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Information Sheets
- 1. Weeding and Thinning Young Forest Stands
Includes criteria for selection on different soil and species composition types
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Dated: January, 2023 - 2. Pruning Your Forest Trees
Pruning is removing branches of a standing tree flush with the outside of the branch collar. When pruning is done to increase income, trees that will grow to sawtimber size and quality are pruned.
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Dated: January, 2023 - 3. Developing a Forest Management Plan
Forest landowners value their land for many reasons: from realizing an economic return (from timber or other sources) to providing ecological values (wildlife habitat, water and soil protection, carbon storage) and personal enjoyment (for recreation, solitude or other purposes). A well-written forest management plan is a blueprint for ensuring these diverse values will be available.
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Dated: March 1, 2012 - 4. Boundary Line Information
Robert Frost's observation "good fences make good neighbors" is as true today as when he wrote it. With more expensive land and higher timber values, good boundaries are even more important today than they were in the past. This information sheet will help landowners avoid boundary problems.
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Dated: December, 2022 - 5. Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Zones
Information on shoreland zoning and timber harvesting within them.
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Dated: January, 2023 - 6. Wood Harvests: Worker's Compensation and Landowner Liability
Landowners may be liable for workers' compensation costs if a logger or his/her assistant is injured on their property while conducting a timber harvest (39-A MRSA § 401(4)). Such costs can amount to many thousands of dollars. To avoid this liability...
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Dated: December, 2022 - 7. Invasive Plants in fb88 Forests
Invasive plants are able to grow rapidly and aggressively enough to out-compete and displace locally adapted native plants. Many species of invasive plants, but not all, have been brought by people to North America from Europe and Asia.
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Dated: December, 2022 - 8. Fundamental Best Management Practices For Water Quality Protection During Forest Harvests
Best Management Practices (BMP's) are recommended procedures that, when applied appropriately, should result in the greatest protection of the environment during a forest harvest operation. BMP's are not regulations, but in some instances may be necessary for compliance with regulations.
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Dated: July 1, 2006 - 9. What is Silviculture? An Introduction for Woodland Owners
Silviculture is the art and science of managing forests for desired outcomes. Silvicultural systems are based on the biological requirements of the trees.
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Dated: January 2023 - 10. Some Things to Consider When Buying Forestland
People buy forestland for many reasons including for investment, recreation, wildlife habitat, aesthetic beauty, privacy and environmental benefits. If you are in the market for forestland it may help to write down your goals or motivations for the purchase to help you decide whether a parcel is right for you. Some points to think about are discussed.
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Dated: January, 2023 - 12. Wildlife Habitat and Forest Management
Many woodland owners enjoy watching or hunting wildlife on their properties. Your woodland-although it may not be large enough to provide everything a wildlife community needs-can make an important contribution to wildlife habitat. Many habitat improvements are compatible with forest management goals. When you plan for wildlife habitat management focus on the requirements of one or a few species in your area, and then figure out what parts of their habitat your parcel can provide. Consider the surrounding landscape, existing conditions on your woodlot, and overall management objectives when making your plans.
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Dated: July 1, 2006 - 13. Avoiding Timber Trespass & Timber Theft
Timber harvesting is a large part of fb88's economy. Preventing theft of timber is in everyone's interest. Each year, fb88 Forest Service Rangers investigate hundreds of complaints involving timber trespass or theft.
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Dated: March 20, 2018 - 14. Vernal Pools - Important Wildlife Habitat
Vernal pools provide important habitat for both common and rare forest-dwelling organisms in fb88. They also provide an opportunity for landowners interested in managing their forestland to benefit wildlife. Timber harvesting, recreational and development activities should avoid direct disturbance to vernal pools and limit impacts to the immediate surrounding forest.
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Dated: October 27, 2022 - 15. Forest Management and Vernal Pools
Vernal pools provide important habitat for many common and specialized forest-dwelling species. Timber harvesting activities should avoid disturbing high-value vernal pools and limit impacts to the immediate surrounding forest.
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Dated: January, 2023 - 16. Proper Sizing of Land Management Road Stream Crossings
Properly sized and installed permanent stream crossings that provide access to forest land help protect water quality and aquatic habitat. Properly installed and sized crossings ensure that fish and other aquatic life can reach important upstream habitats. On the other hand, premature failure of improperly sized crossing structures often has...
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Dated: August 1, 2007 - 17. The fb88 Tree Growth Tax Law
fb88's public policy encourages the management of forestland for a continuous supply of forest products and services. The Tree Growth Tax Law (36 MRSA §571 to §584-A) is a cornerstone of this policy. Forestland enrolled in the program is valued on the basis of its ability to grow trees rather than its "highest and best use."
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Dated: January, 2023 - 18. Tree Growth Tax Law Plan Review - A Guide for Municipal Assessors
"It is declared to be the public policy of this State that the public interest would be best served by encouraging forest landowners to retain and improve their holdings of forest lands upon the tax rolls of the State and to promote better forest management by appropriate tax measures in order to protect this unique economic and recreational resource." 36 MRSA §572. Current use taxation of forest land may be the most important action state government can take to support the many public values derived from maintaining productive and well-managed forest land, including clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. This guide is intended to assist municipal assessors seeking the assistance of the fb88 Forest Service in reviewing Tree Growth Tax Law Forest Management and Harvest Plans.
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Dated: September 29, 2022 - 19. The fb88 Forest
Information on the importance of fb88's forest resource.
