The New York FOREST OWNER

A publication of the New York Forest Owners Association

July/August 1997

FOREST SNAKES OF NEW YORK

Just What Is It That Forest Owners Care About?

" .r' Selectlng.A Forester

Volume 35 Number 4 THE NEW YORK FOREST OWNERS FOREST OWNER ASSOCIATION A publication of the New York Forest Owners Association Editorial Committee: Betty Densmore, Chair, Alan Knight, Mary McCarty, Jim Minor, VOL. 35, NO.4 Bob Sand, and Eileen VanWie. Materials submitted for publication should be addressed to: R.J. Fox, Editor, R.D. 3, Box 88, Moravia, New York 13118. Articles, artwork and photos are invited and are normally OFFICERS & DIRECTORS returned after use. The deadline for submission for Sep/Oct is July 1. Please address all membership fees and change of address requests to P.O. Box

Jill Cornell, President 180, Fairport, N.Y. 14450. Cost of individual membership/subscription is $20. 703 Johnsonville Rd. Johnsonville, NY 12094; 518/753-4336

Robert M. Sand, Recording Secretary 300 Church Street MASTER FOREST OWNER TRAINING Odessa, NY 14869-9703; 607/594-2130

Don Wagner, Treasurer 5330 Graham Road, Utica, NY 13502; 315n33-7391

Deborah Gill, Administr-ative Secretary P.O. Box 180 Fairport, NY 14450; 716/377-6060

1998 Jill Cornell, Johnsonville; 5181 753-4336 Elizabeth Densmore, Machias; 716/942-6600 Robert Sand, Odessa: 6071 594-2130 Bob Sykes, Elbridge; 315/673-3691

1999 Harry Dieter, Honeoye Falls, 716/533-2085 Thomas Ellison,Manlius, 315/682-9376 Richard Fox, Moravia: 315/497-1078 David Swanson, Mount Morris, 716/658-4601

2000 Hugh Canham, N. Syracuse: 315/457-4972 John Hastings, Queensbury: 518n98-0248 Ronald Petersen; Latham: 518n85-6061 Betty Wagner; Utica; 315n33-7391 Coastal Lumber Company's Saw Mill (formerly owned by Cotton-Hanlon, Inc.) at Cayuta, one of the sites visited by Master Forest Owner Volunteers during their training.

CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES Don Huber, Allegheny Foothills; 716/549-5025 Steven Davison, Cayuga; 315/496-1392 Joan & Hans Kappel, Capital District; 518/861-8753 Tom Graber, Central New York; 315/255-3662 JetTWiegert, Lower Hudson; 914/831-3109 Don O'Shea, Northern Adirondack, 315/393-5137 Rita Hammond, Niagara Frontier; 7161 652-2857 Table of Contents James Durller,SE Adirondack; 518/747-5958 Larry Lepak, Southern Tier: 6071 656-8504 Don Schaufler, Tioga, 607/589-6095 President's Message, Jill Cornell 3 Eileen VanWie, Western Finger Lakes; 716/367-2849 Forest Snakes of New York, Glenn Johnson 4 When Doing Your Own Thing Isn't Good Enough, Carl Weidemann 6 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced with- Selecting A Forester, Peter Smallidge & Mike Greason 8 out prior written permission from the publisher. NYFOA One Master Forest Owner Volunteer's Story, Mike Valla 10 does n01 necessarily support or approve procedures, prod- ucts, or opinions presented by authors or advertisers. LETTERS, 13 The Andean Condor, Henry Kerman 14 Just What Is It That Forest Owners Care About?, Alan Knight 15 Awards, Bob Sand 16 NYFOA's 1997 Spring Meeting, Charlie Mowatt 18 COVER PHOTO: NYS's Outstanding Tree Farmer for 1997, 19 Eastern Milk Snake, Photo by Pheromones, Exploiting an Insect's Sense of Smell, Douglas Allen 20 Todd Wills. Silvicultered Gardens?, Jane Sorensen Lord 22

2 • NY FOREST OWNE~; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ABOUT THIS ISSUE

By Dick Fox By Jill Cornell udging from comments received, or the s members of NYFOA we are lack of them, regarding the last issue, aware of stewardship and man- j the use of digital generated photos was agement of our woodlots so that A accepted and will be continued in the fu- they can be environmentally sound, con- ture. Considerable savings were obtained tributing to clean air and water in our state, by the use of this technology. We currently provide good recreational uses, habitat for print with a special sized, computer-di- wildlife, as well as the production of wood rected laser printer on plastic which is then and paper products that we need for every- used by the offset press to print the final day life. pages. What you may not be aware of is that We are now able to receive photos in across the state there are a half a million any form (black & white prints are best): private woodlot owners who own 85% of color prints or slides and either digitize NY's forests. Collectively we own 14 mil- them with our scanner or send them out. lion of the 18 million acres of forest land! Some correction in brightness, contrast and Of those half million owners, a quarter of a intensity may be made with software. million woodlots are 10 acres or less.Per- This capability, along with much else, haps many of them are good stewards, but is provided by an investment of some $6000 there are many small and large landown- by NYFOA in the computer, scanner, ers who do not have written management printer and removable disk storage and soft- plans for their woods. ware. I will be happy to provide any mem- Are you aware that the NY timber indus- ber with the details of costs, specifications, try employs 66,000 New Yorkers and con- and sources of the components. Further- tributes $4 Billion to NY's gross economic more, there may be some interest by mem- output? President Jill Cornell bers or newsletter editors in services pro- We are not a small group, and we are and collectively as a state organization to vided by these NYFOA-owned tools. not economically inconsequential! have our concerns heard in the Capitol, It is my intention to make available in We need to reach the rest of those half and to be able to share information, inter- digitized form all the articles, photos and million woodlot owners, since we represent ests, ideas, and opinions with each other. graphics which any author has contributed a very viable group in the state. Please share your copy of the FOREST towards filling the pages of the FOREST To do that we need your help! OWNER or your Chapter Newsletter with OWNER. This has been done for two, al- When your next renewal notice comes a friend or neighbor to help to get them ready: Doug Allen and Peter Levatich. It is around, it will have a questionnaire en- interested, and take a friend to the next also a task set for your editor to put in digi- closed. You may think that some of the NYFOA program. tal form all the graphic and textual mate- questions are "nosey". -All of your re- Please call me with comments and/or rial found in past FOREST OWNERs. This sponses are totally voluntary, and you are suggestions: 5187534336. has been done for text for the past 5 112 welcome to skip any that you feel infringe years and is stored in digital form. The pur- on your privacy. The responses will be kept pose for such archives is to prepare an in- on the database manned by Debbie Gill, dex for the FOREST OWNER and to fa- our Executive Secretary, and will only be NOTICE cilitate access and subsequent reproduction. available to the NYFOA Board of Direc- A number of members have advised To increase exposure of our message to tors and Chapter Chairs. The questionnaire me that there were instances of mari- the general public and potential members has not been finalized yet; it is still in Com- juana-growing on their property. I am it has been suggested that members might mittee. But it has two focuses: the first is collecting all information regarding such take their copies of the magazine no longer aimed at producing a NYFOA directory of instances for study as to how NYFOA to be retained and leave them (with or with- all the members and how to reach them by can help its members when help is out the name and address label) at the local phone, regular mail, e-mail and faxes; and sought. barber shop, beauty salon, doctor's, the second contains questions about you To that end I am soliciting details dentist's or lawyer's office, and any other and your special skills and interests, and from personal information or accounts similar place where people are obliged to the knowledge you have about the Dora and in the media which will aid in defininz wait. Should that particular destination be fauna inhabitants of your property, streams <=> the extent and nature of the problem. well received, the Board of Directors & ponds, insect and/or disease problems, Please assist in this survey by send- agreed to fund an increase in printing in timber sales, and timber thefts, etc. I hope ing details, who, what, when, and where, order to provide complimentary subscrip- that you will fill it all out, but I respect your to me at 703 Johnsonville Road; tions for that purpose. Such an increase will right to privacy if any of the questions are Johnsonville, NY 12094. commence with this issue.Please contact uncomfortable for you to answer. -Jill Cornell Debbie or me, if you have a prospect. We need to get together in our chapters,

NY FORESTOWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA· 1·800·836·3566· INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 3 FOREST SNAKES OF NEW YORK

pents in color and striping pattern and are often mistaken for another species. Most show three light stripes running from head to tail, although the central stripe may be lacking.Garter snakes feed upon earth- worms, some insects, frogs, nestling birds and small mammals. Like most snakes, they locate their prey primarily through their well-developed sense of smell, using their forked tongue to locate and follow scent trails. Garter snakes simply grab and swal- low their prey and do not use constriction. ccasionally, you may encounter a slender snake at the edge of bea- Over flows and ponds that at first glance is easily mistaken for a garter snake. If closer examination reveals two bright yellow to cream stripes on the sides bor- ..dering a dark stripe and a small spot of yel- low in front of the eyes, than it is a ribbon snake. This snake may be locally abundant, Eastern Garters emerging from their winter den. Photo by Dale Garner. but is usually quite uncommon. It feeds primarily on fish, frogs and tadpoles and, By Glenn Johnson • like its relative the garter snake, gives birth he brown snake is common across the three inch babies are no bigger around to living young. most terrestrial and marshy habitats than a toothpick. Red-bellied snakes seem Generally, wherever there is water con- all over New York, especially where T to prefer slugs and snails over all other taining fish, there are northern water snakes there is an abundance of structures under foods, making them a favorite of farmers to eat them. Many people suspect these which they can hide, such as rocks and logs, who grow leafy crops susceptible to dam- snakes are venomous, which they are not, and earthworms and slugs, its favorite prey. age by slugs. and many are needlessly killed. This may Rarely reaching 16 inches, this small ser- The ring neck snake is another small, se- be due to their rather aggressive behavior pent is often found in farms and towns un- cretive, and decidedly harmless, serpent towards their enemies, including people. der the debris left around by people. They found throughout forested parts of the Tug They will flatten their bodies, lunge, bite, are even known in Central Park in New York Hill. It is a pretty snake with a blue-gray and spray a foul musk when cornered or City! Once called DeKay's snake after the back, a bright yellow (sometimes red) belly otherwise threatened. However they are 19th century New York naturalist, brown and a yellow ring around its neck. Often quite harmless if left alone. Large individu- snakes are easy to recognize by their drab several individuals are encountered to- als may reach four feet in length and ap- brown color and two rows of small black gether under rocks, logs and woodland de- pear brown to almost black. Fish and frogs dots running down their back. bris. Salamanders and earthworms form the are their prey of choice. Just for the record, Red-bellied snakes are found over most bulk of its diet. Like the redbelly, it is most there are no poisonous water snakes north of New York, yet few people have seen often found under rocks and logs in forest of southern Virginia. them. They are small (to 14 inches), se- clearings. It is doubtful there is a creature in the cretive snakes that spend a great deal of The green snake is probably the simplest entire state that has more myths, tall tales time under rocks and logs.By carefully snake to identify in New York. It is bright and misguided notions about it than the turning over these objects, you may be for- green in color over its entire length, which milk snake. They are often called "spotted tunate to find one. They come in two color may reach 25 inches. This slender serpent adders" after the venomous serpents of phases: one with a light to dark brown back inhabits woodland edges and grassy fields Europe and Asia. This is probably due to and another with a light grayish back. Both and may climb up into low vegetation in their slightly unnerving habit of vibrating have a bright red belly and 3 small light search of caterpillars and other soft-bod- their tails like rattlesnakes when annoyed blotches on their neck. These serpents pro- ied insect prey. Its range encompasses the and because many folks assume any boldly- duce live young rather than lay eggs. Preg- entire state. patterned snake is poisonous.They are nant females seek the shelter under flat asily the most common and wide quite harmless. In fact, they perform a valu- rocks exposed to the sun. As the rock warms spread snake in forests of New York able service to farmers by consuming ro- up, the heat is conducted to the snake lying Eis the eastern garter snake. They are dents and other small mammals that other- underneath. Within limits, the warmer the found in all kinds of habitats, from wet- wise would damage crops. Milk snakes use snake, the shorter will be the pregnancy. lands to uplands to farmlands. Garter constriction to overpower their prey. Milk Birth typically occurs in late August and snakes are among the most variable ser- snakes are in the kingsnake group, so-

