Forest plantations on the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit face regeneration problems related to deer and rodent browse, competing vegetation, and seasonal drought.  Given the project fields are largely interior to existing forests, deer populations are lower than in areas with a higher proportion of established agricultural fields.  Planting in similar areas in the past five years has shown that deer damage has been less than 10%.  Rodent browse is monitored annually for the first 3 years and if present beyond an ambient level (>10%) the vegetation between the planting rows will be mowed (at DNR expense) to reduce habitat for rodents.  These fields are average in soil moisture capacity.

Major Benefits of the Project:  One of the overarching goals of State Forest management has been to provide large contiguous blocks of managed forestland throughout the state.  The entire planting efforts of 2011 will aid in reduction of the forest fragmentation, allowing for more contiguous native hardwood forests offering sustainable services now and into the future.  The 20 acre project site is just a small portion of the afforestation efforts of 2011 on the KMSF-NU.  Additional benefits will include the production of woody biomass, carbon sequestration, the improvement of habitat for forest interior wildlife species, and the increased opportunity for forest-based recreational opportunities.   
Management Plan including Estimated Harvest and Regeneration Schedules:  The acres of planted land will be managed using sound silviculture for native hardwood forests.  These types of forest achieve their full potential using uneven-aged management techniques through a series of thinning schedules creating a multi-tiered forested structure providing benefits for wildlife and the sustainable production of wood.  Thinning schedules will begin when stands become overstocked based on northern hardwood or central hardwood stocking charts.  At the first thinning, a majority of the ‘trainer’ white pine will be removed, leaving some of the dominant conifers for stands structure and long term aesthetics.  Removal of high risk poorly formed hardwoods will also be prioritized. Reoccurring stand entries will occur every 15 to 20 years after the first thinning to evaluate poorly formed trees and their removal.
Commercial thinning of sawlogs begins approximately year 2091
Rotation age for hardwoods is 80-100 years

After planting, stands will be closely monitored for survival and growth the first few years to ensure adequate stocking and growth of the seedlings.  Inventories will be done on a 1, 3 and 5 year cycle and then every 15 years thereafter.  The KMSF-NU prides itself on the very complete, GIS-based, forest inventory system that allows the tracking of inventory and forest health on every acre of the property.

American Forests’ Global ReLeaf provided 2011 grant funding for this project.

June 2011 project manager report – The walnut trees average 2 feet in height but some are taller than 3 feet.  The oaks and the cherry trees in the release site are still only about one and one half ft tall on average. In the oak direct seeding area, the seedlings were already six inches high before the spring flush, and the planted oaks are averaging 18 inches tall.   On the release site, there is an average of more than three thousand seedlings per acre. Burdock and eastern tent caterpillar are an issue on the property this year. The direct seeding site did not result in as many seedlings as the forester had hoped, so she planted additional red oak seedlings this spring.

This project is proudly funded by all Hardwood Forestry Fund members.

During his remarks, President Durst told the audience “The Hardwood Forestry Fund has long established itself as an organization dedicated to improving, managing, and sustaining hardwood forests.”

“The HFF was created in 1990 as an educational foundation that provides grants and support for the establishment and restoration of sustainable forests” Durst said.  “Since their inception they’ve provided in excess of one million dollars to plan and manage more than 3.7 million trees and to improve more than 6,500 acres of public land that is managed for multiple uses.  They’ve got a great track record for creating partnerships among natural resource organizations, educational institutions, forest products companies, and individuals and families.  HFF is truly a bright star in the hardwood-dominated states of the central and eastern U.S. and we’re proud to recognize their accomplishments” Durst concluded.

Rick Philipps, HFF Chairman says “The Hardwood Forestry Fund Board of Directors thanks NELA for recognizing us for the “Outstanding Management of Resources” award.  The HFF is proud to share this award with our dedicated team of professional public foresters, our generous contributors, and the many volunteers who donate their time and expertise to our sustainable forestry projects. Every forest we help create or improve today is part of a high quality and available supply of timber for the  future. Thank you for recognizing the importance of proactive forest management and for honoring the Hardwood Forestry Fund with this meaningful award.”

The Northeastern Loggers’ Association, headquartered in Old Forge, NY, is a trade group representing nearly 2,000 members of the Northeast’s logging, sawmilling, and paper industry. The Loggers’ Banquet is held each year immediately prior to the Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition. NELA was founded in 1952 and has  members in the region from Maine to Minnesota and Missouri to Maryland. NELA publishes the highly respected monthly magazine The Northern Logger and Timber Processor and hosts the annual Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition.  Visit NELA  to learn more. 

This project is sponsored by all Hardwood Forestry Fund members.

The real winner in this draw is the environment because for every usable photo Art for Everday receives, the  company will donate $5 to the Hardwood Forestry Fund.  All pictures must be clear, in focus and of usable quality (and yes, Art For Everyday will accept pictures taken with the iPhone 4).  Some terms and conditions apply, click here for full details.

Though Rockler has long been a supporter of reforestation efforts and specifically the Hardwood Forestry Fund, this event was the first time the family-owned company based out of Medina, MN involved its customers.  “The event has been hugely successful and has received overwhelming customer support” said Scott Ekman, Vice President of Marketing at Rockler. “Surpassing our goal tells us that our customers really understand the importance of supporting organizations like the Hardwood Forestry Fund, and we in turn, extend our support.”

ABOUT ROCKLER WOODWORKING AND HARDWARE: Celebrating its 55th anniversary as a family-run business, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is the nation’s premier supplier of specialty hardware, tools, lumber, and other high quality woodworking products. Rockler has 29 retail locations in AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, WA, and WI – plus 60 independent reseller locations nationwide, as well as extensive catalog and internet operations. To learn more about Rockler, please visit http://www.rockler.com/ or call 1-877-ROCKLER.

Please click the Partners tab of this website to see a list of Hardwood Forestry Fund members with links to their company websites.