My Managed Forrest plan in SW Ontario

RuralKanuck

RuralKanuck

Member
Location
Ontario, Canada
Here in Ontario there is a program whereby owners of forestry lands can get a modest reduction of the taxes charged on said land under certain conditions which at first glance do not seem to difficult to achieve. They are to have more than 10 acres of land, have a commitment to good land ownership and have an approved managed forest plan. My property has been under such a plan for many years even prior to my purchasing it 25 years ago, said plan must be updated and approved every 5 years to continue to receive the tax reduction benefit.

The property itself is a rugged area of left over glacier till and 'drumlins' known as The Klondike Hills and registered under said Managed Forest plan. The following is an extract from the required ministry plan as of the last renewal submitted....

1) Maintain a healthy forest by collectingand reading resource material and taking recognized courses in forest management. Then carry out sustainable forest management practices

2) Maintain and enhance wildlife habitat bythe careful observance of existing species and non disturbance of same. Create nesting and den sites wherever practical with the use of brush, wild plantings, shrubs etc.

3) Develop a series of walking trails to enjoy the natural plant and wild life and minimize the impact upon the natural environment

4) Remove a limited amount of fuelwood each year for personal use. Use some thinned pine for pine lumber for home construction.

5) Very selectively thin pine and usable hardwood as local markets are found to assist in providing income to maintain and enhance property.

I will write more later about our efforts to follow that plan in the last 25 years since we bought theproperty which had seen little activity of any kind for some timebefore I bought it. Feel free to ask about any aspects of that journey as we talk more about it.
 

So far as I know it was logged out sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, there are two or three huge Maples that obviously where not taken then, one of which is now starting to die off. I am going to try and take some of it for fuel wood if I can get it down without killing myself and can then see its age by ring count. An old apple probably seeded after the logging was aged at around 120 years 10 ot 15 years ago by ring count! I do not believe the hardwood section has beet touched since then hence my wish to leave it largly untouched as much as possible.
 

Sounds like a nice program and a modest tax reduction to boot. Nothing like that program here.

My husband & I own 100 acres of land that we purchased 45+ years ago. Our backyard borders 15,000 acres of State Game Lands. It so serene, especially knowing no one will build around us. We can watch all types of wildlife frequent us and they are never disturb. Can also get free firewood when we need it. It's work maintaining the 7+ acres we mow and trim, but it's so worth it!
 
Gemma said:
Sounds like a nice program and a modest tax reduction to boot. Nothing like that program here.

My husband & I own 100 acres of land that we purchased 45+ years ago. Our backyard borders 15,000 acres of State Game Lands. It so serene, especially knowing no one will build around us. We can watch all types of wildlife frequent us and they are never disturb. Can also get free firewood when we need it. It's work maintaining the 7+ acres we mow and trim, but it's so worth it!
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I keep about an acre around the house and barn 'cleared' and try and keep the trails cleared a couple of times a year but the energy I had when first developing the trails and taking advantage of the 'free' (the folks that have got that wood from tree to stove know it is far from free eh) firewood is rapidly diminishing in my older years!
 
That can't be too far from where I once helped a wildlife field biologist lure South-migrating hawks down with pigeons to band and release them. But it was probably closer to Erie View and Port Royal. Long time ago now, maybe 25 years.
 
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againstthegrain said:
RK - What forest management classes have you taken?
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Whilst I have attended a couple of information sessions put on by the MNR most of my information has come from reading information on the subject. Here in Ontario the OMNR has produced a number of useful 'Extension Notes' and the OWA has also produced a usefull booklet. Much of it is common sense and depends upon what your priorities are, short or long term income or sustaining forest diversity the natural environment. See the list below....

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Ganaraska Conservation - Resources For Landowners

Forestry Extension Notes

Landowners Guide to Careful Logging –Ontario Woodlot Association
 
Trail Development
Before I talk more about our forest management plan I want to outline the difficulties presented by the land itself in getting any equipment close to any particular fallen or cankered tree for removal or for that matter just seeking a reasonable walking route. Whilst the front section of the property, where the pines are, is relatively level except for the 30' very steep slope between the upper and lower sections the remainder (mostly hardwood) is a different matter entirely. If one was to walk straight back the aprox 2000' to the back you would walk around twice that, mostly scrambling up and down the steep sides of 'drumlins' left over from the retreat of the glaciers millions of yeas ago..

The challenge I faced to plot a relatively level series of trails around those 'hills' in order to be able to develop trails around most of my property was considerable and involved any number of times I muttered 'nope that aint gona work'. I did eventually find a way back to most areas and establish a few walking trails some of which I was later able to make into usable access routes for a small tractor and trailer for wood removal. Some areas however are never going to be accessible by tractor and will remain a scramble on foot to check things out!
That tractor is fitted with a 300' winch line and despite that some fallen wood must be left to rot or cut up in place and carried to the nearest access point, as I do like to leave some such material for the birds and animals its no big deal to leave some stuff where it falls. Anyway a level woodlot would not be nowhere near as much 'fun' would it.......
 
There has not been a huge reaction to this thread but that is hardly surprise as there cant be too many 'seniors' with forested lands they are caring for, I most certainly will be much less active back in the bush in my remaining years. I imagine many of the limited number of rural folks who own woodlands retire into the citys in their latter years, I for one will stay out here where I can enjoy the variety of wild life to be seen once spring arrives.