4 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 named because they regularly consume other species of snakes, including rattle- snakes! They appear to have a natural im- munity to snake venom. Milk snakes lay eggs and often several females gather to deposit eggs at a communal site. Whether Eastern Milk this is due to a lack of quality egg- laying places or to some other factor is not under- Snake. stood.Outside of the breeding season, milk Photo by snakes are rarely found together except in Todd Wills. their winter retreats. The largest New York serpent, by far, is the black rat snake. A full grown adult may reach lengths of 8 feet. Like their name suggests, they are largely black, with a bit of white on their chins and bellies, and they eat rodents. They are good climbers and ronmental Conservation) enjoys the wid- Venomous snakes are best left alone. spend a considerable amount of time up in est range; it is found mainly in the south- None of our species are particularly aggres- trees. Birds' eggs and nestlings form a ma- eastern part of the state, except Long Is- sive animals, but they will attempt to bite jor part of their diets. Like nearly any wild land and New York City, with scattered when handled. If you encounter a snake but animal, they will bite when provoked, but populations as far north as Lake George and can keep your distance, the snake will they are quite harmless if left alone. also along the Southern Tier in western nearly always refrain from striking. If you New York. Its populations have been se- should be bitten, obviously the most im- VENOMOUS SNAKES verely reduced, primarily due to bounties portant first thing is determining if the There are only three species of poison- and commercial capture for snakeskin snake is of a poisonous variety. It is always ous snakes living in the wilds of New York products and the pet trade. The massasauga a good idea to become familiar with the (many other kinds may be found in the (listed as "Endangered") occurs in only two poisonous snakes in your area, including homes of private individuals and, occasion- locations, both large wetlands.One is lo- the outdoor places you plan to visit. Bites ally, escapes occur'). These are the copper- cated northeast of Syracuse and the other from nonpoisonous snakes are generally head, the timber rattlesnake, and the mas- is west of Rochester. This species is the sub- inconsequential, however it is prudent to sasauga (erroneously called "pygmy rat- ject of a cooperative research program be- review when you last had a tetanus immu- tier".) All three are uncommon and the first tween researchers at SUNY-ESF and nization.Bites from venomous species are two may occur in forested areas.The tim- NYSDEC.The copperhead is mainly found a more serious matter and you should al- ber rattlesnake (listed as "Threatened" by along the lower Hudson Valley south of ways seek medical assistance. Commercial the New York State Department of Envi- Kingston; it is essentially absent from the snakebite kits, which suggest making lac- Catskills and points further west. erations in the area of the bite and apply- CHECKLIST OF SNAKE SPECIES he timber rattler and massasauga ing suction and tourniquets are not recom- FOUND WITHIN NEW YORK both possess a rattle at the end of mended. Poisonous snakebite is rarely fa- Ttheir tails.It is made of a series of tal among healthy adults. ••. Eastern worm snake hollow scales that produce a distinct buzz Northern ringneck snake when the snake vibrates its tail (a new one Dr. Glenn Johnson has done research on Northern black racer is added each time the snake sheds its skin, the red-shouldered hawk (with Professor Eastern hognose snake which may be several times a year). Both Chambers) and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (with Professor Leopold) at Smooth green snake rattlers are sort of chunky snakes but the SUNY-ESF where he currently teaches Black rat snake timber rattlesnake can attain lengths of up Herpetology. Eastern milk snake to six feet while the massasauga barely Northern water snake reaches three feet. A timber rattler's head Queen snake is much wider than a massasauga's and ONE ... TWO ... TREE! Northern brown snake there are numerous small scales on the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation Northern red belly snake crown of its head; the massasauga has nine has completed its tree census, in which Common garter snake-2 NY subspecies larger scales on the crown. Copperheads 700 volunteers counted almost 500,000 Eastern garter snake lack the rattle, but will vibrate their tail trees on city streets. The number is down Maritime garter snake when annoyed. In dry leaves, this vibra- from the 977,750 counted in 1936. The Shorthead garter snake tion can sound like a rattle; many other spe- Norway Maple is most common in The Ribbon snake-2 subspecies in NY cies, such as milk and rat snakes, will also Bronx, Queens and Staten Island; the Eastern ribbon snake perform this behavior. The copperhead can Honey Locust in Manhattan; and the Lon- Northern ribbon snake be told by its coppery-red head and by the don Plane in Brooklyn. Northern copperhead distinct bands along its body which are -from Littorally Speaking, May 1997. Eastern massasauga widest at the sides and narrowest across the Timber rattlesnake back.

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 5 WHEN DOING YOUR OWN THING ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH By Carl Wiedemann Well, I'll have to disagree on this point. In they provide advice?" Of course they do. was intrigued by what Norm Richards my experience, "doing your own thing" But, they also have to eat, and by necessit had to say about the public interest in does not always serve the public interest or charge for their services. Sometimes land- Iprivately owned forests in the MarchI even the landowner's interest! I've seen owners are reluctant to pay, particularl April issue of the NY FOREST OWNER. many acres of forest land degraded in a when they are starting from a knowledge He speculated that there may be little real variety of ways from past "management." base of near zero. These owners will often damage to the public interest by forest Specifically, forest landowners do not al- seek advice, as long as there is no fee or owners who do their own thing. Norm also ways manage their properties sustainably. obligation. In these situations, the public asked, "What is proper or good manage- In most cases, I found the reason was forester acts as the catalyst in getting a land- ment of private woodlands and who is simple ignorance. owner started in forest management. to judge this?" The implication is that Consider the following guiding prin- the public should have no concern with ciples for forest land management from current management practices on pri- Hardwood Timber Volume a public interest perspective. They are_ vate forest land. As a forest landowner listed in order of importance: and as a former service forester, (that's By Tree Grade - 1993 First Priority - Protect the basic in- right I have a bias!) I would like to of- tegrity of the site. fer some comments on the subject. Second Priority - Protect rare, Early in my career, I worked with threatened, andlor endangered species, private forest landowners. Most of my water quality and significant habitats. experiences were very positive. In spite Third Priority - Provide for reason- of my shortcomings, landowners were able protection from destructive ele- usually eager for the information I pro- ments (insects, disease, fire, erosion, vided about forest management. I . logging, trespass, etc.) found. landowners had many' different Fourth Priority - Make sure that if interests and no two woodlots exactly trees are being removed, provision has alike. Consequently, my time was spent been made for commercially desirable talking with people and examining for- regeneration. est land. I tried to provide advice that Fifth Priority - Enhance opportuni- 53.0% was consistent with the public interest, ties to grow commercially valuable tim- forest conditions and landowner objec- ber. tives. Trees oyer 15" diameter From Table 32 Bulletin 132 Sixth Priority - Landowner objec- "Hold it right there buster!" you o Grade J II Grade 2 II Grade 3·5 tives. This is where doing your own may be thinking. "Who were you to thing will probably not hurt the public decide what was good or bad for the pub- yopinion is based on my expe- interest. lic interest - whatever that is?" riences with several hundred Some may question my emphasis on In most situations, I didn't have much Mlandowners. I found that most growing commercially valuable trees. difficulty with this question. Maybe I'm of the clients I worked with were great Many landowners are not particularly in- missing something, but the public interest people, but not experts in forestry or silvi- terested in timber and neither is most of seems pretty obvious. Forest resources are culture.Most had never sold timber. They the public. However, timber is basically important to everyone - not just to land- had no idea that sustainability could be compatible with other values, so it can be owners. The public does have an interest enhanced by exercising control over what incorporated in most management without in how privately owned forests are man- trees were to be cut and left in a timber sale. sacrificing other objectives. Furthermore, aged - just like the public has an interest in Most were not even members of the New of all the values currently recognized, of- air, water, and other natural resources. A York Forest Owners Association! Yet, they ten it's the commercial productivity of fundamental public concern is that forests were eager for information.Furthermore, New York's forests that is most threat- be managed sustainably. In other words, many were altruistic and willing to make ened. they should be managed so that future gen- investments of some sort to improve their Most of the forest land in New York is erations can continue to benefit from their forest. Consequently, I often felt that at owned by individuals. For most of these bounty. That is a "yardstick" that can be least some of the advice I provided was landowners, timber is not a primary man- used to define "good" and "bad" manage- going to be adopted and would contribute agement objective. Yet, it is rare to find a ment. to the interests of both society and the land- woodlot that has not been cut in the past.I "But," you ask; "Didn't Norm Richards owner. can't ever remember walking through a say that landowners who do their own thing Some of you are no doubt thinking; privately owned virgin forest, and I have do little damage to the public interest?" "What about consulting foresters? Don't walked through several hundred woodlots

6 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 -INFO JULY/AUG 1997 more of these needs around the world - if Percentage of Sawtimber Tree they are managed responsibly. "Think globally, act locally." That was Volume in Grade 1 a popular bumper sticker a few years ago which has some application here. In spite 2Or------~ of my concern about the declining com- mercial productivity of New York's forest 15 resource, I'm not an advocate for more regulation. Regulation is an expensive so- C lution for everyone. However, I do feel that QI e 10 QI modest investments of tax dollars for in- Q. centives and education are prudent. We need a strong service forestry program in 5 New York State. Private forest owners can do just fine if they have access to good in- o formation and a little encouragement. 1970 1980 1993 HardNood Sawtimber - All Size Qasses There is a public interest in forest resources that is not always served by "doing your in my short service forestry career. Log- no commercial value! I suspect that past own thing." .A. ging is still the most common management cutting practices have contributed to the activity, although commercial productivity high proportion of poor quality trees. Carl Wiedemann is currently Director of does not seem to be of much concern for Even more revealing is how hardwood the NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation. landowners, environmental groups or the tree quality has declined over the decades public. Maybe that's part of the problem. between 1970 and 1993. The percentage The threat to the ability of forests to of all hardwood sawtimber trees classified grow trees with timber value is related to as grade 1 dropped from 15% to 11% in economics. When forest land is cut in this the past 25 years. This is evidence that tim- state it is usually not literally clearcut, but ber quality on private forest land is declin- is more often "commercially" clearcut. In mg. other words, a logger will remove all of the trees that have any commercial value and Why should you be concerned? leave behind trees that are too small, poorly Many people don't care about timber formed, or of non-commercial species. productivity or even recognize the eco- Most of the logging I saw, after the fact, on nomic development it supports in New York Adirondack private land was of this variety. State. Some feel the forest products indus- try will simply find other sources for tim- Forestry Inc. Is selective cutting of trees a problem? ber. It can be, particularly in how it effects My answer is this - we all use trees. Incorporated 1955 the future commercial productivity of for- People who love wilderness use trees. Services Include: ests. This type of cutting tends to remove People who want to save the rain forest use individual trees of commercial species that trees. People who love the beauty of trees Timber Inventory have desirable characteristics such as use trees. People who don't care about tim- Timber Appraisal straight form, fast growth rate, and decay ber use trees. Forest landowners use trees. resistance. Trees without these character- Regardless of our other differences, we all Management Plans istics remain behind to grow into the open- use trees. As responsible citizens who con- Timber Marking & Sales ings where the timber trees were removed sume forest products, we all have an inter- and to reseed the site. When forests are cut est in protecting the commercial produc- Sale Supervision this way, over and over again on a twenty tivity of forest land. Trespass Appraisal or thirty year cycle, commercial produc- Which trees will we use? More and tivity gradually begins to drop.Although more of the lumber that the world uses for S.I.P. Plans we can continue to grow trees with this type furniture and flooring comes from tropical Phone: of management, it won't be quality saw- rainforests or other sensitive environmen- Garry L. Nelson • (518) 793·9022 timber. tal areas. Will increasing demand and di- James A. Farrar • (518) 623·9449 The 1993 New York Forest survey illus- minishing supply drive the price of timber trates the fact that many woodlots are domi- so high that it becomes less affordable and Dennis M. Flynn • (518) 581·1055 nated by low value trees. Over half of the over harvested? Or, can we heIp supply Member of SAF, NYFOA, hardwood sawtimber trees over 15" in di- world markets for timber and pulp without ameter are of inferior lumber quality. And significant harm to other values? The 15 Tree Farm, NYSCoop. Cons. For. this calculation does not include the trees million acres of privately owned forests in E·Mail: [email protected] that are so rough and rotten that they have New York State have the potential to meet

NYFOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 7 SELECTING A FORESTER -Quick decisions and long-term impacts By Peter J. Smallidge and Michael C. Only you can select a forester that meets velop 480-a management plans or other Greason your needs. You need someone you trust in-depth services and expect the right to orking with a professional for- and feel comfortable with. The forester purchase any timber harvested in return for ester can increase the benefits needs to understand your objectives, inter- those services. As with all foresters, make W you receive from your forest. ests, and limitations. The right forester for sure you ask plenty of questions before Professional foresters are an important step you may not be the right one for your neigh- agreeing to a contract. in deliberate forest management. Your for- bor.If you pick the right one, you can en- ny of these types of foresters de- est should be here long after you're gone, joy a long-term relationship that should be serve consideration. However, you and the way your forest is managed will be profitable for both of you and ensure the A should generally avoid the indi- evident for many years or decades. Even sustainability of your forest. vidual who calls himself or herself a for- so, over 80% of people who own forest land Department of Environmental Conser- ester but can produce no credentials dem- do not take advantage of professionals who vation service foresters are available for onstrating they have professional training can help them. These professionals are for- limited assistance at no cost to the land- as a forester. These individuals may have esters, people trained as foresters at uni- owner. They are responsible for several fed- skills in buying and selling your timber, but versities to help you reach your ownership erally funded cost share programs, admin- they may not have the background neces- objectives. However, selecting a profes- istering the New York forest tax laws, Sec- sary to protect your long-term goals and sional forester requires some forethought tions 480 and 480-a, and serving as a cata- forest values. and a little information. Forestry profes- lyst to encourage landowners to actively So what should you do next. A good sionals are an important part of the forest manage this state's dynamic, renewable for- and inexpensive first step is to contact a management process. Forests are complex est resource. These individuals are the best DEC forester or a Cornell Cooperative Ex- in their function and diverse in what they place to start for they are a free source of tension Master Forest Owner (MFO) vol- have to offer. While you can certainly un- unbiased information. DEC foresters can unteers. MFOs are not foresters, but are dertake forest management by yourself, evaluate your resource and offer sugges- forest owners like you who have been you could also represent yourself in court, tions on how to proceed. trained by Cornell Cooperative Extension perform surgery on yourself, or develop and Private consultant foresters can offer to help you get started with forest manage- manage your own investment portfolio. Just in-depth services. They should represent ment. MFO volunteers will likely recom- as we encourage you to seek professional the forest owner as their agent whether sell- mend you contact a DEC forester for pro- guidance from lawyers, doctors, and finan- ing timber, making a forest tax law appli- fessional guidance, but they can help pre- cial consultants, we also feel you deserve cation, or completing a variety of forest pare you to utilize your time optimally professional guidance with your forests. management practices like planting trees when the DEC forester arrives. From that The first step in selecting a forester is or marking property boundaries. Ethically, point think through what you want to ac- knowing that there are several types of for- the consultant's first responsibility is to the complish with your forests and seek the esters, and even some people who aren't landowner. The relationship is similar to guidance of the DEC forester in the next foresters yet want you to think otherwise. that one would have with their personal step. There are public foresters employed by the lawyer or doctor. Because of this relation- Remember your woodlot is a valuable Department of Environmental Conserva- ship, the consultant is dependent on his or investment that can grow in value while it tion or Cornell Cooperative Extension who her fee for survival. As with a doctor, cheap- pleases you today. Care for it well and it for free can assist landowners. There are est isn't necessarily best. Wh iIe a private will care for you. .•. private consultant foresters who represent consultant forester charges a fee for ser- Peter Smallidge is Extension Forester at you and your interests for a fee.There are vices, the investment typically pays much Cornell U's Department of Natural Re- industrial foresters who work for a forest greater returns. Studies have shown forest sources and Mike Greason is Acting Chief industry (a sawmill for example) and offer owners using private consultants receive of the Bureau of Private Land Services. services to forest owners to provide timber more net money and have more trees re- and other forest products for their employer. maining in better condition in their Nolan's Finally, there are people who call them- woodlots following a harvest than forest selves foresters who do not possess the owners who try to conduct a harvest with- 'Sporting Supplies out a forester. education nor experience to be what they Outdoor EquIpment SpecialIst claim. Many from this last group function ndustrialforesters often offer their ser- as 'middle-men' and don't offer forest man- vices for free, for a commitment of the agement services. Unfortunately, because Itimber, or perhaps right of first refusal. 37 ·47 Genesee Street the forestry profession is not licensed, nor Forest industry companies that employ in- Auburn, NY 13021 registered, nor even defined in New York dustrial foresters typically have their own anyone can "claim" to be a forester; make policies of operation. One company may 315/252·7249 sure you ask for a resume, credentials from offer services for image and not require any a professional society, and references. commitment on the timber. Others may de-

8 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 FARM CREDIT FORECON INC. Loan or Forestry - Recreation - Ecology - Conservation lease? It depends ...

ome say obtaining a loan and buying is the most Scost-effective way to finance expensive equipment. Others say leasing equipment is the way to go. In fact, each financing option has certain advantages with regard to convenience, flexibility and tax obliga- tion. To find out which makes most sense for you, talk to an ag business expert at Farm Credit. When you do. remember this: Eligible borrowers can buy or lease through Farm Credit - a choice you • Certified Appraiser on staff won't find at manv other institutions.

Farm Credit gives you the choice. Now With Three Offices to Better Serve Your Needs!!! Main Office 100 E. 2nd St., Jamestown ,NY .""",,. (716) 664-5602 First Pioneer Farm Credit, ACA 394 Route 29, 11 N. Main St., Suite 202, Cortland, NY ".""",, ..,," (607) 753-3113 Greenwich, NY 12834 314 E. Fourth St.,Emporium, PA "" "" " (814) 486-1276 (800) 234-0269 How to plant trees successfully the first time Treessentials Company Solutions for tree planting

Seedling Treessentials Company Treessentials Company Stopper Solution Technical Advantage Supertube" Treeshelters • 24% faster to install than the others DEERAND Shieldseedlingsfromdamage • More rigid, for reliable RABBITS and accelerategrowth seedlingprotectionand support

VisPore' Tree Mats • Weighs just, 11 pounds for easytransport WEEDS Killweedsfor 3 years • 400 Microfunnels® per square inch for faster,healthierseedlinggrowth let waterthrough to your seedlings'roots LACKOF Right~Start'" Fertilizer Packets • Precision coating releasesnutrientsonly NUTRIENTS The easiestwayto giveseedlings when roots are mostactive the nutrientstheyneed • 16-6-8 plus micro's,humicacid, B1 & NAA

Technically superior Solutions for tree planters. -: ....

© 1997 Treessentials Company, P.O. Box 7097. SI. Paul, M~ 55107 Call for a FREEInformation Packet (800) 248·8239

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 9 One Master Forest Owner Volunteer's Story

By Mike Valla dinburg is a gentle countryside Batchellerville was all but completely formed their property into a well-managed town, its pastoral heritage is still lost under the waters of what is now called woodland property, I decided to visit them E seen in the lives of the families that Great Sacandaga Lake and what little re- to learn how they did it. have lived there for generations. Names like mained of agriculture all but disappeared. Erwin showed me his woodland man- Brownell and Edwards and Ostrander are It might be argued that Edinburg never re- agement plan, and through his association still found there: logging, operating saw- ally recovered from those two significant with the MFO/COVERTS Program, pro- mills, and selling lumber, after more than a events. vided me with the information and re- century since those families first settled in Despite the changes that have occurred sources that would help me meet the ob- the charming valley along the Sacandaga over the years, the town is still economi- jectives I had in mind for my woodlot. It River of New York's southern Adirondack cally dependent on wood products and its was through Erwin that I was introduced region. connection to the logging industry. On any to NYS DEC Service Forester John The people who settled in the Saratoga given morning, the little diner in the town Hastings who helped me devise a sound County hamlet in the 1800's lived a simple is filled with loggers, sawmill workers and management plan for my woodlands based existence, tied to the land as farmers, log- owners. The room is filled with ribald wit on my objectives of producing quality tim- gers, or employees of the woodenware fac- and cracker-barrel discussion about timber ber. He was also instrumental in helping tories that stood not far off the river banks. prices, woodlots and papermills. There is establish my property as a Certified Tree Sawmills were established in the town in talk about the scarcity of good woodlots Farm under the American Tree Farm Sys- the early 1800's and later a number of com- with quality timber and the unwillingness tem. Erwin also explained the Stewardship panies manufactured a variety of wood of landowners to allow timber harvesting Incentives Program and showed me first- products. In the 1830's one of the more for fear that their woodlands will be for- hand how my woodlands could benefit prominent woodenware mills (the Sam and ever damaged. Listening to such discus- from such management practices. Erwin Sherman Batcheller Co.) was established sions leads one to understand that the had access to this information through his' in Batchellerville, a small community in the people of the town are dependent upon the training as an MFO Volunteer. Town of Edinburg. Another, the DeGolia single most important resource of the area: The MFO Program initially provided me Co., manufactured washboards. the timber covered hillsides. with the encouragement that I needed to The prosperity of the town of Edinburg knew when I purchased my 50-acre accomplish my goal of someday harvest- peaked in the mid-1800's, due largely to woodlot in Edinburg some 7 years ago ing a valuable woodlot that will benefit not the woodenware industry in Batchellerville. Ithat I wanted to use it for recreational only my own children, but perhaps the chil- It soon declined, partly due to a series of purposes such as hunting, hiking and per- dren of area loggers.Erwin once told me, fires that occurred between 1876 and 1890 haps as a place to build a small cabin.The as I looked upon his beautiful woodlands, that destroyed the factories. Almost a third woodland itself has an interesting history. "It can't happen over night Mike. What you of the residents left the town to find other The land was utilized for farming purposes are seeing are the efforts of over three de- opportunities and employment. a century ago but has slowly returned to a cades of hard work. But a quality wood- Later events also affected the popula- northern hardwood forest. Maple, yellow _ land will certainly benefit many in the years tion of the town. In March, 1930 the gates birch and fine stands of cherry trees now to come." Erwin added that he could offer were closed at the massive earthen dam at tower above what were once oat fields, hay something he didn't have during his 30 a narrow section of the Sacandaga at meadows and croplands. It didn't take long years of work on his Tree Farm. It was the Conklingville, creating a reservoir of over for me to decide that the woodland could vast amount of resource material he gath- 40 square miles that flooded the valley and also be managed for quality timber, such ered during his training as a Master Forest completely changed the character of the timber as that the loggers in the town were Owner Volunteer. Erwin's assistance has town, affecting the lives of its people for- continually talking about and searching for. had a profound influence on how I am try- ever. I learned much about the logging indus- ing to improve my woodlot for quality tim- try from the local families, but I still needed ber production. SUSAN J- KEISTER to learn more about how to properly man- also deeply appreciated what the MFO age my woodlands for quality timber. That Program could accomplish and thus be Forestry Consulting Services search led me to certified Master Forest Icame a certified MFO Volunteer my- Owner (MFO) Volunteers Erwin and Polly self in 1993. Since then I have tried to do -480A & SIP Management Plans Fullerton. The Fullertons have managed what Erwin and Polly Fullerton have done -Forestry Inventory & Appraisal their woodlands for more than 30 years and for me, namely, encourage others to man- -Timber Sales they have received State and National age their woodlands for not only personal -Cost Basis and Real Estate Tax awards and as well as accolades for their satisfaction, but to contribute to the lives Management Advice accomplishments. of the many people in the community who I first read about Erwin and Polly and depend upon quality sawtimber for their (716) 728-3044 their Tree Farm in a feature newspaper ar- own well-being. .•. 7025 Harpers Ferry Road, Wayland, ticle that appeared some years ago. After NY 14572 reading about how the Fullertons trans-

