher than ambient temperatures University of Manitoba. “Cold weather in the fall or which can be misleading. It takes sustained cold to drop winter can have a larger impact. A warm spell in early the temperatures under the bark. Factors like the amount spring followed by a cold snap may also cause increased Continued on page 10

WAM 2014 AGM • New wood mass calculator, p 2 Wooded lands: New directions • WAM meets with Bezan on conservation, p 3 Saturday, March 22, 2014 • Barkman new MFA Resource Officer, p 5 See pages 8 and 9

January/February 2014 1 New wood volume calculator available on-line Woodlot Association of Manitoba The Canadian Forest Service is making it just a little Board of Directors 2013/2014 easier for woodlot owners to figure out how much wood they have in stands. President: Irene de Graaf, Narol, (204) 661-2068 CFS is providing an on-line calculator for computing [email protected] wood volume using taper models for everything from Secretary-Treasurer: lodgepole pines to quaking aspens. Allan Webb, Stonewall (204) 467-8648 To use the calculator, you need to know only the [email protected] measurement of the diameter of a standing tree at breast- height (1.3 metres above ground) and the tree species. Past President: Len Riding, St. Malo Providing a figure for the height of the tree will produce Directors: a more accurate calculation, but it is not required. •Mike James, Winnipeg, Beaconia Researchers who developed the on-line calculator are •Bob Austman, Beausejour using tree taper data collected from the Canadian •Tom Dykstra, Balmoral ENFOR program and some provinces to create a •Bruce MacLeod, Winnipeg national taper model for most commercial tree species in •Louise Matthewson, Gimli Canada. The calculator is available on the Natural Resources •Clint Pinder, Stony Mountain Canada website at https://apps-scf- •Chris Matthewson, Oakbank cfs.rncan.gc.ca/calc/en/volume-calculateur-calculator. The Manitoba Woodlot is published six times annually as a service to the membership of the Woodlot Association of Manitoba (WAM). MFA seedling sales offer WAM seeks to promote an understanding of sustainable new species woodlot management, increase income and employment potential for the woodlot sector, promote the use of woodlot With at last a break in this cold spell we’ve been products in the place of non-renewable and imported experiencing these past three months, thoughts turn to products, and develop human resources in woodlot our long-awaited spring. Thinking ahead to the management. months—and warmer temperatures—to come, now is a WAM represents the interests of our members within the perfect opportunity to get your order in for nursery stock Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners (CFWO). The for this coming spring. CFWO makes those interests known to forestry ministers at The Manitoba Forestry Association (MFA) annual both levels of government. seedling and tree sales program “Setting Down New Roots” continues to accept orders for the Spring of 2014. WAM also has a representative to the Manitoba Model This year we introduced a number of new species such Forest, another organization that promotes sustainable as Villosa Lilac, Meyers Spruce, Hybrid Poplar and management of Manitoba’s wooded areas. Hybrid Willow (all rooted stock), with some larger plug WAM is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board stock (grown in larger cavity plugs with greater root of Directors, which meets monthly. Our Annual General mass and increased caliper) as well, to assist you with Meeting (AGM) is held each year before the end of March your tree planting projects. and is open to all members in good standing. Currently, we are sold out of a number of species such as Scots Pine, Colorado Spruce, Balsam Fir, and the THE MANITOBA WOODLOT Villosa Lilac, and we are now starting to run low on a Editor: Sheilla Jones number of others in various plug sizes. Email: [email protected] For more information about species availability and Website: woodlotmanitoba.com pricing, please check out our online store at http://www.thinktrees.org/cms.Catalog.aspx or feel free Woodlot Association of Manitoba to call the MFA at 204-453-3182 to find out more or to 900 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y4 place your order. Happy Planting!

