North Central OTFY: Paul and Joanne Mechling of Ohio

What makes them outstanding?

When the Mechlings tell folks that they own a Tree Farm, they usually get the response “Oh, is it a Christmas tree farm?”  They respond, “it’s a whole lot more”.  They follow and promote the values and principles of the American Tree Farm System.  Wood, water, wildlife and recreation are the four cornerstones upon which they base their management plan.

Snowy Oak Tree Farm has been created from 17 high graded, grapevine infested, rut filled, invasive loaded, and non-managed parcels encompassing 388 acres.  Twenty plus years of “chain saw therapy”, blood, sweat, and tears has established a vibrant ecosystem.  Listening to advice from professional foresters, attending forestry seminars, and reading forestry literature allowed them to develop a sustainable woodland plan which continues to grow.  They are now a role model for fellow tree farmers and potential tree farmers as they love to share with others what has worked and what has not worked for them.  Educating and explaining what they have created has fostered not only a legacy for their family, but also their community and Ohio tree farmers.  They enjoy showing others what can be accomplished with time, planning, and energy beginning with some rough looking property.  While Paul was chairman of the Ohio Tree Farm Committee, he wrote a number of editorials promoting Aldo Leopold’s “land ethic” and a “passion for place”.  Their Snowy Oak Tree Farm is a showplace for clean water, stable soil, beautiful trees, healthy woodlands, abundant wildlife and recreational opportunities for the common good.  The Mechlings are great stewards of the land with a strong focus on the future.

Tree Farmer Story 

The Mechlings feel very honored and humbled to be the recipients of the 2019 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year.  It is indeed special to be included among Ohio’s great tree farmers ““ Dick and Carolyn (Caron) Potts, Walt and Donna Lange, Jack and Janet Sweigart (all North Central Regional Tree Farmers of the Year), Gailen Maxwell, and John Schmidt (National TFOY).  They have been their mentors and inspired them to be stewards of the land.  If they had not joined ATFS they would have never known these folks.

Paul’s grandparents - Edna and Lawrence Wallace and Bessie and Fred Mechling ““ as well as Paul’s parents, Paul and Ann, shared with him their passion in forestry, farming, and conservation.   Growing up, Paul was involved in 4-H, FFA, and family projects related to planting trees and conservation activities to make areas of the family farm wildlife friendly.  His family legacy was a strong land stewardship ethic.

Paul and Joanne moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio in 1974 to start a new veterinary practice.  Fresh out of The Ohio State University, they did not even own a house.  Although they knew very little about forest management, they knew that they wanted to own woodlands.  One day while making farm calls, Paul noticed a 30-acre parcel that was part reverting agricultural land and part clear cut woods for sale.  After purchasing the land in November of 1974, they accomplished a number of forestry practices and enrolled the land in the Ohio Tree Farm Program in 1978.  They did not purchase any more land until 1997 due to the successful veterinary practice expanding into clinics in both Ohio and Pennsylvania with over 15,000 clients.  Since 1997 they have purchased 16 more parcels totaling 388 acres with a total of 355 stewardship acres - Tree Farms OH-1461, 30 acres; OH-4129, 44 acres; and OH-4130, 281 acres.  These 3 Tree Farms comprise Snowy Oak Tree Farm.

Along with owning Snowy Oak Tree Farm, Paul jointly owns with his brother their family farm in Hopewell Township, Perry County, Ohio known as Wal Mec Farms, LLC.  73 acres of the 340 acres are Certified Tree Farms.  OH-3438, 49 acres - has been in the family since 1808, with deeds signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and OH-249, 24 acres ““ has been in the family since 1895.  Family legacy is strong with the Mechlings.  Paul and Joanne also owned a 70-acre Certified Tree Farm in Chautauqua County, New York # 3516- and 65-acre woodland in Springboro, Pennsylvania.  Both of these properties have been sold. 

Not only are the Mechlings growing quality Northern hardwoods, but also a delicious forest by-product.  They began producing maple syrup in 1996 with 200 buckets and within several years were tapping 3,000 trees annually while also boiling 1,500 taps for neighbors.  With tubing, vacuum, reverse osmosis and a 4’x12’ evaporator, their sugar house has produced over 12,500 gallons of pure Ohio maple syrup from ¾ million gallons of sap.  They have recently bottled bourbon barrel aged maple syrup where they place maple syrup in white oak bourbon barrels.  This is quite a delicious treat derived from 2 of their woodland trees ““ sugar maple and white oak.  Their sugar house has often been featured in local newspapers and their bourbon barrel aged syrup was featured in AFF’s Woodland Journal.    The money generated from maple syrup sales is reinvested into forestry and conservation projects.  A video of their sugar house can be seen on you tube under “Mechling Maple Farm.” 