10 • NY FORESTOWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 USING THE BILTMORE STICK 1997 MFO CLASS By Paul W. Steck ANNOUNCED hen doing a timber cruise or just A straight piece of hardwood lx 1 and determining the DBH (diameter 36 inches long marked with the listed scale he New York Master Forest W at breast height) of a few trees factors and labeled with the related DBH Owner/COVERTS Program is measuring the circumference with a tape is all that is required. T sponsored by the New York and then calculating the diameter is a slow If it is desired to have the scale read in Forest Stewardship Program, The cumbersome procedure, especially with one inch increments, it is only necessary to Ruffed Grouse Society, the Renewable large diameter trees. For this reason the divide the space between adjacent scale Resources Extension Program, and Biltmore Stick was developed as it allows factors in half. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Volun- the diameter to be measured directly with To use the stick it is held against the tree teers are available for a no-obligation reasonable accuracy. while standing a known distance from the visit to your woodlot to listen to your If a Biltmore Stick is not available and tree, usually arms length or 25 inches. With concerns and give suggestions on if it is desired to measure a number of trees the left edge of the stick sighted along the where and how to acquire needed as- as in a timber cruise, a Biltmore Stick can left edge of the tree and without moving sistance.Contact your county Cornell be easily constructed. All that is necessary your head, read the scale where the line of Cooperative Extension Office for a list is to know the relationship between DBH sight intersects the right side of the tree. he of volunteers in your area. Contact and the Biltmore scale. This is computed scale on the stick is calibrated to read DBH Gary Goff, Program Director, at by the following formulae: (see Fig 1) Fernow Hall, Cornell University, sine = r/r+S B = 2Stane; If the tree is not round, take a second Ithaca, NY 14853 (ph. 607/255-2824) where: reading at 90 degrees to the first and aver- if you are interested in becoming a B = distance on the stick age the two for a more representative mea- Master Forest Owner volunteer. This S = distance in inches from the eye to surement. Check the accuracy of the tree year's training workshop will be held the tree measurement using the stick versus a tape Sept 18-21 at Cornell's Arnot Forest. D =DBH =2r measurement when learning to use the stick. A

Paul Steck is a member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter of NYFOA and resides in Williamsville. Fountain Forestry

~/E Quality Management When S = 25 inches, the following table of lists the scale factor in inches: Land and Timber 0lH B DBH B • Forest Management • Timber Sales 8 6.93 26 18.2 • Forest Investment Consutting • Timber Appraisal and Valuation 10 8.45 28 19.23 • Forest Taxation • Forest Practices and Wetland Laws 12 9.85 30 20.22 • Land Use Planning • Conservation Easements 14 11.22 32 21.19 • Land Sales and Brokerage • Mapping and Remote Sensing 12.46 16 34 22.13 • Wildlife and Recreation Fig. 1. Tim Piotrowski, Marilyn Dixon, • Aooounting Services and Roger Penh allow (left to right) 18 13.72 36 23.04 practice using tree scale sticks to esti- FOUNTAIN FORESTRY, INC. 20 14.9 38 23.93 mate the merchantable tree height 21 Cliff Avenue, P.O. Box 1002 (Hypsometer) as part of the 1996 MFO 22 16.05 40 24.8 Tupper Lake, NY 12986 training at Cornell's Arnot Forest. Photo by Gary Goff. . 24 17.12 TeVFax: (518) 359-3089

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 11 Mid-Atlantic Integrated How to Report Timber Theft Assessment Workshop To report theft oftimber, call DEC's Bu- Otsego, Rensselear, Saratoga, Schenectady, (MAIA) reau of Environmental Conservation Inves- Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, tigation (BECI) in your area. Be ready to Warren and Washington counties): NYFOA was invited to participate in the provide complete information about: MAlA Proj ect and Jill Cornell attended the Captain Lawrence Johnson two day workshop in that capacity. Participants at the MAlA workshop pro- • Who was involved, 1150 N. Wolcott Road vided suggestions for indicators of forest • What was taken, Schenectady, NY 12306 health and linkages to related stressors and • Where and when the theft occurred (518) 357-2035 their subsequent effects. The Forest Service • Other relevant facts. will compile current data and relate it to In DEC Regions 8 and 9 (Allegany, Erie, historic data to determine trends and Where to call: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, changes. The data will also be analyzed in In DEC Regions 1, 2 and 3 (Nassau, Ontario, Orleans, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, the light of socioeconomic trends and poli- Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan and Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, cies such as land use, resource use, popu- Ulster counties and New York City): Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties): lation demographics, forest management, and forest laws institution and policies. The Captain Dorothy Thumm CaptainGary Bobseine scope and scale of the assessment is enor- 200 White Plains Road 270 Michigan Avenue mous. It will provide a baseline of the cur- Tarrytown, NY 10591 Buffalo, NY 14203 rent status of forest health, reveal new as- (914) 332-1835 (716) 851-7007 pects which need to be measured, and cor- relate indicators to other conditions. In DEC Regions 4, 5,6 and 7 (Albany, For uniformed law enforcement offic- Impetus for the assessment came from Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Co- ers, call DEC's Division of Law Enforce- a White House Directive to implement the lumbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, ment or the nearest Regional Office as listed Santiago Agreement. Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, in the blue page of your local telephone The Santiago Agreement signed in 1995 Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, directory. by 12 nations, including the USA, is an Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, agreement on the principles of sustainable forest management; and it established cri- .------teria and indicators for measuring those cri- teria. While recognizing the uniqueness of HALE F()I~ESTI~Y C{)Mt>ANY the separate countries and their differences in natural, social, political and economic Professional Forestry Consulting status, the agreement spells out 7 criteria Forest Resource Management Services to be assessed: • Forest Health & Vitality TIMBER SALES APPRAISALS • Biodiversity • Productivity MANAGEMENT PLANS . INVENTORIES • Conservation of Soils • Conservation - Forest Aquatic Systems In PENNSYLVANIA In NEWYORK • Key Ecological Processes MIKE HALE RESOURCES CONSULTING • Socioeconomic Assessment Westfield,PA Wellsville,NY (814)367-5915 (716)593-5075 Each of the criteria has indicators which e-mail: [email protected] are assessment questions. Forest health in- Fax (814) 367-5919 cludes questions on air pollution, crown Society of American Foresters - Pennsylvania Forestry Association dieback, tree damage, exotic or noxious NY C rati COfISIIlti Fonner - Member NY Fonst Owner» Association plants and animals, insects and diseases. Diversity covers forest ecosystems, plant CONSULTING FORESTER NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT and wildlife species and habitats. Produc- tivity focuses on timber and non-timber products. Conservation of soils includes erosion, persistent toxic compounds and VINCENT P. CHEBETARr JR. ACF chemicals, compaction and diminished or- Assisting woodland Owners Since 1967 ganic matter. Conservation of forest aquatic systems relates to streams and lakes. Key ecological processes cover tree mortality, 996 Arnett Blvd. and tree regeneration. Rochester. NY 14619 NYS Cooperating Consultant The Catskill and Allegheny regions are included in the MAlA Proj ect, a pilot study (716) 235-7341 Member: NYICF, ACF, SAF for all the regions in the country. ~