2 The Manitoba Woodlot WAM directors talk conservation strategy with Bezan Undeterred by stormy winter weather, WAM directors across the country,” said Bob. met with Manitoba MP James Bezan to talk about the Allan then listed the wide range of ecological goods input of private owners into drafting a national and services that are provided to society at large from conservation plan. woodlot owners. WAM directors Allan Webb Both Allan and Bob noted the and Bob Austman met for an From the draft National importance of providing input hour with Bezan and his Conservation Strategy: into the National Conservation constituency assistant for an Strategy from a woodlot owner’s hour at Bezan’s Selkirk perspective. Bob stated that “it constituency office on Recommendation 6: The could be a win-win situation for February 17. Bezan sits on a Committee recommends that the Canada and woodlot owners to parliamentary Environment Government become engaged in a nation- Committee responsible for of Canada work with all levels of wide tree-planting program, drafting Canada’s National along with other partners, such Conservation Strategy. government, industry and private as the transportation industry Allan and Bob, with James, conservation organizations to and others who emit large started off the meeting talking implement a nation-wide, incentive- quantities of carbon into the about the importance of the based ecological goods and services atmosphere.” CFWO (Canadian Federation James agreed, noting that there of Woodlot Owners), and program for the privately-owned hasn’t been much traction in presented him with a copy of agricultural and forestry landscapes. carbon-trading schemes in the the organization's mission stock market world, and nothing statement and organizational Recommendation 9: That the of much significance has been structure. He was quite Government of Canada continue to gained from “going down that surprised to hear that roughly road”. 15% of Canada’s wood supply build on the success of private land Bob noted that the draft to industrial mills comes from conservation programs such as the strategy has two private land. Stewardship Program for recommendations in particular The conversation then Species at Risk and the Ecological that CFWO and WAM could turned to Canada’s National help achieve (Recommendations Conservation Strategy which Gifts Program. 6 and 9). is a ‘work in progress’. Bob The meeting ended with an pointed out that there were agreement that James would many non-government pass this information on to the environmental agencies at the Environment Minister Leona table for discussion and input into the plan, but no one to Aglukkaq, with the recommendation that the CFWO or represent the interests of private woodlot owners. WAM be invited to further discussions when they resume “Involvement of private landowner groups could be a in Ottawa in the spring. key component to the successful roll-out of a national Other groups at the table for the National Conservation strategy, and that could bring a higher profile for the Strategy include Ducks Unlimited, agriculture producers, importance of sustainable woodlot management right and Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Notice to Members Please note that if you have not renewed your WAM membership for 2014, this is the last issue of The Manitoba Woodlot that will be mailed to you. To continue to receive the newsletter and to benefit from membership in the only organization in Manitoba representing the interests of private woodland owners, you can fill out the membership form on page 11 or you can go on-line to renew at woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.

January/February 2014 3 4 The Manitoba Woodlot Barkman new MFA resource officer

I am the new Resource Extension Officer with the Manitoba Forestry Association, and I’d like to introduce myself. I grew up in southeastern Manitoba, went to high school in Ottawa, and completed university with a forestry degree in Thunder Bay in 2003. Since then, I have held various forestry positions with industry, consultants, contractors, and the provincial government. My experience includes involvement in tree planting, trail and harvest block layout, forest inventory, as well as pest, disease, and thinning surveys. I am quite thankful I chose forestry as a profession as it not only helps provide for my family and me, but also keeps my lungs fresh, legs strong, and sometimes humbles my sense of direction. When I am not somewhere out in the sticks, I am usually with my wife and three children, going to various school and YMCA activities, or visiting family out in the country. I found that in order to keep up with my active kids, I pursue a passion in running, biking, Kevin Barkman and swimming. I also enjoy bringing my kids to the occasional cultural event to expose them to traditional song and dance. In December of 2013, I took the position as Resource Extension Officer with the MFA and I’m very excited about this new opportunity. Through the MFA and the Private Land Resource Planning Program, I look forward to using my experience to aid landowners in achieving their vision, which in turn will benefit the landscape today as well as for future generations. I can be reached at the MFA office at 204-453-3182, by cell at 204-330-7495, or by e-mail at [email protected].

