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January/February 2014 1
Wisdom in the Woods
Bitterly cold winter unlikely to impact spread of forest pestsThe polar vortex that brought record-breaking cold
temperatures to much of North America this winter may have warmed hopes for a chill on the spread of forest pests. But experts say that the bitter cold may have had little impact on the emerald ash borer, mountain pine beetle and elm bark beetle.
“It takes substantially colder temperatures to cause substantial insect mortality in the middle of winter,” said Jordan Bannerman, an instructor in entomology at the University of Manitoba. “Cold weather in the fall or winter can have a larger impact. A warm spell in early spring followed by a cold snap may also cause increased
mortality, since the insects begin reducing their cold tolerance.”
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories all recorded sustained severe cold in January, with sustained lows ranging from -37C to -28C.
But it takes more than cold temperatures to kill larvae overwintering under the bark of trees.
“The actual temperatures,” said Bannerman, “that these insects experience are higher than ambient temperatures which can be misleading. It takes sustained cold to drop the temperatures under the bark. Factors like the amount
Planninga
permacultureorchard
Kirsten Benot, with daughter Kateryna, looks on as Mark Shepard assesses an open area of property for the new Restoration Agriculture demonstration project on the Prairie Heritage Farm near Gimli. The project will group different species of fruit- and nut-bearing trees together in a polyculture orchard.
For more on this story, see pages 6 and 7.
By Sheilla Jones
Continued on page 10
WAM 2014 AGMWooded lands: New directions
Saturday, March 22, 2014See pages 8 and 9
• New wood mass calculator, p 2• WAM meets with Bezan on conservation, p 3• Barkman new MFA Resource Officer, p 5
2 The Manitoba Woodlot
The Manitoba Woodlot is published six times annually as a service to the membership of the Woodlot Association of Manitoba (WAM). WAM seeks to promote an understanding of sustainable woodlot management, increase income and employment potential for the woodlot sector, promote the use of woodlot products in the place of non-renewable and imported products, and develop human resources in woodlot management. WAM represents the interests of our members within the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners (CFWO). The CFWO makes those interests known to forestry ministers at both levels of government. WAM also has a representative to the Manitoba Model Forest, another organization that promotes sustainable management of Manitoba’s wooded areas. WAM is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors, which meets monthly. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year before the end of March and is open to all members in good standing.
Woodlot Association of Manitoba Board of Directors 2013/2014
President: Irene de Graaf, Narol, (204) 661-2068
[email protected] Secretary-Treasurer:
Allan Webb, Stonewall (204) [email protected]
Past President: Len Riding, St. Malo Directors:
•Mike James, Winnipeg, Beaconia•Bob Austman, Beausejour
•Tom Dykstra, Balmoral•Bruce MacLeod, Winnipeg•Louise Matthewson, Gimli•Clint Pinder, Stony Mountain•Chris Matthewson, Oakbank
THE MANITOBA WOODLOTEditor: Sheilla Jones
Email: [email protected]: woodlotmanitoba.com
Woodlot Association of Manitoba900 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y4
With at last a break in this cold spell we’ve been experiencing these past three months, thoughts turn to our long-awaited spring. Thinking ahead to the months—and warmer temperatures—to come, now is a perfect opportunity to get your order in for nursery stock for this coming spring.
The Manitoba Forestry Association (MFA) annual seedling and tree sales program “Setting Down New Roots” continues to accept orders for the Spring of 2014.
This year we introduced a number of new species such as Villosa Lilac, Meyers Spruce, Hybrid Poplar and Hybrid Willow (all rooted stock), with some larger plug stock (grown in larger cavity plugs with greater root mass and increased caliper) as well, to assist you with your tree planting projects.
Currently, we are sold out of a number of species such as Scots Pine, Colorado Spruce, Balsam Fir, and the Villosa Lilac, and we are now starting to run low on a number of others in various plug sizes.
For more information about species availability and pricing, please check out our online store at http://www.thinktrees.org/cms.Catalog.aspx or feel free to call the MFA at 204-453-3182 to find out more or to place your order.
