Centrally located near the University of Maine and Old Town, Wells Demonstration Forest is a medium sized woodlot presenting the consequences of traditional “high-grading” forestry practices. Our goal is to restore the property to a more sustainable forestry management condition. Our projects will include: pre-commercial thinning, stream restoration, crop tree release, historical research, and maintaining habitat for wildlife. We would like to provide a place where other small woodlot owners can learn about how to choose options for their woodlot and how to communicate with their forester, logger, and helpful government entities. In addition, we would love to encourage University of Maine students and researchers to consider our forest as a possible research area.
In addition to Crop tree release, we have also done pre-commercial thinning and age determination of trees in certain stands on the property.
Here is a video of the use of a small fellerbuncher to selectively harvest as part of the crop tree release practice.
Hear Pam talk about the work and plans for Wells Demonstration Forest: