WORKING SAFELY IN THE WOODS  
By Rick A. Lucas Conservation District Forester

A recent visit to a timber harvest nearing completion prompted the subject matter of this article and reminded me just how dangerous working in the woods can be. Having grown up in a family of loggers, I am no stranger to the harsh reality of bad judgment or lack of attention to detail when working in the woods. This is one working environment that is most unforgiving. On the other hand, I have had the good fortune to learn lessons about some of the hidden dangers in the woods that no textbook could possibly teach you.

Working in the woods can certainly be satisfying and rewarding as a profession and as a woodland owner. For the land owner, one of the joys of owning and managing woodlands is working in your woodlot. For some, this may include designing and laying out their own access trail system, thinning firewood material, planting trees and shrubs, applying wildlife habitat enhancement measures, and, in some cases, even harvesting their own timber. Just as with any other business or farm operation, safety "on-the-job" in the woodlot is both necessary and should become second nature.

It was during my walk through the property with the landowner that we discovered a particular stump created as a result of this harvest. Unlike all the other stumps created, this stump had a story to tell. And, unlike the story that can be read by looking at the annual rings of the cross-section, this stump exposed one of the hidden dangers of the woods.

Once standing, and now lying before us, was a massive red oak tree exceeding thirty inches in diameter on the stump. From a distance, it appeared as a log waiting to be gathered and forwarded to the landing. Upon closer observation, a whole different story was beginning to unfold.

Because of the size of the tree, a chainsaw was needed to fell this giant. To the untrained eye, it wouldn't have been so obvious to see that the logger had something else in mind when felling this tree. It was at this point, that I began to explain to the landowner my "read" on what likely happened here and how serious the situation could have been to someone far less experienced.

Before making the first cut to fell the standing tree, the logger had to consider various factors that would influence how to fell this tree. The large diameter of the tree would require a saw bar length capable of handling a tree this size. And, because of the sheer diameter of the tree, special cutting techniques that only a specialist would know, would have to be taken in account.

The next thing the logger likely did was to check for any lean in the tree that would influence its felling direction. Trees with a slight lean are best, as the lean helps place the tree. Trees with severe lean are very dangerous to fell because the tree moves in the leaning direction too quickly and the inexperienced operator has a tendency to retreat away from the tree too quickly before cutting the tree far enough. The result is a splitting at the base and creation of what is referred to as a "barber chair". Barber chairs in this case are very dangerous and pose a severe threat of striking the operator with terrific force.

Next, the logger had to evaluate the tree for soundness by looking for signs of rot, including loose bark, fine "sawdust" particles at the base of the tree, or large holes in the trunk at any height. Trees usually rot from the center sometimes leaving only a shell of sound wood. Herein lies a very serious hidden danger and one that came into play in this situation. More about that later.

My conversation with the landowner continued by explaining that the distribution of the tree's crown can also effect the felling direction. Large limbs creating an uneven distribution in the crown can pull a tree in a particular direction. Equally important is the need to note any trees in the felling direction that may "catch" or twist the tree as it falls thus influencing the flight of the tree.

I continued by pointing out to the landowner that environmental factors also had to be taken into consideration. Wind is the most important environmental concern. The effect of wind is more pronounced on trees with large crowns. The inexperienced operator should avoid felling trees on very windy days.

Lastly, I pointed out the need for the operator to evaluate the general terrain in the working area. The terrain can have an effect on the felling direction of the tree, as well as, an impact on the tree's reaction to hitting the ground. Clearing all brush around the base of the tree before beginning to cut is imperative. This allows greater freedom of movement and makes it easier to move away once the tree begins to fall.

Getting back to our particular situation, the bottom section of the tree left behind contained only a shell of sound wood. Upon closer observation of this stem section, there were no obvious outward clues that this tree was rotten inside. Granted, an experienced operator can tell while cutting, when a tree is rotten inside regardless of the outward signs. The more important point here is, even the trained eye can be deceived when making this initial evaluation and controlling the task at hand.

