Trees on your land could boost Maine economy

Jessica Leahy sees the proper care of Maine woodlots the way a master gardener sees quality gardening. “You weed your [weaker] carrots out so the carrots that remain can grow nice and big,” she said.

Professionally, Jessica E. Leahy, Ph.D., is an associate professor of human dimensions of natural resources within the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine in Orono. She also manages Wicopy Woods Tree Farm in Sebec.

This week, Jessica was in her capacity as first vice president of the non-profit Maine Woodland Owners (MWO), when we discussed how Maine’s forest products industry might provide future-oriented work/careers for rural Maine. Last January, the Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine (SWOAM) became MWO. “The word ‘small’ was really confusing for people,” Jessica said.

The Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine was a regular State House lobbying presence when I worked there. Jessica said SWOAM’s mission lives on in MWO — including advocacy on issues like Sunday hunting, abandoned/discontinued roads, illegal dumping on private woodlands, and Maine’s Tree Growth Tax law.

Maine is the nation’s most heavily forested state. About 95 percent of Maine forestland is privately owned. Decades ago I was told some Maine family owned woodlots were retirement investments. Landowners cared for the trees until retirement, then their trees were cut and sold — hopefully at the best price.

Today, MWO finds “people have really diversified reasons why they own land. The Forest Service estimates 80,000 Maine households each own between 10 to 1,000 woodland acres, or about 5.7 million acres,” Jessica said.

“About half those households are ‘woodland retreat owners.’ Their land came with their house, they enjoy it, but their woodland was not purchased originally as a timber investment,” she said.

“There are people with a large piece of land, maybe passed down through the family, with a history of getting supplemental income from it.

“Another group work their land, really enjoy their timber harvesting. They’ll have a tractor, a portable sawmill — things like that.

“MWO is trying to capture everybody. There’s more that unites us, than divides us. We all love our land — for different reasons. Maine’s large forest landowners are really fueling the forest products industry. Small woodland owners provide incredible value: they harvest, they have great water quality, they have recreational opportunities. Public ownership provides certain and different benefits. We have Maine tribal lands. We have a really interesting mix which contributes to what makes Maine, Maine.”

What does Jessica see ahead for future-oriented work/careers in Maine’s forest products industry? She cites new products such as cross laminated timber, and medium-density fiberboard.

But, Jessica said she “would focus more on the landowner’s goals with their land, and how to help them achieve that. We’re really limited in our ability to do outreach to landowners. There are 12 district foresters around the State, there to provide free advice to landowners to make informed decisions. Twelve people serving 80,000 households is not enough,” she said.

“I would leave to the wood scientists, and the forest economists, decisions about the industry side of creating markets, and all that,” said Jessica.

“I worry a lot about [Maine’s] Tree Growth Tax law. Taxing people at the current use land value makes practicing forestry affordable for landowners. I really hope that even while the forest industry is having ups and downs, we keep Tree Growth the way it is. Small woodland owners contribute about 25 percent of the wood that enters the market. If they can’t afford to hold onto their land — that’s just not good,” said Jessica Leahy.

Scott K. Fish has served as a communications staffer for Maine Senate and House Republican caucuses, and was communications director for Senate President Kevin Raye. He founded and edited AsMaineGoes.com and served as director of communications/public relations for Maine’s Department of Corrections until 2015. He is now using his communications skills to serve clients in the private sector.