Zeger Tree Farm
In 1948 Leonard Zeger purchased a farm in Path Valley near Fort Loudon, PA. At the time of purchase he was looking for land to farm and was unaware that about 200 acres of the 350 acre farm was covered in forest. Being a dairy farmer in Chambersburg he had little time to devote to forest management. It wasn’t until 1962 that he became a member of the Tree Farm Program. His son Marvin was a member of the high school FFA club and in 1963 and 1964 club members helped to plant ten thousand evergreen trees. Thus began the family’s conservation efforts.
It was not until 1982 that the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry worked with the family which now not only included Leonard, his wife Esther and son Marvin but also Marvin’s wife, Linda and children Kirk and Kristen, to develop a management plan. Between 1982 and 1987 selective cutting was done along with timber stand improvement. In 1987 the first hardwood seedlings were planted in five-foot shelters. Over the next few years several thousand larch, white pine, and white spruce seedlings were planted. After the passing of Leonard the family continued the management practices he had begun. Then in 1992 Marvin and family enrolled in the Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship plan. This plan initiated yearly tradition-red oak acorns and evergreens are planted in recently timbered areas. Each acorn is planted in a tree shelter. Much of this work is done by friends as well as family. To date there have been 4000-5000 red oak acorns planted along with 60-70 thousand evergreens. Each spring the tree shelters are inspected and any that do not have a viable tree are replanted with a new acorn. At this point many of the red oaks from the original plantings have outgrown the shelters which now need to be
removed. Some of the white spruce are 20-30 feet tall.
The property also includes a 1 acre pond, 3 ½ miles of improved access roads, and several herbaceous food plots for wildlife. In 2015 the family was approached by the American Chestnut Association about assisting in the research supporting the development of blight resistant American chestnuts. As a result, over 100 chestnuts have been planted in shelters in a 1-acre clear cut. There was over a 75% successful growth. As with the acorns, the chestnuts will be replanted where needed. What was started by Leonard and Esther Zeger is now being continued by Marvin, his wife Linda, their children Kirk and Kristen, and grandson Reed.
