Saturday, May 13 - Timber Harvest Overview Part Two Woodlot Tour in State Forest Land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Saturday, May 13 - Timber Harvest Overview Part Two Woodlot Tour in State Forest Land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park

On Saturday, May 13, John Schwartzer, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester, will lead a tour to look at timber harvest and forest management practices in State Forest land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park.   This workshop/tour will encompass “before the sale, during the sale, and after the sale” aspects of sustainable forest management.  Those participating will meet at 12:30 pm at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Fuller Lake “day use” parking lot.  This is the big lot on the little lane just off Pine Grove Road used to access the day use/swimming area on Fuller Lake. 

The group will then carpool to 4 stops within a 12 mile loop then return to the parking area at 3:30 pm.  Driving will all be primarily on unpaved State Forest Roads open to the public. Turning around may be required in a grassy retired log landing.  Those driving low profile cars or cars with low profile “street” tires may want to consider carpooling into larger/higher vehicles.  There will be minimal walking at each stop with approximately 300 feet at the farthest. This walking will be over possibly rough forest haul roads/trails with very little through the woods.  Hiking boots and long pants are always advised.  Workshop is "rain or shine" unless dangerous weather conditions or heavy rain is forecast.  If the weather is questionable, contact Mike Waldron 698-8046 (cell) 677-7317 (home) for updates.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend. 

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is at 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324. Directions to Pine Grove Furnace State Park:  From I-81, take Exit 37 to PA 233 south then travel for eight miles.  -OR- From Rt. 30, turn onto Pine Grove Rd/PA-233 N for 13.5 miles.  A map of the park is available at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pinegrovefurnace/.

The tour will show the steps of a sustainable timber harvest and what a harvest based on regeneration following a silvicultural prescription (vs. high grading) can do for a timber sale’s success rate.  The first stop will be a marked and sold yet unharvested section of a sale. We will look at the regeneration data and look at the marking guidelines and how the stand is marked for harvest.   The second stop will be a recently or currently being harvested sale block and maybe the log landing of a sale to see the harvesting in action. The logger may even be on site when we are there.  Third stop will be a sale a few years post-harvest. We will talk about planting, fencing, herbicide/invasives, prescribed burning.  Fourth stop will be a sale 5-15 years after harvesting to see what the regeneration of a prescription based sale turns into with a little time. We will talk about the new forest’s tending steps to continue it to conditions similar to stop #1. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, at 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

2017 Cumberland Woodland Owners Association April thru Oct. Meetings

2017 Cumberland Woodland Owners Association April thru Oct. Meetings

(NOTE:  The Location for the Saturday, May 13 Timber Harvest Overview Part Two Woodlot Tour has been changed to State Forest Land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Location for the Saturday, Sept. 16 Alaskan Sawmill Demo and Solar Dry Kiln Demonstration has been changed to Tony Montoy's property, 10189 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro PA)

 

Thursday, April 13 - Woods in Your Backyard Meeting

On Thursday, April 13, Dr. James Finley, Penn State Professor of Forest Resources, will speak on how owners of even just a few acres can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple “Woods in Your Backyard” stewardship practices.  The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building which is located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg.  The meeting is open to the public.   You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.  The meeting is handicap accessible.  Directions are available at:  http://extension.psu.edu/franklin/directions.

The vast majority of Pennsylvania’s landowners have less than 10 acres. This land has many important resources such as soil, water, trees, wildlife and plants.   Many benefits can be gained from any one of these resources.   Adding new trees and shrubs, managing insects and diseases, harvesting products and controlling invasive species can help create and preserve a beneficial natural area.  Creating and caring for your backyard woodlot may not take as much time or money as one might expect.  Owners of even the smallest landscapes can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, at 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

 

Saturday, May 13 - Timber Harvest Overview Part Two Woodlot Tour in State Forest Land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park -

*****NOTE:  CHANGE IN LOCATION TO PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK*****

On Saturday, May 13, John Schwartzer, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester, will lead a tour to look at timber harvest and forest management practices in State Forest land near Pine Grove Furnace State Park.   This workshop/tour will encompass “before the sale, during the sale, and after the sale” aspects of sustainable forest management.  Those participating will meet at 12:30 pm at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Fuller Lake “day use” parking lot.  This is the big lot on the little lane just off Pine Grove Road used to access the day use/swimming area on Fuller Lake. 

