|
prepared by:
Rene D. Noel, Jr. ACF |
The property consists of farmstead, fields and woodlands. It is located in the Black Point area of Scarborough on State Route 207 bordering the south shore of Libby River. It is identified as lot 3 on map R-91 in the Scarborough tax assessor's office. The lot was found to have approximately 125 acres in upland of which 80 are productive woodland. An undetermined amount of acreage of tidal marsh is also part of the property (see maps). Boundary lines are marked with tree blazes as well as by old wire fences. Some areas have been surveyed. All boundary lines were apparently located.
Terrain is flat to gently rolling. Intermittent streams drain the properties and several areas are wooded wetlands. The Libby River and salt marshes border the northeast part of the property. Much of this area is mapped as critical wildlife habitat by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Soils are primarily sandy loams and loamy sands which have a history of having been deposited by water. Over much of this property the soils are underlain by fine textured marine deposits. Soil drainage also ranges from excessively well drained to poorly drained.
Logging chance is good as most of the woodland has gentle terrain. However, the woodlands over much of the property are on soils which have moderate to poor drainage. The operation of harvesting equipment needs to be restricted to those times when soils are frozen or very dry.. Access into the property is provided by a field road through the center of the property. Internal access for removing wood is not developed.
Until the early 1900's most of the property was cleared of forest growth and used for agricultural purposes. The land which remains open and some of what is now forested was used for cultivated crops. The remaining areas were used for hayland and as pasture. Evidence of these past uses remain in the form of stone walls, barbed wire fences and stands of old field white pine. Apparently in the period from the 1900's through the early 1960's those areas which became marginal for agricultural use were abandoned and allowed to revert naturally to forest land.
It appears some merchantable timber was harvested around forty years ago and some areas thinned for firewood fifteen to twenty years ago. But over most of the woodland little has been done since the fields were abandoned.
There are six forest stands on the property, four hardwood stands and two mixed growth stands. All of the forest stands except Stand VI have trees which would be considered commercial size. That is they contain enough wood volume in trees which are large enough to be cut and sold as conventional roundwood forest products (sawlogs, boltwood, firewood, pulpwood etc.). The remaining area is in stands of trees in which most of the stems are too small to be of commercial value.
Overall the forest is in fair condition.
Except for Stand 6 all stands on the property are stocked at levels which range from fully stocked to overstocked. Some areas lack enough high quality stems of desirable species to fully stock a forest stand. The trees making up the forest range in age from young saplings to mature. There are only scattered overmature stems. Regeneration over most of the lot consists of balsam fir, and occasional hardwood seedlings and saplings. For the most part these are less desirable species.
Currently, the lot is growing 8,426 board feet of sawtimber, and 63.8 cords of pulpwood and firewood per year. Looked at in a standard measure, the total merchantable growth is 80.6 cords per year or 1.0 cords per acre per year. The value of this growth is approximately $1,428.05. These values are about average for similar lots in this area, but below the potential of the soils found on the property. One of the reasons for this is that many of the stems are small and are not yet contributing to merchantable growth. Ingrowth over the next ten years will improve the situation. The reason for the low dollar figure is that 79% of the current growth (63.8 cords) is occurring on trees not of suitable quality for sawtimber. This growth accounts for only 44% ($633.26) of the annual value increase. With the application of more intensive cultural practices, (weedings, thinnings and improvement cuts) it should be possible to increase the volume grown somewhat. More important is that it is possible to transfer a good portion of the growth to sawtimber quality trees. In time this forest can grow four or five times the value it is now growing.
Note on the term `basal area'; basal area is a term which is used frequently in this report. It is simply the sum of the cross sectional area of the trees growing on an acre. It is measured in square feet at a point 4.5 feet from the ground (diameter breast height, DBH). It is used by foresters as a measure of stocking. Knowing this figure, the species of trees present and the average diameter, a forester can tell if a stand is overstocked, understocked or ideally stocked. It is one of the major factors used by a forester in planning cultural treatments. Finally, it is the common language or standard used to describe and discuss stocking levels in a forest.
