For the second time in a few short years, a Derby landowner has been selected as the 2012 Tree Farmer of the Year. Allen and Kathleen Yale were honored at the VT Woodlands Association Annual Meeting on March 31 for their outstanding stewardship of their Vermont Tree Farm #415. The property has been a certified Tree Farm since 1978.
The property consists of twenty acres of 53-year old pine plantation and about fifty acres of mixed forest that was heavily harvested just prior to their purchase in 1973, as well as about 20 acres of open hay fields. The primary focus has been on pruning and thinning the pine plantation, but firewood harvest has been used to upgrade the hardwood component.
The acquisition of a band-saw mill about ten years ago has shifted the focus from selling logs to maximizing value added by selling lumber and other wood products.
Additional management objectives include recreation, wildlife habitat, and education. As a retired educator, Allan is right at home sharing his knowledge of and passion for stewardship and the property provides an excellent resource for environmental and woodland educational programs.
Yale is an accomplished wood carver, and since 1991 has carved thirty-two pieces for donation to Vermont Coverts. He has been a VT Coverts cooperator since 1986.
According to County Forester Raymond Toolan, “Allen Yale is one of a small group of landowners that not only cares deeply about the resource and how it is managed but he is committed to helping spread his knowledge and passion to others. Everything about his approach to stewardship screams commitment.”
Members of the public are invited to attend a Tree Farm Tour on Saturday, September 15th. For information about the tour, visit www.vermontwoodlands.org or call 802-747-7900.