Logging

Since Spencer Mountain represents both a high value recreation area and a potential revenue generator, I'm hoping that Department of Natural Resources and Conservation foresters will be unusually creative when developing any final timber harvesting plans for that area.

Although the agency often employs traditional thinning grids, such as uniform 20-by-20 foot leave-tree spacing, such basic tree farming is scarcely any different than cornfield management, in my view. Examples of the latter can be seen on many DNRC lands, such as at Happy Valley, Beaver Lake, Pig Farm trails and other intensively managed areas.

Instead, I suggest using a silvicultural method known as variable density thinning, or variable density retention. Such harvesting not only emulates natural forest diversity but is more aesthetically pleasing, more wildlife friendly and less apt to promote weed invasion.

Moreover, this technique can yield nearly as much timber as uniform thinning can, while still promoting effective wildfire protection.

Steve Barrett

Whitefish