MVCC - Hebert Forest



Hebert Lot Tax Map 6-17 County Forester Recommendations Associated Links: NH DES Red Maple Wetlands Information	The Hebert Lot consists of approximately 141 acres of forestland, 6 acres of red maple wetland and 3 acres of marsh. The property is locatd between Salisbury and Hazen roads, but does not have frontage on either road. The elevation ranges from 750' near the center of the property to 686' at Black Brook marsh in the SE corner of the property. The forest is a thick stand of predominantly pole sized trees, although some reach up to 20" trunk diameter, resulting from a heavy harvest in 1950. Species include hemlock, red maple, red oak, white pine, beech, white birch, black birch and white oak. In 1860, at the height of agriculture in NH, the entire property would have been cleared for pasture and crops. The present forest reflects the successive regrowth, timber harvesting and environmental influences that have occurred since that time. Access The property does nothave frontage on either Salisbury or Hazen, although old logging roads indicate that temporary access has been from those roads inthe past. All terrain vehicle (ATV) trails enter the property on the north and east boundaries. The terrain is gently rolling, with low ridges running north/south, and has few surface rocks. The scattered vernal pools and red maple wetlands can be easily avoided by vehicles. The northern property line is a barbed wire fence and the southern property has recently been surveyed and marked with flagging and red spray paint by the abutter. The east and west boundaries are not marked, and so need to be located flagged, blazed and painted. A surveyor should be hired to do this. Forest Description MIXED FOREST, 141 acres Because of the heavy harvest in 1950, the forest is a thick growth of pole size to small sawlog size trees, although there are some very nice 20" trunk diameter trees. Generally, the low lands are dominated by hemlock with red maple and white pine mixed in, whereas teh uplands are dominated by beech, red maple, red oak and birch mixed with white pine. There are some widely scattered groves of very nice quality white pine 16" to 24" trunk diameter. SOILS Canton stony fine sandy loam (3-25% slopes) Chatfield - Hollis- Canton complex (15-25% slopes) Leicester-Walpole complex, stony (0-3% slopes) Borohemists (in Black Brook marsh) RED MAPLE WETLAND, 6 acres There are at least 4 acres of wetlands dominated by pole size red maple trees. WETLAND, 3 acres The southeast corner of the property extends into Black Brook marsh. Forest Harvesting Recommendations Although still a "young" forest, with most trees less than 50 years old, a thinning harvest would improve the growth of the trees adn provide a small amount of income to the town. Removing the poorer quality stems from this dense growth would release the better quality trees so that they grow faster, as well as let sunlight reach the forest floor to spur seedling growth. With this accomplished, another harvest 20 years in the future would be much more profitable, capturing the value of these improved trees. A strategy of harvesting only 1/3 of the property at a time should be considered, to introduce a wider variety of age classes and species diversification. Wildlife The large size of the property is a benefit for wildlife. Larger properties greater than 100 acres have better attributes for wildlife, recreation, timber management, water quality and air quality than do smaller properties. The property is home to small animals such as amphibians, mice, squirrels, ruffled grouse and porcupines, and is part of the larger range requirements of animals such as deer, coyotes, moose, hawks and owls. The lot is also adjacent to Black Brook marsh, providing an exemplary mix of habitats. Wetland buffers are protected by state law (RSA 227-J:9), suggesting that a natural woodland buffer shall be maintained within 150' of the wetland and that not more than half the trees can be harvested in this buffer at any one time. Wood duck boxes could be erected during the winter on dead trees in the marsh. Recreation With such a large piece of "wild" forestland having an increased number of residential neighbors, recreational use is bound to happen, whether approved by the town or not. There are a number of substantial ATV trails bisecting the property. However, since there is apparently no pubic access to the property, the property has become the domain of the abutters. The town should place a high priority to acquiring permanent access so tha tthis town property is indeed available for town residents to use. The ATV trails make good walking trails. A foot trail around the perimeter of the property would provide almost 2 miles of varied hiking terrain and experiences. A couple 10' tall observation platforms could be erected at the edge of the forest overlooking Black Brook marsh, for tranquil enjoyment of the surrounding environment.