Timber Harvesting And Chestnut Restoration Tour

The public is invited to attend a special two part forestry event on Saturday, June 16, starting at 10 am at 231 Brainard Road, Averill Park to see how locally grown timber is sustainably harvested on the Rensselaer Plateau.  This logging operation is managed by LandVest for the Forestland Group (former Cowee property). The harvest is being done by a local contractor and is intended to increase growth on residual crop trees while also starting a new forest of oak, pine and hemlock. At the same time, by keeping this land biologically productive, it continues to provide habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities and intangibles such as green space.  The tour will celebrate the challenges and rewards of working in the forest and how landowners can achieve their goals and objectives of forest ownership.
The second event also starts at 231 Brainard Road – at 2 pm. Ken James, a local woodland owner, will show the results of his American chestnut restoration project. James has been planting disease resistant chestnuts for many years. This native tree species was destroyed by an introduced disease 100 years ago but is now on the verge of making a comeback.
You may attend either or both programs, which are free.  Lunch will be provided for those who attend both events. To RSVP or for more information, call 895-1028. These events are sponsored by the New York Forest Owners Association and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance.