Category Archives: Virginia forestry

Pine beetles

Posted on July 10, 2019 by JohnMatel

Turpentine beetles A few problems in the forest. Looks like we have some turpentine beetles. As far as I can tell, only two trees are affected, but no reason to not to react quickly. I called Adam Smith from Virginia … Continue reading →

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Our longleaf savanna experiment at Freeman, Virginia

Posted on June 9, 2019 by JohnMatel

My friend Adam Smith just sent some pictures of our Freeman place. We are experimenting with longleaf pine restoration. To do this, we thinned all the trees to 50 basal area and then made 1/4 acre clearings in each acre. … Continue reading →

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Freeman May 2019

Posted on May 15, 2019 by JohnMatel

Feeling overwhelmed today. Visiting the farms. So much to do. I have an idea what I want, but there is so much land and so little me. I know this happens to me every spring and I will get over … Continue reading →

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October forest visit

Posted on October 30, 2018 by JohnMatel

Took advantage of the beautiful last day of October to do some work on the farms. We will be burning soon in Freeman, weather depending. I wanted to get some of the slash away from the trees. There are not … Continue reading →

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Longleaf growing well

Posted on October 25, 2018 by JohnMatel

Chrissy came with me to the farms today so she could take pictures of me with my trees to give perspective of size. First two pictures are my longleaf pine in Freeman, planted in 2012. We (DoF Adam Smith) burned … Continue reading →

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Forest Stewardship Plan for John Matel and Christine Johnson, Brodnax Tract

Posted on October 16, 2018 by JohnMatel

Forest Stewardship Plan for John Matel and Christine Johnson, Brodnax Tract Introduction This Forest Stewardship Management Plan covers the examination of approximately 135 acres of forestland in Brunswick Country, near Brodnax, Virginia. The tract map is included. The tract is … Continue reading →

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Conservation by Those Getting Their Hands Dirty

Posted on October 13, 2018 by JohnMatel

My article for the next issue of “Virginia Forests.” I was a city kid, but my urban Milwaukee public schools featured nature and forestry programs.  These sojourns into nature changed my life. I would not be a forest owner and … Continue reading →

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Land Owner Dinner in Brunswick County

Posted on July 25, 2018 by JohnMatel

It did not rain all day, so my trip to the farms and the landowner dinner went well. We got around forty people for the landowner dinner, a good turnout. Mike Santucci gave a much shortened version of his Generation … Continue reading →

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The Nature of Impermanence

Posted on June 29, 2018 by JohnMatel

Burning Doubt I will never beat the feeling of dread when I see my scorched trees after a fire. They are not burned, but the heat plumes rose more than thirty feet. Science and experience tell me that things will … Continue reading →

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Brookings: Improving water infrastructure and promoting a more inclusive economy

Posted on June 21, 2018 by JohnMatel

Rode down to Brookings for a program on the water workforce, see below. Getting my bike fixed and some of the parts replaced saves at least ten minutes of ride-time, as the energy formerly turned into friction heat and sideways … Continue reading →

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