Over the last 20 years I have documented many of the flowers and ferns to be seen in and around my woodlands, I have had some help with this from some of the local field naturalists in particularly one member who was the recognized expert on ferns and without whom I would not have been able to identify several of those found in my walks.

On that note I am going to try and post a list of some of those to be found on a walk around our trails, there was I time when I could name 90% of then on sight and share with my visitors but sadly I now can only do so with reference books to hand. I just cannot wait till spring to refresh my memory!
 
Posting pictures and/or a topographic map would raise the interest level. Forestry, forest management, and forest lands are an abstract idea to many so putting a face on the topic could help. More details like the species, age, height, and dbh of the trees would also help. What are the most unusual birds and mammals you have seen? Do you have edible plants like berries or mushrooms?
 
Threads also have a way of treading water for a time, only for interest to arise once more as the right people (re-)discover them.
 
RuralKanuck said:
Lets try this of a Showy Orchid
....
View attachment 323965
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Galearis spectabilis can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands in the eastern United States, they begin growth in spring, producing one or two oval, fleshy basal leaves from a rhizome, which persist throughout summer. Pollination of the flower is conducted by long-tongued Bombus, as well as other bees, butterflies, and moths. Besides it alluring colors, G. spectabilis flowers also provide pollinators a nectar reward which collects at the base of the spur.

G. spectabilis is typically found on hillsides which may be rocky, damp and near seeps growing under a canopy of deciduous trees in half to deep shade. Plants have also been reported to be found thriving living just about [above] a floodplain, again under a deciduous canopy. Plants are rarely seen in full sun.[7] Plants are slow-growing and form clumps over time via crown offshoots from the rhizome.[8]

Is there running or standing water on the woodlot?
 
dilettante said:
Threads also have a way of treading water for a time, only for interest to arise once more as the right people (re-)discover them.
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I can see that, having tried a couple of less active forums I am blown away by the activity on this one, new posts scroll of the 'whats new' link very quickly !
 
RuralKanuck said:
There has not been a huge reaction to this thread but that is hardly surprise as there cant be too many 'seniors' with forested lands they are caring for, I most certainly will be much less active back in the bush in my remaining years. I imagine many of the limited number of rural folks who own woodlands retire into the citys in their latter years, I for one will stay out here where I can enjoy the variety of wild life to be seen once spring arrives.

Over the last 20 years I have documented many of the flowers and ferns to be seen in and around my woodlands, I have had some help with this from some of the local field naturalists in particularly one member who was the recognized expert on ferns and without whom I would not have been able to identify several of those found in my walks.

On that note I am going to try and post a list of some of those to be found on a walk around our trails, there was I time when I could name 90% of then on sight and share with my visitors but sadly I now can only do so with reference books to hand. I just cannot wait till spring to refresh my memory!
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If I may ask, what Ontario country are you living in ? I ask because we live in such a huge Province, it would be helpful to be able to visualize where you are. When I think of Drumlins I think of the middle area of the Province north of the Muskokas or Kawartha lakes.

A suggestion. Take the time to contact a few on the Ontario Community Colleges, to see if they might have students who are taking a Forestry course, who could be a source of labour for your land management program. Younger stronger hands, who would be learning, as well as doing. I would suggest Georgian College at Barrie, or Leslie Frost at Lyndsey as possible places to contact. I commend you for your commitment to the land you own. JimB.
 
againstthegrain said:
Galearis spectabilis can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands in the eastern United States, they begin growth in spring, producing one or two oval, fleshy basal leaves from a rhizome, which persist throughout summer. Pollination of the flower is conducted by long-tongued Bombus, as well as other bees, butterflies, and moths. Besides it alluring colors, G. spectabilis flowers also provide pollinators a nectar reward which collects at the base of the spur.

G. spectabilis is typically found on hillsides which may be rocky, damp and near seeps growing under a canopy of deciduous trees in half to deep shade. Plants have also been reported to be found thriving living just about [above] a floodplain, again under a deciduous canopy. Plants are rarely seen in full sun.[7] Plants are slow-growing and form clumps over time via crown offshoots from the rhizome.[8]

Is there running or standing water on the woodlot?
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Just one small pond towards the back of the property the Orchids found are high and dry on some of the many glacial drumlins that cover the property.
 
I would love to see pictures of your project if/when you get used to it.

We have 18 acres of Mid-Missouri forest we have developed from scratch. We have had it for over 30 years. So much work in developing trails, making garden plots, using the forest for fire wood, and managing the wild life. For me, it has been a dream come true. Like you, I too am running out of steam. Winter will hit hard here in a few daze. I am gearing up for the challenges. :)
 
Thanks 'Jim' I did have some students from a ministry program give me a hand keeping some of the trails open last summer, I live a few miles south of Owen Sound, Ontario in an area known as 'The Klondike Hills' ....no where near the Alaskan klondike but presumably named for this small area so similar to that landscape!
 
RuralKanuck said:
Thanks 'Jim' I did have some students from a ministry program give me a hand keeping some of the trails open last summer, I live a few miles south of Owen Sound, Ontario in an area known as 'The Klondike Hills' ....no where near the Alaskan klondike but presumably named for this small area so similar to that landscape!
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You are most welcome. I spent a lot of time at the CFB at Meaford when I was in the Canadian Forces reserve in the 70's and 80's on weekend training exercises with the 48th Highlanders of Canada based in Toronto. Later on I raced oval track stock cars at Sauble Beach speedway and Varney speedway in the late 80's. I am now retired in west Toronto. JimB.
 
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