Category Archives: Virginia forestry

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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Forest Visit June 2018

Posted on June 15, 2018 by JohnMatel

Went down to the farms to look at the thinning and burning.  Besides just being in my forests and checking on those things, my goal was to try to get rid of some of the ailanthus.  It is an endless … Continue reading →

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Sand County Almanac

Posted on June 14, 2018 by JohnMatel

Spent my morning rereading and thinking about parts of “A Sand County Almanac”. I read “Axe in Hand” and the “Land Ethic.” That book had a great influence on me. I realize it when I reread the passages and find … Continue reading →

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I Speak for the Trees

Posted on June 13, 2018 by JohnMatel

A really great article. It is a little long, but well worth reading. I remember those protestors in the picture. I thought it appropriate that one of them was dress like a cartoon character in a children’s story, since it … Continue reading →

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Looking for a Land Ethic on Virginia Tree Farms

Posted on June 10, 2018 by JohnMatel

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) assessed our Virginia program this year. I got to go along with the assessor. We visited a random sample of twenty-one tree farms all around the Commonwealth, covering 1,195 miles. It was fun and enlightening … Continue reading →

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Freeman Thinning 80 Acres

Posted on June 2, 2018 by JohnMatel

I dislike how it looks right after a harvest and I should probably avoid it for a little while, but I must look. I know this is a necessary step and it will be better soon. On the plus side, … Continue reading →

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Virginia Tree Farm Odyssey

Posted on May 17, 2018 by JohnMatel

Virginia Tree Farm Odyssey Published on May 17, 2018 Edit article View stats John Matel President Virginia Tree Farm Foundation Edit article The American Tree Farm System (AFTS) assesses tree farms to make sure members are working to the high … Continue reading →

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Timber Harvest – Brunswick County, May 14, 2018

Posted on May 14, 2018 by JohnMatel

Went down to the farms to see the harvest. We are thinning around 80 acres to 50 basal area (trees very far apart). We are also clearing 1/4 acre on every acre and clearing about four acres that were overstocked. … Continue reading →

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