Forest Tree Notes

By:  Mike Reichenbach, Extension Educator, Forest Economic Development

Welcome to the second issue of Forest Tree Notes.  In the first issue, a survey
was included to provide us with information to guide educational programs. Tree
planting, concern about wildfire, and the need for financial assistance were the
most common responses from this survey.

How will we respond?  We are introducing a series of articles on tree planting,
continuing to make available a tree planting information packet, holding two
summer field tours, and beginning development of a self guided tour to look at
forest ecology and succession.

The summer field tours are scheduled for the mornings of July 15 and August 12.
In addition to these events, we are available to speak at Lake Association meetings.
If your Lake Association is hosting a meeting and needs a speaker please
contact me, I would be happy to meet with you.

Finally, I spent time with a small group of loggers working in the area to find out their
interests and concerns.  The implications of what I learned will be both good and bad for
landowners.  The bad news is that the cost of clean-up is not going down.  I found that
clean-up of small parcels is expensive, the value of the damaged trees has declined
and these trees may have little or no value by the end of the year.  In addition, finding
a logger will continue to be difficult.  Even though loggers are fully booked, they are
unlikely to hire new employees to help speed clean-up.  The reason for this includes a
tight labor market and the cost of training and insurance for employees prohibits expansion
for most small family-owned firms.

The good news is that there are options to help reduce your costs and attract loggers to
your work site.  One of the most effective things you can do is cooperate with your
neighbors on clean-up.  This increases the size of the work area, reducing set-up costs
for the logger. These savings may be reflected in lower clean-up costs.  There are also
significant environmental advantages.  Logging access roads can be laid out based on the
geography of the land rather than being limited to property boundaries.  This reduces the
number of skid trails and thus may reduce erosion and compaction on the site.

If you and adjacent neighbors have 20 or more acres you may be eligible for financial
assistance from the Department of Natural Resources for the development of a stewardship
plan and for cost-share funds.  Contact Jim Hane at (218) 387-1599 or Deb Moritz at the
Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division in Grand Marais
at (218) 387-3037 for more information.

When working with a logger, don't insist that all live trees be saved during the clean-up process.
If you are saving living trees, identify groups of trees to save rather than trying to save individual trees.
The lone tree that survived the storm will be under stress from a drastically changed environment
and may not survive long after clean-up.  Also, the more obstacles such as live trees and structures
that the logger must work around the higher the cost of clean-up.

I recommend talking to more than one logger. Ask how they will do the work, and how long
they have been logging.  Ask if they have liability insurance and carry workers’ compensation
insurance for all employees.  Loggers should comply with all state business requirements.  Ask if the
logger attends educational programs on logging and forestry.  Loggers that voluntarily participate in such
programs demonstrate a commitment to learning that is often reflected in good work.  Finally,
have a clear understanding of what and when the work will be done, and how and when payments,
if any, are due to either party.  In this situation, some landowners are exchanging salvaged trees for
clean-up rather than selling timber.  Even so, it is important to have a written contract.  A sample contract
may be obtained by calling me at (218) 879-0850 ext. 123.

I hope to see you at future tours and other educational events.  Please continue to let me know your
needs and how the University of Minnesota Extension Service can provide assistance.

Mike Reichenbach
Extension Educator, Forest Economic
Development
Cloquet Forestry Center
175 University Rd.
Cloquet, MN  55720
Phone:  (218) 879-0850, ext. 123
Fax:  (218) 879-0855
Email:  mreichen@cnr.umn.edu

The Northeast Region Sustainable Development Partnership provided the funding
for this project, and is part of a system of Sustainable Development Partnerships that
combine citizen leadership with the research and education resources of the
University of Minnesota.  The goal of the Partnerships is to foster long-term sustainability
of agriculture, natural resources, and tourism in the state of Minnesota.

Funding is provided by the Minnesota Legislature, administered through the University,
but invested by citizen-led teams in each of the ecological regions of the state.  The
Northeast Region Partnership facilitates sustainable development in Northeastern
Minnesota by supporting research and educational activities and developing networks
and communication between citizens and their land-grant university.

