Monthly Archives: December 2019

Christmas 2019

Posted on December 25, 2019 by JohnMatel

Great family meeting  

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Old man and the woods

Posted on December 21, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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Checking the fire on Freeman; planning on Brodnax

Posted on December 20, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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Checking on Freeman fire

Posted on December 19, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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Forest Stewardship Plan Diamond Grove Tract

Posted on December 18, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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Forestry year in review 2019

Posted on December 17, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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Nature’s Mutiny

Posted on December 16, 2019 by JohnMatel

This was a disappointing book. I suppose it would have been good in its own right, but it was not really about the subject promised. It started off right. The author claimed he was going to explore changes in Europe … Continue reading →

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Are you proud of your ethnic heritage? My Story Worth.

Posted on December 16, 2019 by JohnMatel

Odd question and I had to think about it for a little while, but no – I am not proud of my ethnic heritage. Let me explain. Germans My mother’s family thought they were German. I say “thought” because my … Continue reading →

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December planting day-by-day

Posted on December 15, 2019 by JohnMatel

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 →

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After burn December 2019

Posted on December 8, 2019 by JohnMatel

On my way to pick up the first tranche of this year’s longleaf. I stopped off at Freeman to check out the fire results. It is odd. Some places burned a lot and others not at all. It seems like … Continue reading →

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