The owners wish to manage the property so as to maintain an aesthetic, productive woodland. Included in his goals are: producing high quality sawlogs, a fair return on investment, improved wildlife habitat, and improved access. Income is not a primary goal at this time.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TOP
Most of the boundary lines were located during the field work for this plan. Some are not clearly marked and should be maintained by blazing and painting trees along the lines (a Maine Forest Service fact sheet on boundaries is included). Following this work the boundaries should be maintained on a ten to fifteen year cycle.
A field road provides access for trucks removing timber from the property. No additional roads are needed. Trails providing access for harvesting and other cultural practices and for recreational use of the property are limited. A network of trails should be developed to serve all areas of the property. These would most easily be developed in conjunction with the harvesting operations recommended below. Done in this manner it should be achieved at a relatively low cost.
For the long term management the individual tree and patch selection system of silviculture is recommended. A cutting cycle of 10 years is recommended. That is, on the average each area should be cut every ten years. A fairly short cutting cycle allows more of the potential mortality to be salvaged and also allows for more conservative thinning.
In general timber growth and quality would benefit if stocking levels were reduced and if diseased, defective, low quality, low vigor and overmature stems were harvested. Much of the needed work can be accomplished by selling stumpage. And even though the goal is the improvement of the forest, quite a volume of timber will be harvested with following the recommendations below. With that thought in mind it should be pointed out that the recommendations are just that, recommendations, and they are based on current conditions to attain the owner's current goals. Should conditions, such as markets, or the landowners needs change the recommendations should be modified to reflect those changes. For example it makes no sense to sell high valued timber when markets for that timber are weak. Waiting will have little affect on the forest growth, but could greatly increase the income realized.
In the selection system individual stems and groups of stems are selected for cutting. Thinning and harvest are combined in this system. Reproduction becomes established in openings created when groups are cut, and uneven or all-age forest stands result. If only small openings are made in the canopy, reproduction will be of species which are tolerant of shade. Larger openings, at least as wide as the surrounding trees are tall, will allow some stems of intermediate and shade intolerant species to become established. A cutting cycle of ten years is recommended. That is, each area would be cut through on the average every ten years. In the most intensive applications of this system, precommercial thinning and weeding is conducted within groups of young stems. This is generally done following a commercial harvest and is restricted to those areas which do not have a competing overstory.
The shelterwood system is an even-age system of silviculture. That is, all of the trees in the forest stands are near the same age. In this system the stands are thinned periodically until they are mature. Once mature they are thinned in a manner that will encourage the establishment of seedlings of desirable species. These seedlings then develop under the "sheltering" overstory. As the seedlings develop, that sheltering overstory is removed in one or more harvest cuts.
STANDS DESCRIPTIONS AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TOP
Stand 1 (Mixed Hardwood, Spruce/fir and White pine; pole to sawtimber size) TOP
| Basal | Avg. | Avg. Nmbr | Growth | per acre | |
| Acres | Area | DBH | Trees/acre | Board feet | Cords |
| 48.0 | 93.0 | 5.9 | 384.0 | 72.0 | 1.0 |
Location: Makes up northern half of forested area (see map).
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat to gently rolling. Soils are sandy loams and silt loams. Most are moderately well drained but have a seasonally high water table (soil map & appendices provide detail).
Access: There is no developed access within the stand. The field to the southeast provides logical access for yarding wood and access for trucks.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed primarily of soft maple and balsam fir. There are also scattered stems of white pine, red spruce, red oak, white birch and popple. The quality of the maple and fir is on the average poor. The quality of the pine, spruce and oak varies from poor to good.
Regeneration: Most of the seedlings and saplings found in this stand are balsam fir. This species will produce a good quantity of valuable wood. However, it is fairly short lived and must be grown quickly throughout its lifespan if it is to meet its potential. Here many of the seedlings have been suppressed and are unlikely to grow to their potential if released. There are also scattered seedlings and saplings of red oak, white pine, red spruce and soft maple. These seedlings have good potential to develop into valuable trees.
