Bruce Robinson, our Forester for over the past 20 years, will guide us through one of the great challenges facing landowners.  Specifically, ownership of a commercially high-graded forest (approximately 99.7%).  The existing forest has a high percentage of trees which have already been rejected by the industry.  Unfortunately, these low-quality trees have the ability to represent the future forest.  Starting over is impractical for private landowners.  Few landowners have the luxury of 60-90 years needed for the new forest development.  Substantial Taxes, the greatest ownership deterrent and combined with the element of time, create the negative side of the equation.  Forest managers must apply management which improves the grade of the forest and shortens the number of years without forest income.  This recovery should begin with and be sustained by commercial cutting.
We will discuss the difference between a forest which has developed naturally to attain certain attributes such as volume, quality, vigor and vitality in contrast with that of a forest that might have the same volume but the quality, vitality, and vigor have been compromised.  Why do some trees, and entire forests, seem to grow so slowly, while trees of similar size in another forest seem superior?  We will discuss what makes a tree young (it is not age), mature (yes, it has everything to do with upbringing), and even how to recognize over-maturity (it happens even with seedlings).  Wouldn’t it be great to find superior trees throughout the forest and make them young again? Our theme will be ‘Releasing the Reality of the Existing Forest’. As Bruce would say, Love the Forest!
Please arrive at 9 a.m.  Light breakfast fair will be available as well as fresh water.  A short preview of the woods walk will be made by Bruce Robinson before we head out into the woods.  There are stairs to consider, rocky roads and paths, some mild uphill challenges for some folks, and dress for the weather/bugs/outdoors.  We will host this woods walk rain or shine.

     After the presentation, we invite you to please stay for lunch.  Cook your own hot dog(s) over an open fire, chili, salads, snacks, fruit, and s’mores for dessert.  You are welcome to stay and enjoy time around the campfire, visit with friends, and in his usual delightful humor, Bruce is always available to answer questions.  All are welcome. We would appreciate your communicating directly with us as to the number of people in your group attending, so that we might better prepare the food needed to satisfy each of you.