Category Archives: Virginia forestry

Went up to Capitol Hill to meet with staffers for Virginia’s Senators and Members of Congress.  We met Republicans and Democrats, all of whom were broadly supportive of tree farming and the principles of sustainable forestry.  It is an easy … Continue reading →

Attended my last Virginia Tree Farm Committee in Richmond today. The Committee is no more, but it is not gone. Rather it has evolved into the Virginia Tree Farm Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) entity able to raise money and … Continue reading →

Also on Facebook I had planned to aggressively thin 80 acres of 1996 loblolly and under plant with longleaf, but the talks I listened to today were not encouraging. The main problem seems to be that loblolly are prolific seed … Continue reading →

Also in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/john.matel/posts/10211094185892165 Looking through some old photos, I found the one on top from spring 2012. You can see the little longleaf pines. Most of the bigger green clumps are not trees, just other plants. The second photos … Continue reading →

A few more forest visit photos. My longleaf is first. Next is my now customary photo from exit 104. Last is the pump. I have become a little obsessive about filling up. I have to get to a significant historical … Continue reading →

Went down to the farms today and took a few photos, probably that last of this growing season. Alex came along. We spent a lot of time cutting vines. My first photo shows a couple of my bigger longleaf pines. … Continue reading →

Inspected the place we clear cut last year. It is now fall, so I can see what is coming under. We planted 21,000 seedlings in March and April, almost 500 per acre. It looks like there will be a lot … Continue reading →

Garland Gray Forestry Center will ship 30 million loblolly seedlings for planting next spring. The weather has been favorable for the seedlings and there will be more than ever, but demand still will exceed supply. These trees have been developed … Continue reading →