COUNTY - A popular program for woodlot owners and silviculture contractors is continuing in Nova Scotia this fall, with one workshop specific to silviculture contractors taking place in the Bridgewater area on September 23.

 The Association for Sustainable Forestry (ASF) is heading up the program, which is geared for those with an interest in uneven-aged management and growing high-value trees.

 The free workshops will educate woodland owners and silviculture contractors interested in growing long-lived, shade-tolerant tree species and quality forest products.

 It focuses on silviculture practices associated with uneven-aged management, ranging from selection management to crop-tree release and crop-tree pruning.

 There will also be advice on funding availability for those treatments through the ASF's Category 7 Quality Improvement Silviculture Program.

 There is increasing demand for contractors with demonstrated ability to do these treatments.

 Workshops for silviculture contractors will be held in the field, on a woodlot where quality-improvement silviculture treatments have been and could be conducted explained organizer Flora Johnson in a press release.

 The workshops emphasize "how to" aspects of uneven-aged management, with opportunities to learn through hands-on exercises.

 Contractors will learn how to ensure that quality improvement silviculture treatments are successful and cost-effective.

 Topics to be covered also include how to decide which trees to harvest and which to retain, ecosystem-based forest management and a discussion of the challenges associated with doing this kind of work.

 This outreach project is administered by the ASF and is being funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

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 The initiative is part of a program to increase the number of small, private woodlot owners who use uneven-aged forest management methods on appropriate sites.

 The project is being conducted on behalf of the ASF by the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association in collaboration with Picea Forestry Services and Woodlot Management of Bridgewater.

 Space at the workshop will be limited and pre-registration is required, so those looking for more details or to book a seat should call 673-2278 or e-mail outreach@asforestry.com.

posted on 08/24/10