Heritage Forestry

Hi neighbors. I wanted to reach out and update landowners with a timber market forecast, and notes concerning forest management.

Hardwood sawlog markets are strong for sugar maple and ash. This winter is a great time for landowners to capture the value of ash or maple they have considered harvesting, with averages above $800/mbf.

Softwood sawlog markets have softened. White pine and spruce have fallen ~20%. These prices should rise at some point in the near future and I would recommend waiting to harvest these species.

Firewood markets remain strong. As always, when conducting a timber harvest, removing poorly formed/damaged stems will improve your residual stand and increase the value and growth of high value crop trees.

Concerning forest pests, Emerald Ash Borer is coming and is only a matter of time until it's discovered in our valley. On the bright side, there is some great work being done in areas that ash has been killed for years. Researchers have found that few "lingering ash" have a natural resistance to the borer remain healthy long after surrounding trees have died. They are able to take cuttings of the branches and graft them onto certain ash rootstock. These resistant saplings are able to be planted throughout woodlands. A new pest that has shown up has caused "Beech Lead Disease". This is caused by a Japanese nematode, which causes severe damage to the leaf while still inside the bud. Small trees can be killed in 3 years and large trees after 10. These nematodes are spread by wind and have spread from the MA border to White River Junction in one year. I expect to see Beech Leaf Disease in our area in the next year or so. While this does have implications for forest management, the biggest loss will be Beech's value as a nut tree, which wildlife heavily rely on. On the bright side, oak seedlings are becoming increasingly common in our woodlands and will hopefully replace beech as we lose it.

Please reach out with any forestry needs.

-Bruce