The group will then carpool to 4 stops within a 12 mile loop then return to the parking area at 3:30 pm.  Driving will all be primarily on unpaved State Forest Roads open to the public. Turning around may be required in a grassy retired log landing.  Those driving low profile cars or cars with low profile “street” tires may want to consider carpooling into larger/higher vehicles.  There will be minimal walking at each stop with approximately 300 feet at the farthest. This walking will be over possibly rough forest haul roads/trails with very little through the woods.  Hiking boots and long pants are always advised.  Workshop is "rain or shine" unless dangerous weather conditions or heavy rain is forecast.  If the weather is questionable, contact Mike Waldron 698-8046 (cell) 677-7317 (home) for updates.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend. 

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is at 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324. Directions to Pine Grove Furnace State Park:  From I-81, take Exit 37 to PA 233 south then travel for eight miles.  -OR- From Rt. 30, turn onto Pine Grove Rd/PA-233 N for 13.5 miles.  A map of the park is available at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pinegrovefurnace/.

The tour will show the steps of a sustainable timber harvest and what a harvest based on regeneration following a silvicultural prescription (vs. high grading) can do for a timber sale’s success rate.  The first stop will be a marked and sold yet unharvested section of a sale. We will look at the regeneration data and look at the marking guidelines and how the stand is marked for harvest.   The second stop will be a recently or currently being harvested sale block and maybe the log landing of a sale to see the harvesting in action. The logger may even be on site when we are there.  Third stop will be a sale a few years post-harvest. We will talk about planting, fencing, herbicide/invasives, prescribed burning.  Fourth stop will be a sale 5-15 years after harvesting to see what the regeneration of a prescription based sale turns into with a little time. We will talk about the new forest’s tending steps to continue it to conditions similar to stop #1. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, at 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

 

Saturday, September 16 - 9:00 to 11:30 A.M.:  Alaskan Sawmill Demo and Solar Dry Kiln Demonstration at Tony Montoy's property, 10189 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro PA, 17268.  ***NOTE:  CHANGE IN START TIME AND LOCATION***

Dave Myers will demo his large Alaskan sawmill.  He will demonstrate an inexpensive way to turn a chainsaw into a lumber making machine that is used by one or two operators to mill logs into lumber for use in furniture, construction and other uses.  John Schwartzer, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester, and Scott Weikert,  Penn State Extension Forest Resources Educator, will present dry kilns. John may also mill a small log with his small Alaskan mill.   The workshop will not be rescheduled if the weather is very bad.  Planning on "rain or shine" - at the discretion of the presenters.

Directions :  Mentzer Gap Road starts in Quincy - off Rt. 997 ( north of Waynesboro) and runs east - ending on Rt. 16, (east of Waynesboro)  From Quincy to Tony's place is 3.4 miles and from the Route 16 end it is 3.6 miles.  NOTE:  While Tony's property fronts on Mentzer Gap Rd., his access lane is off Tomara Drive.  Turn into Tomara Drive and go 80 yards - first lane on the left.  You can see Tony's workshop & log piles from Mentzer Gap Rd.  We will have a "CWOA" sign out along the road.  For questions - Mike Waldron at (717) 677-7317 home # (717) 698-8046 cell # or email - mdwald57@yahoo.com.

 

Saturday, October 14 - 9:30 A.M. to Noon:  Penn State Mont Alto Woodsman Team Demonstration and Campus Tour.  The PSU-MAC Timbersports team will demonstrate some of the events they do in competition and relate them to the “real world” use in forestry – now and in the past.  Followed by a tour of the campus.   LOCATION:  Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive Mont Alto, PA 17237.  Directions:  http://montalto.psu.edu/information/directions.

Grasslands & Your Woods Meeting Feb. 9, 2017

Grasslands & Your Woods

“Grasslands & Your Woods” is the topic of the Thursday, February 9, 2017, meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association.  Stefan Karkuff, Farm Bill Biologist at Pheasants Forever, will speak on methods for designing, developing, and funding wildlife habitat improvements on private lands.  The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building which is located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg.  The meeting is open to the public.   You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.  The meeting is handicap accessible.  Directions are available at:  http://extension.psu.edu/franklin/directions.

