Author Archives: JohnMatel

What influences us? We often do not know because very profound influences come in small packages. The picture above is a good example. I took that picture more than ten years ago (October 2009) at a conference on creating bobwhite … Continue reading →

I take great joy in my forestry for many reasons. It connects me. I feel part of something that I can both control and not. The paradox of human existence is summed up in the work in the woods, beyond … Continue reading →

I got all the longleaf in the ground. There were only 334 total. I thought there were a few more, but I still almost didn’t finish. I spent too much time cutting brambles to get ready for the next planting, … Continue reading →

I was surprised and delighted to find that I could get a box of Virginia longleaf, so I drove down to the Garland Grey nursery and then on to the Freeman place to plant them. We still will be getting … Continue reading →

Forest Stewardship Plan for John Matel and Christine Johnson, Diamond Grove Tract Forest Stewardship Plan for John Matel and Christine Johnson, Diamond Grove Tract Introduction This Forest Stewardship Management Plan covers of approximately 178 acres of forestland in Brunswick Country, … Continue reading →

Thoughts and experiences from another year in the woods -2019 Guardian or gardener It just gets better. I have loved forests since before I can remember; this is my fifteenth year of having my own land & having my land, rather … Continue reading →

December & January make up the planting season for longleaf pine.  We planted about 3000 in December of last year, another 3334 this December and will get another 3000 into the ground in January next year. The kids planted most … Continue reading →