Trees that are unsound are the most unpredictable to fell. The all important hinge and holding wood that allows the operator to control the direction of fall during the backcut many times becomes ineffective as the tree breaks free. As a result of this hidden danger, the tree falls uncontrollably to the ground away from its predetermined target. The experienced operator would likely not panic in this situation. However, to the inexperienced operator, even on a much smaller diameter tree, this can easily turn into a very dangerous situation.

Working in the woods can certainly be satisfying and rewarding for woodland owners. Just remember to always work safely and stay alert recognizing that hidden dangers are present. Advanced planning and common sense are key. Before undertaking any activity in the woods, it is advisable to first discuss it with a professional forester.

A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF MICHIGAN'S WORST WILDFIRES
by Bill Botti 

This is the second installment in our series of quotes from Forest Fires and Fire Control in Michigan by J. A. Mitchell and D. Robson published in 1950 by the Michigan Department of Conservation in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. In the previous issue we published Mitchell & Robson's account of the fires of 1871, Michigan's first recorded catastrophic fires.

The Thumb Fire of 1881  "...While not as extensive as the 1871 fire. the fire of September 1881, commonly known as the Thumb fire, was even more severe and did more damage since settlers had been pouring into the region and logging had gotten under way. As a result, many more people were rendered homeless and the loss was greater. It is estimated that this fire burned well over one million acres, cost 282 lives, and did more than two and a quarter million dollars worth of damage." 

"Like the 1871 fire, the fire of 1881 came at the end of an extremely severe drought and was the result of hundreds of landclearing fires whipped into a seething cauldron of flame by high winds. It was worse in the Saginaw Valley and the Thumb region where it burned over much the same territory that had burned over ten years before. Its severity is accounted for not only by the drought and high winds that prevailed, but by the fact that the country was full of slash from logging and land clearing, and of dead and down timber killed, but unconsumed, by the fire of 1871.

"No one who has not experienced a big forest fire can conceive of the appalling conditions which occur and the terror and helplessness of those in its path. The following excerpts from contemporary accounts give some idea of the conditions that prevailed:

'From the `Evening News,  Detroit:

'Thursday, September 1, 1881: The drought all over the Mississippi Valley and throughout the northwest continues with unabated rigor. Sun spots noted... Atmosphere scorches and blisters everything.... vegetation dried to a cinder, gives nothing but material for fire. Trees shedding their leaves a month before the usual time; grass brown and withered. Pastures and streams dried up. Milk scarce, butter a luxury. If it does not rain and rain hard soon, food will be scarce this winter.... Buyers paying the unheard price of 18 and 20 cents a pound for butter.'

'Saturday, September 3: Farmer near Stark overcome while fighting fire and burned to death.'

'Tuesday, September 6: Woman burned to death while fleeing for shelter near Lapeer... Kawkawlin in danger.... terrible fires reported raging in the forests northwest and north of Bay City ... air full of cinders ... people suffering from heat and smoke ... Fires devastating the woods around Flint.' 'Saginaw: Intensely warm and smoke suffocating. East of city forest fires raging fiercely. Travel on Waterville plank road cut off... hundreds of acres afire. Fires plainly visible from the city at night ... Indian settlement surrounded ... Heavy fires reported in Blumefield and Bridgeport townships.'

'Detroit: Heat and drought almost unprecedented. Throughout the timber regions great forest fires are raging in all directions from the Mississippi to the ocean. In many places the earth is so dry that fires have penetrated into the soil, following the vegetable fibers and moving mysteriously by this means over many miles only to break to the surface in a destroying conflagration wherever the surface vegetation furnishes fuel. (Fires) seem to break out spontaneously from the bosom of the earth.

