Category: Why am I a Tree Farmer?

John and Heather Bingaman are the owners of Bingaman Woods, LLC. Bingaman Woods consists of two Tree Farms: #1483 a 72-acre property in Brookfield which the family purchased in 1992, and #1484 a 123-acre property in West Corinth which was bought in 2007. Both properties were first enrolled in the Tree Farm program in 2008.

Bingaman Woods operates by the following vision statement: “Dynamic steward of multiple properties; primarily to facilitate quality timber production, but additionally to cultivate wildlife habitat, environmentally friendly recreation, soil and water conservation, and pleasing aesthetics.” In accordance with this vision both farms have undergone management throughout the years.

The Brookfield property has been undergoing a shelterwood cut since 2018 and the project is expected to be completed this year. Once the cut is complete the plan is to let the property respond and re-evaluate in 8-10 years when the next entry should be considered. Less actions have been taken on the West Corinth property to date. When it was purchased, the land was in a VT Land Trust conservation easement. In 1998 the property was damaged by an ice storm leading to a salvage cut. Trees are now self-selecting.

The Bingamans partner with Redstart, Inc. and forester Markus Bradley in managing their land. David Paganelli, VT county forester, has also been a tremendous resource and fount of knowledge to them since first meeting in 1992 according to John.

What does being in the Tree Farm program mean to you?
It is a tangible way to demonstrate our family’s vision and values, to emphasize those to the next generation(s), and to be part of the Tree Farm community comprised of like-minded land stewards.

What do you value about the Tree Farm program?
The representation of, and the connections, resources, and support provided to, land stewards.

Why should a landowner join the Tree Farm program?
The Tree Farm program is for those desiring to be the best steward of the land they can be. The Tree Farm program actively promotes stewardship through various workshops, events, and other readily available resources.

Do you have any advice for landowners that have recently joined Tree Farm?
Take advantage of the vermonttreefarm.org website to access information. Participate in workshops and events as you are able to further your understanding, knowledge and application of stewardship best practices. Participation will also introduce you to like-minded individuals
and their wide range of experiences and knowledge.

What are some ways that you would suggest to get the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
Get them in the woods as early as possible! Perhaps easier said than done, particularly when you don’t live on the land or in Vermont. We brought our children on the property when they were babies and as often thereafter as we could. Pictures and experiences help them to connect to the land. Include them in discussions, planning, and activities, as well as the greater impact land stewardship provides.

Anything else you would like to add?
Our belief system is summed up in the following scripture: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. (1 Chronicles 29:11) We are on earth but for a short time and we are grateful to be allowed to steward the land while we are able and will then pass the work on to our next generation.

Phil and Donna Wheeler are the owners of Heavenly High Tree Farm, LLC in Sharon, VT. The Wheelers have owned their 150-acre Tree Farm for over 30 years. Phil and Donna said they operate a “different kind of tree farm” growing veneer trees which consists of predominantly maple trees along with some oak trees. Phil does a great deal of what he called “weeding of the forest” pruning individual trees, treating invasive plants he finds, and more.

Their tree farm is enrolled the Use Value Appraisal program. The property has a wildlife focus to it as they manage it in a way to encourage wildlife like deer, turkeys, and other kinds of birds. Recreation is also important to the Wheelers as they maintain snowmobile trails on the property and allow hunting. “We want to share the land with people and wildlife,” said Donna.

What does being a Tree Farmer mean to you?
Being a Tree Farmer means doing the proper things to manage a forest. Being a Tree Farm is not just about harvesting wood. There are other factors involved. It is being a responsible and educated landowner. We are only borrowing the land, and it is our job to manage it properly.

What do you value about the Tree Farm Program?
We value the educational opportunities the program provides like seminars and workshops. It is always interesting to learn what other people are doing.

Why should a landowner become a Tree Farmer?
Landowners should join because of the resources and community the program provides. We’ve benefitted from Tree Farm literature they publish in the past. It is encouraging to see what other tree farmers are doing and learning from eachother.

