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A forester’s job is management and protection of woodlands and although reforestation is a major, timeconsuming part of that job, fire suppression has first priority, according to Wood. During the March to May fire season, tree planting has to be wqrked in around watching for and fighting forest fires. Even after the fire season is over, maintenance of fire fighting equipment and fire trails account for untold man hours.
The Forestry Division is also interested in more than just planting pines on abandoned acreage that is no longer economical to farm. Mixed hardwood stands are an invaluable resource, particularly in Rappahannock, Wood noted, and part of his job is to advise landowners on how to manage their hardwoods. “You have to be very careful on how you go about cutting hardwood trees,’’ he explained, adding that he would mark trees for selective cutting. ’’But we have to charge for it,” he said. "We can’t do it for free.”
Some hardwood reforestation programs are also conducted by the Forestry Division, Wood noted. However, he explained that hardwoods thrive on only the very best sites and soils and also require maintenance work that pines can get along Without.
Arrangements can be made with Wood now for inclusion in next season's reforestation work or for any other program conducted under Forestry Division auspices. The county forester can be contacted at 948-5341 or by writing Virginia Division of Forestry, Madison, Va. 22727.
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