The chapter has has planted single chestnut trees within the confines of the forest tract where they were easily reached and maintained . The trees were obtained from the Maine American Chestnut Foundation. The trees are grown from " nuts" obtained from Maine Blight resistant trees by the ACF thru on site pollination . The majority of the trees planted were two foot and less in size. The trees were planted in plastic tree shelters which were obtained thru the NWTF Project Help program.

Two years ago, the chapter went out and released the trees from competion. The shelters were removed. The chapter did this with pruners and saws. No chemical treatment was utilized at that time. This year, Norman Forbes and I went out and observed that several of the trees were seven foot tall. Norman is with the Maine IF and W Service located in Gray. He , and retired biologist Phil Bozenhard, have been instrumental in helping us on those state owned grounds.

Several years ago, the chapter envisioned a larger planting.

With the help of our state biologists, we located a three acre area on the tract. The soils were compatable to that needed by chestnut.

This area had been high graded in the past by loggers hired by a previous owner . Multiple stems of small diameter hardwoods in very dense stands were present, along with larger trees ten inches and more in diameter size . Because the area had been high graded and the poorer trees left, it was decided that the area need be " cleaned " of competition for easier planting as well as removing the nearby crown competition from around the chestnut seedlings.

In 2005, the Lucas Tree Experts of Portland , Maine were hired to "mow" the area with a flailing type head machine affectionatly called the " Mower". The machine can take a ten inch or less tree to the ground, as well as smaller growth. This was accomplished in a few days. Thanks to NWTF superfund monies ( $4000) and a generous donation of time from the Lucas Tree Experts, the job was accomplished. The machine does a great job, however, there is a varied amount of slash left on site and the stumps are not " straight" across as if chainsaw cut : they are pulverized. Sprouting from the residual stumps and root systems from such a practice can be three fold normal so in late August 2006, l Garlon 4 herbicide in water was applied. Sweet Fern, Red Maple, Oak, and Ash were common stump sprout invaders. Within a few days, brown out was observable and it proved the stems were in demise. again, the Lucas Tree Experts were utilized to do the work as they are licensed to do so in the state of Maine, and all labelling for the chemical was followed after approval for the practice was garnered from the biologists. Our cost was $1000: again paid for from Superfund monies which are obtained from our eleven statewide NWTF banquets. Banquet monies raised DO go to good use!

On September 17th of this year, 2006, Doug Little, Regional Biologist from NWTF, Steve Brooks , Jim Wescott, Jim Plourde, and myself from the Covered Bridge chapter assisted in planting the over 300 trees on the tract. Ten by ten spacing was attempted but the hundreds of boulders on the site above and , owch, below the ground prevented that equal spacing. The cost of the trees was over $2000, again, Superfund paid. Planting bars were used to manually plant the trees: obtained again, with Superfund monies from Musser Forests in Pennsylvania.

In 2007, we will evaluate survival from this fall planting. Since the planting, we have recieved major rain storms. The chapter will also release the trees from any competition not killed by the herbicide. We will evaluate if Roundup might be needed to kill any grassy forbes that Garlon Four did not " get" in the first round. Signs will be posted on site to prevent ATV and snowmobile traffic from abuse as well as to let the public know that NWTF is an active promoter of a tree that once graced our forests and provided a great source of food for wildlife.

The chapter plans to mark and release a site of oak nearby using the CROP TREE method of silviculture in order to demonstate an increase in crown volume combined with the radial growth essential for marketable value and acorn production.
Robb Cotiaux, NWTF Pro Staff Maine LF 2078.