BEAR BROOK STATE PARK 2025 Forest Rehabilitation and Recreation Project

In the fall of 2025, a timber harvest was done to improve a declining white pine stand in preparation for future recreational trail development.

The project removed dead and dying pine trees while leavinghardwood trees to help reseed the future forest. The unmanagedwhite pine stand was “falling apart” from weather events and old age. This created a safety risk for recreational users, and the former trails
were closed. The options were to do nothing or develop a plan to rehabilitate the stand and recreation potential of the area. The future trail development proposals include an accessible trail system meeting ADA guidelines, increasing outdoor recreational
opportunities for people with disabilities.

Harvested trees were manufactured into lumber and forest products depending on the type and quality of their wood.
Did you know…
•   New Hampshire’s forest industry employs 10,000 people and contributes $1.5 billion to the state’s   economy.
•   It takes 15 to 25,000 board feet to build a 2,000 square foot house (about 3-6 truckloads)
•   Young forests sequester more carbon than older forests and at a higher rate.
•   One cord of wood can produce 12 dining room tables.

In addition to the future recreational benefits, this project provided work for local companies, supplied wood fiber for common products, and contributed to New Hampshire’s forest economy. State revenue acquired through the sale of harvested trees is put back into material and staff resources that help conserve and manage our state lands!

Before and After Photos:

left: road through Bear Brook State Park before harvest, right: post harvest, trees thinned out

left: pre -timber harvest at bear brook state park, right: 2- 3 years post timber harvest at bear brook state park