—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 22,1977
100
Firewood from woodlots
Many farms have woodland on them which is
allowed to grow untouched and is forgotten in the
farmer’s mind.
byKENDACEBORRY
ALLENTOWN - Due to
the popularity of fireplaces
and cast-iron stoves, and the
shortages of' the convenient
fuels of natural gas and oil,
firewood is facing an in
creasing demand in today’s
market. The use of wood for
fuel is a logical one, for trees
are a renewable resource.
They can be harvested
repeatedly without
disturbing the natural en
vironment, if managed
properly.
In the past, woodlots have
often been mismanaged,
overcut, or neglected by
owners or managers. Poor
cutting procedures have left
woodlands with areas with
is potential
an abundance of crooked -
growing and diseased trees
that are unsaleable. Besides
keeping healthy trees from
growing to become strong
and straight specimens, the
woodlot owner and manager
is hurting himself by losing a
potential income through
proper use of his woodlot.
Many farms have a
woodland area on them that
most usually is forgotten and
neglected. Sometimes
pastured, it is simply
thought of as the woods and
put of the farmer’s mind.
But with a little planning and
work, this woodland area
can be added income
potential for the farm.
For a cord of wood, a
section of wood four feet
wide,-four feet high, and
eight feet long, an average
price of mixed wood could be
approximately $6O,
delivered, according to
Robert Leiby, Lehigh Co.
Extension Service. To cut
this amount of wood, would
take an average man about
three to four hours, ac
cording to Leiby. With
careful selection and a good
woodlot program, the farm
woodlot can be a continuing
income resource.
Trees need space to grow
at their peak efficiency. If
they are spaced too dose
together, they must compete
for water, nutrients and
needed sunlight, and their
income
rate of growth is cut down.
Thinning of hardwood
woodlots helps the process
by allowing the more
desireable trees to grow. By
removing the competing
trees in the area, the woodlot
will produce larger and
better quality trees. This in
turn produces a greater
volume of .wood in a
decreased amount of time.
Different trees have dif
ferent monetary values and
before doing any thinning, a
farmer should know the
value of the different trees.
Usually, sugar maple, ash,
white and yellow birch are
worth more than the beech,
red maple, and poplar trees;
(Continued on f a*a 102)