trees
Overhaul of Maine tree growth tax credit chopped down by committee
AUGUSTA — Legislation designed to dramatically overhaul Maine’s tree growth property tax credit program fell largely on deaf ears Monday as lawmakers on the Legislature’s Taxation Committee unanimously rejected the proposal offered by Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Among other provisions in the bill, LD 1632, is one that would have excluded from the program, which […]
Storms knock down trees in Livermore Falls, Franklin County
LIVERMORE FALLS — A thunder and lightning storm with strong winds knocked down seven trees early Tuesday on a ¾-mile stretch of Campground Road, Deputy Fire Chief Alan Chretien said. One of the trees took down a power line, he said. Central Maine Power Co. workers were on the scene at about 4 a.m. Chretien […]
Scientists confirm renewed threat to white pine trees
DURHAM, N.H. — A study says that a mutated fungus is infecting white pine forests in parts of New Hampshire. White pine blister rust comes from a combination of white pines and flowering plants — called ribes — like gooseberries and currants. When infected ribes lose their leaves in the fall, spores of the fungus […]
Hartford selectmen hear about building issues
HARTFORD — Town maintenance worker Richard Dyer told selectmen Thursday night that he’s concerned about snow and ice falling from the Town Hall roof onto the handicap ramp. He said he has been cleaning the ramp as many as four times a day and is concerned about people’s safety, including his own. The board took […]
Region 9 forestry instructors impressed with students’ tree identification projects
MEXICO — Hateya Levesque of Sumner wants to be a game warden when she gets older. But for now, the Dirigo High School junior is wowing her instructors in the first-year forestry and wood harvesting class at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology with her knowledge and use of power tools. At the beginning […]
Maine man sentenced for chopping down neighbors’ trees
AUGUSTA (AP) — A former Clinton man who cut down hundreds of cedar trees on his neighbors’ property and sold them as fence posts has avoided serious jail time. Gregory Hanson pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of theft by unauthorized taking for cutting down about 300 cedars on the private property of three […]
Tree identification class to be held Sept. 20
OTISFIELD — Tree identification will be the subject of the Sept. 20 meeting of the western Maine chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine at Merle’s Ring’s tree farm. Ring, a state district forester and longtime SWOAM member, has 16 acres of forestland he has been managing for nearly three decades. He will […]
Strategies for proper pruning
But while autumn pruning may seem like a good idea, many gardening experts say it is often best for homeowners to wait until winter or early spring before pruning. Although pruning does thin out branches and tame spent blooms, which can be eyesores, pruning also stimulates new growth. Pruning in the autumn, when plants are […]
Freed from state clear-cut restrictions, Irving says it’s doing better forestry
ASHLAND — Even with a satellite link from the North Woods to J.D. Irving Ltd.’s Saint John, New Brunswick, headquarters, company officials know there is no substitute for having boots on the ground. “Mr. [James D.] Irving is a very hands-on type of manager,” said Irving Chief Forester Blake Brunsdon. “He’s on the ground [in […]