To accomplish its mission, the Northeast Region Partnership solicits proposals for
projects that incorporate active citizenship, sustainable development, and University of
Minnesota involvement.  Local citizens, individuals, groups, and public and private
organizations are encouraged to apply.  Examples of projects currently supported are:

· Sustainable Farmers Association: Strategic Planning
· Rainy River Water Area Quality Research and Environmental Education Project
· Community/Regional Food System
· Gunflint Trail Forest Restoration Research and Education Project
· Renewing the Countryside: Atlas Project
· Community Garden, East Lake Center
· Minnesota Worm Watch

 Case Studies of Sustainable Living in Northeast Minnesota
· Improved Shoreland Management Through Local Shoreland Resource Network
· Northeastern Minnesota Industry Cluster Study
· Evaluate the Tourism Market and Development Potential of the Grand Rapids Regional Area
· Designs for the Mesabi Trail Trailhead:  The Virginia and Eveleth Sites

If you are interested in the details of any of these projects, or have ideas for your own project and would like more information, please contact:

Okechukwu Ukaga, Executive Director
NE Region Sustainable Development Partnership
Cloquet Forestry Center
175 University Rd.
Cloquet, MN  55720
Phone:  (218) 879-0850, ext. 107
Fax:  (218) 879-0855
Email:  ukaga001@tc.umn.edu
 

Adapted with permission from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. White pines. Just mentioning the name evokes strong feelings in people who love or know nature and the outdoors. White pines, especially those that have held their ground for hundreds of years, have been and continue to be the reigning monarchs of Minnesota's forests.

Beyond their size and beauty, white pine also fills important ecological roles. They grow
across the range of forest conditions, finding the northeast half of Minnesota much to their l
iking. Though white pine did not blanket the Minnesota territories when European settlement
began, it dotted the landscape, occurring in small groves with red pine, or as individual, dominating trees.

Many people are passionate about this tree and would like to see them brought back
to some measure of their former glory. With your help, we, and those that come after,
will see white pine numbers increase, and help insure their place as the monarch of the forest.

How To Plant White Pine 

Spring is usually the best time to plant white pine. Soil moisture has been excellent this year,
and the cooler conditions will help prevent drying of young seedlings.  In northern Minnesota,
planting is recommended from late April to mid-May.

Handling and Storage

Many white pine die before they even get their roots in the ground.  Care must be taken so
young, bareroot tree seedlings are kept cool, and moist right up to the time they are planted.
When you receive your tree seedlings check to make sure the roots are moist.  If they are
dry and crackly, return them to the place you got them.  If you need to store them for a few
days before planting, keep them sealed in the package they were shipped in, and place in a cool,
well shaded spot that allows for air circulation around the package.  Do not stack packages of
seedlings.  Also, do not open the packages until you are ready to plant.  Trees that are not
packaged should be wrapped in wet newspaper or moss.  Roots can also be covered with wet
sand, soil or sawdust.  Placing bareroot trees in a bucket of water is not recommended.

Planting

During the planting process, make sure the tree roots are kept moist, and are not exposed to
periods of sunlight and drying.  Even a few minutes of having a seedling's roots exposed to a
light breeze on a sunny day can kill the roots (and the seedling).

White pine seedlings can be planted using a spade, shovel, or planting bar.  Make sure
the hole is deep and wide enough to allow the roots to spread out, and fully extend downward.
Avoid shallow or small holes, which will cause the roots to ball up, twist, or J-root (ends of roots
point toward the sky, and may even stick back out of the hole).

As you are planting, make sure the trees are planted at the proper depth.  If you look carefully
at one of the trees, you will see a natural transition between the root and stem of the tree.  Plant
the trees to this depth.

Once a tree is properly positioned in the hole, pack the soil in gently around it.  If practical,
water the tree to settle and moisten the soil.  Tug lightly on the tree once planted.  If it comes
out of the hole easily, you will need to pack the soil more firmly.

White pine seedlings usually need protection from deer, disease, insects, and competing
weeds and shrubs.  For more information on planting or caring for white pine, or related
topics contact the DNR Information Center, at 651/296-6157, or 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
 

Vegetation and Insect Monitoring
along the Gunflint Trail

As a consequence of the July 4, 1999 Blowdown in the Superior National Forest
many questions have been raised about the response of the environment to this
disturbance.  Along the Gunflint Trail this summer and for the coming summers
you will see a variety of scientific assessments in place.

For example, the most obvious signs are long lack and white funnel traps (see figure)
that have been placed in different forest types to monitor insect activity after the
blowdown.  The insect monitoring project is part of a comprehensive project to
monitor the effects of the blowdown and subsequent salvage treatments on forest
community development.
 
 

Researchers from the USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota's Departments of Forest Resources and Entomology have installed a series of research plots along the Gunflint Trail in the two major timber types: jack pine and aspen-birch.  These plots have been further subdivided into those areas that have been wind-disturbed and salvage-logged, wind-disturbed and not salvage-logged, and undisturbed by wind.

