Natural stewardship

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A small woodland provides a haven for wildlife, and profitable fun for you.

by Hans Morsbach- Illustrations by Robert W. Hutchison

In 1972, I knew nothing about farming; I was just a small businessman from Chicago with no spare time. But, I ended up buying a farm in Richland County, Wis., from a friend, and tried raising cattle on the land, then bees. But these didn’t suit me. So, when the county forester proposed that I start a tree farm, I was ecstatic. Over the next 20 years, I learned by experience the joys — and work — of creating a forest. My ideas of forest management are based on using it as a long-term investment strategy and a way to have fun.

To reduce forest stewardship to its barest essentials, all you need is a piece of land. Let’s say you have a half-acre of land in a part of the country where trees grow. In a matter of a few decades, the land will revert to forest if you leave it alone. But if you have an acre of land, or more, you can speed the forestation process along. And, not much is required: Gather seeds, disturb the earth — dig it, rototill it, plow it — and sow away. You needn’t feel you don’t have the time, the money or the know-how to create a woodland for your own enjoyment. It’s an avocation that suits any schedule, fortune or inclination.

Before you start, think about these “10 Commandments,” things I’ve learned that have made owning a woodland a rewarding experience:

10 Commandments for Owners of Small Woodlands

1. ENJOY YOUR WOODLAND
Your woodland should be a source of pleasure and joy. Sounds, animal activity and interesting vegetation are everywhere. Let nothing interfere with the enjoyment of your forest.

2. BUY LOCAL LAND
One key to enjoying your woodland is buying land that is quick and easy to get to. Buying land nearer to “civilization” also makes good investment sense, because it is more likely to appreciate in value than land located far away from populated areas.
On the other hand, if you live in a sprawling metropolitan area or a part of the country where the landscape is boring, you may decide a longer drive is worth it. Regardless of location, real estate should appreciate roughly on par with alternative investments.

3. DON’T EXPECT TO MAKE MONEY
At least not in the short term. It is unlikely that you’ll see much profit from cultivating trees for hardwood veneers. Sure, a timber sale from sought-after trees, such as walnuts, can bring a windfall, but hardwood trees take about a century to reach maturity. Considered over the long run, your rate of return is much less than you would get from buying a certificate of deposit and there won’t be any regular cash flow. There may be money in practicing short-rotation forestry, such as growing pines for pulp, but this sort of tree farming is not friendly to nature, not nice to look at and not any fun.