12 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 LETTERS DOING THEIR OWN THING THENYSREFERENDUM FIREWOOD SURVEY It has been my experience that NIPF The May/June FOREST OWNER con- A periodic survey of residential owners, "doing their own thing" are often tains several articles on the Maine Refer- fuelwood consumption in New York (based operating without knowledge of the man- endum, which could restrict silvicultural on a sample of 1,925 respondants) con- agement options available to them. Nor do practices. Unless effort to resist it is made, ducted under the direction of Professor they have much of an idea of the effects the referendum option may become law in Hugh O. Canham (SUNY-ESF) and Tho- that their land management decisions have New York. A movement is afoot to get it mas D. Martin (NYS DEC) yielded the on their own future, much less the effects accepted in all states where it is described following estimates: About 890,000 cords on "public interests." as the "Voter Initiative". of wood were bumed as fuel byprivateresi- For example, let's accept Norm's "no It is the same process which legalized dences in the state in 1994-95, less than stream sedimentation" (from Norman marijuana in California, discriminatory half of that consumed in 1989-90. The use Richards' article "Fostering Private Forest laws in Colorado, and has crippled school of wood as home-heating fuel is greatest Richness", NYFO MJA97) as a reasonable systems in several states. This is sometimes in northern NY, the Adirondacks and the limit to a landowners doing his own thing. accomplished when the winning vote may Southern Tier; and almost half of the wood I contend that many landowners represent less than 15% of the state's resi- used was cut by the user. Copies of the sur- (NYFOAns excepted) haven't a clue how dents. vey results are available from Professor to do that, assuming they have a concern The Rhode Island Legislature defeated Canham at 315/470-6694 or Mr. Martin at for why they should do that. Many land- the most recent of repeated efforts to get it 518/457-7431. owners defer to the judgement of the tim- passed here. I've studied it thoroughly and -NYS Legis. Newsletter, Rural Futures ber buyer, who, the landowners rational- have testified at legislative hearings. For NYSAF MEETING ize, is far more experienced in these mat- more information or help in keeping the I thoroughly enjoyed the May/June is- ters. Besides, the timber buyer just gave the "Voter Initiative" out of New York, feelfree sue of the NY FOREST OWNER and es- landowner a bunch of money to have his to call me at 401/254-6035. pecially appreciated the coverage of the way with the woodlot. The landowner is -Nicholas Ratti,Jr., Bristol, RI New York Society of American Foresters happily skipping to the bank with nary a ANNAKARENINA (NYSAF) Winter Meeting held in thought about stream sedimentation, "pub- Even Tolstoy knew (in the 19th century) Liverpool. The article by Ron Pedersen lic interest" or, sadly, his woodlot's future. that forest owners should know what kind which highlights the stewardship and ethi- This often happens near the close of the of trees they are selling and how many they cal responsibilities of foresters AND land- NIPF's ownership tenure. have to sell. Konstantin Levin, a "farmer" owners, was outstanding. Incidentally, who is responsible for as- in Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, argues As Program Chair, it has been gratify- suring the no sedimentation limit? unsuccessfully with forest owner Stepan ing for me to see a meeting come together If doing your own thing is the best way Arkadyevich to count his trees before sell- after months of work. This meeting was a to forest richness, I see no rationale for ing to a logger. "Not a single merchant ever success for a variety of reasons including maintaining forestry schools, other than to buys a forest without counting the trees, the quality of the program, the caliber of help support an expensive faculty. unless they get it for nothing, as you're the speakers, the attendance (over 160 I know we all can do a better job of fos- doing now. I know your forest. I go hunt- people) and the diversity of those who at- tering forest richness. More importantly, ing there every year; and it's worth a hun- tended - NYFOA members played a large we must help NIPF owners do better: dred and fifty rubles an acre, cash, while part in this. Having nonprofessionals in- Norm's article in the Sept/Oct, '96 issue of he's giving you sixty by installments. So that volvedin the roundtable discussions on eth- the NY FOREST OWNER, "Pruning Trees infact you're making him a p resent of thirty ics added to the dialogue and made the day for Profit and Pleasure," was a good ex- thousand" See chapters 16 and 17. more interesting for all. I wanted to thank ample of doing better, in spite of the value- -Newsletter, Alabama Forest Owners those NYFOAmembers for their contribu- loaded concepts in title and text. tions to the meeting. WORKMANS COMPENSATION ---:Charles Mowatt, Franklinville I also wanted to invite NYFOA mem- INSURANCE (WCI) bers to the NYSAF Summer Meeting to be RECREATIONAL LEASES In the May/June '97 issue, the article held September 3rd thru 5th in Cairo. The As a landowner, I'd like to see what are about selling timber on a scale basis, I get meeting will focus on many of the issues typical fees NYFOA members charge for the impression this article is just another which impact NYFOA members, includ- recreational leases. advertisement to hire a consulting forester. ing forester/landowner relationships, low Also, how an individual landowner can Consulting foresters quickly point out- grade markets and forestry cost share pro- find insurance agencies or policies to di- they are working for the landowner. Most grams. rect potential lessees to? foresters work on a %-basis, not a lump sum Dinnie Sloman, Executive Director of -Joan Kappel, Capital District Chapter when selling the landowner's timber. the Catskill Forest Association and Chair- So what is so different: the forester "Ecology is rather like sex- every new Elect of the NYSAF, is Program Chair for generation likes to think they were the first works on a %-basis for the landowner; who the meeting and can be contacted for more to discover it." pays for the WCI? information at 914/586-3054. -Raymond L. Tallman, Richmondville -Michael Allaby (British ecologist) -Michael Virga, Chair NYSAF

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 13 THE ANDEAN CONDOR By Henry S. Kernan ome objects are better seen at a dis- tance than nearby, the Andean con Sdor being a striking example. The oversized beak is hooked and ugly. The head, flat, featherless, and of a blotchy red and yellow, protrudes at a lowering angle from the dull black plumage. Even with wings outspread nine or more feet from tip to tip, the splayed feet allow no more than awkward flops forward. The world's stron- gest and highest flyer even has difficulty taking flight without a ledge and a strong updraft. Yet once in flight, this ungainly bulk has no equal in soaring and gliding, dipping and rising for hours on end over peaks and gorges with scarcely a movement of the wings. Perhaps no more than a hundred or so exist throughout their immense range, through the chances of death and the end- vice, Peace Corps and the Agency for In- from the snow covered heights of Santa less, endless, search of telescopic eyesight ternational Development. The most urgent Marta on the northern coast of Columbia and photographic memory for detail over needs are for more knowledge of the to Tierra del Fuego's southern most tip, and boundless landscapes. condor's habits and life history, and a de- from the Pacific beaches to four miles he Andean people were primarily crease in hostility among the rural people above. agricultural, with no large livestock capable of harming the condor. Why then, with such powers of flight Tother than llama. Condors entered Some observers may judge harshly of and adaptation, is the Andean condor barely into their folklore and folkart as a bringer such expenditures and attention to this rem- surviving in the wild? The dozen in the of good fortune, For centuries after the nant of the Pleistocene, so ungainly at ease, Santa Marta National Park are all that Co- Spaniards brought their livestock, the con- so magnificent when airborne. Condors lumbia and Venezuela have between them. dors probably had more to eat because most were never abundant and certainly never Ecuador has thirty-three in the wild and of their animals were semi-wild and free- will be. They are now symbols we are thirty in captivity. The four Andean coun- ranging. Fewer now graze over the high loathe to lose, symbols of vast, empty up- tries farther south have more, but still few paramos as husbandry has become more lands, of the power and freedom of flight, for a range so vast. careful and confined. and of the endless, solitary search for live- Condors evolved along with mastodons The same trend has caused ranchers to lihood. .6. and giant sloths in Pleistocene times, some kill condors in the mistaken belief that they Henry Kernan is a consulting forester in sixty million years ago. The equipment they are birds of prey. They are not birds of prey; World Forestry, a Master Forest Owner and bring from those long-gone times is not they are strictly scavengers. Nevertheless, a regular contributor to the NY FOREST well suited for survival and increase where condors are trapped, poisoned, shot and OWNERS. large mammals are scarce amid much com- snared, hazards against which they have no petition for carrion food. Condors cannot defence. In 1989 an Ecuadorian rancher Joel Fiske kill, carry or digest fresh meat. The female laid out bait and shot seven in one day! Professional Consultant Forester lays but one egg in two years. If the one Ecuador has responded admirably. A egg does not hatch or if the nestling is lost, country only slightly larger than New York, two years pass before another appears. The now has nearly two million acres in five Woodlana;:Jttvefit~IT & Appraisal young need a year's care before flight and areas reserved for condors and whatever "M:~i1agem~ri!J~lans four more years before maturity. Condors other wildlife chooses to share the protec- lWoodland Taxation can survive forty days without food; but tion and solitude ofthose vast, volcanic up- R¢creation Developrd:~nt having gorged themselves to stupor on pu- lands. Ecuador, with many demands upon '" ' 1'imber Sales" trid meat, they are helpless before wolves, its resources, is not a wealthy country. bears- and dogs. Their best defences are A unit of the Ecuadorian forest agency 32Hl\Qpu'qty Route mobility and habitat in the most remote and looks after the reserves and thus actively Watkins';61~;~.~4 inaccessible mountain fastness. takes part in the campaign to save the con- 607-535-7813 Each condor needs some 800 pounds of dor. Other participants are the country's or- carrion meat a year; a pair has consumed nithological society and several interna- Professional Member SAF five tons before the first chick is out of the tional programs. We Americans are contrib- NYCooperating Consultant Forester nest. Such quantities are only to be had uting through our Fish and Wildlife Ser- Member NY Forest Owners Assoc.

14 • NY FOREST OWNER;Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 JUST WHAT IS IT THAT FOREST OWNERS CARE ABOUT? By Alan Knight re New York's forest owners more activities as they wished. was the huge gap that "property taxes" (at concerned about marketing oppor- 56 percent) and "lack of time" (at 49 per- A tunities or trespass problems? Results, in descending order, were: cent) enjoyed above the next highest prob- Government regulation or lack of available Firewood-72; Hunting-61; Hiking-53; lem: "trespassers" or "too many deer," each time? Pest management or property taxes? Timber-52; Family outings-40; Christmas at only 15 percent. That's a major differ- Those forest owners who are involved trees-32; Skiing, Snowmobiling, ence in ranking. Low ranking topics are in the" care and feeding" of strong local Snowshoeing-32; Other-nature study. almost inconsequentially by comparison. chapters of the New York Forest Owners "Lack of time" may pose the greatest Association may be particularly interested Question 2: What are your two most potential for forest owner associations' ser- in the answers to these questions. pressing woodland related problems? vice and problem-solving. Whether it is A small planning committee of the Tioga ( )Marketing; ()Pest management; ()Prop- helping forest owners hiring consultants Chapter pursued answers to these and other erty taxes;()Cost of inputs; ()Government and loggers, informing forest owners about related questions in the fall of 1996 in or- regulations; ( )Trespassers; ()Too many qualifying for government subsidies to pay der to plan a Forest Owners Expo and Con- deer; ( )Too few deer; ( )Lack of time to do for hired work, or organizing for coopera- ference in conjunction with forest owner what needs to be done; ( )Hired help; ( ) tive work-along the lines of the Catskill associations in nearby Pennsylvania. The Other, please specify_ Forest Association 's thinning and firewood survey-mailed to 323 NYFOA members in operations-forest owner organizations the Tioga, Southern Tier, and Cayuga Chap- In this case, respondents were asked to would be filling a very strong expressed ters-may have been as remarkable for the choose only two items. Their collective need if they addressed the "lack of time" extraordinarily high rate of response as for opiruonwas: problem. the insight gained into the collective mind Property taxes-56; Lack of time-49; If you have any thoughts or comments of forest owners. One hundred nine forest Too many deer-15; Trespassers-I5;Mar- on this surveyor this article, please feel free owners responded, a response rate of 34%! keting-12; Government regulations-8; Pest to e-mail them to me at: Most mailed- out surveys of a commercial management-7; Cost of inputs-4; Hired FarmForest@aoLcom .•. and industrial nature are considered great help-5; Too few deer-2 Alan Knight, a former editor of the NY successes if they achieve a response rate of FOREST OWNER, is a member of the Tioga eight percent. What does this amazingly These figures are essentially percent- Chapter high response rate mean? It's hard to say, ages, since they are based on 99 total re- precisely. But it sure does not mean a lack sponses. of interest in the idea of a two-state Forest Bruce E. Owners Expo and Conference! Critique The survey was concise and conve- This little survey was far from perfect. Robinson, niently designed on a fold-over card that It was intended to guide the decision to hold could be completed easily by means of or not to hold a conference and to guide multiple choice questions, then dropped the content of the conference should one Inc. postage-paid-into the nearest mailbox. be held. The content and high response rate FORESTRY In addition to commercially-oriented of the survey will serve that planning pur- questions pertaining to conference fees, pose very well. CONSULTANTS banquet options, and purchasing history at If we were to do it again, we might add - FOREST PRODUCT MARKING such shows-not of much interest here-we "nature study" or "nature photography" to & MARKETING asked two questions that really get at the the activities list or perhaps add something • TREE FARM MANAGEMENT • URBAN FORESTRY & very purpose of the New York Forest Own- to measure the interest in farm pond use __ _ COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT , ers Association: education and information and management, but we can't see much _ • TrMBER APPRAISALS needed to solve problems and enjoy the we would add to the problem list. All sug- • ACCESS ROAD DESIGN & SUPERVISION forest more. Here's what we asked and what gestions are welcome! • TREE PLANTING we learned. Ten surveys came in after dead- Any surprises? There were for us. We • TREE SHELTER DISTRIBUTOR • SUGARBUSH MANAGEMENT line so these responses were tallied from were surprised to see hunting rank almost • BOUNDARYMAINTENANCE 99 responses. at the top of activities, especially in light • CHRlSTMAS TREE MANAGEMENT • FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING of fewer and fewer hunters in our woods in • FOREST RECREA nON PLANNING Question 1: In which of the following recent years. Not surprising was the low • WOODLOTIMPROVEMENTS IN woodland activities do you or your fam- ranking of "management intensive" activi- IMMATURE STANDS • WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ily engage on your land? ties like Christmas trees and maple syrup. • FOREST TAXA nON PLANNING ( )Christmas trees; ( )Maple syrup; ( )Tim- Fun clearly outranks money as the theme ber; ( )Firewood; ( )Hunting;( )Family out- that binds forest owners together. (716) 665-5477 ings; ( )Hiking; ( )Skiing, Snowmobiling, It was almost a "no brainer" that prop- 1894 CAMP ST. EXT. Snowshoeing; ( )Other, please specify_. erty taxes would rank as the thing that for- JAMESTOWN, NY 14701 Respondents were free to select as many est owners most love to hate. The surprise