Happy Planting!
The Canadian Forest Service is making it just a little easier for woodlot owners to figure out how much wood they have in tree stands.
CFS is providing an on-line calculator for computing wood volume using taper models for everything from lodgepole pines to quaking aspens.
To use the calculator, you need to know only the measurement of the diameter of a standing tree at breast-height (1.3 metres above ground) and the tree species. Providing a figure for the height of the tree will produce a more accurate calculation, but it is not required.
Researchers who developed the on-line calculator are using tree taper data collected from the Canadian ENFOR program and some provinces to create a national taper model for most commercial tree species in Canada.
The calculator is available on the Natural Resources Canada website at https://apps-scf-cfs.rncan.gc.ca/calc/en/volume-calculateur-calculator.
MFA seedling sales offer new species
New wood volume calculator available on-line
January/February 2014 3
WAM directors talk conservation strategy with BezanUndeterred by stormy winter weather, WAM directors
met with Manitoba MP James Bezan to talk about the input of private woodland owners into drafting a national conservation plan.
WAM directors Allan Webb and Bob Austman met for an hour with Bezan and his constituency assistant for an hour at Bezan’s Selkirk constituency office on February 17. Bezan sits on a parliamentary Environment Committee responsible for drafting Canada’s National Conservation Strategy.
Allan and Bob, with James, started off the meeting talking about the importance of the CFWO (Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners), and presented him with a copy of the organization's mission statement and organizational structure. He was quite surprised to hear that roughly 15% of Canada’s wood supply to industrial mills comes from private land.
The conversation then turned to Canada’s National Conservation Strategy which is a ‘work in progress’. Bob pointed out that there were many non-government environmental agencies at the table for discussion and input into the plan, but no one to represent the interests of private woodlot owners.
“Involvement of private landowner groups could be a key component to the successful roll-out of a national strategy, and that could bring a higher profile for the importance of sustainable woodlot management right
across the country,” said Bob.Allan then listed the wide range of ecological goods
and services that are provided to society at large from woodlot owners.
Both Allan and Bob noted the importance of providing input into the National Conservation Strategy from a woodlot owner’s perspective. Bob stated that “it could be a win-win situation for Canada and woodlot owners to become engaged in a nation-wide tree-planting program, along with other partners, such as the transportation industry and others who emit large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere.”
James agreed, noting that there hasn’t been much traction in carbon-trading schemes in the stock market world, and nothing of much significance has been gained from “going down that road”.
Bob noted that the draft strategy has two recommendations in particular that CFWO and WAM could help achieve (Recommendations 6 and 9).
The meeting ended with an agreement that James would pass this information on to the Environment Minister Leona
Aglukkaq, with the recommendation that the CFWO or WAM be invited to further discussions when they resume in Ottawa in the spring.
Other groups at the table for the National Conservation Strategy include Ducks Unlimited, agriculture producers, and Nature Conservancy of Canada.
From the draft National Conservation Strategy:
Recommendation 6: The Committee recommends that the
Governmentof Canada work with all levels of government, industry and private
conservation organizations to implement a nation-wide, incentive-
based ecological goods and services program for the privately-owned
agricultural and forestry landscapes.
Recommendation 9: That the Government of Canada continue to build on the success of private land conservation programs such as the Habitat Stewardship Program for
Species at Risk and the EcologicalGifts Program.
Notice to Members Please note that if you have not renewed your WAM membership for 2014, this is the last issue of The Manitoba Woodlot that will be mailed to you. To continue to receive the newsletter and to benefit from membership in the only organization in Manitoba representing the interests of private woodland owners, you can fill out the membership form on page 11 or you can go on-line to renew at
woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.
4 The Manitoba Woodlot
January/February 2014 5
I am the new Resource Extension Officer with the Manitoba Forestry Association, and I’d like to introduce myself.
I grew up in southeastern Manitoba, went to high school in Ottawa, and completed university with a forestry degree in Thunder Bay in 2003. Since then, I have held various forestry positions with industry, consultants, contractors, and the provincial government.