Most Pennsylvania woodlands and surrounding openings can be excellent wildlife habitat areas for a variety of birds and animals if there is a diversity of mixtures of overstory tree species and under-story vegetation. Whether or not you actively manage, the vegetative structure of your woodland will change over time. As this structure changes, your woodland will become more or less diverse and some species of birds and animals will benefit more than others.  If you want to optimize habitat development for the widest range of bird and animal species, you need to concentrate on maintaining as much vegetative diversity in your woodland as possible. If you want to maximize certain habitat improvement benefits for individual bird and animal species, you will need to target specific woodland management activities in specific areas to meet the special needs of those species.

There are many things you can do to attract wildlife to your woodlands.  Often, the management practices associated with wildlife habitat improvement provide other conservation benefits such as reduced soil erosion and better water quality.  How much time and effort you want to spend is entirely up to you. Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologists possess the knowledge of federal, state, and local programs to assist landowners in finding the right program to meet your personal habitat and land use goals. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717-776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net) or Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

 

Jan 12, 2017

Timber Harvest Overview Part One Workshop

A carefully managed, sustainable timber harvest isn’t just about cutting down trees and cashing in on their commercial value. It’s about implementing a plan that encourages regeneration and the long-term well-being of the forest.  On Thursday, January 12, 2017, John Schwartzer, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester, will speak on the steps private woodland owners should take in planning and implementing a successful timber harvest along with the pitfalls to avoid. The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

Harvesting and selling timber is a critical decision in terms of its effect on the future management and profitability of the woodland, and therefore one that should be approached cautiously and objectively.  Years of growth are accumulated in a mature timber stand. The annual income from all those years is frequently marketed in a single transaction. Too much is at stake to sell timber without having accurate knowledge of products, volume, and value and without knowing how to establish the next crop for continued production.  Advice and assistance is available from a variety of sources, public and private, and should be used to maximum advantage. These and other issues surrounding a timber harvest will be presented at the meeting.

 The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, at 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

 

NOTE: The “Timber Harvest Overview Part Two Workshop” will be a tour on Saturday, May 13, 2017 starting at 9:30 a.m. of Fay Drawbaugh’s woodlands, 150 Church of God Rd., Newville, PA 17241, that will be lead by  John Schwartzer, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester, to look at timber harvest and forest management practices.

Oct. 22 "Coached" Tree Identification Workshop and Picnic

"Coached" Tree Identification Workshop and Picnic

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is partnering with Penn State Mont Alto to present a tree identification workshop on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016.  Workshop participants will meet on the PSU Mont Alto campus at 9:30am at Weisling Hall.  Signs will be posted.  Participants will split up into small groups (3-5 people) with a 2nd year forestry student assigned to each group.  The students will take their groups through a 20 station walk and coach them on specific tree identification.  With the closer teaching and opportunity to interact, participants can learn some of the finer points of tree id such as the difference between a red oak and scarlet oak.  20 plus tree species will be covered.  The CWOA is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.

The tree identification workshop is open to the public.  You do not have to be a member of the CWOA to attend.  There is no cost to attend the workshop but pre-registration is required.   To register, text, call or email Mike Waldron at 717-677-7317(H), 717-698-8046(cell), mdwald57@yahoo.com (email) by October 14 (email preferred).

The Penn State Mont Alto campus is approx. 1 mile north of downtown Mont Alto along Rt. 233.  At the main campus entrance, turn left, go over the bridge and the main parking lot is on the right.  Look for CWOA signs. Penn State Mont Alto directions are available online at:  http://montalto.psu.edu/Information/directions.htm.

The workshop will take about 2 hours to complete and will be followed by a picnic lunch at the pavilion of Mont Alto State Park.  (right next door to the campus)   CWOA MEMBERS - bring a side dish to share as we will host the Mont Alto students & staff.  Burgers, hot dogs, dinnerware and drinks will be provided.  

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT !!   Text, call or email Mike Waldron at 717-677-7317(H), 717-698-8046,(cell), mdwald57@yahoo.com (email) by October 14 (email preferred).   There is no charge, but we will have a donation bucket for you to help defray the costs of the pavilion & lunch.