The purchase of 17 different parcels emphasizes their philosophy of “defragmentation”.  Fragmentation of land makes it much harder to manage woodlands, water, wildlife and invasive plants and is one of the top concerns of tree farmers.

Why did they name their Tree Farm “Snowy Oak Tree Farm”?  The NWS has measured the snowfall at their home property for 44 years.  The annual snowfall is 130 inches.  The Northern red oak is one of their dominant trees and grows rapidly in their climate.  Thus, the name.

Time, invasive plants and disease, high real estate taxes, and the weather have been the main challenges to tree farming.  The Mechlings have learned how to manage time and labor more efficiently.  They spend one month per year controlling invasive plants.  They have worked with their legislators and state government to reduce real estate taxes.  They have worked around the weather. 

The Mechlings are particularly proud of their Tree Farm because it sets a high standard for others to follow.  Joining ATFS has provided them a model for sustainable forestry and great connections with tree farmers across the U.S.A.  Being a Certified Tree Farm was a pathway for them to market their maple syrup in a national food market.  They are proud that their son has chosen a career as a professional forester.

On September 21, 2019 the culmination of their Tree Farm work was shared with nearly 500 folks who toured SOTF guided by 24 professional foresters.  The ODNR Director and staff, their state representative and senator, Ohio Chief of Forestry and staff, Ohio Division of Wildlife staff and 2 staff members from AFF attended this event.  Ten conservation organizations were represented and 5 well known foresters and biologists spoke at stations along the tour trails.  This was a great day to educate the public about sustainable forestry.  A drone video of Snowy Oak Tree Farm can be seen at https://www.youtube.comwatch?v=Ripg_TDJeUs.

Forty-six years have passed since the Mechlings purchased that first 30-acre parcel.   The forestry community has helped them along the Tree Farm journey.  Now they can give back to the forestry community.  Their Tree Farm is in good hands as their children and grandchildren are involved and have a share in their Snowy Oak Tree Farm, LLC.   They are learning to be stewards of the land so that their family Tree Farm can be passed to future generations in a sustainable manner and they too can be outstanding tree farmers.

Describe any outreach on behalf of sustainable forestry that the Tree Farmer has done

The Mechlings have been strong advocates for sustainable forestry locally, statewide, and nationally.

Local/Community Outreach

• Pierpont Township Park Commission ““ Chairman ““ initiated forest management plan
• Forestry talks, advice, field days for township neighbors and county residents
• Ashtabula SWCD  - SOTF hosted Wildlife Habitat Field Day in 2007
• Ashtabula County Auditor’s CAUV committee
• Ashtabula Scenic River Advisory Council, initial council member
• Annual Township Pancake Breakfast
• Ashtabula County Leadership Class ““ forestry and sugar house tours annually
• Snowbelt Woodland Interest Group ““ Initiated, hosted mentoring and field days
• County Commissioners ““ host wetland tour
• Certified Tree Farm Signs are always visible and maintained
• 4-H, Boy Scouts and Church youth group tours

State Outreach

• Ohio Tree Farm Committee ““ (member 2008-present) chairman 2014-2015; mentor, legislative, and strategic planning committees
• Two Governor Appointments 
• Ohio Forestry Advisory Council ““ 2012-present
• Ohio Wildlife Council (Game Commission) ““ 2011-present; currently chairman
• Ohio Maple Producers ““ speaker and advocate
• Ohio House of Representatives -  Testimony for CAUV, real estate, and maple issues
• Ohio Farm Bureau/ Ohio Farmers Union ““ Paul traveled the state representing woodland owners
• Ohio Forestry Association ““ member ““ Board of Trustees; 2012-2013
• Ohio Woodland Journal Editorial Board; 2014-2015

National Outreach

• Attendance at all National Tree Farm Conventions since 2003
• Attended the 2019 and 2020 National Leadership Conferences
• Several “Fly Ins” to Washington, D.C. meeting with their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives
• Paul served 3 years on the AFF National Public Affairs Committee
• Paul received an AFF scholarship to attend the 2013 Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Conference
• Paul was recognized by NWTF for his conservation work as the national outstanding private lands conservationist in 2008