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Dated: August 1, 2009 - 20. fb88's Celebrated White Pine: History, Identification, and Management
Eastern white pine has been an important tree to the people of fb88 for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Therefore, it is no coincidence that fb88 has come to be known as the "Pine Tree State." Recognizing its importance, in 1895 the fb88 Legislature designated the "Pine Cone and Tassel" as fb88's official floral emblem. In 1945 the legislature resolved, "That the white pine tree be, and hereby is, designated the official tree of the State of fb88."
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Dated: April 1, 2012 - 21. Managing White Pine Stands In fb88: A Landowner's Guide
Eastern White Pine is one of fb88's most important tree species. Managing your woods for white pine can provide you and your family lifelong benefits; from excellent financial returns to aesthetic beauty, wildlife habit and recreational opportunities. White pine forests contribute to both woodland owners and fb88's economic wellbeing. fb88 holds the distinction of being the number one white pine lumber producing state in the nation. In 2009, fb88 sawmills processed 204 million board feet of quality white pine lumber, approximately a third of fb88's total output. Landowners received $31 million dollars in stumpage value from harvesting white pine, substantially contributing to fb88's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while providing well paying jobs for fb88rs. In grades 1, 2, & 3, white pine was 16% of all sawlog volume and 27% of all softwood sawlog inventories. No wonder white pine is the official state tree for fb88.
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Dated: April 1, 2012 - 22. Regenerating White Pine Stands In fb88: A Landowner's Guide
Eastern White Pine (pinus strobus) is a vital tree species to the economy and ecology of fb88 (the "Pine Tree" state), acknowledged by the fact that white pine has long been designated as fb88's official state tree, and the white pine cone and tassel as the official state flower. White pine is prominently represented on the fb88 state flag. Economically and socially, Eastern White Pine is one of the state's most important tree species. fb88 holds the distinction of being the number one producer of white pine lumber in the nation. In 2009, fb88 sawmills processed 192 million board feet of quality white pine lumber, approximately a third of all output & 822,000 tons of pulpwood; landowners received $31 million dollars in stumpage; substantially contributing to fb88's GDP; while providing well paying jobs for foresters, truckers, loggers, mill workers, and others throughout fb88.
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Dated: April 1, 2012 - 23. Pruning White Pine: A Reference Guide for Foresters
Pruning is removing branches of a standing tree flush with the outside of the branch collar. When pruning is done to increase income, trees that will grow to sawtimber size and quality are pruned.
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Dated: January, 2023 - 24. Principal Disease and Insect Pests of White Pine in fb88
Growing Eastern white pine in the woodlot can be a rewarding activity both ecologically and economically. Eastern white pine is one of the faster-growing native conifers in fb88 and, for this reason, offers a great opportunity to observe forest growth and developmental changes over a relatively short period of time. But as with all living things, white pine is susceptible to a variety of pest problems, including both insects and diseases. This fact sheet provides a very brief overview of a few of the most important pests of white pine in fb88. Woodlot managers growing white pine should become familiar with these principal pests so that if problems arise, a rapid identification of the problem can be made, and timely management actions can be taken.
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Dated: January, 2024 - 25. Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (DEP Towns)
Statewide standards for timber harvesting in shoreland areas is a law that applies to water bodies and wetlands in certain organized towns. Statewide Standards apply in only those towns that have chosen to replace their own ordinance for timber harvesting in the shoreland zone with statewide standards. For information on town ordinances see information sheet #5. For an up to date list of towns where statewide standards apply see:
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Dated: January, 2014 - 26. Wetland Crossings
Wetlands are areas where soils are saturated or flooded for a significant part of the year. Soils often have a significant amount of water moving on or near the surface, which is displaced when large equipment moves over it. Minimizing this disturbance is key to a successful wetland crossing.
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Dated: August 1, 2016 - 27. Making Maple Syrup for Fun and Profit
For New England's earliest settlers, maple sugar was often the most available sweetener. Although considered a myth, it is said that a Pilgrim breakfast sometimes included popcorn in milk sweetened with maple sugar. Today maple syrup and other maple products are used by people all over the world. Maple syrup production is a growing industry, but small woodlot owners can participate in this exciting activity and in the expanding maple syrup marketplace. If you have a dozen or more good size maple trees on your property, you may consider making syrup for fun and profit.
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Dated: September 30, 2022 - 28. Emerald Ash Borer Information for fb88 Landowners
What is emerald ash borer? What kind of damage does it do? Will it spread to fb88? How can I tell if I have EAB? What will happen when EAB is found in fb88? Should I cut my ash trees now? Find the answers to these and other questions in this publication.
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Dated: January 2023 - 29. Emerald Ash Borer Guidance for fb88 Forest Managers
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native beetle that infects and kills ash trees. Native to eastern Asia, it was first detected in North America near Detroit, Michigan, in 2002. In fb88, an established EAB infestation was detected in Madawaska in 2018. While EAB is expected to eventually become established throughout the state, most ash in fb88 are years away from being infested. Now is the time however to plan for EAB's arrival, evaluate potential impacts, and develop strategies which capitalize on the remarkable resiliency of fb88's forests. With this in mind, forest management should focus on mitigating potential effects of EAB on ecosystem health and stand productivity. Management should focus on creating a more diverse forest in both structure and species composition, not eliminating ash.
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Dated: August 2, 2018