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA- 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 15 AWARDS By Robert Sand, Chairperson of the Awards Committee; as remarks delivered to the assembly not necessarily in the following order he presentation of the HEIBERG . (~rees do grow-and mu.ch better when TOday, it is my pleasure to present a MEMORIAL A WARD is one thmnmg has been accomplished.) NYFOA SPECIAL RECOGNI- T highlight of today's luncheon pro- Now let me enumerate the Hudson's nON A WARD to our dedicated gram. This is our 31st. time. Our first award involvement with forestry, forest ownership desk-top computer publishing EDITOR of recognized Dean Hardy L. Shirley at and management as related to a lifetime- the NEW YORK FORESTOWNER: NYFOA's 4th. Annual Meeting held April partnership involving Vern and Marjorie 30, 1966 in this very room. It is recogni- Hudson and their stewardship of their land: RICHARD J. FOX tion for outstanding contributions in the fields of forestry and conservation in New - 45 year member of the Onondaga Dick Fox is a native of Binghamton, NY York State. County Cooperative Extension; and a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He A renowned Professor of Silviculture, - NYFOA member since 1965 Served received a BA (Chemisty/Sciences) from Svend O.Heiberg devoted much of his ca- as a Director and on Board Committees; HarpurColiege in 1954, followed by gradu- reer here at the College of Forestry. It was - Since 1971 has served on Region 7 ate work at Columbia Univ., and additional Dr. Heiberg who first proposed the estab- Forest Practice Board; graduate study, teaching & research at lishment of an association of Forest Land- - The State FPA Board since 1982 and Syracuse Univ. followed by two years of owners in New York. He sought the efforts for 10 years was Treasurer. Serving on the reseach at SUNYIESF Forestry College. of Dean Hardy L. Shirley and together they Stewardship and Forest Practice Standards He has made his home near Moravia initiated the meetings that eventually or- Committees. (Projects: 60,000 wooden since 1963 where he has been active in ganized this successful Forest Owners As- nickels, 30,000 place-mats and sign boards County Government, Rotary and the Cham- sociation.This award is presented in Pro- for 9 Regions.) State FPA representative ber of Commerce. fessor Heiberg's memory. to NYS Fish & Wildlife Management Act Joining NYFOA in January 1984, Dick I greatly appreciate this opportunity to (FWMA)Board; Fox has contributed generously both his present, on behalf ofNYFOA, this Memo- - 1979-1990, operated a cross country time and talents to serve NYFOA in a num- rial Award today. We again honor an ex- ski business on their farm & forestland; ber of important ways: ceptional recipient, a forest owner who has - 1984-Charter member and served as a -as an elected member of the Board of practiced good forestry and championed Director of the Empire Forest System; Directors, serving as the Advertising Man- the wise use and stewardship of his hold- - 1988 were the NEW YORK STATE ager of the Forest Owner in 1988, the Edi- ings. A man who has always felt close to OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF torial and Advertising Manager responsi- the soil and nature and found both plea- THE YEAR; bility for the 1990 Directory issue, as Chair- sure and beauty in the out-of-doors. He has - "Gurnee Woods" hosted the Central man of the Program Committee for the contributed energetic leadership, that New York Chapter's FOREST FAMILY October 1987 Fall Meeting held at served a host of organizations for over 50 FAIR in 1994, 1995 & 1996; Casowasco, and as a member of the Edu- years. Today we honor a man of great char- - In 1996 was host to 400 members of cation and Awards committee. acter, who has demonstrated outstanding the Hiawatha BSA Council; Dick is an active forest owner. In 1991 citizenship locally and across our State, by - Vern is also a Master Forest Owner he became a Master Forest Owner (MFO). the presentation of this 1997 award to: (1992); And presently represents Cayuga County -AMason for 54 yeas, member of the on the Region 7 FPA Board and is Area V E RN E RC. H U D SON ELBRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH, Chair for five Counties on the NYS Tree Charter member since 1966 of the Jordan- Farm Committee. In January 1992 he was Vem was born in Fulton, NY, gradu- Elbridge Lions Club, and Lifetime mem- appointed Editor of the New York FOR- ated from Fulton High School and attended ber of the Elbridge Rod & Gun Club. EST OWNER. Last year, he published THE Cornell University. In 1941, he and This review of a long and exemplifying NETHER WORLD OF FORESTRY, a Marjorie Cady were married. The Hudsons commitment to the fields of Forestrv and collection of31 FOREST OWNER articles have two daughters and four grandchildren. Conservation here in New York State is (29 were authored by SUNY IESF Profes- They have been farmers for most of their truly distinguished. It has been my personal sor Douglas C. Allen) lives. For many years they ran a retail milk pleasure to know and call this gentleman Dick Fox is an inquisitive, tenacious, ex- dairy and operated two large dairy farms. my friend. 0 tremely talented, exuberant and energetic Early in the 60' s, after a visit by Ed member ofNYFOA. He is not timid. You Karsch, a DEC Forester, the Hudsons be- The presentation was made and accepted know he has done his homework, for he came Forest Practice Act (FPA) coopera- by Bill Minerd and his Wife, Clara who is has contributed much to advance this or- tors. Thereafter, Vem gave high priority to the daughter ofVem and Marjorie Hudson. ganization. In 1992 he was presented the forest management and for the next IS The remarks and presentation were re- New York Forest Owners Association years Timber Stand Improvement on 10- peated at Auburn Memorial Hospital that OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD. IS acres took place. To date, Vem has made evening where Marjorie was a patient. His commitment to NYFOA has been 25 timber harvests for a total of over 800 MORE than a full measure. 0 MBF of logs.

16 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 oday we honor our 1997 recipient and personally over-saw or provided the It is my great pleasure to present this ofthis award. It is the twentieth time necessary program needs, ie: projectors of SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD to Tthat it has been presented as tangible all types, microphones, lecterns, and light- our enthusiastic, innovative and very ac- recognition of outstanding service to the ing etc. And at many Award Luncheons complished NYFOA member. 0 New York Forest Owners Association often provided from his gardens beautiful membership.And for me, at long last, the Spring bouquets here in the Marshall Hall opportunity I've anticipated for a very long Student Lounge. In addition we all have NYFOA's Outstanding time, for it is recognition of faithful, de- benefited by his program participation, as Service Award pendable and willing support givengra- a meeting speaker or leading a well planned 1978 Emiel Palmer ciously, year after year, to NYFOA. It is forestry field-trip. Both professional enthu- 1979 Ken Eberly my pleasure to make this presentation to: siasm and learned advice is a hallmark of 1980 Helen Varian Professor Richards. This is also true for his 1981 J. Lewis Dumond NORMAN A. RICHARDS FOREST OWNER articles. Norman and 1982 Lloyd Strombeck his wife Karin Heiberg Richards have 1983 Evelyn Stock This is NYFOA's 35th.year of forest four childen and two grandchildren. All 1984 Dorothy Wertheimer owner service. Our membership has ben- are often invited to share-the-work as well 1985 David H. Hanaburgh efited by the allegiance and time of many as the pleasure enjoyed by the family at 1986 A. W. Roberts, Jr. volunteer energies-a "labor of love" that PINEHOLM. 0 1987 Howard O. Ward brings pleasure and satisfaction to each one. 1988 Mary & Stuart McCarty Our members are served by many dedicated oday, I have a double pleasure. The 1989 Alan R. Knight people who willingly share enthusiasm, opportunity to present another NY 1990 Earl Pfarner management skills and their individual ex- FOA SPECIAL RECOGNITION T 1991 Helen & John Marchant pertise gleaned by experience with others. AWARD, this one to: 1992 Richard J. Fox And we are deeply grateful for their dedi- 1993 Wesley E. Suhr cation. Thanks to one and all. W ILL I AM M. M I N E R D 1994 Alfred B. Signor Norm grew up on a farm near New Paltz 1995 Betty & Don Wagner and at age 13 decided he wanted to go into Bill was born in Spring Valley, NY and 1996 Betty Densmore forestry. While a student at the College of attended Syracuse University. In 1975 he Forestry in Syracuse and with the help of became associated with the SUNY Health his father, he bought an old hill farm in Science Center at the Upstate Medical THE HEIBERG AWARD Delaware County, and started Pineholm Campus and began a career involved with 1967 David B. Cook Tree Farm that he has often written about programming the medical staff at Syracuse 1968 Floyd Carlson in the FOREST OWNER. At Syracuse he and throughout the world. In 1991, Bill 1969 Mike Demeree earned his B.S. degree in forestry, gradu- was awarded the Governors Productivity 1970 No Award ating in 1957. This was followed by MS- Award, one that had effected considerable 1971 Fred Winch, Jr. studies at Cornell University where he fo- financial savings to New York State. 1972 John Stock cused on soils, social sciences, and Red Bill has been an energetic and tireless 1973 Robert M. Ford pine plantations; this was followed by a few supporter of NYFOA. Serving as the co- 1974 C. Eugene Farnsworth years' rural community work in South chair in the planning and execution of the 1975 Alex Dickson Carolina. He returned to Syracuse to work 1993 Fall Meeting sponsored by CNY at 1976 Edward W. Littlefield at the College of Forestry in 1963, teach- the Heiberg Forest. As the CNY Repre- 1977 Maurine Postley ing and doing research in silviculture with sentative to the NYFOA Board of Direc- 1978 Ralph Nyland emphasis on tree planting. He completed a tors, he chaired the 1993-1994 Budget 1979 Fred C. Simmons PhD. in silviculture in 1968. Since the Committee and served on the Fxecutive, 1980 Dr. William Harlow 1970's his silviculture activity has ex- Editorial and Legislative Committees. 1981 Curtis H. Bauer panded to disturbed land revegetation, ur- In 1992 Bill became a Master Forest 1982 Neil B. Gutchess ban forestry and international forestry. Owner (MFO); was instrumental and 1983 David W. Taber Norm, since 1957 has been a member helped to organize the very ambitious 1984 John W. Kelley of the Society of American Foresters and project instituted by the CNY Chapter 1985 Robert G. Potter who, with his wife Karin, became NYFOA known as the FAMILY FOREST FAIR 1986 Karen B. Richards members in 1965. He developed a Catskill at Gurnee Woods (A forest property owned 1987 Henry G. Williams forest tour for the 1966 fall meeting, and by Clara's parents, Vern and Marjorie 1988 Robert M. Sand has served several terms as a member of Hudson at Elbridge.) This innovative and 1989 Willard G. Ives the Board of Directors. For many years very successful educational forestry activ- 1990 Ross S. Whaley Norm has graciously made arrangements ity attracted immediate public support and 1991 Robert S. Stegemann for both our NYFOA Board meetings and produced record attendance for three years. 1992 Bonnie & Don Colton the Annual Meetings held on the Forestry Both he and Clara have devoted a great deal 1993 Michael C. Greason campus. This included facility reservations of time and energy in their dedicated ser- 1994 Douglas C. Allen (made many months in advance) and the vice to NYFOA. Clara as our Treasurer; 1995 John C. Marchant luncheon arrangements. Norm anticipated Bill as Vice Pres. and President. 1996 Harriet & John Hamilton

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA • 1·800·836·3566 • INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 17 THE 1997 NYFOA ANNUAL SPRING MEETING Photos by Charlie Mowatt

Mike Greason (I) and Hugh Canham. The Chow Line (above).