What advice would you offer to a Tree Farmer who is new to the program?
Get involved and network with other Tree Farmers. We have met helpful people in the past who were able to help us with activities on our land because they had done it on their land before.

What suggestions would you offer in how to get the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
This is a tough question as younger people seem less inclined to join service clubs and other volunteer-based organizations. Maybe outreach through digital sources like YouTube would be helpful.

Anything else you would like to add?
We are glad to be in Tree Farm. It feels good to do the right thing.

John Buck is the owner of a 70 acre woodland property in Washington, VT. John, who is a retired wildlife biologist for the Fish & Wildlife Department, purchased the property in 2012 with the intent of it becoming a place where his family could retreat to, know the woods better, and participate in activities like deer hunting and maple sugar making. He and his family operate Buck Family Maple Farm making pure Vermont maple syrup from 2,000 maple trees on the property. He and his son also operate a small portable sawmill business as well.

John’s property was enrolled in the Tree Farm program in 2012 shortly after he purchased the land. As a former wildlife biologist, John cares about his land being hospitable to wildlife and wants it to remain sustainable so it can be passed on to the next generations of his family. Since purchasing the land some timber cuts have been done mainly to release an understory that allowed for younger, healthier trees to grow and make for a healthier forest. The work also created better habitat for some species of songbirds which he has seen increase on the property.

What does being a Tree Farmer mean to you?
Being a Tree Farmer allows us to demonstrate the ways in which forestland is valuable and a good natural resource. It shows that we have a good attitude toward the forest. Being in Tree Farm is a symbol of good stewardship and it represents the stewardship paradigm we live by in regards to the land. Anyone having a Tree Farm sign makes it an advertisement in a way for these stewardship practices.

What do you value about the Tree Farm program?
One of the things I value about Tree Farm is that it represents a multitude of qualities when it comes to forest management. With Wood, Water, Wildlife, and Recreation focuses, Tree Farm helps demonstrate that forestland can be managed in a variety of ways. It helps show that forestland can be financially sustainable, and not just land that can be converted to something else. Tree Farm helps landowners display and live by the actions they take with their land.

Why should someone who is not enrolled in the Tree Farm program join the program?
Before joining the program, I would suggest first to get in contact with a consulting forester. Consulting foresters can help you learn more about the different parts of being a landowner and can help you make the most out of your land. Along with a consulting forester, Tree Farm can help in oversight of your land making sure it is being managed in a good way and accomplishing the goals you would like it to achieve.

What advice do you have for a landowner who is new to Tree Farm?
Take the time to think about why you bought the land, what you hope to gain in the next 5 years through your land, and what you want your land to be like in 50 years. After thinking about these questions, take these ideas to a consulting forester. They will help ensure that your values are upheld in any management that takes place on your land.

What suggestions do you have in ways to get the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
This is a question we all struggle with. Currently there are cultural and financial barriers that impact access to the forest. As American culture becomes more suburbanized there are less opportunities for people to have experiences in the woods and the cost of purchasing forestland
is often too high for young people to be able to buy forestland. Access to the natural world can be a health benefit, I believe. Finding ways to get young people experiences in the forest to show its importance and benefits is a way to help grow interest. Tree Farm provides a human component which can help engage young people and provide those experiences. Creating a strong forest economy, increasing private ownership of forest land, and showing the role forests play in creating healthy ecosystems in the face of climate change can also help get the next generation involved.

The Hinesburg Town Forest is a public forest located in Hinesburg, VT. The property is 1,125 acres and is stewarded by the Town of Hinesburg Forest Committee. As a public forest, the Hinesburg Town Forest serves the public by providing recreation, education, and a space to connect with nature.

The Forest is managed in a way that balances human and natural interests. The Forest includes extensive trails which are open year-round and other spaces for recreation, and management fulfills these desires. However, it is also managed to maintain and enhance the natural communities and wildlife that exist in the area. Education is also an important aspect of the Hinesburg Town Forest. The Forest seeks to be a model and example of the value of forests to the community. This is done through demonstrations and educational offerings that show the management practices that are used on the property, insights into the natural communities that exist in the forest, and more.

