West Regional OTFY: Dan Kingsbury from Washington

What makes them outstanding? 

Five Springs is a story of family, generational knowledge and good management. In an area of growing urbanization and poor soils, Five Springs Tree Farm has excelled at providing Wood-Water-Wildlife-and Recreation as a model Tree Farm. A 97 acre multiple use Tree Farm the story of the Kingsbury family management is inspirational to all Tree Farmers are continually improving as they grow timber, protect cool clean water, provide a home for wildlife and live on and enjoy their forest land. You can watch the State Tree Farmer of the Year Video for Five Springs here: https://youtu.be/HnfVqw_MqpQ

Tree Farmer story

The Kingsbury family are owners of the Five Springs Tree Farm. The tree farm has always been under professional forest management, stemming from the fact that the eldest family member is a forester. John Kingsbury has passed his forest management knowledge and skills to his children so that they may continue the level of professional forest management he began long ago. John still lives on the Tree Farm with his wife Margaret (Peggy), along with three of their children who live on the property in their own homes - enjoying the fruit of their father’s labor over the decades.

John, is now a 92 years old, and has lived a full life that includes service as a B-29 bomber navigator in World War II. He studied forestry at Washington State University in the late 1940's, and served as the regional stewardship forester covering four counties for most of his years at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

In 1955, two DNR foresters forged a partnership that continues today through their children. John Kingsbury and Donald Hopkins purchased 180 acres of cut-over land with intent to create a Christmas Tree Farm on the Kitsap Peninsula, due to the relatively slow growing soils of the glacially scarped central Puget Sound. John went on to acquire an additional 10 acres in the late 1950’s, and went to work growing his own trees. In 1984, the partnership with the Hopkins family was separated to provide independence for the growing families. The relationship between these special neighbors continues today, with the Kingsbury family managing the forest on the Hopkins Tree Farm. The 97 acre Five Springs Tree Farm is now an LLC, and is thriving under second generation management.

The day-to-day operations at Five Springs have been passed on to two sons. Timber management is done by Dan, and the Christmas Trees are managed by Doug. John maintains treasurer duties for the farm, in addition to ensuring operations meet the Five Springs family standard, which goes beyond ATFS certification standards. Dan refers to himself as a “second generation Forester” even though he worked his entire career in the local Naval Shipyard. Serving as apprentice forester to his father has developed his knowledge to what he feels is equivalent with a graduate level field forester.

Dan has overseen the harvest of 1.8 million board feet on the farm, from completion of Forest Practice Applications, to felling, skidding and bucking the trees himself. Self-loading trucks are contracted for hauling needs. Dan selectively cuts trees to optimize harvests that capture booming markets in the Puget Sound; be it telephone poles, export saw logs, stud wood or pulp. The Kingsbury family doesn’t have the luxury of a 40-year rotation, but some of the world’s finest Douglas fir timber grows here. Through good forest management and extra effort here and there, the Kingsbury’s are maximizing the forest resources on their land.

The u-cut Christmas tree operation is managed on 12 acres of the farm. Each fall the Kingsburys warmly open their tree farm to visitors who hope to find just the right tree. This annual opportunity continues to strengthen the tie between Five Springs and the ever-expanding Seattle-Tacoma area it is located near. Beyond the Christmas tree operation, other minor forest products of the tree farm are firewood and understory brush is sold to the floral and holiday greens industries.

Like with most tree farms, time is a complex phenomenon to grasp. The trees seem to grow so slow, yet still there is not enough time to complete all the projects. Five Springs Tree Farm is situated on low-site (Douglas-fir site class III) ground, meaning the trees grow slow and invasive weeds like Scotch broom and black berry grow fast. The seemingly never ending tasks are Scotch broom management and pruning the trees for improved wood quality. However, one recent accomplishment is construction of a small cabin overlooking the confluence of two creeks to move the ‘business office’ into. There just never seems to be enough time to get everything done he would like to. Dan says, “there is always more pruning, brushing and thinning I could do.”

Protecting water resources and salmon habitat are paramount to the Kingsburys. The five springs on the property and nearly 11 acres of associated riparian areas are part of the headwaters for Purdy Creek. Just a few miles south in the Burley lagoon, shellfish harvesters unknowingly take advantage of the Kingsbury’s effort to maintain high quality fresh water inflow to the salty bay. Dan says, “We have always exceeded the State requirements for protecting our water resources. I’ve never had any problems with this, it is just good management.” This can-do attitude has helped Five Springs maintain a great relationship with their current Department of Natural Resources forester.

Community involvement and education is important to this family. Five Springs has hosted the Bremerton vocational program, the South Kitsap High School FFA Chapter, Burley Bible Church and local elementary schools. 15 of their own kids have been raised and educated at Five Springs. The farm is currently home to John and Peggy, the original owners, along with Dan and Jodi, Doug and Linda, and Debbie and Randy. The kids, and now 10 great-grandkids enjoy building forts, horse back riding, hiking playing in the woods, and riding ATV’s on the trails. As the family has grown, they have used social media to remain connected with an internal family Facebook page where they share updates about the Tree Farm.

The American Tree Farm System has benefitted from John Kingsbury passing his knowledge to current inspecting foresters. In some ways, being awarded the Washington Tree Farmer of the Year seems like a recognition of this, and the next chapter in this timber family’s legacy.

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

Wood: Five Springs Treefarm operates on a sustained yield basis where timber is final harvested at the rate of about 1 acre per year. Regular on-going thinning and salvage harvest is performed. About 50-60Mbf of timber products are removed annually. These products include export and domestic saw logs, peeler logs, poles, and pulp wood. About 1MMbf of timber has been harvested from the Treefarm since ownership began in 1955. About 20-50 cords of firewood are produced annually from low value hardwoods and left over logging debris. Large and small woody debris from storms and logging activities are left on forest floor for wildlife and soil enhancement.

Water: Five Springs Treefarm includes a spring and stream water system. This small unnamed water system flows off property and joins Purdy creek which then flows into Puget Sound salt water at Purdy Wa. This water system is protected on the Treefarm by a riparian boundary. Timber harvest activities carefully follow Washington State Department of Natural Resources requirements for the riparian area protection of this water system.

Wildlife including threatened and endangered species: Five Springs Treefarm is home to abundant wildlife. Care is taken to observe but not disturb the resident creatures. Logging slash is left piled and scattered to provide for various wildlife. Snags are left scattered throughout the property to provide for woodpeckers and cavity dwellers. The riparian area, left Un-disturbed, not only protects water but provides thick cover for wildlife. Some wild life observed on the property includes Black Bear, Deer, Coyote, Bobcat, Cougar, Wild Rabbit, Squirrels and various other small animals and rodents, and numerous bird species. Our forest environment also provides habitat for a prolific insect population throughout the property.

Recreation and Aesthetics including special sites: Five Springs Treefarm has a small cabin overlooking our canyon and stream system. It is a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy. Family and neighbors regurlay walk dogs, hike and observe wildlife on the Treefarm. Wild blackberries and mushrooms are collected and enjoyed. Five Springs Treefarm offers a serene, second growth forested environment in an area of growing development.