January/February 2014 5 Establishing a little orchard on the prairies By Sheilla Jones “It is work to get established,” said Kirsten, “but when Imagine serving up poached Asian pears with fresh you a polyculture system, you are not creating an walnuts, both of which you’ve harvested from your ‘all you can eat buffet’ for pests that you get with a orchard in Gimli. A fruit and nut orchard is just one of .” the ideas Kirsten and Dan Benot are planning for their Fortunately, the Benots have been getting expert advice Prairie Heritage Farm five miles north of Gimli. and government funding assistance to create a “We’re designing a berm,” said Kirsten, “that will demonstration plot on their farm to put their ideas into block the cold northwest winds and create a cozy place practice. One of their advisers was Mark Sheperd, a warmed by the sun. No one is growing black walnut permaculture expert from Wisconsin, who helped them commercially yet in Manitoba but wouldn’t it be great if draw up plans for berms and ponds on their land. you could harvest walnuts.” “Mark is an advocate of the STUN method of farming,” The idea, said Kirsten, is to said Kirsten, a technique she create a microclimate zone to describes with a chuckle as support fruit and nut trees that relying on “sheer, total and utter would not normally thrive in neglect” by using and the Interlake. plantings to control weeds and “Asian pears are hardy for leaving nature to do most of the Zone 4, and that’s about as work. “Mark’s method of weed risky as we’re going to get. We control is to plant a variety of decided against American beneficial trees to attract because it’s too wet pollinators, and under the trees, on our farm.” plant daffodils that will out- The 72-acre farm the Benots compete grass and weeds.” bought four years ago is Kirsten said that Mark cuts covered by mixed forest and and sells his daffodils to florists, native prairie grassland, but but she is looking at other weed does not have any cultivated control methods, especially fields. It is not a traditional since keeping weeds down in farm, said Kirsten, but rather a developing orchards is an on- polyculture farm that integrates going challenge. Kirsten said perennial plantings, mixed she is experimenting with orchards and livestock. The rhubarb. livestock generates revenue, but Old English Southdown help the “I noticed that grass doesn’t Benots keep grass and weeds under control. also is expected to work on the grow under rhubarb leaves, so farm. last year I planted it under our “We have Old English fruit trees as natural mulch. It Southdown sheep, a Heritage breed that is 24-inches at was a success last season, and I’ll see how it works this the shoulder. They are wonderful for grazing orchards year.” and . And we’re preparing to have this The Benots will be getting more expert advice on their fall.” permaculture farm in May, when Austrian permaculture Prairie Heritage Farm is an example of permaculture specialist Sepp Holzer, three of his senior students and farming, a method of production that is catching on two translators will spend a week at the Gimli farm. It is around the world. It is more like the traditional mixed the only Canadian stop of Holzer’s North American tour. farming practices on the Prairies at the turn of the 20th “Creating microclimates is Sepp’s hallmark,” said century than the high-input monoculture practices of Kirsten. “He has a lemon orchard in the Austrian Alps. today. But it is work-intensive. Sepp is passionate about fruit trees, and he’ll explain why

6 The Manitoba Woodlot he doesn’t believe in , his various methods of pest control and how to prevent damage by deer.” Part of the philosophy of permaculture systems is expanding on what grows naturally on the farm, such as native hazelnut. “We have acres of wild hazelnut on our property, but the nuts are very small. I’m hoping that if we plant Zone 4 hazelnuts, we’ll have larger nuts. With all the hazelnuts we have growing on our property now, I’m sure they’ll do well.” Funding for the Prairie Heritage Farm demonstration project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Manitoba, this program is delivered by the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council. The Woodlot Association of Manitoba is a contributing supporter of the Prairie Heritage Farm demonstration site.

BLACK WALNUTS Black walnuts are well adapted to southern Ontario, and some grow in Manitoba. The trees produce edible nuts, but they are rarely gathered for eating except by persistent foragers. The early pioneers in Ontario highly valued the rich-tasting nuts and put away many sacks of them each year. Each farmstead had its own orchard of fruit and nut trees to provide it with its source of winter food. But the interest in black walnuts all but disappeared when easier to crack Persian walnuts became common in the grocery stores. The black walnut industry is alive and well in Stockton, Missouri, where millions of pounds of walnuts are processed each year. However, the entire is marketed domestically, with almost nothing left over for export. Society of Ontario Nut Growers January/February 2014 7 WAM 2014 AGM Wooded lands: New directions, new resources

WAM has been adapting to the changing realities faced Member voting rights: All WAM members in good by Manitoba’s woodlot owners, which means new standing are eligible to vote on WAM AGM business, and directions and new resources. The time may come again to be nominated for the WAM board. Nominations for the when sawing lumber is the primary focus of utilizing board can be made from the floor at the AGM. If you wooded lands, but right now, WAM is looking at all the would like to let your name stand or find out more about other resources that can be derived from woodlots and is the role of a director, contact President Irene de Graaf at developing new programs to help landowners benefit 204-661-2068. from their wooded lands. Come to the AGM and be a You can renew your membership on-line by going to part of the discussion. woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.

↑ Parking WAM AGM

Providence University College MAP for AGM • Business meeting: Howison Room #20 • Lunch: South Meeting Room #20

8 The Manitoba Woodlot WAM 2014 AGM Wooded lands: New directions, new resources

When: Saturday, March 22, 2014 Where: Howison Room, Reimer Student Life Centre Providence University College, Otterburne, Manitoba Cost: $20, including morning coffee and lunch Register on-line: woodlotmanitoba.com/events/wam-2014-agm/

If you’re looking to sell woody biomass or buy woody biomass, then you’ll want to hear about the Biomass Brokerage from the man who is the brains behind it. Bruce Duggan will explain how the brokerage works and how you can use it to buy and sell your woody biomass. Bruce Duggan

AGENDA

• 9:30-10:30: Coffee and registration

• 10:30-12:00: Business meeting: · President’s Report: Irene de Graaf · Treasurer’s Report: Allan Webb · Communications Report: Sheilla Jones · Wood-Wise 101 Report: Chris Matthewson Presentations: · Manitoba Forestry Association · Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners · Manitoba Model Forest Election of 2014 WAM board The Barn at Providence.

