Another successful event at Cowichan Exhibition Park! The first-ever Islands Agriculture Show, held February 3rd and 4th, 2012 in breathtakingly beautiful Cowichan Valley, BC.
We’re pleased to announce the show proved yet another excellent opportunity to connect with community members, elected officials and ministry staff as interested and excited about agriculture and farming as tree farmers like us.
Along with the friendly buzz of a lively community, Exhibition Park was filled with loads of things to see and do: a slew of tractors and machinery, exhibitions from all areas of the agriculture industry, display booths from federal and provincial ministries, prize draws, over 1,500 visitors, and just enough candy to keep everyone happy.
The Bealing family (Josh, Chloe, Rod, Adrian) was on-hand to ensure information about private forestry in BC was doled out with the passion and flair it deserves — pamphlets, fliers, key fobs, magnets and good old-fashioned conversation.
Thanks again to the organizers for another successful event.
When opportunity knocks, we answer. That’s why, when Dave Barker invited us to visit a private Managed Forest on southern Vancouver Island, for the rare opportunity to see single-tree selection harvesting, we yanked on our boots, donned our hard hats, grabbed our cameras and leapt at the chance.
Dave’s managed the property since 1979. He knows everything there is to know about it. He says they’re ecologically lucky. The Coastal Western Hemlock zone is wetter and cooler than the Coastal Douglas-fir zone. This means, instead of a pure fir forest, they have a significant, healthy Red Cedar understory. With thinning, the forest will evolve, over the next fifty years, into a mixed fir/cedar stand.
The strategy on the property is to manage for a combination of forestry and recreational use. While fir poles are their focus, they produce close to 40 products – 5 cedar, 2 maple, 2 alder and about 30 fir grades – for 4 different suppliers. All the while, maintaining the wilderness esthetic and conservation values important to the owner.
The silvicultural system they use combines small patch clear-cut and single-tree selection harvesting. We were lucky enough to get a chance to see both operations in action (stay-tuned, small patch clear-cut video coming soon!).
Not only is single-tree selection harvesting a rare event, but using a feller buncher in the process is particularly unusual. Of course, it’s not about the machine, it’s about the operator. In this case, it’s about Bill.
The video above shows the finesse, grace and ease with which Bill maneuvers the feller buncher through the forest. The machine’s gentle tracks have little or no impact on the forest floor and cause minimal soil disturbance.
Like the harvester-processor we saw Dale operating, the feller buncher is made by Madill and built right here on Vancouver Island.
Thanks again to Dave and Bill for showing us around.
Your forest is alive. It grows, adapts and changes over time and seasons. With your forest’s flexibility comes the need to regularly revisit, evaluate and reassess your plans. The new year is an ideal time to take stock and plan ahead for the coming year.
First up: a few words about reforestation. Nathaniel Stoffelsma of Arbutus Grove Nursery talks about their process for ordering and growing seedlings in the video below.
Reforestation Planning
Prior to harvesting, develop a reforestation strategy. You might:
Consider the value of reforestation through natural regeneration of residual and suppressed understory trees;
Improve planting stock and fertilizer to boost survival and yield, and at the same time reduce pest management problems and animal browse;
Protect seedling against damage from pests (deer, rodents) through tree species choice, tree guards, fencing and repellents;
Develop an integrated pest management strategy suitable for the size and intensity of your forestry operation.
Also, be sure to:
Obtain any permits necessary for site preparation and pest management (burning, pesticides, etc.)
If you plan on planting, make sure to order your seedlings ahead of time. Inspect the ordered seedlings prior to lifting and shipment.
Reforestation BMPs
Reforest with trees appropriate for the growing site and management objectives.
If planting, employ good quality seedling stock and ensure good storage and handling.
Take reasonable steps to protect the reforested areas from damage by fire and pests.
Employ remedial measures such as fill planting, brushing and other silviculture techniques as necessary.
If using pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, follow directions on product labels and relevant regulations.
Isolate fertilizer from watercourses and where appropriate limit on-site quantities to daily application requirements.
Monitor planted areas to ensure trees are growing with sufficient density to achieve a stage free of competition from other plants.
Monitor successfully regenerated areas for forest health.
What do good quality seedlings look like?
Healthy! Without pale or discoloured foliage. No mould.
Large, abundant dormant buds.
Plug and bare-root stock should have a vigorous, fibrous root system.
Good ratio of roots to shoots.
How to store and handle seedlings?
Keep plants moist and cool.
Handle plants carefully (seedling mortality is directly related to rough treatment).
Avoid desiccation – keep plants safe from heat or high winds.
Meet Dale. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Dale makes his living in B.C.’s forests. That’s right, he works in the woods. Dale harvests trees. He loves what he does and he does it well.
