This year’s Massachusetts Tree Farm Field Day will be held in northern Worcester County at the Feldman Family’s Tree Farm on Briggs Road in Athol on Saturday, October 20th, from 9 am to 3:30 pm.
Ben, Susie & Josh Feldman have been managing the 300 acres of woodlands on their property for more than 40 years (Susie grew up on the property) and over time have created an extensive trail network, both to manage the property and for themselves and others to enjoy. The woodlands feature some impressive stone walls and foundations, a gnome forest and educational trail, and a recently created 12-acre young forest for bird habitat.
The Field Day will have a morning tour of part of the Feldman’s Tree Farm, the annual Tree Farm picnic, and short educational updates by Felicia Andre from DCR Forest Health about current forest health concerns, by Marianne Piche from Mass Wildlife about habitat, and we hope from DOER’s Jon Parrott about wood heat.
There will also be a chainsaw carving demonstration by local artist Mark Bosworth.
Field Day Schedule:
9 am Registration, Coffee & Donuts
10 am Tree Farm Tour
Noon Tree Farm picnic
1 pm Forestry Topics
Tree Farmers of the Year presentation
2 pm Chainsaw Carving demonstration
Cost of the Field Day will be $25 per person. To make a reservation or for more information, contact Greg Cox by emailing gcox@crocker.com or call (413) 339-5526.
Directions: Briggs Road crosses Route 32 about 2 miles north of Harvard Forest in Petersham at the Petersham/Athol town line.
Take Briggs Road east from Route 32 and follow it uphill to the Feldman’s property at the end.