This event will be rain or shine.  IF the weather is very bad; we will make provisions to have a presentation inside with tree samples.  So, mark your calendar, make your reservation, bring note taking materials, dress for the weather and be ready to be sharpened in your tree id skills.  We may have to limit the group size, so register early.

Sept. 10 Bird Identification Meeting at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 A.M. CWOA Bird Identification Meeting at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout at Waggoner’s Gap off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa.  

Bird identification is the subject of the September 10, 10:00 A.M. meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout at Waggoner’s Gap off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa.   A representative from the Audubon Society will speak on methods for bird identification in the field.  Bring binoculars, a cushion to sit on and warmer clothing than you think you might need.  There is very limited space for chairs of any sort and that space is claimed very early in the day.  We will meet at that location at 10:00 A.M. For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).  Please be sure and park in the lot that is on the north (Perry County) side of the mountain.

Audubon Pennsylvania’s Hawk Watch Waggoner’s Gap Directions:  http://www.waggap.com/Directions.htm

The Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch can be reached by walking up a rock trail from the parking lot on the north side of the Kittatinny Ridge. The parking lot is off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa. 

Directions to the parking lot

Amended directions to Hawk Watch Lookout - Wolf Bridge Rd is closed due to replacement

I have been informed by Chaz Smith that Wolf Bridge Rd is closed due to replacement of the bridge.  Chaz Smith’s recommends the following detour to take off of Rt.11S:  “The detour would take North Middlesex Rd, which is about halfway between the turnpike and 81. It is right across from the Petro truck stop, and there is an Arby's resturaunt on the corner. Go a couple hundred yards on North Middlesex Rd across the Conneduguinnett creek on the bridge, and then take the first left on Clemson Rd. This parallels the creek, and will T into Wolf Bridge Rd, where you would turn right, adn continue on with the other directions.”  At the stop sign at PA Rt.  34. Turn right and go .4 miles to a left turn on PA Rt.  944 W. Go 5 miles to a stop sign at the intersection with Pa Rt.  74. Turn right and go 2 miles up the mountain, being careful on the 90 degree turns. The parking lot is 200 yards beyond the crest on the right.

Here is a link to a map centered on that Arby's, it is easy to see the detour rout here.

https://www.bing.com/mapspreview?&ty=18&q=Arby%27s&ss=ypid.YN749x20690845&ppois=40.2337760925293_-77.1406326293945_Arby%27s_YN749x20690845~&cp=40.233776~-77.140633&v=2&sV=1

From the east: On I-81 S take the Middlesex exit (exit 52)  and turn right on Rt. 11S toward Carlisle. Go through the truckstops to the Carlisle turnpike exchange where we pick up all Pa Turnpike travelers. Continue south on Rt. 11 for 1.5 miles to a traffic light at Wolf Bridge Rd. Turn right. Follow Wolf Bridge Rd 2.5 miles to a stop sign at PA Rt.  34. Turn right and go .4 miles to a left turn on PA Rt.  944 W. Go 5 miles to a stop sign at the intersection with Pa Rt.  74. Turn right and go 2 miles up the mountain, being careful on the 90 degree turns. The parking lot is 200 yards beyond the crest on the right.

Trail to the lookouts

The trail leaves the oval parking lot at the right hand (uphill) side. After approx. 100 yards it splits, but both forks lead to the lookout. The right hand trail is less steep but longer. The lookout is an angled rock pile. Bring a cushion to sit on and warmer clothing than you think you might need. There is very limited space for chairs of any sort and that space is claimed very early in the day. There is a porta-potti in the parking lot. The parking lot is gated and unlocked by the counter for the day. The gate will remain locked over night and during inclement weather when no watch is being conducted.

Two Pennsylvania Nut Grower Events coming up

Two Pennsylvania Nut Grower Events coming up:

Grafting day at Don Jackson's Farm in Red Lion (York County)
9 AM Saturday July 9
No charge. All are welcome.

Nut Growers Picnic at Don Jackson's Farm in Red Lion (York County)
9 AM Saturday August 20
Please Bring a covered dish. (Perhaps a plant or tree of some interest for an impromptu auction)
RSVP to Don for the picnic

Both Events are being hosted by the Don Jackson Family at their farm at:
9006 Camp Road
Red Lion, PA
717-244-1834