All Seasons

A tree farm and forest requires work all year long. As workers we have the responsibility of caring for the trees. In return, we enjoy watching them grow and seeing the land change through all seasons and over the years.

After years of drought and mortality, in 2008 we installed a state-of-the-art irrigation system. Kell and Per Hansen laid 24 miles of drip line - the most efficient irrigation method - in rows 6 feet apart. The lines are fed from 2 miles of underground pipe, all leading back to a digital controller in the barn and a 300 foot well. Underground monitors in the fields turn on the system when water is needed, and apply just the right amount. Our goal is to prevent baby trees from dying, then to help them grow more quickly.

Weeds grow faster than trees and take precious water, nutrients, and in extreme cases even sunshine away from the baby trees! We try to control weeds all growing season with a combination of management practices.

Every rain is welcome. The three month dry spell this fall was broken with a light rain in October.

Each year every tree over 3 feet high must be sheared to give it denser foliage and a more uniform shape. Our trees are lightly pruned, deliberately creating a more open, natural look than other farms.

And, we are growing a group of balsam that are not sheared, as people have asked for this.

In the spring of 2006 we did a final "thinning" of the maturing large trees. They need enough space between them so each can get a sufficent amount of sun, water, and nutrients.

In addition to tree work, there are innumerable chores that keep us busy, and make the land more convenient and safer for you to access. A short list includes: removing stumps, grading the roads, making signs, repairing equipment, pruning mature trees and removing dead ones, eliminating poison ivy, maintaining parking areas, cutting firewood... We hope you enjoy your visit to our farm and forest.