Providence University • 12:00-1:00: Roast chicken dinner, served in the South Meeting Room, Reimer Student Life Centre College • 1:00: Feature Speaker: Bruce Duggan, Director, Buller Centre for Business MAP for AGM • Business meeting: • 2:00: Tour of The Barn, home to a Blue Flame Stoker biomass furnace and the distributed biomass- Howison Room #20 heating system for Providence. The Barn is a short walk from the student centre. • Lunch: South Meeting Room #20 Directions: Providence University College is in Otterburne, which is 5 km west of Hwy 59 on Rd 303. Otterburne is about 40 km south of Winnipeg. For parking, please use the north parking lot. Attendees may park in Rows B or C. There are electrical outlets that they are welcome to use.

January/February 2014 9 Bitter cold has little impact on forest pests Continued from front page Why become a member of WAM? of snow in and tree density are also important in determining temperatures experienced by the larvae.” As a member you will be promoting active Where sustained cold does impact insect mortality, noted Bannerman, it affects more than just damaging stewardship of Manitoba’s privately owned pests. , woodlots and family forests. You “Although in the case of the emerald ash borer the will also receive a great deal, including: cold weather may have caused some mortality, the mortality to the natural enemies that are being used as —A bi-monthly newsletter, complete with up- an attempt to control their populations will also to-date information of upcoming events, experience significant and potentially higher levels of current woodlot/forestry/conservation issues, mortality. This is likely relevant for both the mountain pine beetle and elm bark beetle as well.” and wood products/services available in your area. The Manitoba Woodlot newsletter can be mailed to a Canadian address or accessible on- Really, the take-home line to members only in advance of being made message is that although available to the public. On-line access saves WAM the costs for postage and printing, and these periods of cold members can view the newsletter in colour. weather likely killed some View past issues of The Manitoba Woodlot at woodlotmanitoba.com/newsletter. insects, these insects are cold-adapted. —Special members-only rates for events and workshops. While extreme weather events, such as record-setting —Opportunities to participate in field days, cold temperatures, may raise hopes for a natural demonstrations, conferences, workshops and constraint on insect populations, Bannerman said this winter has not likely had much impact beyond those meetings on topics related to woodlot experienced in an average winter. management. “Really, the take-home message is that although these periods of cold weather likely killed some insects, these —Free classified ads in The Manitoba Woodlot. insects are cold-adapted. And it is highly unlikely that these weather events will have any influence on the —If you operate a commercial woodlot or movement of these insects and their population sizes. agrowoodlot, the WAM membership fee is a There is no evidence of the mountain pine beetle spreading into Manitoba; however, it may be only a tax deductible business expense. matter of time. The beetle was at one time confined to lodgepole pine forests in the BC mountain regions, but —Membership in WAM is open to individuals it has now developed a taste for jack pine, a staple of the and businesses. Dues are $30.00. Those northern boreal forest. Jack pine stands cover about two- interested in membership can telephone (204) thirds of Manitoba's land mass. 467-8648, or apply/renew membership on-line Scientists conducting genomic research have at woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership. confirmed that the mountain pine beetle (MPB) “just loves jack pine”. “Scientists expect the beetle to continue expanding its

10 The Manitoba Woodlot Membership Application for 2013/14

Membership fee 2014 $30.00 ‪Renewal fee 2014 $30.00 geographic range, moving into the boreal forest and Canada’s northern and eastern pine forests,” Name according to Natural Resources Canada. “Today the Mailing Address MPB occurs well beyond its historic range, extending into northern British Columbia and Email eastward in the boreal forest of north-central Telephone Alberta. Not just limiting itself to lodgepole pine any longer, the beetle is also reproducing in jack pine, the dominant pine species of the boreal forest.” I am particularly interested in the following: The mountain pine beetle infestation has decimated 18-million hectares of forests in BC, and ‪Firewood and biomass energy crippled independent lumber businesses across the country as provincial governments slash stumpage ‪Wildlife habitat enhancement fees to get rid of the dead and diseased trees as fast ‪ and water conservation as possible. ‪Land stewardship ‪Recreation, eco-tourism ‪Wood products, logging, sawmills Specialty or non-traditional products (i.e., , mushrooms, maple syrup) ‪Christmas trees ‪All of the above

Would you like to receive your copy of The Manitoba Woodlot via email? Yes ‪ No ‪

Do you require a receipt? Yes ‪ No ‪ (WAM provides receipts only upon request.)