Recommendations: This stand would benefit from an improvement cut. The focus of this cut would be to harvest the mature balsam fir and poor quality soft maple. Also stems of other species which are mature, poor quality or overstocked should also be harvested. The goal would be to leave a residual stand of trees of higher quality spaced, so that they can grow vigorously. Another goal would be to create conditions suitable for the establishment and growth of desirable seedlings.
Volume Estimate
| Species | Board Feet | Cords |
| White pine | 33,400.0 | 211.0 |
| Spruce & Fir | 7,700.0 | 142.0 |
| Red oak | 1,000.0 | 0.0 |
| White birch | 8,800.0 | 0.0 |
| Popple | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Hardwood | 24,300.0 | 451.0 |
| Totals | 75,200.0 | 844.0 |
| per/acre | 1,566.7 | 17.6 |
Stand 2 (Mixed Hardwood, Spruce/fir and White pine; pole to sawtimber size) TOP
| Basal | Avg. | Avg. Nmbr | Growth | per acre | |
| Acres | Area | DBH | Trees/acre | Board feet | Cords |
| 20.0 | 101.4 | 6.7 | 284.4 | 143.0 | 0.9 |
Location: In the central part of the property between fields and southeast boundary
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat to gently rolling. Soils are sandy loams and silt loams. Most are poorly to moderately well drained, but have a high water table.
Access: There is no developed access within the stand. The field to the west provides logical access for yarding wood and access for trucks.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed of primarily of white pine, soft maple and balsam fir. There are also scattered stems of red spruce and popple. The quality of the maple and fir is also poor in this area and the of the pine and spruce varies from poor to good.
Regeneration: Most of the seedlings and saplings found in this stand are also balsam fir. There are also many shrubs growing in the understory, particularly on the poorly drained sites.
Recommendations: This stand would also benefit from an improvement cut. The goals would be the same as for Stand 1.
Volume Estimate
| Species | Board Feet | Cords |
| White pine | 67,900.0 | 107.0 |
| Hemlock | 0.0 | 9.0 |
| Spruce & Fir | 20,400.0 | 73.0 |
| Popple | 0.0 | 31.0 |
| Hardwood | 5,400.0 | 138.0 |
| Totals | 93,700.0 | 358.0 |
| per/acre | 4,685.0 | 17.9 |
Stand 3 (Soft maple; pole to sawtimber size) TOP
| Basal | Avg. | Avg. Nmbr | Growth | per acre | |
| Acres | Area | DBH | Trees/acre | Board feet | Cords |
| 3.0 | 140.4 | 7.0 | 418.8 | 75.0 | 1.3 |
Location: In the central part of the property surrounded by fields or salt marsh.
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat but slopes gently to the west. Soils are sandy loams of moderate drainage. An intermittent stream drains through the stand.
Access: There is no developed access within the stand. The field to the east provides logical access for yarding wood and access for trucks.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed of primarily of soft maple. The quality of the stem ranges from poor to very good.
Regeneration: Seedlings and saplings of white pine, red oak, balsam fir and soft maple were found.
Recommendations: This stand would also benefit from a thinning. The goals would be to harvest the poorer quality stems to give the better stems room to grow and to release the desirable regeneration.
Volume Estimate
| Species | Feet | Cords |
| Hardwood | 5,600.0 | 88.0 |
| Totals | 5,600.0 | 88.0 |
| per/acre | 1,866.7 | 29.3 |
Stand 4 (Red oak; pole size) TOP
| Basal | Avg. | Avg. Nmbr | Growth | per acre | |
| Acres | Area | DBH | Trees/acre | Board feet | Cords |
| 1.5 | 100.4 | 5.3 | 552.4 | 29.0 | 0.7 |
Location: In the south central part of the property surrounded by fields.
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat. Soils are sandy loams of good drainage.
Access: A field road borders and passes to the east of the stand and provides good access to this small stand.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed primarily of red oak. The quality of the stem ranges from poor to very good.
Regeneration: Seedlings and saplings of red oak were found.