'Port Huron: No telegraphic communication north of Cromwell. Port Hope reported burned and Port Austin and Island Beach believed to be burning. Tremendous fires in Sanilac and Huron counties ... Richmondville destroyed and Deckerville reported burned ... Eight lives known to have been lost. Many people horribly burned.'

'Wednesday, September 7, 3:00 p.m.: Wholesale devastation in Saginaw Valley and Huron peninsula. Entire townships become roaring furnaces and left in ashes ... Over 30 lives lost ... survivors fleeing to the lake. Tyne, Deckerville, Bad Axe, Verona Mills, Elk Creek, Richmondville and Cato burned. Forestville on fire. Railroad and telegraphic communications cut off.'  '4:00 p.m.: At least 100 lives lost in Sanilac County alone. Men, women and children burned on the roadside while seeking shelter. A norther sets in, fans flames and increases havoc. Medical aid and other succor needed. Six counties (Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac, Genesee, Montcalm, and Saginaw) have suffered. Villages of Port Hope, Bad Axe, Verona Mills, Charleston, Minden, Forestville, Richmond, Anderson, Deckerville, Tyre and Ubley in ashes. Fifty to sixty dead... more being found in cellars, wells and root houses.'

'Thursday, September 8: Several hundred lives known to be lost ... thousands left homeless ... principal destruction in Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties... fires started from burning by settlers ... forest fires reported in the vicinity of Holland and in Isabella County ... west wind of Monday and Tuesday changed to north Wednesday.'

'Friday, September 9: The worst ever: Thirty-one townships and eleven villages swept by the flames ... 45 bodies found near Paris in Sanilac County ... fire started in N. W. part of Sanilac County and in adjoining Huron county from settlers burning to clear land.... spread east and north to the lake shore, then west through Grant in Huron County, then south and southwest, then east across Cass River where it met another part of the fire and raged for twelve hours ... 500 to 600 dead (an overestimate) 2,000 families homeless, 15,000 destitute.'

'A later estimate placed the number of dead at 282, of which 167 were identified. The appalling thing about this loss of life was the large number of children involved due to whole families being wiped out. A current estimate placed the property loss at two and a half million dollars, $75,000 to standing timber, fences, and fruit trees in Sanilac County alone.'

"Governor David H. Jerome twice sent out calls for relief and over three-quarter million dollars was raised. An interesting sidelight is that this was the first national calamity in which the newly organized American Red Cross participated as a relief agency."

FOREST POTPOURRI

MSU, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN PARTNERS IN BROOK LODGE Pharmacia & Upjohn (P&U) is discussing with MSU the donation of P&U' s Brook Lodge property near Augusta. Under terms of a preliminary agreement announced Sept. 16, the 80-acre Brook Lodge property and 557 acres of largely undeveloped land surrounding the lodge would be donated to MSU as an environmental and conference resource to serve the needs of southwest Michigan.

The undeveloped property, joined with other MSU properties, will constitute one of the largest contiguous natural habitats in the Lower Peninsula. The lodge property adjoins Kellogg Biological Forest, just south of the Kellogg Biological Station. MSU currently leases a portion of the lodge property for forestry research.

"MSU is delighted to be selected by Pharmacia & Upjohn to develop a plan to serve the regional needs of higher education institutions, public service organizations and private companies," said President Peter McPherson. "MSU's diverse array of research, educational and outreach programs will be well served by the addition of Brook Lodge."

Brook Lodge is located north of Augusta, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. The property includes overnight cottages with a total of 47 guest facilities and meeting accommodations within a 13-building complex. The undeveloped land comprises hills, forests, wetland meadows and lakes.

"We selected MSU to preserve the historical aspects of the lodge property, while serving the conferencing and educational needs of our entire region," said Donald R. Parfet, senior vice president and Kalamazoo site manager. "We believe this agreement provides for the future of Brook Lodge and is in line with our strategy to make cost-effective use of our assets.