My experience includes involvement in tree planting, trail and harvest block layout, forest inventory, as well as pest, disease, and thinning surveys. I am quite thankful I chose forestry as a profession as it not only helps provide for my family and me, but also keeps my lungs fresh, legs strong, and sometimes humbles my sense of direction.
When I am not somewhere out in the sticks, I am usually with my wife and three children, going to various school and YMCA activities, or visiting family out in the country. I found that in order to keep up with my active kids, I pursue a passion in running, biking, and swimming. I also enjoy bringing my kids to the occasional cultural event to expose them to traditional song and dance.
In December of 2013, I took the position as Resource Extension Officer with the MFA and I’m very excited about this new opportunity. Through the MFA and the Private Land Resource Planning Program, I look forward to using my experience to aid landowners in achieving their vision, which in turn will benefit the landscape today as well as for future generations.
I can be reached at the MFA office at 204-453-3182, by cell at 204-330-7495, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Barkman new MFA resource officer
Kevin Barkman
6 The Manitoba Woodlot
Imagine serving up poached Asian pears with fresh walnuts, both of which you’ve harvested from your orchard in Gimli. A fruit and nut orchard is just one of the ideas Kirsten and Dan Benot are planning for their Prairie Heritage Farm five miles north of Gimli.
“We’re designing a berm,” said Kirsten, “that will block the cold northwest winds and create a cozy place warmed by the sun. No one is growing black walnut commercially yet in Manitoba but wouldn’t it be great if you could harvest walnuts.”
The idea, said Kirsten, is to create a microclimate zone to support fruit and nut trees that would not normally thrive in the Interlake.
“Asian pears are hardy for Zone 4, and that’s about as risky as we’re going to get. We decided against American chestnuts because it’s too wet on our farm.”
The 72-acre farm the Benots bought four years ago is covered by mixed forest and native prairie grassland, but does not have any cultivated fields. It is not a traditional farm, said Kirsten, but rather a polyculture farm that integrates perennial plantings, mixed orchards and livestock. The livestock generates revenue, but also is expected to work on the farm.
“We have Old English Southdown sheep, a Heritage breed that is 24-inches at the shoulder. They are wonderful for grazing orchards and vineyards. And we’re preparing to have cattle this fall.”
Prairie Heritage Farm is an example of permaculture farming, a method of food production that is catching on around the world. It is more like the traditional mixed farming practices on the Prairies at the turn of the 20th century than the high-input monoculture practices of today. But it is work-intensive.
“It is work to get established,” said Kirsten, “but when you plant a polyculture system, you are not creating an ‘all you can eat buffet’ for pests that you get with a monoculture.”
Fortunately, the Benots have been getting expert advice and government funding assistance to create a demonstration plot on their farm to put their ideas into practice. One of their advisers was Mark Sheperd, a permaculture expert from Wisconsin, who helped them draw up plans for berms and ponds on their land.
“Mark is an advocate of the STUN method of farming,” said Kirsten, a technique she describes with a chuckle as relying on “sheer, total and utter neglect” by using livestock and plantings to control weeds and leaving nature to do most of the work. “Mark’s method of weed control is to plant a variety of beneficial trees to attract pollinators, and under the trees, plant daffodils that will out-compete grass and weeds.”
Kirsten said that Mark cuts and sells his daffodils to florists, but she is looking at other weed control methods, especially since keeping weeds down in developing orchards is an on-going challenge. Kirsten said she is experimenting with rhubarb.
“I noticed that grass doesn’t grow under rhubarb leaves, so last year I planted it under our fruit trees as natural mulch. It
was a success last season, and I’ll see how it works this year.”
The Benots will be getting more expert advice on their permaculture farm in May, when Austrian permaculture specialist Sepp Holzer, three of his senior students and two translators will spend a week at the Gimli farm. It is the only Canadian stop of Holzer’s North American tour.
“Creating microclimates is Sepp’s hallmark,” said Kirsten. “He has a lemon orchard in the Austrian Alps. Sepp is passionate about fruit trees, and he’ll explain why
By Sheilla Jones
Establishing a little orchard on the prairies
Grazing Old English Southdown sheep help the Benots keep grass and weeds under control.