Pat Mainer is the Chairperson of the Town of Hinesburg Forest Committee and answered some questions on the HTF and Tree Farm

When did the Hinesburg Town Forest become a Tree Farm and how did you first become involved in the program?
I joined the Town Forest Committee in the early 1980s and it was in the Tree Farm program then.

Briefly describe the Tree Farm: What is the size of the property? What are the goals for the Tree Farm? What types of management are employed on the property?, etc.
The answers to these questions (good ones, thank you) can be found by reading the Management Plan found here. (It says it is a draft, but it was approved by the Selectboard!)

What does being in the Tree Farm program mean to you?
To me it means that we have an independent observer ensuring that we are meeting our commitment to protecting watersheds and wildlife habitat, conserving soil, and providing recreation; and at the same time producing wood products on a sustainable basis.

What do you value about the Tree Farm program?
It promotes responsible sustainable forestry and education about forests.

Why should a landowner join the Tree Farm program?
To be advised about the best ways to manage their forest.

Do you have any advice for landowners that have recently joined Tree Farm?
Learn as much as possible from as many experts as possible.

What are some ways that you would suggest to get the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
Get young people out on the land and in the forest a lot!

Are there any unique challenges to managing a public Tree Farm like the Hinesburg Town Forest as opposed to private property?
We know we can’t please everybody all the time, but we have received almost no criticisms and have received lots of accolades about our management of the HTF. I think that’s because there has been a lot of public outreach, largely, but not exclusively, by our Chittenden County
Forester, Ethan Tapper.

The Green Mountain Club (GMC) works to protect and maintain The Long Trail in Vermont. The Long Trail is the oldest long distances hiking trail in the United States. Spanning 272 miles and following the ridge of the Green Mountains, the trail stretches from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. Overall, the goal of the GMC is to make Vermont’s mountains play a larger part in the lives of people, and to promote the stewardship of Vermont’s hiking trails and mountains through stewardship.

The GMC’s headquarters are in Waterbury Center from which they offer information on the trail, educational events and workshops, the Short Trail interpretive hike, and more. The headquarters sits on a 53.82-acre property. Mollie Flanigan, director of land conservation shared that 31 acres of the property are enrolled in the tree farm program. 36.78 acres are also enrolled in the Current Use Program.

GMC is currently in the process of coming up with a wholistic management plan for the property. While still in development, some of the goals of the property are to host the headquarters and visitor center of the GMC, provide seasonal housing for the GMC’s field staff, provide public access and education opportunities (largely through the maintenance of the Short Trail and its educational signs), enhancement of native wildlife habitat and the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor, manage for long term sustainable timber.

The Green Mountain Club has been enrolled in the Tree Farm program since the mid-2000s. The organization joined at a time when the headquarters facility was being rebuilt and the GMC was reinvesting in sustainability initiatives. Becoming a Tree Farm was a great way to show our commitment to responsible land stewardship and forest management,” said Mollie. “Continuing our membership is an important way for GMC to be a member of the forest management community within Vermont.”

Gerry Hawkes is a retired forester from Vermont. His property sits on 60 acres, 40 of which are wooded. In the past he managed about 30,000 acres of land for private clients in Vermont as well as serving as a consultant on USAID, World Bank, and United Nations projects in Africa and Asia. He is also an inventor making products that limit air pollution.

Gerry first bought his property in 1969 at the age of 19. Some of Gerry’s ancestors owned the property and had cleared it for sheep pasture. Around 1900 the land was back to being forested. The property was badly overstocked with a maple overstory. Deer grazing also hindered hardwood growth. So, Gerry set about improving his land thinning the maple overstory and removing poor trees to allow good trees to grow. Eventually the conditions of his forest improved and hardwood regeneration took place. He has now been practicing intensive management for over 50 years which he credits with the improved condition of the land. He abides by a policy of not cutting trees unless they are poor quality or crowding other trees allowing for good forest genetics. Gerry joined tree farm in the 1970s.

