Cut will improve habitat for grouse, health of forest, support economy
PATTEN — Elliotsville Plantation has completed a timber harvest of about 200 acres on land it owns east of Baxter State Park.
“The timber harvest will improve habitat for ruffed grouse. In addition, the cut is part of our integrated pest management plan, will improve the overall health of the forest while also supporting the local economy,” said Lucas St. Clair, president of the board of directors for Elliotsville Plantation.
Contributed photo
TREE TALK — Mark Leathers, left, a forester with James W. Sewall Company, briefs EPI President Lucas St. Clair on the harvest.
Long-term habitat management plans also include work to improve conditions for white tail deer. The harvest, which began June 6, was in T4R7 about seven miles west of Patten. The harvest was administrated and supervised by James W. Sewall Company and the logging contractor was Carver Brothers Logging from Patten. The harvest yield was about 1,500 cords.
“Our forester worked closely with Carver Brothers on the cut, and we’re very pleased with the it,” St. Clair said. “Carver Brothers brought an incredible level of expertise and care to the operation, and have done a tremendous job of creating areas to support ruffed grouse and improve the condition of the remaining timber in the area.”
The primary harvest species were balsam fir and quaking aspen. Material from the harvest was sent to Verso, Great Northern Paper, Lincoln Paper and Tissue, Asia Pulp and Paper and Gardner Chipping Facilities.
Elliotsville Plantation was established in 2002 as a private operating foundation for the acquisition and conservation of land and the preservation of open space for the benefit of the public and the conduct of educational and stewardship programs. The foundation now manages more than 100,000 acres of wild forest and coastal lands in northern, north central and Midcoast Maine.