In each of these areas a complete assessment of vegetation and a complete survey
of non-aquatic insect biodiversity are taking place.  The insect surveys involve three
types of traps: the very obvious funnel traps, pitfall traps, and trap logs of known
species and size placed on the forest floor.  Some of the traps will be baited with
natural attractants (pheromones and host attractants) of forest pests such as bark
beetles and woodborers, while other traps will be left unbaited to assess the
background level of forest insects.

The goal of this study is to understand how the disturbance and ensuing management
actions (i.e. salvage or burning) will impact insect populations.  Ultimately, along the
Gunflint Trail, scientists hope to match any changes in insect populations with the food
source (fallen trees) provided by the disturbance and possible increases in tree mortality
in and around disturbed areas.

If you have questions about the Gunflint Project, contact Kamal Gandhi (218-387-1750),
Dan Gilmore (218-327-4521), Steve Seybold (612-624-3715), or John Zasada (218-326-7109).

Announcements: 

Field Tour
An Agroforestry Field Tour is to be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on August 25 in Alexandria, MN.
Visits to sites with alternative woody vegetation such as hybrid poplar and hazelnuts are planned.
The cost is $12.50 if registered by August 1 and $15.00 thereafter.  This price includes a box lunch.
Registration is first come-first serve.  For more information contact Mike Demchik, Agroforestry
Management Extension Educator at (218) 894-5167 or mdemchik@forestry.umn.edu.

We Need Your Help
As a means to reduce the cost of cleanup to landowners, we are seeking ideas for alternative
uses for some of the materials salvaged from the blowdown.  We would be very interested in
speaking to anyone who has ideas for, or an established need for non-timber products.

Driving Tour
We are investigating the establishment of a permanent driving tour of various sites that
have been impacted by recent blowdown events in the Gunflint Region.  We would like
to find sites that can be used to demonstrate forest regrowth and clean-up activities.

We need locations for tour stops, materials for signs, and your ideas.

If you are interested in volunteering for this project, please contact:

Jim Warren
Extension Assistant
Cloquet Forestry Center
175 University Road.
Cloquet, MN  55720
Phone:  (218) 879-0850 ext. 111
Fax:  (218) 879-0855
Email:  jwarren@cnr.umn.edu
 
 

Your Future Forest:  A Guided Tour

Date:  August 12, 2000

Topics will include:
Tree planting
Forest Management Guidelines
Working with a logger
Forest Ecology

Speakers will include:
Eli Sagor, Extension Educator, Forest Land Ecology and Management
John Zasada, Program Leader for Northern Silviculture Research, USDA-Forest Service
Mike Reichenbach, Extension Educator, Forest Economic Development
Mike Turner, Minnesota Logger Education Program

Location: Gunflint Trail Area, Grand Marais  Location, times and details to be announced at a later date.

For More Information...
Copies of informational handouts provided  at the workshops are available free
of charge at the Cook Co. Extension Service office in Grand Marais:

University of Minnesota Extension Service
Cook County
Community Center Bldg
PO Box 1150 317 West 5th
Grand Marais, MN 55604-1150

Phone: (218) 387-3015
Fax:  (218) 387-3016
email: cook@extension.umn.edu
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(Monday - Friday)

A Short List of Websites with More Information:

USDA Forest Service Superior National Forest website………...www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior
Information on the blowdown and Superior National forest.

George Carlson’s Wildfire Sprinkler website…………….…..www.wildfiresprinkler.com
Provides information about the design and application of sprinkler systems.

The National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Program……………...www.firewise.org
Publications, discussion forum, and videos about wildfire safety and awareness.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service……….…..www.extension.umn.edu
Information about contacts and services provided by the University of Minnesota.

The Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact…….…www.dnr.state.mi.us/www/fmd/fire/forhome.htm#Contents
Information about protecting your home.

American Red Cross Fire Safety Disaster Services…….www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/wildfire.html
Information about fire safety.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources……..www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/white_pine/index.html
Information on the planting and care of white pine.

This Newsletter was compiled and designed by Jim Warren.  If you have any ideas or questions
regarding the current or future content of this newsletter, please contact Jim Warren, Extension Assistant at:

Cloquet Forestry Center
175 University Rd.
Cloquet, MN  55720
Phone:  (218) 879-0850, ext. 111
Fax:  (218) 879-0855
Email:  jwarren@cnr.umn.edu
 
 

Funding provided by:
 Northeast Region Sustainable Development Partnership

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