LUDINGTON'S TIMELESS TIMBER
by Dave Wellman

In October, 2007, I had the privilege to have been contacted by a young engineer friend. In the course of dredging a yacht basin in Ludington some interesting artifacts were coming to the surface.

Garnet Johnson, engineer with Atwell- Hicks, is responsible for the environmental impact assessment at the mentioned dredge site.

 Coming up with the mud were dozens of submerged pine logs. They had been under the water and mud for approximately 120 years.

A forester, especially an old forester, would find these old logs very interesting. The logs along with the rest of the debris are scheduled to be moved to a designated landfill.

After several weeks of delays; weather, schedules and other interruptions, we finally managed to get with the engineer in Ludington to examine the logs.

Presumably these logs were harvested upstream on the Pere Marquette river watershed and driven downstream to the mills in Ludington. What a magnificent piece of Michigan history was before my eyes.

Log marks, bark marks (hacks) were evident on some of the logs. Pointed ends on some logs ... pilings? Some squared timbers ... dam building material? Three of these logs were aged, conservatively because of wear and tight rings. They were 150 to 200 years old, plus 120 years underwater. This is where it became very interesting for me. 270 to 300 years ago takes us back to the early 1700s.

I have some gold coins dated 1892. I oft-times wonder whose pocket these coins were in. But now I'm among some trees that were seedlings in the early 1700s. This got me to thinking what the heck was going on in Michigan during that time period.

1710-1720 is what amazes me the most. We were under the French flag, New France. Many different tribes of Indians, fur trading, mainly beaver, Jesuit priests, french explorers, Antoine Cadillac. Three french forts, Miami at Niles, Ponchartrain in Detroit and de Baude in St. Ignace. Cadillac had just settled Detroit in 1701 and here I am standing on this pile of logs that were seedlings while all of this was happening three centuries ago.

How sad it would be to see this amazing part of Michigan history hauled to a landfill. These logs are in jeopardy of being hauled away in the not too distant future.

Mills that specialize in sunken logs have been contacted. Custom log home builders have been contacted. All to no avail.

The logistics of trucking to Ashland, Wisconsin, the weight of each water-logged log, the possibility of drying/freezing, heirs of each log mark or those that purchased the rights to those log marks, and antiquity acts are all limiting factors. Salvage to the novice (me) seems insurmountable. One person at the job site told me "if these logs belong to someone else, tell them to get over here and get them out of our way."

Most of the logs are pine. Two large wheels (photo) were uncovered. These were obviously from a belt driven piece of machinery within the mill. A bucket of clothes pins from a woodenware factory was also recovered.

In 1870 - an E.B. Ward purchased two mills on Ludington Lake. The south mill where the dredging is taking place was said to be the finest mill in the world. One of the innovations developed by Ward to facilitate the transporting of lumber was to build several scows, each with a capacity of 700,000 board feet of lumber and towed by tugs to Chicago.

For a closer look to see what was taking place in the Ludington area in the late 1800s visit the Mason County Historical Society's Historic White Pine Village in Ludington. Contact Mr. Ron Wood, Director, for visiting hours. Office phone 231.843.4808. Incidentally, thank you Mr. Wood for providing historical information for this article.

It is estimated that 3 billion board feet of pine were sawn by the eight mills in the Ludington area during the pine era. By the end of 1870 Ludington's population was nearly 7000 residents.

A financial crash, "the panic of 1893" started the decline of the importance of Ludington as a lumber town.

Questions that came to me; This was "virgin timber?" Most of these trees average about 18" in diameter and have 16-20 rings/inch, not monster trees. Were those monsters gone? Yes, they were. The largest trees were cut first then as supply demanded the order was given to go back and cut everything. These trees originated in the early 1700's. What timber was here prior to these trees? Did a natural disaster occur - fire, wind, disease - that was responsible for the stands of timber previous to 1700?

In the mid 1870s, 1600 sawmills operated in Michigan. Records show that from 1840-1900, 161 billion board feet of pine lumber was sawn along with 50 billion feet of hemlock, cedar and hardwood that was also sawn.

Perhaps our logs were lying in wait at the Ward mill? Whatever happens to these logs, I am very happy to say I was among these remnants of early Michigan history.

TREE PLANTING
by Bryce Metcalf

Tree or shrub planting is an often overlooked management technique that can enhance a forest, reduce home heating and cooling costs, and be a sound investment for the future. Before planting begins, a landowner should have a firm understanding of what goals they hope to accomplish by planting trees or shrubs. These goals may include wildlife habitat, creating a wind break that protects a house from winter winds and the summer sun, or establishing a pine plantation.

A basic management plan should be created that includes a map of the planting area. This can be a simple hand-drawn map illustrating the planting location, row directions and key landmarks in relation to major roads and trails. It may be useful to have an aerial photo downloaded from the internet for orientation. The map and photo can be used to estimate the size of the planting area. Tree and row spacing can be estimated for the given area and then the number of seedlings needed for the planting can be determined.

