Are you considering having timber cut on your property in the near future? Do you have questions about the process involved or different types of equipment used to cut and remove the wood?
If so, you may want to come on the Timber Harvest Tour that will be held in Monson on Tuesday, June 12th at 9 a.m. The Massachusetts Forest Alliance and the Department of Conservation & Recreation have been holding a series of tours of active logging operations to show landowners how different types of harvest are conducted and how they can have wood cut while protecting the environmental values of their properties.
At the Monson tour, participants will visit an active harvest site and see how the work has been carried out on the ground using different types of forestry equipment. The tour will explain how to get a state permit to have timber cut, what measures are required to protect wetlands and sensitive habitats, and how timber can be harvested while protecting future growth.
The logging operation being featured uses a “cut to length” system with a mechanical processor cutting the timber and a grapple skidder to bring it to the landing to be loaded on trucks for transport to the mill.
These tours are free and open to the public. Participants should dress for the weather conditions with suitable footware for a hike on rough terrain. Participants should bring bug spray to prevent tick bites.
The tour will meet at 9 am on June 12th at the Adams parking lot in Monson center. Participants will then carpool to the actual logging site. The tour will be postponed if there is heavy rain or lightning.
Preregistration is encouraged so participants can be notified should a tour be postponed or cancelled. To preregister, call Greg Cox at (413) 339-5526 or email gcox@crocker.com .