Advertising Rates Thank you for becoming involved and for Special display ads + webcard packages supporting Manitoba’s privately owned The Manitoba Woodlot, six issues/year woodlands, woodlots and family forests. + webcard/year on woodlotmanitoba.com Mail to: • Full page + webcard: $810 + $60 Woodlot Association of Manitoba • Half page + webcard: $480 + $70 c/o Allan Webb, Secretary-Treasurer • Quarter page + webcard: $270 + $75 Box 43 • Business card + webcard: $210 + $80 Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0

Contact [email protected] You can sign-up on-line by going to for more details. woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.

January/February 2014 11 Publications Mail Agreement No. 41591026 Return undeliverable Canadian addressed copies to: Woodlot Association of Manitoba 900 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y4

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE diameter, 21’ long; with bed extension of saw blades and tools sharpened. Weld 1985 John Deere 544C 100 HP Wheel up to 27’. Comes on wheels. Excellent all types of carbide tip saws (Slasher and Loader for sale. 4 wheel drive, 3855 condition. Asking $18,900.00. Feller Buncher teeth). 592 Talbot Ave., hours showing, rebuilt engine and Telephone (204) 429-2135. Winnipeg. Contact Norm at Dr. Saw (204) transmission in 2011, 2nd owner, 667-6373 or see www.drsaw.ca. includes log forks (5' long), hydraulic All sizes of slasher, sawmill and cord grapple and large (4 yard) quick attach wood new blades. Resharpening used SAWLOGS WANTED bucket. Perfect for loading and 22”/42”/48”/50” sawmill blades and 26” Interested in purchasing any type of saw unloading logs/lumber, moving snow, cord wood blades. Skate sharpener, log you have available. Contact Roger in pallets and general construction. 1st chipper, blower, debarker, planer, Roseile at (204) 828-3386. owner used it for a sawmill, 2nd owner circular sawmill, bandsaw mill, feller for loading firewood and logs. Reason buncher ($200,000.00). Used drum roll FIREWOOD LOGS WANTED for selling: more than I need. band saw sharpener ($250.00). All types Wanted: Firewood logs delivered and Contact Clint at 204-453-7788 or of saw blade sharpening equipment. 592 unloaded in Stony Mountain area. 16' long [email protected]. Asking Talbot Ave., Winnipeg. Contact Norm at or longer, tamarack preferred but open to $24,000 OBO. Dr. Saw (204) 667-6373 or see other species. Ideally 16" at stump end but www.drsaw.ca. will accept 8" to 20" at stump end. Contact Nyle 200 Kiln complete with controls Clint at 204-453-7788 or and two fans, $2500. Call Len at 204- EQUIPMENT WANTED [email protected]. Cash or 423-2180. Sawmill equipment and saw blades any business cheque paid per load. size, shape and condition. If you want to Moulder/Planer, 4-headed. Over sell/buy logs, lumber and sawmill LUMBER FOR SALE $9,000.00 in tooling (v joint, flooring, 6 equipment, we can provide you with Timber Quota 41 cords softwood annual different casing knives, etc.). Blower contacts. 592 Talbot Ave., Winnipeg. allowable cut $4500. Call Len at 204-423- unit, electrical, 2004 cat, generator, Contact Norm at Dr. Saw (204) 667- 2180. 60kw. Knives and profiles included. In 6373 or see www.drsaw.ca. excellent condition. Buyer could be set Hardwood lumber: oak, ash and up and running in one day. Asking SERVICES basswood. Air dried. Various sizes and $30,000.00. Call (807) 344-7514. Manitoba hardwoods. Elm, ash, maple prices. Contact Roger in Roseile at (204) custom cutting with Wood-Mizer mill. 828-3386. 1999 Model LT 40 Wood-Mizer Bob Gass, McCreary, (204) 835-2631. Sawmill. Includes 33 HP Kubota diesel MISC. FOR SALE motor, power feed, power up/down, Saw blade repair/sharpening. We roll, Two cases of mesh tree guards, with 500 debarker, auto clutch, shingle maker, tension, straighten and balance saw per box. Price 20-cents per guard. Contact and lapsider, Lubemizer. Cuts to 36” blades (instead of hammering). All types Barry at 204-423-2273.

Classified ads are free for WAM members.

12 The Manitoba Woodlot