Forest Services

CERTIFIED TREE MARKING

The majority of woodlots in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Forest Region of Ontario are capable of growing high quality hardwood sawlogs and veneer. The most predominant management system in this area is the Selection Silvicultural System. This system requires that approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of all trees are maintained during each cutting cycle which can vary from 15 to 20 years depending on growth rates. This management system requires that all trees to be removed during a cutting cycle be identified using tree marking paint. Tree marking is as much a science as an art and the Province of Ontario has developed a course to teach any interested individuals the basics. Any and all individuals who pass the tree marking course are further required to also pass a certification audit and obtain a minimum of 90%. If this requirement has been met all certified tree markers must adhere to a Code of Ethics during the performance of their duties.

Tree marking serves many purposes which include providing a method to ensure that only trees that are marked are cut, thereby ensuring that the silvicultural objectives of the landowner are met. It also provides for the calculation of the total volume to be harvested (if required) so that the landowner can have an idea of revenues. But most importantly it ensures that your forest is managed sustainably, fish and wildlife habitat is protected and enhanced, tree quality and future value is increased, water quality is protected and ensures that your objectives as a woodlot owner are met or exceeded. FREE estimates provided.

At present, our tree marking service is strictly limited to only patented land. Two Guys A Chainsaw And A Truck only employs Provincially certified tree markers. I have been involved in tree marking since 1975. We are striving to meet or exceed the standards set by Smart Wood Certification (Green Wood) on your woodlot and when practical (cost wise) become certified resource managers under their umbrella. For more information on Smart Wood check out their website, Smart Wood.

GENERAL FORESTRY ADVICE

Answers to any general questions related to tree and / or forestry services. This also includes any specific questions related to any concerns about trees, woodlots, insect or diseases of trees, tax rebates, management plans etc...., involving the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Forest Region of Ontario. Any questions you might have could be handled on e-mail, over the telephone ((705) 645-9295) or by letter if required. My mailing address is as follows:

Jan Larsen
R.R. # 2
Bracebridge, Ontario
P1L 1W9

Unless some research is required (minimal fee) I will provide this service FREE of charge and have a response back to you ASAP, but definitely within 5 days.

FOREST & WILDLIFE INVENTORY

Collection of any and all data related to the preparation of a management plan for your property. We will carry out a statistically valid inventory of your woodlot and provide the necessary detail for you to prepare a management plan. The forest inventory will include stand area, tree species by quality and size class as well as species composition expressed as a percentage, average tree height if required, site description, basal area (or stocking level), soil type, recommended treatment, access and anything else you require, depending on your objectives for your property. The wildlife inventory will assess such things as den sites, stick nests, cavity trees, mast trees, streams, wetlands, ponds and any wildlife species noted. We can also recommend the most suitable prescription (treatment package) based on your specific woodlot or stand type. We provide FREE estimates. If interested, you could assist in your own inventory to help offset some of the cost and at the same time become more familiar with your woodlot and its management. NOTE : You could be eligible for a reduction in your property tax (Ontario residents only) if you prepare a management plan and obtain approval under the Managed Forest Tax Reduction Program.

PLANTATION THINNINGS

This service involves the thinning of mainly red pine plantations (also white pine & spruce) to ensure that the plantation thrives to maturity and the residual trees increase in value over time. Most plantations require thinnings at certain stages of their development or growth slows down and some species (particularly red pine) will stagnate. If the trees within your plantation have less than 25-33% live crown as it relates to their total height, they may already be in distress. Thinnings of plantations should be done from below, which is to say that the smaller suppressed or co-dominate trees should be removed first to release the larger dominant trees. Thinnings can be commercial or non-commercial depending on the size of the trees. Trees that were planted too close together may require a non-commercial thinning to ensure the remaining trees will continue to grow. Commercial thinnings will provide some income to the landowner, however this will depend on many factors including access, tree marking costs, fluctuating market conditions etc... Generally speaking the landowner will receive up to 25 or 30% of the gross revenue from the sale of the trees. FREE estimates provided.

RECREATIONAL TRAIL LAYOUT & CONSTRUCTION

We will plan & design (if required) any type of recreational trail (hiking, ski, snowmobile etc..) on your property. This will include using any and all interesting features or landforms that are specific to your individual property and apply them to your objectives for their use. Once designed we will construct the trail, which may include brush and tree removal, including any hazardous trees, pruning of overhead branches, building of small bridges or corduroy crossings of low wet areas etc... If required we can also provide assistance related to interpreting forest and ecosystem values, tree species, natural features & landforms, wildlife values etc... FREE estimates provided.

PROPERTY LINE ESTABLISHMENT

When carrying out any type of activity on your woodlot it is very important to ensure that you or your manager know where the property boundaries are. The most reliable method is to have your property surveyed by an Ontario Land Surveyor. This process can be very expensive, especially for larger properties, however property lines can be established using a compass and a measuring tool called a chain. This method of locating property lines is not close to being a survey and will not provide a legal description however, it does provide a reasonably close estimate of your property line and is common practice for forestry related activities. To establish property lines in this manner you do require a known survey marker or monument (corner post) as a starting point. FREE estimates provided.

OTHER RELATED STUFF

In addition to the previously mentioned services, Two Guys A Chainsaw And A Truck is available to assist you in many other forestry related areas. These include sales and marketing of logs and tree products, calculating volumes of logs (scaling) and calculating approximate values of forest products etc... FREE estimates provided.