Woodlot Ideas

The groves were God's first temples.

~William Cullen Bryant, "A Forest Hymn"

I dream of several acres of trees - indeed, perhaps even a piece of property mostly wooded.

They say that you can harvest about a cord of wood from one acre of wooded land from prunings, dead wood, thinnings and such without harming or depleting the woodlot. While we may not completely heat by wood, especially in the beginning, I definitely want a woodlot for firewood harvesting. Wood for the fireplace, wood for the fire pit (for just enjoyment or for roasting a suckling pig), wood for chips for smoking meat.

Besides firewood, I desire wood for building with. Wood for fence posts or for making compost bins or for making furniture or artwork. Wood to surround me in my home.

And, would I be able to grow sugar maples? Wild bramble berries? Delicate woodland flowers?

And, of course, a woods to just to hide in and be at peace with the trees.

Some woodlot resources:

• Working Safely in the Woods - From the National Ag Safety Database
• TN Woodlot Management Handbook - Aimed at the larger woodlot, but still many ideas that can be used or modified for a smaller one. Road building, erosion control, tree thinning and planting, and much more. Not organically aimed, but still, some very good information.
• Fact Sheet from Cornell University - A little easier to digest than the Tennessee handbook - but, of course, therefore not as in depth
• Your Celtic Tree Horoscope - A little fun. According to this site, I am a Birch: "Birch people tend to be hard-working and ambitious, with strong leadership qualities. You are generally loyal and faithful, although you may tend to hide your feelings."