Silver lake timber sale
The forest management project at Silver Lake State Park was successfully implemented during the winter of 20/21. A cut to length harvesting system was used to fell and extract the timber and the operators did a great job protecting the residual trees. Over the next few years new regeneration and understory development will follow creating a diversity of tree age classes over time. Keep an eye out for wildlife as various species will begin to utilize the forest for some or all of their life histories. Part of this project also addressed the influx of and invasive species (Norway maple) to halt its spread and allow native vegetation a chance to develop and grow on the site. This type of forest management in our parks promotes diversity while creating forest resiliency in a changing climate.
January 28, 2021
The timbersale is moving along smoothly, and the operators are doing an excellent job. Some trails remain closed until work in those areas are completed, and other areas have work happening near to trails, so please continue to respect signs posted for closures, and give adequate space for equipment to work. Overstory white pine now have adequate room to grow and thrive. Increased sunlight reaching the forest floor will spark regeneration of new young trees. While the job is in progress, it is important to remember that the current view is not necessarily the final view, similar to a home construction project. While there may currently be debris or disturbance to some trails, brush will be cleared and ruts will be fixed upon completion of the job.
Some disturbance may remain until the spring due to frozen ground preventing the restoration of the trails until the ground is thawed and dry. Brush will remain on the ground in the woods, which brings nutrients back to the soil as it rots and decomposes. Brush also provides shading for new tree seedlings as they sprout, as well as habitat for songbirds and small mammals. Most of the work on the Eastern side of Route 122 will be completed within the next week. Cutting has started on the Western side of Route 122. Access for the log trucks is being gained through a temporary hole in the chain-link fence. All trails on the Western side of the park will be closed until the logging is completed.
If you have questions about the project, please contact project forester Billy Kunelius at 603-227-8736 or william.r.kunelius@dncr.nh.gov
January 9, 2021
The Silver Lake Timber Sale will be beginning on Monday, January 11, 2021. The harvest will begin on the parking lot side of the property and work will be occurring Monday – Friday each week. Please use caution pulling in and out of the parking lot and watch for log trucks, as they cannot stop or maneuver as quickly as a car can. The trail that is to the North of the parking lot and runs along Dunklee Pond will be closed during the week, but open on the weekend for recreation. While using other trails, please use caution, as logging equipment could be working nearby. Never approach moving or working logging equipment, as the operators sometimes have limited visibility, and may not be able to see you.
If you have questions about the project, please contact project forester Billy Kunelius at 603-227-8736.
April 30, 2020
The Silver Lake State Park Timber Sale Walk is rescheduled for Saturday May 30, 2020, 10am. Due to CoVid-19 protocols and procedures, there is a limit of 8 attendees and pre-registration is required by contacting Robin Trombley at (603) 271-2214 or Robin.Trombley@dncr.nh.gov by Friday May 22, 2020.
Interested in learning more about the upcoming Silver Lake State Park timber sale? Come meet with NH Division of Forests and Lands project forester Billy Kunelius and Division of Parks and Recreation planning and development specialist Johanna Lyons for a short introduction to the project in the parking lot prior to heading out into the woods to see what is planned in the timber sale area. The walk will occur rain, or shine, so please dress accordingly and wear the appropriate footwear for being out in the woods!
For more information contact Billy Kunelius @ 603-227-8736 or william.kunelius@dncr.nh.gov.
March 18, 2020
NOTICE: The Silver Lake State Park timber sale site walk scheduled for Saturday March 21, 2020 is cancelled due to CDC guidance for Covid-19. The site walk will be rescheduled at a later date.
Project Overview
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forests and Lands is in the early stages of planning the first forest management project at Silver Lake State Park since its acquisition. A shelterwood harvest will be implemented in the fall of 2020 to improve the health of the forest, increase the growth of the trees, and to provide a safer experience for people recreating along Silver Lake State Park’s trails. State Foresters have observed that some of the trees have started to decline or show signs of rot, which can lead to increased downed trees, dead snag trees, and dead limbs falling, all of which create safety issues for park users. The shelterwood harvest will improve forest health and vigor by removing trees from the overstory to allow light to reach the forest floor and spur the establishment and growth of young trees.
What to Expect
The project will be contracted for the period of September 15 – March 31, with the goal of completing the project prior to snowfall to create as little disruption for the snowmobiles as possible. Final closeout work and trail grading may not occur until the following spring, depending on ground conditions.
Some trails will need to be temporarily used by logging equipment during the harvest. This is due to the terrain in certain parts of the park, as well as limited access in another portion of the park. All trails will be restored to normal condition once the operation is complete. Discussions have already been held with the DNCR Trails Bureau and the Hollis Nor’Easters snowmobile club.
In addition, an area approximately 3.7 acres in size directly behind the parking lot has been found to be hosting an extensive population of Norway maple in the understory and mid story of the forest. Norway maple is considered to be an exotic invasive species, and will continue to overtake the native species if left unattended. The Norway maple will be sprayed by our forest health specialist this spring in order to kill it and prevent its spread before the timbersale occurs. Once the timbersale is over, there may be a secondary treatment in order to suppress any regrowth of the Norway maple.
Management of the State Reservations
The Division of Forests and Lands is responsible for forest management including timber harvests on all State Forests and State Parks. Timber harvests are implemented through a 40-step timber sale process and incorporate the recommended best management practices found in “Good Forestry in the Granite State”. Part of the 40-step timber sale process includes review and input by other state agencies such as the Fish and Game Department and Natural Heritage Bureau as well as a public notification and comment period. Revenue from the sale of timber on state lands is used to fund the various bureaus and programs within the agency.
The Division of Parks and Recreation is a self-funded agency that manages developed recreation areas. Funds collected for facility use are used for the maintenance and upkeep of parks statewide. The Division manages 93 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas.
For More Information Billy Kunelius, Forester, William.R.Kunelius@dncr.nh.gov, 603-227-8736
February 28, 2020
The Division of Forests and Lands has scheduled a public outreach site walk at Silver Lake State Park Saturday March 21, 2020, 10:00am – 12:00pm to discuss the planned timber sale at the park. The walk will be lead by project forester Billy Kunelius and regional forester Scott Rolfe. The walk will start in the Silver Lake State Park parking lot with a short introduction to the project at 10:00am and then participants will head out into the woods to see what is planned in the timber sale area. The walk will occur snow, rain, or shine, so please dress accordingly and wear the appropriate footwear for being out in the woods!
For more information contact Billy Kunelius @ 603-227-8736 or william.kunelius@dncr.nh.gov