We ran into Dale at his office: a harvester-processor in a mixed stand forest on a piece of private land on Vancouver Island. Dale was happy to show us around. With damp coastal air against our skin and mud under our boots, we jumped at the chance to take a closer look.
The video below shows Dale at work — an impressive display of precision, timing and technique. With each push of a button, Dale makes a decision about the value of the logs he’s processing.
Along with the hum of the diesel engine, you’ll notice (or you will now) that the machine Dale operates, made by Madill, is built right here on Vancouver Island. Sam Madill founded the company in Nanaimo, B.C. in 1911. One hundred years later, Madill machinery is now built by Nicholson Manufacturing in Sidney, B.C.
Thanks to Dale for taking the time to give us a tour. Much appreciated.
Jim Girvan’s article, Log Exports: The Controversial Economic Driver, appeared on forestindustry.com in early December. Along with a reasoned account of B.C.’s coastal export market, the article includes bar graphs and statistical information that add a depth of analysis to the log export discussion we think you’ll find interesting.
Below are a few highlights, but you can (and we recommend it) read the complete article, here.
A few highlights (paraphrased):
“We can debate which logs to export and what the process should be to export them, but what we shouldn’t be doing is talking about banning log exports.”
“Over 4,000 coastal BC jobs are supported by log exports alone (assuming an economic multiple of 0.81 jobs per 1000 cubic metres harvested, direct and indirect).”
“If every coastal mill got every log they need to operate fully, there would still be eight million cubic metres of potential harvest left over, some of which is exported today.”
“The cost to deliver coastal logs to mills is too high when we try to use those logs to make lumber. The raw material (log) cost alone for producing lumber is $296. Today, China consumers pay $255 for lumber.”
“Log exports are just another market for one of many products produced by the coastal BC forest industry. Manufactured logs are no different than lumber, pulp, poles or veneer and they provide a significant contribution to the coastal and BC economy.”
“Without mills, prepared and able to pay what it costs to harvest our low value forests, there are no jobs to be created.”
Thanks to Jim Girvan for his thoughtful, reasoned perspective.
What you do is important. Your values, goals, objectives – the things you stand for and the actions you take.
Here at the PFLA blog we stand for responsible stewardship of B.C.’s private forestlands – our actions as forest stewards support government policies that balance environment, community and commerce.
In 1990, the WFPA initiated a major public opinion survey. At the time, the general belief was that private forest landowners were careless with their timber harvests, and causing harm to forests, streams and wildlife. Not true in practice, pollsters believed the public’s negative reaction resulted, in large part, because forest owners weren’t communicating their story.
More than ten years later, public perception has changed. The WFPA spent time and resources letting people know who they are and what they do, and it turns out, Washington voters “like” private forest landowners.
In fact, a 2011 public opinion poll showed:
70% believe private forest landowners protect wildlife habitat on their forestland “very” or “fairly” well.
66% think private forest landowners protect fish habitat in streams “very” or “fairly” well
64% think water quality in streams on private forestland was “very” or “fairly” well protected
Finally, there’s widespread agreement throughout the state among all voter subgroups that habitat and water quality on private forestland was “very” or “fairly” well protected.
Who the WFPA is, and what they do, didn’t change – they just did a better job of letting people know about it.
That’s why PFLA spends time, effort and resources letting the public know who we are, what we stand for and how we do what we do. Intuitively, we knew this was a good idea, but a little evidence never hurt anyone.
Reminder: if you live in coastal British Columbia, your annual opportunity to influence the number of black tail deer enjoying your forest is almost over. The 2011 hunting season for mule deer ends December 10, 2011.
As we noted in an earlier post, managing deer populations is an on-going problem for private forest landowners. Hunting is an effective method to protect your forest from the damage browsing deer (and other ungulates) can cause.
Of course, PFLA only condones and encourages responsible and careful hunting practices.
The video below is a seasonal reminder of the tragedies that can happen when hunters don’t pay close attention. We’re confident an event like this wouldn’t happen on private managed forestland in B.C.
Caution: not for sensitive viewers.
Thanks to writer & director Maurice Trouwborst and producer Cake Film.
Changing seasons bring unique opportunities for forest management.
As the vibrant colours of autumn fade, and barren branches dominate the landscape, now seems a good time to remind ourselves of the problems and possibilities found in fallen leaves, shorter days and stormy weather.
Water Management
“Carry a shovel to fix small problems before they become major problems.” – wise words from a Managed Forest owner
The objective of preventative maintenance is to keep water off roads and running in its natural course where practical. After storms and heavy rainfall, branches, leaves and debris can block ditches, culverts and crossing structures. Once it’s safe, drive or walk along your roads and trails. Check to make sure:
Ditches are functional
Culverts are unobstructed
Cross ditches are intact and operational
The photos below show how water bars or grader dips can divert water off your roads and onto more stable vegetated areas.