What does being a tree farmer mean to you?
Being a tree farmer means being able to share with other tree farmers. For a long time I was not actively involved, although I was always enrolled in the program and doing Tree Farm activities. However more recently Tree Farm has been a good way for me to share the work of I’ve done in my forest and inspire others to try some of these practices in theirs. It has been a way for me to show that intensive management pays.

What do you value about the Tree Farm program?
Outreach. I value the ability to give tours and show the things that have been done on my property in the hopes of providing inspiration, encouragement, or help to others in managing their forests.

Why should a landowner become a Tree Farmer?
Networking can be one of the most valuable benefits of joining Tree Farm. Being in Tree Farm provides landowners the opportunity to connect with others managing their forests and the opportunity to learn more about managing their forests well.

What advice do you have for a landowner who is new to Tree Farm?
Take some tours of other people’s Tree Farms and learn from their successes and mistakes. You can save yourself a lot of agony in managing your own forest by learning from the experiences of others.

What are some suggestions you have for getting the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
Instruction in forestry while in school is a good way. This gets younger people learning about the forests and sometimes students’ interest or involvement gets parents more involved too. People are now thinking about carbon sequestration and showing how forests help in this could be another avenue. Tree can show that forests are a great resource that we can take care of better.

Brendan Whittaker is a tree farmer from Brunswick, VT. Located in the northernmost regions of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Brendan and his wife, Dorothy, have been managing their tree farm for 60 years.

Brendan first came to Brunswick in 1959, moving to the area after earning a degree in forestry from the University of Massachusetts. The Whittakers purchased their property using a loan from the GI Bill, and the land was first enrolled in the Tree Farm program in 1963. The property was one of a few properties in the area to enter the program along with the former St. Regis Paper Company. He served as the Essex County forester from 1959-1963. Later on he served as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and he is also a retired Episcopalian minister.

When Brendan first purchased the property the land was cut over, so he began with a young recovering forest. His first task was to differentiate between red spruce and balsam fir trees on the property. Since buying the land 60 years ago Brendan has worked to improve the overall health of his woodland. He accomplishes this by removing poor timber and letting the better timber grow. “Leave the best and cut the rest,” as he put it. He and his sons have performed several cuts on the land throughout the years, only hiring an outside logging company once. Tree Farm #171 was 50 acres when he first bought the land, but has grown to today sit at 67 acres.

When it comes to the Tree Farm program, Brendan values the bond that Tree Farmers have with one another. Through their common desire to properly steward their land and the shared challenges and experiences that come with managing their properties, Tree Farmers can help each other in many ways. One landowner can provide technical knowledge to another experiencing problems they have encountered in the past. They can offer insights into management activities in other parts of the country from one’s own. They can offer encouragement to one another as they seek to accomplish the same goals. Brendan himself loves to read about things from other tree farmers and visit other tree farms when able. He values the technical knowledge he has been able to learn from his fellow Tree Farmers.

It is for those reasons that he encourages those who are not in the Tree Farm program to join. For those who are new to tree farm he encourages them to read the local and national Tree Farm magazines to stay informed. He also suggests, “Ask other Tree Farmers things. You will learn from them.”

Looking ahead, Brendan feels that a way to get more younger people involved in Tree Farm is to have more focus on the carbon issue. Carbon sequestration is a popular issue amongst younger generations and Brendan feels that getting more involved in that issue and keeping up with the science of it could be a way to attract the next generation to join Tree Farm.

Overall, Brendan sees Tree Farm as a way to bring people together. Tree Farmers come from all different backgrounds and beliefs, but they all share the common interest of being good stewards of their environments. Through that common interest Brendan believes Tree Farm can play a role in the healing some of the greater divisions that exist in the country.

Ben Campbell is a consulting forester and owner of EB Campbell Forest Land Management, LLC. While he helps others manage their properties, Ben is a landowner himself owning 208 acres in Starksboro, Vt. The property consists of 174 productive forested acres, 22 acres of wetlands and ledges and 10 acres of open, idle agricultural land.

