Michael Tree Farm Woods Walk

May 16th woods walk to feature Forest Regeneration

3192 State Route 206, Whitney Point, NY

Saturday, May 16, 20209:30 am till 11:30 am

For the past twenty years, the primary management objective for the Michael Tree Farm has been hardwood forest regeneration. Adequate sunlight was provided though shelterwood and seed tree harvesting practices, and by mother nature, who leveled a ten-acre pine plantation with an ice storm. On the former pine plantation, natural regeneration was supplemented with planted seedlings of desirable hardwood species, protected from deer by exclosure fencing or 800 five-foot plastic tree shelters. In the hardwood stand, natural regeneration has been protected by a series of smaller two-acre deer exclosures, the last one installed this past winter. Another recent practice is the coppicing of severely-browsed saplings and protection of their vigorous new sprouts with tree shelters. Much of this early succession forest stand now features oak, sugar maple and black cherry saplings up to 20 feet in height.

Other features of interest include extra efforts to release and protect White oak for wildlife benefits, a small planting of disease-resistant American Chestnuts, and a small Christmas Tree operation.

Jerry Michael hosted a woods walk on this property in 2018 for the benefit of Master Forest Owners and NYFOA members. If you have missed previous opportunities to see this property, you are encouraged to come and view regeneration practices that you may be able to implement in your own woodlot. Members of other environmental organizations with an interest in forest regeneration will also be participating. The woods walk will be held from 9:30 till 11:30 on Saturday, May 16th. The address is 3192 State Route 206, Whitney Point, NY 13862. It is 1.3 miles east from Whitney Point, on the right side of Route 206 going east, at the top of the hill. There is a red cottage and garage on the property.Park along the shoulder of the road. The woods walk will be held rain or shine, so dress accordingly. Call (607) 648-2941 for further information.