January/February 2014 7
he doesn’t believe in pruning, his various methods of pest control and how to prevent damage by deer.”
Part of the philosophy of permaculture systems is expanding on what grows naturally on the farm, such as native hazelnut.
“We have acres of wild hazelnut on our property, but the nuts are very small. I’m hoping that if we plant Zone 4 hazelnuts, we’ll have larger nuts. With all the hazelnuts we have growing on our property now, I’m sure they’ll do well.”
Funding for the Prairie Heritage Farm demonstration project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Manitoba, this program is delivered by the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council.
The Woodlot Association of Manitoba is a contributing supporter of the Prairie Heritage Farm demonstration site.
Black walnuts are well adapted to southern Ontario, and some grow in Manitoba. The trees produce edible nuts, but they are rarely gathered for eating except by persistent foragers.
The early pioneers in Ontario highly valued the rich-tasting nuts and put away many sacks of them each year. Each farmstead had its own orchard of fruit and nut trees to provide it with its source of winter food. But the interest in black walnuts all but disappeared when easier to crack Persian walnuts became common in the grocery stores.
The black walnut industry is alive and well in Stockton, Missouri, where millions of pounds of walnuts are processed each year. However, the entire crop is marketed domestically, with almost nothing left over for export.
Society of Ontario Nut Growers
BLACK WALNUTS
8 The Manitoba Woodlot
WAM has been adapting to the changing realities faced by Manitoba’s woodlot owners, which means new directions and new resources. The time may come again when sawing lumber is the primary focus of utilizing wooded lands, but right now, WAM is looking at all the other resources that can be derived from woodlots and is developing new programs to help landowners benefit from their wooded lands. Come to the AGM and be a part of the discussion.
WAM AGM↑
Member voting rights: All WAM members in good standing are eligible to vote on WAM AGM business, and to be nominated for the WAM board. Nominations for the board can be made from the floor at the AGM. If you would like to let your name stand or find out more about the role of a director, contact President Irene de Graaf at 204-661-2068.
You can renew your membership on-line by going to woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.
WAM 2014 AGMWooded lands: New directions, new resources
Providence UniversityCollegeMAP for AGM
• Business meeting: Howison Room #20
• Lunch: South Meeting Room #20
Parking
January/February 2014 9
If you’re looking to sell woody biomass or buy woody biomass, then you’ll want to hear about the Biomass Brokerage from the man who is the brains behind it. Bruce Duggan will explain how the brokerage works and how you can use it to buy and sell your woody biomass.
When: Saturday, March 22, 2014Where: Howison Room, Reimer Student Life Centre Providence University College, Otterburne, ManitobaCost: $20, including morning coffee and lunchRegister on-line: woodlotmanitoba.com/events/wam-2014-agm/
AGENDA
• 9:30-10:30: Coffee and registration
• 10:30-12:00: Business meeting: · President’s Report: Irene de Graaf · Treasurer’s Report: Allan Webb · Communications Report: Sheilla Jones · Wood-Wise 101 Report: Chris Matthewson Presentations: · Manitoba Forestry Association · Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners · Manitoba Model Forest Election of 2014 WAM board
• 12:00-1:00: Roast chicken dinner, served in the South Meeting Room, Reimer Student Life Centre
• 1:00: Feature Speaker: Bruce Duggan, Director, Buller Centre for Business
• 2:00: Tour of The Barn, home to a Blue Flame Stoker biomass furnace and the distributed biomass-heating system for Providence. The Barn is a short walk from the student centre.
Directions: Providence University College is in Otterburne, which is 5 km west of Hwy 59 on Rd 303. Otterburne is about 40 km south of Winnipeg. For parking, please use the north parking lot. Attendees may park in Rows B or C. There are electrical outlets that they are welcome to use.
WAM 2014 AGMWooded lands: New directions, new resources
Providence UniversityCollegeMAP for AGM
• Business meeting: Howison Room #20
• Lunch: South Meeting Room #20
Bruce Duggan
The Barn at Providence.