For tree plantations, especially pine species, row and tree spacing is critical for management. Rows that are planted too close together will not allow for proper thinning of the plantation in the future. Row spacing is crucial for the future success of the plantation. Trees planted too close together within each row will grow slower and be un-merchantable for a longer period of time than properly spaced plantations. Trees planted too far apart will take longer to self-prune, which can lower their value due to oversized limbs and knots. Tree spacing within rows will vary depending on the species being planted. This should be provided by the nursery when the seedlings are purchased.

Spacing is also important when planting a windbreak. Space between trees should be close to provided a barrier against the wind in a shorter period of time. Two or more rows of trees are always better then one and staggering the rows will enhance the effectiveness of the windbreak. It is better to plant too many trees in a windbreak rather then too few because it is always possible to remove unnecessary trees.

Sunlight is important to consider when planting tree seedlings under mature or established trees. Shade tolerant trees need to be selected for an under-planting to be successful. Walk through the selected area prior to planting and locate openings in the tree canopy. Select these areas for planting. Try to select areas with dead and dying trees for under-planting. Dead tops, lightning scars, and woodpecker damage are good indicators. Old and dying aspen stands are good areas for under-planting white pine or white spruce. Even though shade tolerant trees can grow in low light, more light will improve the success of your seedlings. Soil information is also helpful.

Soil information can be obtained from the US Department of Agriculture Service center or Conservation District in your county. It can also be found on the internet at: http:// websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ . Soils information can be used to help determine what trees or shrubs are best suited to grow in a specific area. For example, sandy soils are typically well to excessively drained, making pines a good choice for planting. Spruces and firs can be good choices for organic or wet soils, along with shrubs such as dogwood and chokecherry. Loamy soils that are drained or well drained provide the most opportunity for planting a variety of species with much success.

The management plan should also include how the site will be prepared prior to planting. Weed control is essential for a successful planting and its importance is often underestimated. Grass is a fierce competitor of seedlings. The grass roots are within an inch of the surface and they retain most of the precipitation of a light rain. Using an over the counter herbicide is often the easiest way to control grass and other weeds. Check with your nursery or local extension agent for recommendations. Other weed control methods that work but take more time is scalping the sod with a grubby hoe or madock, or planting in a furrow created by a plow. Whatever method is used, a 3’X 3’ weed free area is recommended for each planted seedling.

Seedlings have a fragile and often under developed root system and may take 2- 3 years to become adjusted to new conditions. This condition is termed “planting shock”. Controlling grass and other weeds before planting aids in lessening the shock. Seedling establishment time can vary and water is important. Mulching in large plantings is impractical, but in small plantings, mulching can help retain moisture and control weeds.

There are many other factors to consider such as wildlife and insect damage, what size stock to select, and when to plant. Information found on the internet and advice from county extension agents and local growers can help establish a successful small planting. A consulting forester should be hired for large scale plantings. A consulting forester will be able to provide a list of recommended trees and shrubs for planting in a designated area. They can negotiate and administrator contracts with tree planting companies and provide landowners with information on cost share programs. Hiring a consulting forester can save landowners money in the long run by ensuring a successful planting.

Written by Metcalfe Forestry LLC. For more information contact Bryce Metcalfe, Consultant Forester, 989-348-3596; metcalfetimbertax@hotmail.com, www.metcalfeforestry.com

FORESTS AND FORESTRY AT THE MICHIGAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM
By Bill Botti

“I want to show that lumbering was an important industry in Michigan’s history. I also want visitors to understand that the forest products industry is still active in Michigan. That timber is renewable. People need to know that the trees are still important to our economy as well as our ecology.” So said Jo Anne Arasim of the education unit at the Michigan Historical Museum.

Jo Anne took several forestry classes in college. She has been interested in interpreting forests and forestry since we worked together on a children’s day camp focused on these topics in the summer of 2000. Since that time, she compiled a list of non-timber products that come from trees – such things as cinnamon, aspirin, cork, rayon and ingredients for chewing gum, crayons, cough syrup, hair spray and many, many more. Using these products, she has created an interactive program for school groups. “I’ve wanted to develop a stand-alone, interactive display for individual visitors that highlights these products”, Ms. Arasim told me. Enter Ms. Mary Rose Grates.

Mary Grates is a student at the Lyman Briggs School at Michigan State University studying for a degree in history, philosophy, and sociology of science with a museum studies specialization. She will also be certified by the National Interpretation Association. Mary has a strong background in the sciences and, perhaps more importantly, she grew up in a rural area where she was able to spend time in the woods. She knows trees and fields and swamps and creeks from experience as well as from books and the classroom. One of her assignments as an intern is to transform the wood products activity to a stand-alone display.