For the following areas describe how the landowner's management addresses it

Wood: 

Intense forest management practices were performed as each parcel was purchased to create Snowy Oak Tree Farm.  The parcels were high graded, rut filled, grapevine infested with abundant invasive plants thriving and no management practiced.  Snowy Oak Tree Farm is a relatively young woodland as over 140,000 trees have been planted on over 150 acres of primarily reverting agricultural land.  Twenty-three species of trees planted consist of 62,000 conifers, 78,500 hardwoods and 650 shrubs.  Survival of seedlings has been very good with the main limiting factor being a high deer population so tree tubes are employed.   Several thousand of the oak and walnut seedlings have been pruned.  A timber cruise in 2018 revealed over ½ million board feet of timber. 

As the emerald ash borer encroached upon the area the mature white ash trees were harvested in 2015.  Since then nearly all the ash are dead.  Twenty cords of fire wood are cut annually for domestic use.

Grapevine control was the first management practice implemented in the mature hardwoods.  The grapevines were so thick, some areas had to be treated three times.  Multiflora rose and glossy buckthorn are the primary invasive plants.  Treatment has worked well but the buckthorn is persistent as birds deposit seeds from neighboring properties.              

Crop tree release has been completed thru out the property.  Oak, sugar maple, yellow poplar, cherry, and hickory are the featured trees.  Opening the sugar maples has greatly increased the sap sugar content, thereby increasing syrup production.

A unique 200 plus year old sugar maple stands at the end of our home driveway and displays our tree farm sign and maple sap buckets with flowers.  Folks stop to take pictures of this gnarly old tree.  Native American chestnut trees still grow in 3 locations with the tallest being about 30 feet.

Water: Snowy Oak Tree Farm is located in the headwaters of the east branch of the Ashtabula River, a designated Ohio Scenic River.  The Ashtabula River flows into Lake Erie and is a well-known steelhead trout fishery; therefore, clean water is important.  Snowy Oak Tree Farm lies at an elevation 500-600 feet above the water level of Lake Erie.  When the wind blows off Lake Erie the moisture is orographically lifted resulting in lake effect snow and rain.  We receive 45 plus inches of rain annually.  We also have a soil fragipan which makes our soils very saturated.  Soil type and water saturation dictate our native tree species as well as what species we plant.  Water is a major factor in how we manage our tree farm. 

Three wetlands have been built with 11 acres permanently protected through USDA’s Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) with assistance from Ashtabula SWCD, NRCS, DU, and Ohio Division of Wildlife.  Seven ponds contain 11 surface acres of water that are stocked with native fish species. Vernal pools occur naturally throughout our woodlands.  A ¼ acre vernal pool was made this past year by damming an old livestock pond in a wooded area. 

Grass seedings, water bars, culverts and stone are utilized on 8 miles of trails.  A 16’x50’ bridge was constructed to accommodate large equipment over a stream.  Five acres of a severely eroded agricultural field were seeded to a legume/grass mixture and then planted to 2,000 white and red oaks and 1,000 conifers.  More than 140,000 trees have been planted primarily in reverting agriculture fields.

The Mechlings take great pride in utilizing BMP’s to control erosion, keep stream water clean, and reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels in Lake Erie.  Paul was an original member of the Ashtabula Scenic River Advisory Council.

Wildlife including threatened and endangered species: Diversity of wildlife is evident at Snowy Oak Tree Farm due to the variety of habitats.  Warm season grasses, food plots, pollinator plots, wetlands, vernal pools, 7 ponds, soft and hard mast producing trees are all scattered throughout the property.  Warm season grass plots provide bedding areas as well as songbird nesting sites.  Milk weed, flowering forbs, goldenrod, bird’s foot trefoil, ladino and alsike clover are helping honeybee and monarch butterfly populations to rebound.  Soybeans, buckwheat, millet, sunflowers, oats, sorghum, and clovers provide winter food for a variety of wildlife.  Prescribed burning is practiced in warm season grasses.  Old apple orchards are pruned to increase fruit production.  Persimmon and crabapples have been planted for soft mast.  Bimundors Oaks (white x English) are the favorite acorn of the deer and turkey.  Black cherry, hickory and oak are released for not only timber but also soft and hard mast production.  Snags, girdled and hollow trees are left for bird and mammal homes.  Three bat houses are located on buildings.  Twelve wood duck boxes provide nesting sites for wood ducks and hooded mergansers.  Twenty-four bluebird boxes are scattered throughout the 388 acres.  We have heavily thinned two twenty-acre parcels to create a young forest to help the grouse, woodcock and songbird populations.  Our ponds have a healthy population of mollusks as evidenced by the river otters having a “seafood buffet”.  Over 62,000 conifers have been planted for winter cover from the lake effect snows.  We are privileged to have observed black bears (Ohio endangered) and fishers (Ohio special interest) on the property.  The fishers help control the squirrels that damage our maple tubing.  Brush piles are created from timber stand improvement projects.  Pollinator, reptile, amphibian, bird, mammal and fish populations have greatly benefited from our management practices.

Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites: The main entrance to Snowy Oak Tree Farm is located on a well-traveled state highway with minor entrances located on gravel township roads and a paved county road.  With nearly two miles of road frontage, the Mechlings maintain the aesthetically pleasing image of a professionally managed Certified Tree Farm.  Six Tree Farm signs are placed strategically on 4 roads to promote the Tree Farm System.  The main entrance to the Tree Farm consists of a well-maintained barn and pavilion with large signs denoting “Snowy Oak Tree Farm” and “2019 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year”.  The professional image of Snowy Oak Tree Farm demonstrates to the public the Mechling’s commitment to the stewardship of the land.   

Eight miles of trails are maintained for fellow tree farmers, friends, family, hunters, fishermen, cross country skiers, horseback riders and hikers to experience the sights and sounds of woodlands, wetlands, ponds, small streams, food plots, pollinator and warm season grass plots.  In winter heavy snow on the large white pines and large oak trees is especially appealing as well as the diversity of natural trees and planted trees.  A local bird watching group comes to view the great variety of birds and participate in the National Audubon Christmas bird count.  Our children and grandchildren caught their first fish in our ponds and harvested their first turkeys and deer in the woodlands.  Controlled hunting of waterfowl, deer, turkey, squirrel, grouse and woodcock is by permission.  Local sportsmen trap our wetlands for muskrats, mink and raccoons.   Many hunting and fishing memories have been made at Snowy Oak Tree Farm.  The local school district Envirothon team has trained and boy scouts have earned their forestry badges at our tree farm.  The calming effect of a “walk in the woods” is what this tree farm is all about.

Describe other forestry programs or organizations in which the Tree Farmer participates

Snowy Oak Tree Farm has participated in cost share programs since 1978.  More than 25 EQIP projects have been completed since 2002 that include tree planting, timber stand improvement, conservation cover, pollinator habitat, grapevine control, brush management, and wildlife structures.  Eleven acres of wetlands have been permanently protected in the Wetland Reserve Program.  The farm has been enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program since 2014.  

Paul has participated in the following local, state and national conservation programs:

Local:

1. Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District - 1998-Present
   1. Recently elected to 8th term Board of Supervisors - held all offices
   2. Outstanding Conservation Practices Award - 2003
2. Ashtabula Scenic River Advisory Council ““ ODNR appointment

State:

1. Ohio Woodland Steward ““ 2001
2. Ohio Tree Farm Committee ““ 2008-Present 
   1. Chairman - 2014-2015: legislative, mentoring committees   
   2. 2019 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year
3. 2018 Ohio Conservation Farm Family ““ Presented by NRCS, Ohio Farm Bureau, The Ohio Farmer and Ohio Department of Agriculture
4. Ohio Forest of Honor ““ Inducted 2016 for legislative efforts for forestry and conservation
5. Ohio Maple Producers
6. Ohio Division of Wildlife  
   1. Distinguished Service Award - 1992
   2. Wild Turkey Strategic Plan for Ohio 1990-1995

National:

1. National Wild Turkey Federation ““ life member
   1. SOTF - designated Wild Turkey Woodlands
   2. State President, Chairman Super Fund Committee
   3. Started Grand River Chapter
   4. National Hunting Heritage Award -outstanding private lands conservationist -2008
   5. Roger Latham Outstanding Sportsman’s Award - 1994
   6. Al Fabian Landowner Award ““ Ohio Wild Turkey Conservation
   7. Midwest Wild Turkey Woodlands Award -Private Land Conservation ““ 2003
2. National Woodland Owner Association
3. The Nature Conservancy
4. Quality Deer Management Association
5. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
6. Pheasants Forever
7. Aldo Leopold Foundation
8. Ducks Unlimited