The property was first enrolled in the Tree Farm program in 2009. Ben first heard about Tree Farm while at college in 1985. He remembers being interested because of their “cool hats.” In managing his land Ben seeks to produce quality forest products and fuelwood, promote wildlife, songbird, and pollinator habitats, create clean water, and maintain the land for recreational enjoyment. To accomplish these goals the stands of the woodland are treated with a type of irregular shelterwood that closely resembles crop tree management. Over the last twenty years he has been able to regenerate about 12 acres via several patches of various sizes up to 3 acres.

What does being in the Tree Farm program mean to you?
Being in Tree Farm is a commitment to practice excellent forestry.

What do you value about the Tree Farm program?
The Tree Farm program validates our careful stewardship of the land.

Why should a landowner join the Tree Farm program?
It is an excellent way to meet like-minded forestland owners and share experiences and ideas, as well as the above two comments.

Do you have any advice for landowners that have recently joined Tree Farm?
It doesn’t stop with the development of the forest plan, it is just the beginning. Implement practices, adjust, and modify as needed. Don’t be afraid to try something new, be it a different silvicultural system, access improvement or creating a type of habitat that compliments your landscape.

What are some ways that you would suggest to get the next generation involved in Tree Farm?
That’s a tough one. Getting them involved early, let them know that the next generation’s efforts don’t have to duplicate their parents work and that whatever level of commitment, their efforts will bring much satisfaction and a sense of pride. I admire families that are able to pass the Tree Farm ‘torch’ to their descendants.

Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County Forester and the owner of Bear Island Tree Farm in Bolton, VT. As the Chittenden County Forester, Ethan also helps manage the Hinesburg Town Forest, a 1,000-acre public forest.

Ethan purchased the land that would become Bear Island Tree Farm in 2017 and the land was in bad shape. The 175 acre property had been high-graded meaning the all the good timber was cut, while the poor timber was left standing. This high-grading lead to the formation of an understory monoculture. There were also acres of invasive plants and areas of road erosion. In short, Bear Island was a very unhealthy forest.

However, Ethan decided to take on the challenge of restoring the property. As a forester Ethan felt that he had the skills and knowledge to handle the issues that the property had. “The land is a real challenge, and my life as a steward will be to correct the problems of the forest,” Ethan said. The property became Tree Farm certified in 2018. Since then he has been conducting all kinds of work to restore the property including rehabilitation logging to restore certain tree species, patch cuts to improve wildlife habitat, invasive species control, and trail maintenance.

Being a forester has proven to be an asset for Ethan when it comes to managing his property, and he has learned a great deal more about management through working on his property. For example, he has learned how to do excavation and learned more about herbicide use. Managing his own land gives him a more personal approach in his work as a forester. He is able to share his experiences on his property and give his clients better advice because he has done certain activities himself on his own land. For this reason, he feels he is “fortunate” in a way that he has big challenges on his land. Ethan said, “As a young landowner I’ve learned what is possible to achieve in a forest using the tools available to me.”

According to Ethan being involved in Tree Farm means being committed to thoughtful and responsible management of forests and ecosystems. He referred to it as an “iconic organization” and is proud to hang the Tree Farm sign on his land. Ethan values the network of people who are dedicated to responsible management within Tree Farm. “Being a Tree Farmer involves balancing lots of goals and finding ways to accomplish these goals. Being a part of the Tree Farm community allows you to share and connect with others over the goals.”

Ethan encourages other landowners to join the Tree Farm program because it provides accountability. “Accountability is key,” said Ethan. “Networking with similar people who have similar experiences serves as a way to hold your forest and management of it to a high standard.” For those who are new to the program Ethan suggests taking part in the benefits the program offers saying, “There are many knowledgeable people who want to share their experiences with others.”

Looking ahead, Ethan believes getting the next generation involved in Tree Farm can be done by appealing to the general public. Amongst the general public there are people who will be Tree Farmers, but do not own land yet. There are also advocates who may not own land or live in forested areas but support the program and its goals. Having a presence in the general public will help more people be aware of the program and either participate in it or support it later in life. He also believes education is a way to get the next generation involved. This is something he is able to do in his work at the Hinesburg Town Forest. As Ethan said, “It is good to manage a forest well, but also sharing that knowledge with world will enable it to have a further impact.”

