Landowner Objectives
- Manage the forest ecosystem and property for all attributes and opportunities of interest to the landowner. Including recreation, wildlife management, soil and water management, forest protection, timber products management, and other compatible conservation uses.
- Develop and maintain favorable food and cover conditions for game and other wildlife like songbirds.
- Use the Tree Farm as a backdrop for the education of others.
Description
Original 40 acres purchased in 1991 when we began managing the property with the primary goal of wildlife habitat. The active management started with the advice of a State of Ohio Service Forester, Randy Clum. He advised some timber stand improvements via wildlife openings. This quickly blossomed into the realization of long term timber benefits gained from active forest management and its relationship with critical forest wildlife habitat.
Additional property purchased brought the total to 210 acres. The majority of this new property was previously high-graded around 1982 in what amounts to a commercial clearcut using a portable sawmill. The problem was the many undesirable and poorly formed trees left behind. Multiple disciplines and timber harvest techniques have been used since to deal with the variable terrain, soils, tree species, and desired outcomes.
We are very active in ECOFA (East Central Ohio Forestry Association) and the local chapters of the Ruffed Grouse Society. Serving as officers for both organizations keeps me focused on landowner education. Holding field days with various groups and speakers is a special treat for us. It allows sharing and educating others interested in forest and wildlife management. This outreach helped us gain the title of Ohio’s 2004 tree farm of the year. We were also one of 3 farms making the Regional nomination that year. Being interviewed for the final 3 regional nominations was a great honor. A bunch of the true credit goes out to those who attended our field days, and we hope they gained some knowledge in their effort. We truly enjoy using the woodlands in the education of others, and ourselves in the process…