|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Marshall Erdman and Assoc. Property
Iowa county, Wisconsin.
"do the right thing for the future"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our instructions have always been "do the right thing for the future" when managing the 2,000 acres of timber on this farm. This company, more than any other client, has taken the high road to do whatever it takes, whatever it costs. The continuing increase in timber prices insures that all the investments of time and money made to improve the timber on this property will pay off very well in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The key to Sustainable Management is to build up the inventory of good trees by removing the low quality trees that compete with crop trees for light, water and nutrients. In the photo at right, a suppressed tree with a crooked top is removed to allow the 18" diameter red oak room to grow to its full potential. This crop tree is just beginning to produce the best value growth of its life, and care must be given not to damage this tree while logging the poor trees from the stand. Full utilization of all merchantable products keeps the woods clear of large tree tops that would still be in the way when we thin this stand again in 10 years. In just 40 years, this stand had beome stagnated and needed thinning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sawlogs, Sawbolts, and pulpwood were produced from this harvest of dead and low grade trees. Each product was neatly piled for marketing and trucking. All merchantable wood was utilized from this harvest, leaving the wood clear of large tree tops. All damaged trees were cut and Timber Stand Improvement work was accomplished during the harvest by the chain saw operator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The resulting forest is a well spaced stand of the best oak trees. All of the suppressed and defective trees were removed with practically no damage and very little mess left afterwards. The crop trees in this stand will grow in value at about 25%/year, and will be thinned again in about 10 years. This stand will reach full stocking of 8,000 board feet per acre in 20 years and will produce over 250BF/acre annual growth throughout the future.
Tree Planting at Erdman Farm
Walnut management at Erdman Farm
German forester visits the Erdman Farm home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|