"It is the intent to have our joint plans developed before the end of the calendar year 1999," Parfet said. Russell Mawby, former member of the MSU Board of Trustees and resident of Augusta, said as a resident and because of his long-term relationship with MSU, the prospect of Brook Lodge becoming a part of the University is very exciting.

"The conference facilities at Brook Lodge are superb, as are the resources of the nature preserve," Mawby said. "They will enhance the capacity of the University programs of graduate and undergraduate education, continuing education, research and outreach. "The future for the Brook Lodge property also seems consistent with the vision of W.E. Upjohn in establishing this preserve," Mawby said.

WHAT IS A HEALTHY FOREST? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends upon the values that you place upon the forest. In order to simplify our assessment of forest health, the National Forest Health Monitoring Program developed the following measures to describe the health of the forest:

Ecosystem Sustainability: is the ability to maintain the desired condition.

Productivity: Physical output per unit of time for commodity and non-commodity products. Board feet of timber, wildlife demographics or the ability of a stand to sequester carbon are all examples of productivity.

Biodiversity: Species richness and species abundance. Habitat suitability index would fall into this category.

Aesthetics: Big trees and hardwoods are valuable. People like to look at big trees while saplings are often viewed negatively by the public. This certainly confounds this measure.

Extent of Ecosystems: How many acres of condition X do we have?, how much do we need?

How Healthy are Michigan's Forests? Forest stressors such as drought, storms, late spring frosts, diseases and insects coupled with the age of various forest types have played a significant role in shaping Michigan's forests. Some forest types show significant signs of decline while others appear healthy and productive.

Northern pin oak in the Northern Lower Peninsula is in a state of decline and has, been since the early 1990's. Oaks growing on better sites are for the most part healthy and vigorous.

A white birch decline detected earlier this decade is showing significant sign, of recovery in standing trees, especially on richer less disturbed sites. However, birch continues to be a very difficult species, to regenerate.

On the other hand, northern hardwood. a type dominated by sugar maple continue, to grow healthy and contributes significantly to Michigan's overall forest health. Generally, our forests are quite healthy and productive! Local problem areas do occur in types that are beyond pathological rotation age. This is especially true in "even aged" stands. Foresters are now attempting to mitigate age class distributions to reduce risk. Forest stressors add to declines sometimes exacerbating an already difficult situation to manage.

(DNR ) WILDFIRE PROTECTION While this may reach you at a time when snow covers the ground, we are just a few months away from the most critical wildfire season of the year. With our recent mild winter patterns and less snowfall in recent years, some wildfires are occurring even earlier than in past years, so the need for public awareness need to be stated earlier as well.

The following statement by the MDNR is a good reminder that only a thin force of fire professionals stands between many of us and fiery disasters.

"Although overall responsibility for wildfire suppression and prevention in the state rests with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and local volunteer fire departments provide significant assistance to this effort. The backbone of the wildfire suppression operation is a force of highly trained fire fighters equipped with modern specialized heavy equipment designed for this rugged assignment. The majority of these wildfires occur during April, May and June with minor occurrences the rest of the summer and fall."

"Aircraft are used for fire detection purposes. These detection aircraft provide early warning of fires and an accurate description of its location and behavior. This offers an additional measure of safety to the fire fighters on the ground."

"Aggressive fire prevention efforts are targeted at many areas. A computerized program allows fire personnel to focus these efforts in areas of high fire occurrence and high property values."

"A growing nationwide concern for fires in areas where cities and wildlands meet is of similar concern in Michigan. Every year buildings are lost due to wildfire. Michigan's Stephan Bridge fire in 1990 destroyed 76 homes and 125 other structures in one afternoon. Michigan State government has accepted the challenge to reduce the wildfire risk associated with this city/wildland interface and is currently developing (suppression tactics)."

You, too, are part of the picture- one of being safe or being in danger. Most fires are man-caused. Don't be one of those that cause a fire in your backyard. You have much to lose.