Recommendations: This stand would also benefit from a thinning. The goals would be to harvest the poorer quality stems to give the better stems room to grow and to release the desirable regeneration.
Volume Estimate
| Species | Board Feet | Cords |
| Red oak | 1,100.0 | 0.0 |
| Hardwood | 0.0 | 19.0 |
| Totals | 1,100.0 | 19.0 |
| per/acre | 733.3 | 12.7 |
Stand 5 (Mixed Hardwood, White pine and Red spruce; sawtimber size) TOP
The following numbers as well as the latter inventory figures are from cruise data gathered before a thinning which occurred in this stand.
| Basal | Avg. | Avg. Nmbr | Growth | per acre | |
| Acres | Area | DBH | Trees/acre | Board feet | Cords |
| 7.0 | 136.4 | 10.6 | 179.2 | 261.0 | 1.4 |
Location: In the south part of the property along the southwest boundary line.
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat. Soils are sandy loams and loamy sands with good drainage in the western part of the stand and poor drainage in the eastern part.
Access: A field road borders and passes to the west of the stand and provides good access for logging trucks. A recent harvest has resulted in trails accessing all parts of the stand.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed of primarily of white pine, red spruce, soft maple, red oak and yellow birch. Quality of the stems varies from good to excellent.
Past management: An improvement cut thinning was conducted in this area during the summer of 1995.
Regeneration: There is little regeneration currently in this area. However, with the increase in light reaching the forest floor and an abundant seed source, numerous sprouts and seedlings will no doubt become established.
Recommendations: This stand needs time to grow. A similar thinning as done this past summer should be done in about 10 years.
Volume Estimate
| Species | Feet | Cords |
| White pine | 31,500.0 | 38.0 |
| Spruce & Fir | 5,300.0 | 13.0 |
| Red oak | 2,300.0 | 0.0 |
| Yellow birch | 2,600.0 | 0.0 |
| Hardwood | 6,500.0 | 97.0 |
| Totals | 48,200.0 | 148.0 |
| per/acre | 6,885.7 | 21.1 |
Stand 6 (Mixed Hardwood; large sapling to small pole size) TOP
Location: In the south/central part of the property between Stands 2 and 5 along the southwest boundary line.
Terrain and Soils: This area is flat. Soils are sandy loams and loamy sands with good drainage in most parts of the stand.
Access: A field road borders and passes through the western part of the stand and provides good access for logging trucks. A trail used by ATV's passes through the stand providing some internal access.
Composition and Quality: The stand is composed of primarily of popple and soft maple in the overstory and balsam fir in the understory.
Past management: This area was cleared and some fill removed. The forest regenerated naturally once this activity ceased.
Regeneration: This stand is all considered to be of regeneration age.
Recommendations: This stand needs time to grow.
Volume Estimate -- Not applicable
RECOMMENDED CULTURAL PRACTICES BY STAND AND TIME PERIOD TOP
| Time period | Stands | Recommendations |
| 1995-2000 | 1,2,3 | These stands are all in need of thinning/improvement cutting |
| 2000-2005 | No work will be needed if recommendations have been followed | |
| 2005-2010 | All Stands |
All of the types will require some cultural work, mostly commercial thinnings and timber harvesting, during this time period. Some stands may have developed which might benefit from release or weedings. All stands should be examined to determine actual cultural practices needed and the scheduling of these practices. |
Numerous wildlife species or their sign were noted during the field work for this plan. Those species now using the property include white tail deer, moose, ruffed grouse, red & gray squirrels, snow shoe hare, coyote, fox, porcupine, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, and many other birds. The long field and road borders provide a good deal of edge habitat and the different forest types provide the diversity required by numerous wildlife species during various times of the year.
The silvicultural systems recommended for the management of timber on this property will also benefit many species of wildlife. The recommended cutting will maintain a diversity of habitat and will allow herbaceous and low growing woody plants to maintain themselves in reach of ground dwelling wildlife.
The following recommendation will improve wildlife habitat and will have a minimal affect on the production of timber.