10 The Manitoba Woodlot
Why become a member of WAM?
As a member you will be promoting active stewardship of Manitoba’s privately owned woodlands, woodlots and family forests. You will also receive a great deal, including:
—A bi-monthly newsletter, complete with up-to-date information of upcoming events, current woodlot/forestry/conservation issues, and wood products/services available in your area. The Manitoba Woodlot newsletter can be mailed to a Canadian address or accessible on-line to members only in advance of being made available to the public. On-line access saves WAM the costs for postage and printing, and members can view the newsletter in colour. View past issues of The Manitoba Woodlot at woodlotmanitoba.com/newsletter.
—Special members-only rates for events and workshops.
—Opportunities to participate in field days, demonstrations, conferences, workshops and meetings on topics related to woodlot management.
—Free classified ads in The Manitoba Woodlot.
—If you operate a commercial woodlot or agrowoodlot, the WAM membership fee is a tax deductible business expense.
—Membership in WAM is open to individuals and businesses. Dues are $30.00. Those interested in membership can telephone (204) 467-8648, or apply/renew membership on-line at woodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.
of snow in forests and tree density are also important in determining temperatures experienced by the larvae.”
Where sustained cold does impact insect mortality, noted Bannerman, it affects more than just damaging pests.
“Although in the case of the emerald ash borer the cold weather may have caused some mortality, the mortality to the natural enemies that are being used as an attempt to control their populations will also experience significant and potentially higher levels of mortality. This is likely relevant for both the mountain pine beetle and elm bark beetle as well.”
While extreme weather events, such as record-setting cold temperatures, may raise hopes for a natural constraint on insect populations, Bannerman said this winter has not likely had much impact beyond those experienced in an average winter.
“Really, the take-home message is that although these periods of cold weather likely killed some insects, these insects are cold-adapted. And it is highly unlikely that these weather events will have any influence on the movement of these insects and their population sizes.
There is no evidence of the mountain pine beetle spreading into Manitoba; however, it may be only a matter of time. The beetle was at one time confined to lodgepole pine forests in the BC mountain regions, but it has now developed a taste for jack pine, a staple of the northern boreal forest. Jack pine stands cover about two-thirds of Manitoba's land mass.
Scientists conducting genomic research have confirmed that the mountain pine beetle (MPB) “just loves jack pine”.
“Scientists expect the beetle to continue expanding its
Continued from front page
Bitter cold has little impact on forest pests
Really, the take-home message is that although these periods of cold weather likely killed some insects, these insects are cold-adapted.
January/February 2014 11
Membership Application for 2013/14
Membership fee 2014 $30.00Renewal fee 2014 $30.00
NameMailing Address
EmailTelephone
I am particularly interested in the following:
Firewood and biomass energyWildlife habitat enhancementSoil and water conservationLand stewardshipRecreation, eco-tourismWood products, logging, sawmillsSpecialty or non-traditional products (i.e., berries, mushrooms, maple syrup)Christmas treesAll of the above
Would you like to receive your copy of The Manitoba Woodlot via email?Yes No
Do you require a receipt? Yes No (WAM provides receipts only upon request.)
Thank you for becoming involved and for supporting Manitoba’s privately owned woodlands, woodlots and family forests.
Mail to:Woodlot Association of Manitobac/o Allan Webb, Secretary-TreasurerBox 43Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0
You can sign-up on-line by going towoodlotmanitoba.com/about-us/membership.
Advertising RatesSpecial display ads + webcard packagesThe Manitoba Woodlot, six issues/year + webcard/year on woodlotmanitoba.com
• Full page + webcard: $810 + $60 • Half page + webcard: $480 + $70 • Quarter page + webcard: $270 + $75• Business card + webcard: $210 + $80
Contact [email protected] more details.
geographic range, moving into the boreal forest and Canada’s northern and eastern pine forests,” according to Natural Resources Canada. “Today the MPB occurs well beyond its historic range, extending into northern British Columbia and eastward in the boreal forest of north-central Alberta. Not just limiting itself to lodgepole pine any longer, the beetle is also reproducing in jack pine, the dominant pine species of the boreal forest.”
