Autumn Snow on Chestnut Ridge photo by Stephen Simpson, www.takeavirtualhike.com

Forestry

Forests are important for a number of reasons. One is the direct correlation between healthy forests and high-quality streams. It has been documented that, as forested buffer strips are reduced, water quality declines. Protecting, maintaining,and even creating new forested corridors along streams is essential to protecting the vitality of our water resources.

Professional forestry assistance is available through the District to help woodland owners reach their management objectives while sustaining the productivity and natural beauty of the forest. The District works with private woodland owners, foresters, loggers, developers, and various agencies to provide and help implement appropriate conservation plans.

Some of the woodland management services include:

• Woodland Examination - determine the quality and quantity of trees and any problems that might exist through an on-site inventory and evaluation.

• Tree Planting/Reforestation - determine the suitability of soils to help landowners get better planting results. Tubex tree shelters can be purchased through the District at a discount.

• Habitat Improvement - help improve forest habitat for specific types of birds and animals.

• Insect/Disease Control - provide information on insect/disease problems and methods of control.

• Erosion/Sediment Control - help to develop erosion/sediment pollution control plans for those involved in harvesting and road building activities and assist with stream crossing permits.

• Tree Farm Inspections - provide inspection services and membership information on the American Tree Farm System.

• Financial Assistance - provide information on the Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship Program that can help woodland owners manage their forests wisely.

• Legal Information - provide information about the various Pennsylvania Laws (Act 319 Clean and Green Law, Clean Streams Law, and DEP's Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control regulations.

• Urban Forestry - provide information on shade tree cultivars, site selection, and insect and disease problems.

• Trees of Distinction - measure trees with unique qualities (largest of species, historical significance, etc.) and list in the county's "Tree of Distinction" database.

• Stewardship - provide information on the PA Stewardship and "S.I.P." programs. We will provide a PA Stewardship plan for a fee.

• Sustainable Forestry Initiative - provide information on SFI of PA's programs.

• Forested Buffers - provide information on the establishment of forested buffers and related cost share programs.

Money available for Forest Management Practices

If your timber harvest is on hold, waiting for the economy to recover, why not use this time to develop a forest management plan for your woodlot?

A forest management plan can ultimately make your timber more valuable by improving the health and quality of your woodlot, and insuring its long-term sustainability.

Our forester, Tony Quadro, can develop several kinds of plans for your site:

• a brief, forest management plan that provides general recommendations, based on a one-time visit to your site (this plan is free-of-charge), or
• a formal Forest Stewardship Plan, with more details and specific recommendations for your site. There is a fee for this more detailed service.

Once your woodlot has a Forest Stewardship Plan, it is eligible for money to implement some of the practices recommended in that plan, such as purchasing tree shelters to protect seedlings…reducing invasive plants…timber-stand improvement…and so on.

This money is available through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program program.   For more information on EQIP, contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service at  724-834-3970, option 3.

To request either kind of forest management plan, contact District Forester Tony Quadro, at tony@wcdpa.com or 724-837-5271. 

Please note that plans will be developed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to staff availability.  Eligible woodlots must be privately owned and non-industrial.  Other restrictions may apply.

Click here for an Erosion And Sediment Control Plan for a Timber Harvesting Operation form

Click Here for the Timber Harvest

Review Fee Schedule