Mark and Katie Raishart are the owners of Foxglove Farm in Leicester, VT. Foxglove Farm is a small farm and homestead that combines a working forest with agritourism. Featuring a log cabin which serves as an Air B&B, eggs, maple syrup, handcrafted jewelry and knitted apparel, trails for recreation, and more, the farm welcomes visitors of all kinds each year.

The Raisharts’ property covers 68 acres, 64 of which are forested and actively managed, located at the junction of the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley. From the highest points of the property Moosalamoo, Brandon Gap, and the High Peaks of the Adirondacks in New York can be seen. The property became Tree Farm certified in 2016 and Mark said this was a way to better manage the property. Mark said, “Through my work in teaching (Mark was a natural resources teacher at a local technical center), my personal interest in forest stewardship, and in-depth research of my property, I wanted to expand and solidify my commitment to sound and diverse management goals on our property. Enrolling in the Tree Farm program was a way to demonstrate this commitment to visitors to our property and help my family identify and own that commitment as well.”

The Tree Farm program’s four core values of Wood, Water, Wildlife, and Recreation represent the priorities of the Raisharts’ management on the property. The Raisharts deeply value wildlife habitat, ecosystem vitality and overall forest health as Mark said, “To me, the range of wildlife we see on our property is a direct indicator of the quality of the forest.” The land includes a wetlands complex on which they view as a great asset to wildlife and something to take care of. As an agritourism destination they seek to maintain the land for recreational purposes. Mark also shared, “We deeply value the concept of the working forest – one that provides resources to our family. Harvesting timber, firewood, and maple sap have been important ways for us to maintain a working relationship with our land to help support our lives here. Meeting these goals means active engagement: trail maintenance, habitat enhancement work, removal of poor-quality trees, invasive species control, mast tree release, and work in the sugarbush.”

For the Raisharts, being in the Tree Farm program is about affirming and demonstrating their commitment sound long-term land management. To Mark and Katie, this means demonstrating it to themselves, their children, and the visitors and customers that come to their farm. It is about more than hanging a sign, although they do like to display their Tree Farm sign! It is for these reasons that they encourage other landowners to join the program. “[Enrolling in Tree Farm] symbolizes a commitment to [a landowners] role in land stewardship, and it’s an opportunity to access a community of like-minded partners and professionals who work together to advance that commitment.”

This community of like-minded partners is one of the aspects of Tree Farm that they value most. Being in Tree Farm gives landowners access to a network of citizen landowner that share the common goal of working forest stewardship. The ability to share experiences, ideas, and
knowledge is very valuable to a landowner. “Owning forestland is a privilege and a responsibility, and active engagement in the responsible stewardship of that land is a common value within the Tree Farm program,” said Mark.

For any new Tree Farmers Mark gives the advice to learn as much as possible. “A forest is a dynamic and responsive ‘organism’ that is both resilient and incredibly vulnerable,” says Mark. “There is always something new to learn about the forest ecosystem and what the challenges and opportunities are as we work with it. Try to understand what the options are for management, and be careful about making assumptions before you have learned more.”

Looking ahead to the future is something the Raisharts think about often and sharing their passion for landscape with their children and the next generation is one of their biggest priorities. Mark feels this can be done in several ways. One way is through education and making learning fun. “Turn every adventure into a learning opportunity and be open and honest. Kids take in everything, especially when they’re physically engaged,” said Mark. Welcoming kids into workshops and trainings with aspects tailored to them is another suggestion of his. This will help them feel the like they are a part of the forest community too and that the forest is as much for them as it is for grown-ups. Mark also mentioned, “More than anything else, kids need to have positive and immersive experiences in the forest. SPEND TIME OUTSIDE DOING FUN STUFF. This will inspire a sense of ownership, responsibility and stewardship.”