The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 30WEST WAWANOSH
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
1879 (0 2001
"Neighdourhelping Neighdout"
529-7921
v.
4.103,4
Each year chainsaws cause serious
injury and death in Ontario woodlots
SAFETY TIPS:
• Prepare the cutting site and have an escape route
• Use proper telling techniques
• Make sure chain is correctly filed and properly tensioned
• Know causes of and how to avoid KICKBACK
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment
YOUR LOCAL AGENTS
Frank Foran, Lucknow
Chapman Graham & Associates,
Owen Sound
Chatsworth Insurance, Chatsworth
Donald Simpson, Ripley
John Nixon. Brussels
Davis 8 McLay Insurance, Lions Head
Delmar Sproul Insurance Inc., Aubum
Clinton
Goderich
Lyons 8 Mulhern Insurance Brokers,
Godench
McMaster Siemon Insurance Brokers,
Mitchell
Georgian Bay Insurance Brokers,
Owen Sound
Meatord •
Miller Insurance Brokers, Kincardine
Southampton
Owen Sound
Moller Insurance - Owen Sound
Sheila Ward - Wiarton
P.A. Roy Insurance Brokers, Clinton
Wingham
Banter, MacEwan, Feagan, Goderich
Orr Insurance, Stratford
Westlake - McHugh Insurance,
Zurich
John Moore Ins&rance Brokers, Dublin
Hemsworth Insurance Ltd., Listowel
Kleinknecht lnsurance Brokers, Linwood
Gray Insurance, Seaforth
Zettel Insurance. Stratford
Craig, McDonald, Reddon ins. Brokers,
Walkerton
Mildmay
Hanover
Durham
Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers. Blyth
Seatorth lnsurance Brokers, Seatorth
Sholdice Insurance Limited,
Brussels
528-3824
376-1774
794-2870
395-5362,
887.9417
793-3322
529-7273
482-3434
524-9899
524-2664
348.9150
376-2666
538-2102
396-3465
797-3355
376-0590
371-8050
534-4962
482-9357
357-2851
524-8376
271-4340
236.4391
345-3512
291-3920
698-2215
522-0399
273-3251
881-2701
367-2297
364-3540
369-2935
523-4481
527-1610
887-6100
"INSURANCE FOR FARM, RESIDENTIAL,
COMMERCIAL AND AUTO" •
A Member Of The
Onrano Mutual Insurance Association
26 THE RURAL VOICE
old oak was there before Dad planted
the bush — probably left alone by
our pioneering ancestors -because its
hollow trunk had no timber value. In
my time, it's been hom4 to squirrels,
raccoons, opossums, and countless
birds including a family of owls.
The scattered features I described
above provide excellent wildlife
conditions and can easily be left
alone or worked around. Cavity,trees
alone are used by over 50 species of
Ontario's birds and mammals.
Toppled trees and the pits and
mounds they create expose mineral -
rich soils for the growth of new
plants and trees. Fallen trees, downed
and decaying branches, and brush
and stone piles each provide homes
for countless mammals, aswell as
fungi, mosses, lichens, insects,
amphibians, and reptiles.
Any inventory of our woodlot
would be incomplete if it did not take
Tip Box
Managing your woodlot
for multiple interests
Woodlots can be managed for
multiple interests:
Maintain and encourage the
same diversity of tree species that
would naturally occur in your area.
Not only does this help ensure a
continuing wide selection of trees
as timber values fluctuate between
species, but also provides for the
broad needs and preferred habitats
of various wildlife species.
Remove exotic species, and
choose new seeds and seedlings
from local stock that is naturally
suited and adapted to your
particular area. This will help build
habitats to which the other native
plants, trees and animal species in
your area are adapted.
Maintain and encourage a full
range of tree sizes, from young
saplings to the largest of mature
trees. Small clearings are
necessary to allow younger
saplings to naturally fill in the
opening in the canopy. Some older
trees are also necessary to provide
the seed from which the saplings
grow – and food for wildlife. For
example, only older oak trees will
produce acorns.
Retain cavity or den trees, and
dead or dying trees. These are
often of little value for timber, but
among the most valuable for
wildlife. Leave fallen or decaying
trunks and branches. Brush can be
loosely piled and left.
Minimize damage to plants and
young trees by keeping livestock
out, and trails small and to a
minimum. Protect the soils by
leaving slopes vegetated to prevent
erosion, and by limiting harvest to
when the ground is frozen or very
dry to prevent compaction. Leave
buffer zones for the soil, and
wildlife, at the edges of the
woodlot and along any waterways.
Minimize wildlife disturbance
by restricting activities near
important habitat areas or special
features, by restricting activity
during breeding and nesting
seasons, and by limiting the use of
motorized vehicles.
Maintain or extend natural
corridors and connectivity between
wooded areas and other natural
habitats.
The Ontario Forestry
Association, Ontario Federation of
Naturalists and the University of
Guelph have sponsored a number
of useful publications that provide
further tips and details about
woodlot management, including:
Taking Stock – Preparing an
Inventory of Your Woodland
Published by the Centre for Land
and Water Stewardship
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W I
519-824-4120
Woodlands for Nature – Managing
your woodland for wildlife and
nature appreciation
Published by the Ontario
Federation of Naturalists
355 Lesmill Road Don Mills,
Ontario, M3B 2W8
1-800-440-23660