Northeast Regional OTFY: Russell Black from Maine

What makes them outstanding? 

Russell’s personal and lifelong involvement in all aspects of ownership and management of his property is what makes him an outstanding Tree Farmer.  Russell has worked on this woodlot since he was 10 years old peeling Fir logs for the mills. He and his family do most of the work themselves and are interested and involved in it all:  Whether it is raising grass fed beef cattle, tending 20+ hives of bees for honey production, tapping trees and boiling sap for Maple Syrup, maintaining tree stands for hunting or providing good access to Pease Pond for fishing and recreation. He has always allowed access for trapping, snowmobiling & cross country skiing as parts of his management program. Since inheriting the property in 1973, he has more than doubled its size and transformed it into a working forest that meets the diverse needs of today’s small woodland owners.

The farm has an onsite store where local Maine Maple Syrup Products, along with many other farm products, are sold. It is open 24 hours a day and people are on the honor system as far as paying for the products they buy.  It has also served as the base for the many workshops that have been held on the property including: Open Farm Day, Maine Maple Sunday, Haunted Hay Rides and farm tours. The farm also provides firewood and hay to many throughout the Franklin County area.

Tree Farmer story

As mentioned above, Russell has worked on these woodlots since he was 10 years old.  When he took over management in his early twenties, he went to see Maine Forest Service, Service Forester Bob Leso for forest management advice.  Russell has managed all aspects of running the farm, woodlot and Maple Syrup Production since assuming ownership.  Ultimately it was Abbott Ladd who convinced him to become a Tree Farmer in 1976.

When the farm buildings burned in the Spring of 1978, the woodlot was harvested to rebuild the farm operation. Russell continued his commitment to the stewardship of the property. He has expanded the existing farm/woodlot from 200 acres to 500 acres.

Private forestry consultant Amanda Dow Smith has also been very involved in the management.  She has written most of Russell’s forest management plans and supervised most of the forestry cost share program activities.

What makes Russell different from the average Tree Farmer is his lifelong involvement and his investment in the land and community.  He served 18 years on the Wilton Planning Board, 9 years on the Wilton Selectman Board, and nearly 8 years as State Representative for his district. He currently serves on the state legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

Since meeting with Bob, he has been actively managing and listening to the advice of Foresters and other professionals.  He has passed this ethic on to his sons and involves his grandchildren as well.  He is the 3rd generation on the farm and, including his grandchildren, makes 5 generations.  This is a traditional working farm and woodlot and serves an example to many others. 

He has a lifelong commitment to many other groups, such as the Wilton Fish & Game Association, Wilton Lions Club, Maine Farm Bureau, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardiners Association (MOFGA), Mt. Blue Sports Boosters, and the East Wilton Union Church.  He also participated in the Franklin County, Chamber of Commerces Foot Hills Fest with a demonstration about beekeeping. The forest trails have also been used on Halloween Fun Night for Haunted Trails.

In 1997 he was awarded Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outstanding Woodlot and Logger for Franklin County. Black Acres Tree farm was the 1976, 2007 & 2015 Conservation Farm of Franklin County. In 1996 and 2007 Russell was named the Franklin County Cooperator of the Year by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (N.R.C.S.)

The farm has recently been placed within a family trust which will insure future generations have access to the property and all the resources it provides.

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

Wood: The family, including his son James, produces approximately 150 cords of firewood annually from the working forest.  There has also been a total of 135,000 bd. ft of White Pine logs, 35,000 bd. ft. mixed hardwood logs and 650 cords of pulpwood harvested over the last 5 years by a private contractor.

Balsam Fir bows and cones have been harvested for Christmas Tree Wreath production and holiday decorations.  Russell is also clearing some of the old fields and fencing them to increase the grazing acreage for his beef cattle.

He has also done: 500 of road work, 30 acres of Crop Tree Release, 10 acres Maple Sugarbush thinning, installed culverts, a large truck bridge, 5 acres of Mast Tree Release, 850  Forest Trail, 1,120 sq. ft. of stone ford for a Stream Crossing, 1 Access Control Gate, 0.4 acre of Critical Area Seeding and Mulching, 0.3 acre Pollinator Seeding, 1.5 acres of Riparian Buffer and Aquatic Wildlife Habitat.  This work was done through the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) cost share programs i.e.  Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

The Critical Area Seeding involved the Forest Trail work by seeding them down and mulching them.  The 0.3A of Pollinator Seeding involved an area that was planted to legumes, shrubs and trees to provide a variety of pollinator plants throughout the season.  The 1.5A Riparian Buffer enhancement  involved managing a 150 wide riparian area to maintain a diversity of native vegetation  (through selective thinning) to provide stream side cover and shade , retaining snag trees for wildlife, and excluding heavy equipment.

Water: The property has significant frontage on Pease Pond and has the only good access to it. There are 4 small streams that cross the property and drain into it. There are also unmapped streams on the woodlot that also drain into Pease Pond. Finally, there is a large amount of forested wetland associated with the property. Its primary use is for hunting/trapping and habitat for ducks and other waterfowl.

The Aquatic Enhancement project involves an old stone culvert that was no longer functioning.  It had collapsed and was plugged.  Water would overtop the roadway and cause erosion.  A bridge is planned for the site and the concrete abutments have been installed and Russell is working on the decking.

When finished, the bridge will not only prevent potential soil loss and water quality issues; it will eliminate a barrier to fish and other water critters moving freely along the stream.  

Wildlife including threatened and endangered species: There is an Inland Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat designation by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) abutting Pease Pond and significant parts for this property.  MDIFW recommends a harvesting of 30% of the volume in a 15 year time period.  A well distributed over story should be maintained. 

5 acres of Mast Tree Release has also been performed on the woodlot.  He has also planted: Apple Trees and White Oak for wildlife, Food Plots for deer and built numerous bird houses.

Hunting, with the use of deer stands, and trapping are allowed on the property.  There are 19 deer stands and individual hunters are assigned to them

Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites: Recreation is enhanced with the 19 tree stands for hunting and providing good access to Pease Pond for fishing and boating. Access for snowmobiling & cross country skiing is also part of his management program and over 2 miles of Interconnected Trail System (ITS) 82, for snowmobiling, cross through the property during Winter months.

There are usually 6 - 8 young hunters hunting on the property each fall.  It is meant as a way to keep the hunting the tradition alive within the community. Finally there is the Annual Squirrel Hunt at Christmas time.  It is held at the farm and is open to the public.