(above) Bob Sand (I), Bill Minerd, and Clara Minerd.

(above) Norman Richads (I) and Karin Rainer Brocke The Awards Luncheon Heiberg Richards

The Awards Luncheon (above) The Awards Luncheon (above) and registration (below). NYFOA President Jill Cornell (below)

James Heffernon, Vice President, SUNY- ESF (above) and the head table (below).

18 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 Pplication or Facsimile Appli- In cation for Membership in the A New York Forest Owners As- 19970u Farmers sociation.

IfWe would like to support good forestry Peter and Levatich and stewardship of New York's forest of Tompkins County, NY lands.

( ) IfWe own acres of wood- The Levatich's have owned their 127 acre parcel since 1975. Ninety acres of the land. property has been certified as a Tree Farm since 1989. There are several objectives which the Levatich's keep in mind when preparing the () IfWe do not own woodland but sup- management plan for the property. It is important to note that Peter is qualified to prepare his own management plan. Timber and recreation are paramount on the Levatich Tree port the Association's objectives. Farm. Abundant and diverse wildlife are the much enjoyed byproduct of the Tree Farm's successful management plan.The Tree Farm provides both physical and mental relief NAME _ from the pace of the hectic world for its owners. The Levatich's also open their property up to cross country skiing, hunting, hiking and other recreational activities. In addition to preparing his own management plan, Peter has the knowledge and equipment to do all of the work on the land himself. He has thinned some of the mature trees, and using his portable bandsaw has made boards which are used to make furniture. ADDRESS _ The Levatich Tree Farm aggressively regenerates the forest, by planting acorns for Red Oak trees, treating surrounding areas as well as putting seedlings in TubeX for pro- City Zip tection. When not tending to his property, you can find Peter working with the Tompkins Telephone _ County CornelI Cooperative Extension, the NYS Forest Practice Board, as a board mem- ber of the NY Forest Owners Association, as a Master Forest Owner, arid often hosts tours County of Residence _ on the 'Tree Far'm for the public and for Cornell University. Peter also attends lectures at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry and Northeastern Loggers' Associa- County of Woodlot. _ tion workshops on logging. It is with great pride that we present Peter and Barbara Levatich as the Outstanding Referred by _ Tree Farmers of 1997.

This announcement is reprinted with permission from the Empire State Forest Products Annual Dues Association's Legislative Reception Program of May 6, 1997. (Please Check One)

INDIVIDUAL $20

FAMILY (or co-owners) $25

CONTRIBUTING $30-$100

SPONSORING $lOland up

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

Six issues of the NY FOREST OWNER, woods walks, chapter meet- ings, and two statewide meetings for all members.

PLEASE make check payable to NY- FOA and SEND TO:

Kevin S. King (I), ESFPA Executive Vice President; Jack Hamilton NYS Tree Farm Com- NYFOA, Inc; FO mittee Chair; Barbara & Peter Levatich; and NYS Senator John "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (Bath) P.O. Box 180. This photo will appear in ESFPA's July Issue of their newsletter, The Empire Envov. Fairport, New York 14450

NY FORESTOWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 19 PHEROMONES -EXPLOITING AN INSECT'S SENSE OF "SMELL" By Douglas C. Allen or the past twenty-five years or so, Though winged, female gypsy moths are entomologists and organic chemists unable to fly and rely on a pheromone to Phave combined talents in an effort to draw males to them. This material is pro- understand better the manner in which in- duced in special glands located in the last sect behavior is influenced by chemical segment of the abdomen; that is, the poste- odors. This work evolved into the science rior of the insect. Males, on the other hand, of chemical ecology, which has provided are very strong fliers. When ready to mate much insight about the behavior of insects they fly more or less randomly through the and other animals. forest until they get a "whiff' of the attrac- Once the chemical ecology of a pest is tant. The male moth possesses very sophis- understood, we may be able to take advan- ticated olfactory organs embedded within tage of this knowledge and devise control its' antennae. The antennae and their asso- tactics that are environmentally friendly, ciated sensory structures can detect very develop species specific survey methods low concentrations of the pheromone. The and enhance the effectiveness of natural pheromone level is high in the immediate enemies. This is an exciting aspect of mod- Fig. 2. This cylindrical plastic lure (318" vicinity of the source (i.e., the female) and ern day pest management that will playa long) is pinned inside a bucket or sticky dissipates as the odor plume moves down significant role in our quest for sustainable wind (Fig. J). This concentration gradient trap. forestry practices. is a necessary part of the attraction process. response) compounds are used for several Once the male encounters the odor plume The Tool purposes by plant feeding insects and their it moves "up stream"(i.e., from an area of Diverse odors permeate an insect's associated parasites and predators. For ex- low to an area of relatively high pheromone world; some of the more important chemi- ample, they aid in locating food plants, concentration) until it makes visual contact cal signals are produced by one or both natural enemies use them to find an appro- with the female. sexes of a species, others emanate from the priate insect host (host finding), certain host plant. This complex of volatile (chemi- forest pests employ chemical messages to Application cals that change readily to a vapor) and attract relatives to a specific location (ag- Survey and detection For nonvolatile (chemicals that do not vapor- gregating compounds), to ward off natural biomonitoring purposes, known quantities ize easily and must be touched to illicit a enemies (defensive compounds), or to en- of the synthetic attractant are impregnated hance the mating process (sex attractants). in a lure of some kind, usually made of rub- Materials that comprise the latter belong to a class of behavior modifying chemicals called pheromones (ferro-moans). These substances have been exploited extensively in an attempt to manage forest pests more effectively. By definition, a pheromone is "a chemical secreted by an animal that in- fluences the behavior of other animals of the same species".It is because of this specificity, combined with the insect's in- credible ability to detect minute quantities of the pheromone, that these substances offer so much potential as a management tool. Once the structure of the behavioral chemical is determined it can be produced synthetically. After this is accomplished and efficient systems are devised to deploy the sexual attractant, it can be utilized for a range of management purposes.

How It Works For the sake of illustration, I will use Fig. J. Diagrammatic representation of a the gypsy moth, a forest and urban pest fa- male moth (A) responding to a female's Fig. 3. Typical "bucket" type pheromone miliar to most forest owners in New York. (B) odor plume. trap (8"x5").

20 • NY FOREST OWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1·800·836·3566· INFO JULY/AUG 1997 ruption results when the male is unable to This is the 33rd in the series of articles con- orient to the female because the odor gra- tributed by Dr.Allen, Professor of Ento- dient is eliminated when the insect's envi- mology at SUNY-ESF ronment is saturated with attractant. Also, NYFOA has prepared: 1) a book of these articles suitable (digitized @600dpi; up- under these conditions males may become dated annually) for reproduction and dis- habituated to the odor; that is, they do not tribution by institutions and others ($25- "recognize" it as something unique and fail mailed); 2) photocopies suitable for indi- to respond to the stimulus. This use is most vidual use ($6-mailed.) Contact the editor applicable at very low pest densities where or NYFOA 's toll free number, 1-800-836- the distance between individuals is great, 3566 relative to high populations, and effective 30+ Years Experience chemical communication is critical to as- sure a meeting of the sexes. ROBERT DEMEREE Mass trapping - for this use, the syn- Professional Forestry Consultant thetic pheromone is placed in some type of Timber Sales· Management Planning Fig. 4. Sticky trap (8 "x.I 0 "). Bottom is trap for the purpose of capturing a large Tax Law· Tree Planting coated with a non-drying adhesive. enough segment of the pest population to lower damage levels. The approach is most ber or plastic (Fig. 2). Lures emit the at- 3987 Northway Drive applicable in situations where the pest Cortland, NY 13045-9317 tractant at a predetermined level and rate population is confined to a small area. for a specified period. A lure is placed in Telephone: each trap and traps are deployed in a speci- Antiaggregation - many important bark (607) 753-0497 fied manner and location, depending on the beetle pests use pheromones to "inform" habits of the insect. Bucket-type models relatives when population numbers are (Fig. 3) contain an agent that kills moths likely to exceed the food supply. By regu- PONDS UNLIMITED shortly after they enter the trap.Sticky traps lating the density of individuals attacking INVITES yOU .... (Fig. 4) are lined with an adhesive which a tree or log, the negative effects of com- to think of all of the benefits you retains moths on contact. Selection of a petition for food are minimized.When we could enjoy from having a pond or trap model is determined by a specific send a "false" message by saturating a for- a lake on your own property. This insect's behavior, size, population level, and est stand or plantation with this type of idea could become a reality if the the user's biomonitoring objectives. pheromone, insects are discouraged from right conditions prevail. From our These trapping systems provide an in- searching for hosts in this particular area. expensive, efficient and sensitive method In other words, they get a "message" that experience it normally requires to determine the presence or absence of a the resident population is too dense rela- favorable watershed conditions, pest, to estimate differences in pest density tive to available food. good site conditions, owner- from one location to another or to predict commitment to stewardship for changes in relative abundance from one The three forest pests for which phero- enhancement of forest land values, year to the next. mone trapping is used most extensively in appropriate engineering planning Surveys that utilize pheromone-baited the northeastern United States to detect and design, and good construction traps are very effective at host densities so changes in population trend are gypsy practices. sparse it would be prohibitively expensive moth, spruce budworm and forest tent cat- to sample populations in any other way. erpillar. Because this monitoring tool is so PONDS UNLIMITED CAN effective at low pest densities, it provides a Mating disruption - the purpose of this sensitive early warning system which iden- EVALUATE the site of your application is to permeate the insects's en- tifies threatening situations before signifi- choice.We can provide all ofthe vironment with enough synthetic phero- cant damage occurs. .•. engineering services needed to mone to disrupt the mating process. Dis- plan, design and oversee the construction of a dam to create a LandVest The Next Level of Service handsome pond or lake on suitable A company of experienced professionals dedicated to providing consulting and property. You can get additional marketing services to owners of forest land. Our Timberland, Consulting & Marketing Divisions specialize in: information by calling 3 15/422- Adirondack Office • Timberland Management POND or sending a letter of 64 Park Street, Tupper Lake, NY 12986 inquiry to: • Forest Land Marketing & Sales (518) 359-2385 PONDS UNLIMITED •Real Estate Asset Planning 719 E. Genesee St. OTHER LOCATIONS • Land Use Planning Syracuse, NY 13210 Boston,MA• Albany, VT • Concord, NH 315/422-7663 Portland and Jackman, ME • Appraisal & Conservation Services FAX/476-3635

