Stewardship

Forest Management

Prior to the establishment of the Reservoir Woods Foundation, several practices were implemented with the goal in mind to support the use of best forest practices in order to enhance forest health and wildlife habitat.

One of the first steps was completing the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health of the property in 2017.  This document provided vital information for promoting and managing soils that support sustainable and resilient forests.

The next step was the completion of the Wildlife and Forest Management Plan prepared by Brianne Fagan and Steven Lamonde from Antioch University in Keene, NH in January of 2018. This report was the first guidebook describing and recommending management prescriptions for all aspects of the 56 acres. This included water, wildlife habitat, timber and recreation resources.

In 2021, Geoff Jones, a local licensed forester, was contracted to create a new Forest Management Plan which was completed in early 2022.   This detailed report is an in-depth analysis with goals and objectives for careful stewardship of  the 29+ acres of forested land. This report includes a brief history of projects completed in the initial 5 years (2015-2020),  descriptions and stewardship actions for each of the forest stands, management tips for song bird habitat and preparations for climate change.

The Foundation’s goals are to manage old-growth characteristics in specific locations and increase biodiversity across the property.  We plan to encourage northern forest species such as sugar and red maple, bitternut hickory, black birch and black cherry which Reservoir Woods soils will support. The Reservoir Woods forested land is dominated by white pine but also contains oak and hickory which are all supported by Cardigan-Kearsarge soils. Also present are hemlock and northern hardwoods of sugar maple, beech, white ash, black birch which are supported by Dutchess Loam and Bernardston Loam soil types.

In 2023,  the Foundation implemented a multi-year Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) plan to thin out the white pine and allow for a new age of forest growth. These small strategic cuts opened up the canopy to allow new genetic material to take root, enhancing the wildlife habitat, providing new growth for food and shelter resources.  

In preparation for the TSI work, existing skid roads were improved, an old culvert was reused in a streambed and a larger gate was installed to accommodate logging trucks.

In the winter of 2023, following the prescribed silviculture treatment, we used small versatile equipment with highly skilled woodsman to conduct surgical like felling and removal of trees. Trees considered for removal depended on their size, species, crown position, and neighboring trees that might benefit or be harmed by their removal. Trees were felled following single tree removal guidelines or in small group removals.

The TSI was done following best forest management practices to protect the water quality of the streams by preventing soil erosion helping to  maintain a healthy forest. Each culvert was assessed afterwards and cleaned out, allowing rainwater to drain optimally.

Our knowledgeable crew harvested white pine, ash, maple and black cherry. The volume board feet harvested was 37,860 from 4.5 acres. Coarse woody debris was left on the forest floor which provides nutrients to plants, habitat for insects and food and shelter for birds and mammals as well as drumming logs for Ruffed Grouse. Standing snags were left for small and large species that require cavity nests.

Work was done in late 2023 in preparation for the next TSI in 2024. Unfortunately, a warmer winter did not provide the right conditions and we postponed it to 2025.

Late December 2024 and early 2025 provided the right conditions with very cold temperatures and little snow for the second phase of our TSI.

In February, we were able to begin a short ten-day operation ahead of a series of snowstorms.  Our Forest Management Plan provided the guidelines for the TSI, including cutting trees within two feet of the ground or less, avoiding hauling and yarding when soil is too soft, cutting trees in a manner to prevent or minimize injury to unmarked trees, and leaving snags for wildlife when they are not a safety hazard. This also included returning existing roads and trails to equal or better condition prior to the start of the operation, removing all logging debris from the landing area, removing brook crossings and installing water bars when needed.

The crew again harvested mainly white pine, some ash, maple and black cherry. The volume board feet harvested was 9,166 from 4 acres.  Coarse woody debris was left on the forest floor while culverts and trail roads were cleared in mid spring.

With this being our last TSI for the next ten years, some of the skid roads will be closed to regenerate the forest for wildlife habitat and corridors.

Nursery & Plantings

Nursery

Within  the property, a designated area has been created as a nursery in which to cultivate future species of trees. These trees will be transplanted into the larger landscape that will contribute to the food resources for wildlife, both seeds and blossoms and hard and soft mast. We focus on trees that will create and enrich a range of quality habitats for a variety of species, encouraging biodiversity.  A favorite tree species is the apple, for its blossoms, sap and fruit. Many bird species benefit from this food source including orioles, woodpeckers, ruffed grouse and purple finch. The sap wells made by the yellow bellied sapsucker provide sap for hummingbirds and insects. The cedar waxwing benefits from eating the blossoms.  Many mammals love apples as a food source in the colder months.

This year we planted 16 apple trees around the edges of the fields and streams that had been cultivated within the nursery.  Sixteen new replacement apple tree whips were planted back into the nursery.  Among the other trees in the nursery are red and white oak, norway spruce, black walnut, tulip poplar, balsam fir, american basswood and bitternut hickory.

Shrub and tree enrichment

A large-scale native shrub and tree planting, organized by an Antioch grad student, was implemented in spring of 2023. Board members, Antioch students and friends gathered together to successfully plant 230 young whips, or saplings, each protected from deer browse with their own mesh sleeve. The plantings are located in the southern field, divided into 3 separate plots and along both sides of the seasonal stream.

Each plant throughout the growing months was cared for, watered and given a biodegradable weed barrier to aid in its health and continued growth. In late August, each plant is measured and the data collected is compiled into a spreadsheet that we add to every year.

The plantings will provide food, nest sites and shelter for a number of species and additional stabilization and shade for the streambed.