The storm Dorian rattled through the province in September, wreaking havoc on commercial thinning and selection harvest areas. Evidence is still arriving, but it appears that some sites that had been rated as low-to-moderate wind hazard during pre-treatment assessments suffered significant blowdown. On some areas – depending on the owner’s objectives – salvage cuts will soon be necessary to extract wood while it is still usable. It seems we can plan as best we can for windthrow risk, but events such as Dorian will always trump our playbook.

Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.

The summer silviculture season is in full swing as private landowners and silviculture contractors rush to complete areas before the July 31 deadline for the current funding agreement. As it often has, the non-industrial large landowner sector has been instrumental in helping ASF meet its commercial thinning and selection harvesting targets this year, while pre-commercial thinning in both plantations and natural stands remains the most frequently requested treatment in small-private woodlots.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.

The world of family forest owners has lost a dedicated advocate and steward. On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, crashed before Peter deMarsh, of Taymouth, N.B., could arrive for the International Family Forestry Association’s (IFFA) 2019 Conference on Family Forestry and Climate Change.

Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.

With a relatively open winter and frozen ground conditions, silviculture activity on private land has been high during the last few months. While pre-commercial thinning funds remain the most sought-after, we are pleased to see a gradual increase in commercial thinning as older plantations become eligible for this treatment.

Breton Forest Innovation Cooperative
Middle River, N.S.

After a tremendously colourful autumn in the spectacularly dramatic foothills of the Cabot Trail, it has been on the blustery side here in Middle River, Victoria County, Unama’ki. Everyone seems to be looking forward to spring already, and we are almost back around to the time of year when days get longer – bring back the light!

Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.

As the fall colours fade and mud turns to muck, it becomes increasingly important to properly time commercial thinning and selection harvesting, and to match machinery to site conditions. Many landowners are presently seeing the benefits of commercial thinning on plantations established during the 1980s, and on previously pre-commercially thinned sites

The Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.

Forest landowners and silviculture contractors will be pleased to hear that fresh funding for silviculture work is now available through ASF. Continual stewardship of forest resources remains a strong priority for landowners, reflected in the increasing numbers of applications received by ASF for follow-up treatments. For example, many older plantations and PCTs can benefit from commercial thinning.

North Nova Lumberjacks Society
Truro, N.S.

    By the time you read this, the 3rd Annual Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships will be in the books! Champions crowned, axes sheathed, dust settled. We will have results of the event posted on our website, so be sure to check it out and follow us on Facebook for real-time updates of the event. You can also look forward to seeing the competition on national television this year, on a number of networks, including Game TV, Wild TV, Global, CTV, and others.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.

    While exploring my woodlot the other morning at dawn, bowing beneath branches and hopping mossy hummocks with my favourite “four-legged” circling my immediate perimeter, I discovered an acorn under a long-ago disposed-of broken jar.

The Association for Sustainable Forestry

Truro, N.S.

Fill planting is an increasingly popular silviculture treatment in the spring and fall, when seedlings have the best chance for survival. A number of nurseries in the province can supply softwood planting stock.

Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.
    While ASF’s current sustainability agreement with NSDNR is nearly ended, another is on the horizon and it’s hoped that the new agreement will soon be in place. With snow season upon us, most of the Pre-Commercial Thinning (PCT) and Early Competition Control (manual weeding) claims are in for this year.

The Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.
The glory of the autumn season is pretty much past us, and the November rains have nearly begun. Time to double-check the winter store of wood and add an extra layer for walking in the woods! It’s also a perfect time to be scoping out those stands that might qualify for selection harvesting or commercial thinning. Once the ground freezes (and let’s hope it does this year!), there are opportunities to carry out these silviculture treatments that involve the removal of wood.

The Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.
Many woodland owners are discovering that the comprehensive silviculture completed on private woodlots during the 1980s and ’90s is paying dividends decades later. Initiatives conducted by Dr. Ed Baillie, Russ McNally, and their team have resulted in much of the quality timber that is currently present on private land. In fact, a lot of that wood has already been harvested.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.
    Well folks, (fly) fishing season is finally upon us! One of my fondest memories growing up was my annual spring trip with my father through the forest and glen to our favourite trout fishing lakes and streams. My dad turned 85 years young the other day and has greatly influenced my love of Nova Scotia’s woods and waters. I carry on this rite of spring to this day with my son, Jacob.
    Speaking of great influence, there are very few individuals that have positively impacted private land forestry and woodlot owners in Nova Scotia more than Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners (FNSWO) founding member John Roblee.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.
    Until a week ago we were all enjoying a very mild winter with very little snow – two major storms later we are now up to our waists in the white stuff. As I write, the thermometer has climbed back up to 8 degrees C, and softening roads are to the point where weight restrictions will be in effect on all provincial gravel roads starting at noon on Feb 24. I expect restrictions on paved roads will soon follow. 

Conform Limited
Middle Musquodoboit, N.S.
    I’ve just returned from one of our member woodlots, where we have recently completed some harvesting and road upgrades. I was there to meet a float that was returning our aged road grader from the repair shop. The semi-frozen ground conditions will provide a good base to shape the road and let it freeze. Then we can haul the wood, and the road can sit and next spring when it thaws and dries out it will once again provide reliable access for follow-up silviculture and any future harvests – providing there are suitable markets and silviculture assistance available.

North Nova Forest Owners Co-op Ltd
    On Sunday Oct. 2, North Nova Forest Owners Co-op Limited held its 40th anniversary celebration in Wentworth, with an active field day on the Jaime Snell-Pollendine woodlot. This is a diverse woodlot with lots of potential and well-drained productive soils, which becomes obvious as you drive into the woodlot. 
    The field day was a tremendous success, with approximately 100 people in attendance. There was a demonstration with a Ponsse Scorpion single-grip harvester owned and operated by Kim Contracting of the Gulf Shore and sold and serviced by ALPA Equipment in Truro.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.
    We’ve been enjoying fantastic summer weather over the past several weeks. Unfortunately, the extended dry spell has resulted in an extreme fire hazard across most of the province. Many woodlot owners and contractors are exercising caution by restricting work hours and woods travel until conditions improve. Several forest fires are currently active, with conditions drier than they’ve been for the past 15 years.