Designing the display posed a bit of a dilemma for Mary Rose. She is fine-tuning it for younger visitors. If you cater to an adult audience, the little ones won’t understand it; if you gear it to the youngest visitors the older ones will lose interest. “You can’t design something for all ages simultaneously,” Mary explained. “This is aimed at older elementary kids. It works for adults, too, but younger children need some help with it.”

The Museum offers other forestry-related activities for school groups. Jo Anne and Mary showed me how they demonstrate the height of some of the old-growth white pines with a 100-foot rope. “If the students average five feet in height, then it would take 20 of them to equate to the hundred-foot rope,” Jo Anne said. “But some of the white pines were 200 feet tall, so we have to double it. They have a five-foot-tall student lie down to show the diameter of a really big pine. Then they make a five-foot circle of rope to show the actual cross-section. “It’s amazing to see how many people can stand inside that circle.” Activities like this assist the students to visualize the size of the old growth white pines as well as being a good math exercise.”

Other topics included in the forestry activities include a lumberjack jargon game and logging camp recipes. Many teachers use the recipes for a lumberjack meal in their classrooms.

Urban forestry is another subject covered in the museum’s program.

Mary Rose has enjoyed her work at the museum. She hopes that through this work she will be instrumental in leading people to an interest and understanding of the outdoors and an appreciation of our natural resources. “I grew up around trees,” she said. “Now there are so many people, especially children, who have no relationship with trees or the outdoors. We need to change that. Kids need to spend more time outside and in the woods.”

We are fortunate to have Jo Anne and Mary Rose working for us at the Michigan Historical Museum.

TREE PLANTING
By Bill Cook
MSU Extension Service Forester

TREE PLANTING Getting trees to grow involves much more than simply sticking them in the ground. Without some thought, site preparation, and follow-up treatment, survival rates can be quite disappointing.

Many well-meaning tree planters learn these lessons the hard way.

The notion of a "nurturing nature" is largely mythical, at least if survival is any measure. The odds of a tree naturally surviving the first year are in the magnitude of billions to one. Humans can improve the odds dramatically through appropriate planning or timber harvest.

The first step is to select the correct tree species for the site and soil. Michigan has about 100 tree species and over 450 kinds of soil. Making an appropriate match is essential to success. Rarely are tree seedlings available for free. Seedlings can be purchased through County Conservation Districts or commercial nurseries.

When selecting seedlings, you'll often encounter numerical labels such as (3-0) or (2-1). These numbers refer to the total age of the seedling and, second, the number of years since a seedling was (lifted) or (wrenched). Lifting prunes the roots, concentrating root mass, so that transplanted seedlings have a better, denser root system. This gives them an edge to better survive the trauma of transplanting.

Time spent in preparing the site will greatly increase the odds of survival. For the most part, that means reducing the vegetation competition. Other plants typically outcompete trees for both light and underground nutrients. Nature presents an incredibly hostile environment.

Proper planting technique is as essential as site preparation. Roots must have a hole of an appropriate size. Long roots folded into the bottom of a hole will spell disaster down the road. Sunny, warm weather will dry out the young rootlets in short order. So, keeping seedlings shaded and cool at all times is important.

Proper spacing between trees will vary with the species, soil, equipment, reason for planting, and other factors. The closer the trees are planted, the sooner the canopy will (close) and promote better form, and competing vegetation will be shaded out earlier. However, thinning will likely be needed sooner than if the trees are planted widely.

Once the trees are in the ground, the job isn't over, unless high mortality rates are acceptable. Planting a few hundred trees requires a fair amount of sweat equity. Protecting that investment with follow-up treatment is a good idea. Keeping competing vegetation at bay is essential. Good initial site preparation will help. However, within the next five years, and until the tree is tall enough to stand above other plants, the seedlings will usually require some assistance. Remember, competition is not only above-ground for light, but also underground for nutrients.

In many parts of Michigan, seedlings will also need to be protected from deer and rabbits. Sometimes, a planting tube will work. Sometimes, a fence cage is best. Hardwoods (broad-leafed trees) need to be protected year-round. Protecting the entire tree will be necessary. Conifers are most vulnerable in the late winter and early spring. Usually, only the terminal bud needs to be protected. This can be done with a variety of commercial or home-made bud caps, or for longer needled seedlings, a couple wraps of wide masking tape in the fall will do.

Skipping any of these steps will increase the amount of mortality. The money and effort of actually planting the trees is usually considerably less than that for site preparation and seedling protection. Remember that nature loves to kill trees.

The factor we have no control over is weather. A well-planned and implemented planting can turn to dust with a drought, or wilt from an excessively wet year. A cold, windy winter with little snow can kill. Once the trees reach head-height, then a number of insects and diseases can come into play.

Its true that planting trees carries a fair amount of risk. There are no guarantees. However, following planting guidelines and maintenance will greatly improve the odds for a successful effort. Its a good thing so many people love trees enough to work at it.