Monthly Archives: December 2016

How old are old Halifax oaks?

Posted on December 29, 2016 by admin

Halifax hosts some magnificent red oaks, readily distinguished at a distance in winter by their distinctive gnarly profiles. When I see one cut down, I like to count the rings and have been surprised at the relatively young age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural History, Urban forest | Leave a comment

Editorials and letters about forestry in Nova Scotia, continued

Posted on December 29, 2016 by admin

The Christmas season hasn’t stalled the flow of editorials and letters about forestry practices in Nova Scotia. Journalist Emma Smith writing in the south shore LighthouseNow on The battle over Nova Scotia’s trees (Dec 21, 2016) comments: “The Christmas season … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, Letters&Editorials, NSDNR | Leave a comment

LED Christmas lights are good for Christmas trees!

Posted on December 23, 2016 by admin

Nova Scotia derives a lot of benefits from its Christmas tree industry, based almost entirely on the fragrant, dark green balsam fir with its distinctive, long flat needles. Lunenburg claims the title of The Balsam Fir Christmas Tree Capital of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Private Woodlots, Tree Harvests | Leave a comment

From molecules and cells to trees, forests, and tall buildings made of wood

Posted on December 22, 2016 by admin

Of all of the existing and potential uses of forest products, use of wood in construction is seemingly the most compatible with using our forests and forest products to sequester carbon and building on the natural strengths of a species … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Private Woodlots, Tree Harvests, Wood Construction | Leave a comment

Poll indicates strong support for restrictions on clearcutting in Nova Scotia

Posted on December 20, 2016 by admin
Posted in Biomass, clearcuts | Leave a comment

Harvest Plan Map Viewer Updates now include list

Posted on December 20, 2016 by admin

I received an Update for the Harvest Plan Map Viewer today and was pleased to see that map updates are now accompanied by a separate list of new additions. From the e-mail: As part of Nova Scotia Department of Natural … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, NSDNR, Show Us the Science | Leave a comment

Now NS Mining Association blames Parks & Protected Areas for economic woes

Posted on December 19, 2016 by admin

The overwhelming abundance of Parks and Protected Areas in Nova Scotia, 12% of our land area, is frequently cited as the reason intensive forestry is required on the rest, at least the rest that can’t be negotiated with private owners … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Economics, Gold Mining, Mining, Parks & Protected Areas | 1 Comment

Low pulp prices hurting the forest economy

Posted on December 18, 2016 by admin

Since July 2016, HC Haynes Nova Scotia Wood Prices have had this notice: NOTE: PULP INVENTORIES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH AT BOTH PULP MILLS. IT IS ADVISED TO AVOID HIGH % PULP STANDS AND MAKE LARGE PULP (3.5″ TOP MIN.). FURTHER … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Pulp & Paper | Leave a comment

AFR Editorial calls for more honesty about the condition of our forests

Posted on December 17, 2016 by admin

In the November issue of Atlantic Forestry Review, editor David Lindsay muses about – old growth forests (“A jurisdiction that loses its old forests becomes an ecological North Korea”) & – the inconsistency between a private woodlot owner having to … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, Letters&Editorials, NSDNR, Old Growth, Private Woodlots | Leave a comment

Feeling the heat: Forest Nova Scotia conducts survey

Posted on December 16, 2016 by admin

In an op-ed in the CH, the executive director of Forest Nova Scotia reassures us that “we’re taking good care of our forests…And Nova Scotians understand that.” Taking note of articles and letters in The Chronicle Herald expressing concerns about … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, Letters&Editorials, Show Us the Science | Leave a comment