1. Leave large den trees and dead snags.
2. Leave some large crowned oak and beech for the mast they produce, and some stems of other species important to wildlife including hophornbeam, cherry, apple and striped maple.
3. Maintain landings and roads open and seed these areas with "conservation mix". This will benefit those species which use openings and edges between forest and openings.
4. Keep the areas which are now in fields open, and along some of the borders cut the forest back to create a brush edge. This will benefit those species that use fields and their borders such as the Eastern bluebird, white tail deer, rabbits etc.
5. Release wild apple trees from competing trees. Prune and fertilize these to increase fruit production.
Fortunately the soils on this property have a low risk of soil erosion. However, it is still good stewardship to protect the soil. It is recommended that harvesting be done when soils are dry or frozen, this will eliminate damage to the soil and any risk of soil erosion.
The property is not posted for no trespassing and the neighbors use it for hunting, walking, cross country skiing and other extensive recreational pursuits. There are no plans to encourage or increase the recreational use of the property.
Appendix A: Total volume in trees 6 inches in diameter and larger by stand, species and product TOP
| Species | Feet | Cords |
| White pine | 132,800.0 | 356.0 |
| Hemlock | 0.0 | 9.0 |
| Spruce & Fir | 33,400.0 | 228.0 |
| Red oak | 4,400.0 | 0.0 |
| White birch | 8,800.0 | 0.0 |
| Yellow birch | 2,600.0 | 0.0 |
| Popple | 0.0 | 71.0 |
| Hardwood | 41,800.0 | 793.0 |
| Totals | 223,800.0 | 1,457.0 |
| per/acre | 2,815.1 | 18.3 |
Appendix B: Recent stumpage range and most likely stumpage value TOP
| Species & Product | Recent Range | Most Likely Price |
White pine sawlogs |
$25.00 to $195.00 per MBF |
$110.00 |
pulpwood |
$5.00 to $10.00 per cord |
$7.00 |
Hemlock pulpwood |
$5.00 to $15.00 per cord |
$7.00 |
Spruce & fir sawlogs |
$50..00 to $150.00 per MBF |
$90.00 |
pulpwood |
$10 to $15.00 per cord |
$12.00 |
Red oak sawlogs |
$100.00 to $650.00 per MBF |
$250.00 |
White birch sawlogs |
$80.00 to $150.00 per MBF |
$100.00 |
Yellow birch sawlogs |
$75.00 to $200.00 per MBF |
$100.00 |
Popple pulpwood |
$5.00 to $10.00 per cord |
$8.00 |
Misc. hardwood sawlogs |
$25.00 to $65.00 per MBF |
$50.00 |
pulpwood |
$5.00 to $12.00 per cord |
$10.00 |
Appendix C: Growth Total and per Acre in Volumeand Value by Product and Species TOP
| Board Foot Growth | Cordwood Growth |
| Volume | Dollars | Volume | Dollars | |||||
| Species | Total | per Acre | Total | per Acre | Total | per Acre | Total | per Acre |
| W. pine | 4,967.0 | 62.5 | $548.57 | $6.90 | 15.3 | 0.2 | $106.96 | $1.35 |
| Hemlock | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | $1.80 | $00.02 |
| Spr.& Fir | 1,079.0 | 13.6 | $97.11 | $1.22 | 8.3 | 0.1 | $123.90 | $1.56 |
| R. oak | 123.0 | 1.6 | $21.80 | $00.27 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| W. birch | 264.0 | 3.3 | $23.76 | $00.30 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Y. birch | 78.0 | 1.0 | $7.80 | $00.10 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Popple | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.6 | 0.1 | $36.40 | $00.46 |
| Hrdwd. | 1,915.0 | 24.1 | $95.75 | $1.20 | 36.4 | 0.5 | $364.20 | $4.58 |
| Totals | 8,426.0 | 106.0 | $794.79 | $10.00 | 63.8 | 0.8 | $633.26 | $7.97 |
Appendix D: Soils as taken from the Soils Survey of Cumberland County TOP
DEERFIELD SERIES
The deerfield series consist of deep, moderately well drained, nearly level to gently sloping, coarse textured soils. These soils form in sands of glacial outwash origins. Deerfield soils have from 3% to 8% slopes.