Late fall is a great time to check your recently restocked areas. Most competing seasonal vegetation has died off, making it much easier to locate crop seedlings, identify gaps and mortality, and pest and disease problems.
Based on your findings, you can plan remedial actions:
Brushing
Spacing
Browse protection
Planting or re-planting
If you determine there’s a need to replace dead seedlings, or fill gaps, make plans:
Assess the extent of the area
Identify numbers and species of trees you’ll need to fully stock the site
Order seedlings and line-up the help you’ll need
If you’re unsure, seek advice (PMFLC and PFLA are great resources).
Deer management is an on-going concern for private forest landowners. Consider the merits of hunting to reduce deer numbers. While deterrents like browse protectors, repellents and fencing can be effective, they require:
Time
Money
Attention
Reducing deer populations is the most effective approach to protect your forest from damage. Here’s a link to a CTV news video exploring the problems of black tailed deer on southern Vancouver Island.
The provincial government is in the process of updating B.C.’s Wildfire Management Protection Program Strategy.
PFLA is engaged in this process. We thought you’d like to know, the folks at the Wildfire Management Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations are asking for input.
They’re interested in your answers to the following two questions:
1. What are the key issues the British Columbia Wildfire Management Branch must consider over the next five years that are of mutual benefit for our organizations?
2. If applicable, how can the British Columbia Wildfire Management Branch assist and/or support your organization’s goals, objectives, and strategies over the next five years?
The objective is to update the 2006 British Columbia Forest Service Protection Program Strategy to reflect changes (internal and external to government) over the past 5 years, and to continue to work towards increased effectiveness and enhancement of wildfire management in the province of BC.
For your reference, you can find the current strategy document here.
Please direct your feedback to Dave.Bodak@gov.bc.ca of the Wildfire Management Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, by November 30, 2011 (and copy PFLA on your email).
In addition, PFLA is interested to hear your questions, comments and suggestions for how we can best represent your interests on this matter.
You may have noticed, the issue of log exports in British Columbia is contentious. Here at the PFLA blog, we’re committed to providing straightforward, factual information from the perspective of private forest landowners.
Given the current situation, we believe log exports are an integral component of BC’s forest industry (here). We’re not alone. Below you’ll find enlightening examples of other folks who think so too.
This Global TV News Hour video (November 7, 2011) tells the story of the transformation of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nations community – a transformation that couldn’t have happened without access to international markets.
We’ve also included a number of written testimonials* – the voices of forest operators and First Nations representatives reflecting on the impact of log exports to their communities.
“To put things very bluntly, from a Terrace area perspective, if log exports were banned today, we might as well close the doors and throw away the keys. Every contractor would immediately be shut down and all their employees laid off. Simple answer to a simple question.”
- Bill Sauer, North West Loggers Association
“The Heiltsuk economic Development Corporation, have scheduled 1,100,000 m3 in total under government licenses and agreements to be harvested in the next 10 years. Present market conditions only allow us to operate some of the time because of higher operating costs—even higher than in the North Coast area. The Vancouver log market will not pay enough domestically to allow us to operate. It is only the export sales that even give us a chance to operate in these times. Take this away from us and we are down completely. Coastal communities in isolated areas need the certainty and access to Global markets, (presently provided by the ability to export logs,) remove this from their options and I feel forestry will be virtually shut down and no longer a part of the local economy.”
- John McLaughlin, Mgr, Heiltsuk Coastal Forest Products Ltd.
“If log exports were banned our company would likely receive about 30% less work and would not find it profitable to bid on the BCTS system.”
- Graham Lasure, W.D. Moore Logging Co. Ltd.
“CTR conducts logging and silviculture activities in the Kalum and Skeena TSA for domestic and export sales. During a single export cycle, CTR injects in excess of $1.0 million into the Prince Rupert economy and approximately $2.2 million into the Terrace economy. This is approx. $3.2 million spent within BC every five weeks or over $33.0 million per year. This direct local expenditure goes to fallers, truckers, sort yard employees, stevedore crews and local professional services. A ban on log exports would eliminate CTR’s export sales function and would eliminate approximately 260 direct jobs.”
- Dave Jackson, Consulting Services Ltd.
*Courtesy of the Truck Loggers’ Association (TLA) September 2011 newsletter. You can see the whole article here.
The question is not whether log exports help these operations make a profit, or make a better profit, but whether log exports help these operations survive, or go out of business. In other words, log exports are presently an integral part of BC’s forest industry.