The mountain pine beetle infestation has decimated 18-million hectares of forests in BC, and crippled independent lumber businesses across the country as provincial governments slash stumpage fees to get rid of the dead and diseased trees as fast as possible.
12 The Manitoba Woodlot
Publications Mail Agreement No. 41591026Return undeliverable Canadian addressed copies to:Woodlot Association of Manitoba900 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y4
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE1985 John Deere 544C 100 HP Wheel Loader for sale. 4 wheel drive, 3855 hours showing, rebuilt engine and transmission in 2011, 2nd owner, includes log forks (5' long), hydraulic grapple and large (4 yard) quick attach bucket. Perfect for loading and unloading logs/lumber, moving snow, pallets and general construction. 1st owner used it for a sawmill, 2nd owner for loading firewood and logs. Reason for selling: more tractor than I need. Contact Clint at 204-453-7788 or [email protected]. Asking $24,000 OBO.
Nyle 200 Kiln complete with controls and two fans, $2500. Call Len at 204-423-2180.
Moulder/Planer, 4-headed. Over $9,000.00 in tooling (v joint, flooring, 6 different casing knives, etc.). Blower unit, electrical, 2004 cat, generator, 60kw. Knives and profiles included. In excellent condition. Buyer could be set up and running in one day. Asking $30,000.00. Call (807) 344-7514.
1999 Model LT 40 Wood-Mizer Sawmill. Includes 33 HP Kubota diesel motor, power feed, power up/down, debarker, auto clutch, shingle maker, and lapsider, Lubemizer. Cuts to 36”
diameter, 21’ long; with bed extension up to 27’. Comes on wheels. Excellent condition. Asking $18,900.00. Telephone (204) 429-2135.
All sizes of slasher, sawmill and cord wood new blades. Resharpening used 22”/42”/48”/50” sawmill blades and 26” cord wood blades. Skate sharpener, chipper, blower, debarker, planer, circular sawmill, bandsaw mill, feller buncher ($200,000.00). Used drum roll band saw sharpener ($250.00). All types of saw blade sharpening equipment. 592 Talbot Ave., Winnipeg. Contact Norm at Dr. Saw (204) 667-6373 or see www.drsaw.ca.
EQUIPMENT WANTEDSawmill equipment and saw blades any size, shape and condition. If you want to sell/buy logs, lumber and sawmill equipment, we can provide you with contacts. 592 Talbot Ave., Winnipeg. Contact Norm at Dr. Saw (204) 667-6373 or see www.drsaw.ca.
SERVICESManitoba hardwoods. Elm, ash, maple custom cutting with Wood-Mizer mill. Bob Gass, McCreary, (204) 835-2631.
Saw blade repair/sharpening. We roll, tension, straighten and balance saw blades (instead of hammering). All types
of saw blades and tools sharpened. Weld all types of carbide tip saws (Slasher and Feller Buncher teeth). 592 Talbot Ave., Winnipeg. Contact Norm at Dr. Saw (204) 667-6373 or see www.drsaw.ca.
SAWLOGS WANTEDInterested in purchasing any type of saw log you have available. Contact Roger in Roseile at (204) 828-3386.
FIREWOOD LOGS WANTEDWanted: Firewood logs delivered and unloaded in Stony Mountain area. 16' long or longer, tamarack preferred but open to other species. Ideally 16" at stump end but will accept 8" to 20" at stump end. Contact Clint at 204-453-7788 or [email protected]. Cash or business cheque paid per load.
LUMBER FOR SALETimber Quota 41 cords softwood annual allowable cut $4500. Call Len at 204-423-2180.
Hardwood lumber: oak, ash and basswood. Air dried. Various sizes and prices. Contact Roger in Roseile at (204) 828-3386.
MISC. FOR SALETwo cases of mesh tree guards, with 500 per box. Price 20-cents per guard. Contact Barry at 204-423-2273.
Classified ads are free for WAM members.