Deerfield soils are rated good for tree growth and have a slight hazard ratings for erosion. Due to seasonal high water tables there are moderate limitations to the use of heavy equipment. Danger of windthrow is slight on these soils.
ELMWOOD SERIES
The elmwood series consists of deep, nearly level to undulating, moderately well drained soils. These soils formed in moderately coarse textured sediment of glaciofluvial origin that overlies fine textured and moderately textured sediment of marine and lacustrine origin. These soils occupy terraces adjacent to streams and rivers in the central lowlands and in the coastal areas.
These soils are rated as excellent sites for tree growth. These soils have a slight hazard rating for erosion, equipment use, and windthrow. The soils provide good habitat for open and woodland wildlife.
HINCKLEY SERIES
The hinckley series consist of deep, excessively drained, gently sloping to strongly sloping soils that are moderately, coarse textured to coarse textured. These soils formed in glacial outwash deposits. These soils generally have 3% to 25% slope.
Hinckley soils are rated fair for tree growth and have a slight to moderate hazard ratings for erosion and windthrow. On some of the steeper slopes, there are moderate limitations on the use of heavy equipment.
HOLLIS SERIES
The hollis series consist of shallow, somewhat excessively drained, gently sloping to steep, moderately coarse textured soils. There are ledge outcrops found throughout these soils. These soils formed in glacial till. Hollis soils have from 3% to 35% slopes.
Hollis soils are rated fair for tree growth and have a slight hazard ratings for erosion. Due to shallow depth to bedrock there is a moderate hazard of windthrow. On the steeper slopes there are moderate limitations to the use of heavy equipment.
MERRIMAC SERIES
The merrimac series consist of deep, well drained, gently sloping to strongly sloping soils that are sandy, loamy and gravelly soils. These soils formed in glacial outwash deposits. These soils generally have 3% to 25% slope.
Merrimac soils are rated fair for tree growth and have a slight to moderate hazard ratings for erosion and windthrow. On some of the steeper slopes, there are moderate limitations on the use of heavy equipment.
SCANTIC SERIES
The scantic series consists of deep, nearly level, poorly drained soils. These formed in formed in silt and clay deposited by ponded water.
These soils are rated as poor sites for tree growth due to excessive wetness. This wetness also causes severe limitations on equipment usage and a high hazard for windthrow.
SWANTON SERIES
The swanton series consists of poorly drained soils that formed in moderately coarse textured outwash material underlain by marine or lacustrine clay.
These soils are rated as poor sites for tree growth. These soils have a high hazard rating for erosion and windthrow. There are severe seasonal limitations on equipment us. The soils provide good habitat for woodland wildlife.
WALPOLE SERIES
The walpole series consists of deep, nearly level, poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained, moderately coarse textured to coarse textured soils. These soils formed in glacial outwash sediment. These soils are excessively wet throughout most of the year.
These soils provide fair to good sites for most all tree species. Equipment limitations and windthrow hazard are severe. It is well suited to habitat for wetland wildlife.
WHATELY SERIES
The whately series consists of deep, nearly level, very poorly drained soils that formed in moderately coarse textured sediment over marine or lacustrine deposits of silt and clay. These soils are found in depressions in coastal areas.
These soils are rated as poor sites for tree growth. These soils have a high hazard rating for windthrow. There are severe seasonal limitations on equipment use. The soils provide good habitat for woodland and wetland wildlife.
WINDSOR SERIES
The windsor series consists of deep, excessively drained, nearly level to strongly sloping, coarse-textured soils. These soils formed in glacial outwash deposits. They are often found on terraces adjacent to streams and rivers.
These soils provide fair sites for tree growth. Erosion and windthrow hazards are slight as well as equipment use restrictions on these soils. These soils provide poor sites for woodland wildlife.
Scarborough Land Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 1237
Scarborough, Maine 04070
how to contact