The first phase of the 5 year plan was the tendering process and the ultimate awarding of a contract to mark and tally trees in various plantations.
Silv-Econ Ltd. From Newmarket, Ontario were awarded the contract. Tree marking and tallying operations of nine plantation areas totaling approximately 34 hectares were conducted during the third week of March.
As you walk through the plantations you will observe yellow marking on the trees which will be harvested. If you encounter a tree with blue marking and a W these are protected wildlife trees. They may contain the nest of a bird. Three stick nests were found in the Linton area and may possibly be those of Redtailed Hawks. We ask that you observe the wildlife from a distance and please do not disrupt their day to day lives.
Logging operations are expected to commence later this year.
As we enter the next phase of the plan the most noticeable change to the forest will be the two red pine plantations totaling approximately 17 hectares located just south of Taunton Road. These plantations are in a general state of decline and risk total collapse with 20 years. Pockets of tree mortality are evident throughout the stands and an abundance of the invasive Dog Strangling Vine and European Buckthorn in the understory complicates the regeneration process.
These plantations will be row thinned and 25% of the area is to be clear-cut in patches. Eleven areas of less than half a hectare each have been chosen as target areas for a forest replant. Each area will be clear- cut and harvested and any remaining slash placed in windrows to allow for tree planting. These areas will receive a herbicide treatment. It is estimated that 700 trees per area will be required. A typical area will be planted with 150 White Spruce, 450 White Pine, 75 Red Oak and 25 Sugar Maple. This quantity of trees may be reduced depending on the amount of post-harvest viable natural regeneration observed within the cleared patches. Post planting herbicide applications may be necessary and monitoring is recommended for a period of five years.
The older plantations in the Linton area are performing much better and do have adequate natural regeneration of desirable species.