NY FOREST OWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 21 SILVICULTERED GARDENS? By Jane Sorensen Lord, PhD, OTR,ND plants. Conversely, we also tried to keep den! The leaf structure of ginseng and black ou've seen beautiful gardens eager volunteer (as well as enlisted) plants cohosh are the same, and you use the roots planted by artistic landscapers, in line, or at least in the same beds. Still of both to support gonadotrophic hor- with colors matching, plant size Y couldn't maintain order. mones-definitely kissing cousins. I can just right for the space. The tall plants in Then, the season after our MFO class, make gallons of May wine with the sweet the back frame the medium ones just in Gordon decided we should try managing woodruff and if that isn't enough, gather front of them with borders of masses of the gardens like the woods. We don't try to valerian root to put myself to sleep. little colorful flowers. Bees and butterflies get hemlock to grow away from the wet I guess my gardens are beautiful in a flit through, a humming bird drinks red areas that make it thrive. Nor do we expect way only a mother can love.And they are flower nectar. If Monet were still alive, he oak or black cherry to grow in the dark. functional in a way that I perceive as part would paint it. Well, my gardens don't look What we were taught and learned to do is of the big picture. But mostly, I'd say our like that. to prune and take care of the trees that are unique gardens represent a tiny bit of Or maybe you've driven by farm lands the happiest and strongest. Cut away and Westbrookville's ecosphere and our attempt of an artistically endowed farmer. His crop girdle weak competition to support, encour- to peacefully coexist with our planet. A rows are perfectly spaced and sized. I re- age and enhance growth and development member seeing the plow work of a Texas of the naturally strongest. Dr. Jane, a regular contributor; is a Master soybean farmer. He plowed and planted in We spent hours discussing observations Forest Owner and Certified Tree Farmer. concentric circles within the same circle of our gardens and various plants that we She has a private consulting practice in that his quarter mile long irrigation sprin- had. Plants are a bit different from forest Occupational Therapy and Naturopathic kler made. My gardening efforts don't even trees The growing cycle happens in a rela- Medicine and teaches on the faculty of come close. tive whirlwind of time.Plants die faster Health at Indianapolis University. Some gardens, like at the Cloisters mu- when they don't like their surroundings. seum, are divided into plant purpose. Dye They also multiply faster and can take over plants in one, culinary herbs in another, an area in a single half season. But all in all medicinal plants in a third. I can't even we concluded trees are just big plants, so Lake George seem to pull that off. the same concepts should apply. Actually, in the beginning of my Tree And surprise, surprise, they do. Farm gardening effort, Idid pretty well. But Forestry First, we moved a few species out of the trees grow and my gardens in once open beds completely. The astilbes multiplied Compldc JPoresir:r Scrn'ces copses became partially and then fully and spread into small bushes in partial including: shaded. We dropped a couple of trees and shade. They didn't need the protection of • Detailed Management pruned back errant branches to amend the the garden borders so they were moved Plans problem of depressed, or at least unhappy lock, stock, and barrel to the edge of the • Timber Trespass forest that is tall black birch, oak and maple. • Timber Sales They loved it. • Appraisals We moved mugwort (a primary herb in • Deed Research dream pillows) away, period. They are so • Timber Inventory invasive I picked and dried them all and will in the future collect them from the side • Watershed Management of Port Orange Road. • Boundary Line Location A few of the bigger perennial herbs like • Tax Savings Plans sage, rue, lovage and salad burnet had No property is too small or too large to thrived in the full sun but were not in the benefitfrom experienced professional as- encroaching shade. The newly built house sistance when you are faced with impor- faced south east and had no branches. So tant decisions regarding its use. we used the big herbs in landscaping. They grow away smiling in front of taxus, spirea Contact Lake George Forestry today and azaleas and aside by side with iris, lil- to arrange a free initial consultation. ies, impatiens, and marigolds. My five year Christian Gearwear, President old rosemary lives in her pot near the other LAKE GEORGE herbs and it makes using them to cook very convenient. FORESTRY, INC. 'vegiven up trying to control shade 50 Hendrick Street where I couldn't make headway, and Lake George, New York 12845 Ihave started forest herbs like bamboo Tel: 518-668-2623 horsetail, black cohosh and ginseng. They 1-800-773-4611 don't seem to even notice they are in a gar- Fax: 518-668-2486

22 • NYFORESTOWNER; Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 -INFO JULY/AUG 1997 The Marketplace ADVERTISING ATTENTION small woodlot owners/part time loggers - For FARMI winches RATES and VALB Y chippers, write Hewitt's Hill Haven, Locke, NY 13092 or call (315) Per Insert: 497-1266 (Before 8AM or after 6PM). MEADOWVIEW NURSERY: QUALITY FIELD GROWN SEEDLINGS Display: $210 - perfull AND TRANSPLANTS for reforestation and establishing wildlife habitat. page or 30 col. in.; i.e., SPECIALIZING IN NUT TREE & WETLAND VARIETIES. P.O. Box 241, $7 per col. in. Byron, NY 14422 (716) 548-2207 FAX (716) 548-9014. Marketplace: $10 mini- FOR SALE: 170 acres Allegany County; 80 acres pine and hardwoods; deer, turkey, grouse; call Henry Hansen, evenings (716) 334-3569; Good project for mum for 25 words or less, interested woodsman. 10c each additional WHITE OAK NURSERY: DECIDUOUS SEEDLINGS, TUBE GROWN word. SEEDLINGS, WHIPS TO 5 FT, B&B STOCK including most commercial hardwoods and premier native shade trees and ornamental shrubs of the East. For Contact: R.J. Fox, Editor reforestation, naturalizing and landscaping. 8456 Harpers Ferry Rd., Springwater, RD 3,Box 88, NY Livingston County 14560716/669-2960 Moravia, NY WOODLOTIBUILDING LOTS: 43 acres in Ontario Co.; subdivision filed; 13118 survey done; frontage & separate ROWs; $56,000 (Lots negotiable); Informa- FaxiPhone/E-mail: tion Packet; Dale Schaefer, 7065 Co. Rd., Springwater 14560; 716/367-2849. (315)497 -1078 richard_fox@ nyforest.edu NEED 25 white pine 35-50ft high, in ground, buyer to dig, load, & truck. Can be loosely formed, first branch not over 8 ft, branches on 3 sides, single stem; or [email protected] Tom Dilatush, 780 Rte 130, Robbinsville, NJ 08961-2002; 609/585-8696 Circulation 1800.

Maximize Tree Health

Finally, a magazine with & Protection 2 Ways hands-on advice for people WM work with portable 1. TREE PRO Tree Protectors Stop Die- sawmUls and small back and Protect Trees from: woodlots. And your first • Deer Brouse and Rub issue is FREE when you subscn'be nQW! • Rabbits and Rodents ]S& WM is written by industry insiders who know their stuff. with • Wind and Drought plenty of tips and ideas you can use. You'll enjoy reviews of portable • Mowers sawmills and firewood processors, columns on woodlot manage- ment, articles on drying and marketing lumber, and more. • Chemical Sprays A one-year subscription is $18, a two-year subscription just $33. 2. MycorTree Mycorrhizal Root Get the magazine you've been waiting for. Subscribe today. n' E h ,..,.."..,..,.."..,...... lp.... n ances Growth and Improves: • Stem and Root Growth S~wmal Publishing, L.L.C. 8 Harlow St. Suite 3R Bangor,ME 04401-5111 ~ • Survial Rate '--'-...--- ....•..••.... ----- •....• ~--...- 0 YES, 1 Watlt to subscribe. My first imu i.! FREE, and I may write • Disease Resistance I "cance[J) on my bill with no obligation if 1am not completely satisifed. I •Drought Tolerance o One Year Subscription (6 issues) for$18 0 PaymentEnclosed _11------=::..-:------I 0 Two Ye~H Subscription (12 Issues) for $33 0 Bm Me Later ~ For more information & sample call: ISendcheckp9vabl~wS~wmiI\PublishineL.L.C.Makesure[~includevournarn~a.nd I TREE PRO at 800-875-8071 I m9iling address. For credit cards, include type of oro (M;t~terl...Jrd,VISA. Discover or I AMEXl. account number. expirarioo date and signature on 8 separate sheet, . I 3180 W. 250 N. W. Lafayette, IN 47906 I Mail Tol Sawmill Publishins. LLC. 8 Harlow St Suite 3R Bangor. ME 04401-5111 www.nlci L.•.•...••.•••--.-.:------..••------• ,;"..,;.;.;;.;;,,;,~~.;.;,.------..1 NYFORESTOWNER Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997 • 23 R.J. Fox, Editor Non-Profit Org. RD#3, Box 88 U.S.POSTAGE Moravia,NY 13118 PAID FaxIPhone (315) 497-1078 Moravia, N.Y. richard [email protected] 13118 Permit No. 21 [email protected]

NOTICE DEBB IE GIl_L THE FOREST OWNER is maile NEW YORK FOREST OWNERS ASSOC. third class and will not be forwarded' PO BOX lBO notify Administrative Secretary Debbi FAIRPORT, NY 14450 Gill, PO Box 180, Fairport 14450 or cal 1/800/836/3566 with a change in ad FOUNDED 1963

WOODLOT CALENDAR

JUL 27-29: NY's 1997 Maple Tour; Chautauqua area; Clymer; 716/664-5393 or 716/287-3361.

JUN 27-AUG 30: Northern Forest Heri- For Information On tage Trek; 500 various sites & dates in 4 states; 1-888/NFA- TREK. E-Mail, Estate Planning, Land Trusts, AUG 3-6: 5th Conf. on Agroforestry in Timber Theft, Master Forest Owners . North America; Cornell U.; Ithaca;Barbara Cliff; 607/255-0349. Call our FREE information Database and Debbie will get the answers for you. SEP 18-21: 1997 Master Forest Owner Train- ing Workshop; Arnot Forest; 607/255-2824. INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. 1-800-836-3566 SEP 27: CNY; NYFOA FALL MEETING; Heiberg Forest; Syracuse; 315/255-3662 NYFOA SPECIALS The following promotional items especially designed for NYFOA may be obtained from Deborah Gill,Administrative Secretary; PO Box 180, Fairport, NY 14450; 1-800/836-3566 or directly from and with support for your local chapter: Shoulder Patches $2.00 50%Cotton T-Shirts $8.00 -- VOSS Slgns·-- Window Decals 0.50 100%Cotton T-Shirts 9.00 Ucpt. NYF. Box 553. Manlius. N.Y. 13104 Ph.. (315) 882-&118 Member Sign 2.00 Long-sleeved Shirts 13.00 (Mon.·Fr1. 9-!5i Pewter Lapel Pins 4.00 Sweatshirts 16.00

24 •NY FOREST OWNER;Vol. 35 No.4 NYFOA - 1-800-836-3566 - INFO JULY/AUG 1997