Click on the link below to read an interesting article and video about how Tri-State Timber and Crane Naval Base worked together to provide the USS Constitution with the White oak timber needed to restore the historic warship.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/29743761/indiana-plays-big-role-in-restoring-historic-warship
Tri-State Timber not only purchase trees from private landowners, but we also buy trees from state timber sales. Here is an excellent video made by the Indiana DNR. In the video they explain the timber management on a timber sale we purchased. Also, one of our loggers explain how we avoid damaging the residual stand of timber.
Professional loggers capable of executing a harvest properly are crucial to implementing a forest management plan. We take great pride in making sure the forest lands stay productive. We want this land to be growing new timber for harvests in years to come.
Back Country Forest Management at Morgan-Monroe State Forest | Indiana DNR – YouTube.
The emerald ash borer.
As many of you know the emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect from Asia that has caused widespread death to ash trees starting in southeastern Michigan and spread as far south as Virginia and Missouri. For a long term strategy to control EAB the U.S. Forest Service has decided to use the insect’s natural enemies from Asia (EAB is not a major problem in its native range due to these natural enemies) to combat the destructive beetle.
Since 2004 the U.S. Forest Service has been raising two Asian species of non-stinging parasitic wasps, O. agrili and T. planipennisi . In 2007 the laboratory research on the parasitoids was completed and after an Environmental Assessment the parasitoid releases began in July of 2007. In later years the parasitoids were found established in the areas they were released.
A high quality ash tree.
The effects of the biological control agents are being evaluated by monitoring the health of ash timber within the areas they were released and areas nearby. Whether or not the biological control will be a success will remain to be seen.
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/eab/control_management/biological_control/
An example of directional felling.
Logging is the cutting, skidding, bucking, and then loading of the logs on to trucks. Believe it or not, this is actually a manufacturing process. It is the process of turning standing trees in the forest into cut logs that can be transported by truck. Although this sounds simple, it can be quite a challenge. In the Midwest if the terrain is level and easy to work it usually is cleared for farming or pasture. So naturally we tend to have more challenges, but that’s ok. We are glad God gave us the rough terrain to be stewards of.
The first step in the logging process is felling the standing tree. After the tree is on the ground the tree is delimbed and topped.
Residual trees saved by a well placed skid road.
The next step is to transport the trunk of the tree to the log yard where it can be processed into logs. This is usually done by a rubber tire skidder. The skidder is either equipped with cable or a grapple. Cable skidders are used for more treacherous terrain while grapple skidders can be used on less challenging jobs. The path taken from the stump to the log yard can be a difficult decision. The operator looks for the path of least resistance from the terrain, but also must avoid residual trees that could be harvested in future years. Not every tree is avoidable, but we take great pride in avoiding the best we can.
Once the truck arrives at the log yard it is cut into log lengths. This is done by either a knuckleboom equipped with a bucksaw or by chainsaw. The logs are then piled until there is enough for truckload. The logs are then loaded onto the truck, strapped down, and then they are off to market.
After the harvest operations are completed we closeout the job. This is done by smoothing out the skid trails and the log yard. As this is being done we take precautions for when it rains the water will divert off the
A waterbar on a moderate incline.
skid trails to avoid erosion of the soil. This is done multiple ways, but one popular and effective method is installing waterbars. A waterbar is similar to a speed bump put in at a 45 degree angle made from the soil. As the water runs down the trail it will run into the hump of soil be guided off the trail. Another way water is diverted from the skid trail is when the trail is sloped to side we can take extra care to smooth out the berm on the downhill side. These are very effective way of getting the running water off the trail and onto less erodible soil.
At Tri-State we understand how to take care of the land we all love and are fortunate to have. Tri-State has a culture of caring about the resource and doing what is best for the landowner. We still have to make a profit, but we also know doing good work will give us a good reputation. A reputation of caring and happy landowners is the best form of advertising money can buy.
There is no such thing as an average stand of timber. Not only the economic values differ drastically from woods to woods, but each landowner evaluates their aesthetic and recreational values differently. At Tri-State our goal is to generate the most VALUE to you from your woodlands.
The first step in selling timber is to meet with one of our professional foresters. After a walk through your woodlands, the forester will ask you questions about your goals, objectives, concerns, and values. From this discussion you and the forester can come to an understanding of what you want to do and what is possible to do.
All landowners selling timber want to make sure they are paid “top dollar” for their timber. Our priority is to make sure each log that comes from your woods is put in a market that will generate the most revenue. Sometimes this means the logs will be processed into lumber, veneer, or a specialty product.
Logs to be shipped overseas.
Our loggers are some of the best loggers in the region. We are devoted to taking care of the landowners’ property and treating it as if it were our own. We are committed to following Best Management Practices and as such our company or one of our crews have been named Logger of the Year by the Indiana Tree Farmers’ Association three different times.
We look forward to talking with you about your interests in selling timber. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us toll free at (800) 992-5599.
In 2008, this new disease was recognized by researchers in Colorado. It is caused by a fungus, Geosmithia morbid, that is transmitted by small twig beetles. Tree mortality occurs after two to three years after infection. Confirmed populations now have been through the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and most recently Tennessee. The infected counties in Tennessee have had an emergency quarantine. The Thousand Cankers Disease spread is helped by the movement of walnut wood with the bark still on (logs, firewood, etc.). It also can spread naturally, but at a slower rate.
This is all troublesome news to us. Black walnut is the most valuable tree species in the Midwest. Many landowners have invested their money and hard work into plantations of black walnut. Researchers are currently working hard to come up with ways to save our valued trees. No solution has been found yet. The best thing to do is stay informed on the current information. Also be sure to inspect your woods regularly to see how the health of your trees are doing.
http://www.thousandcankerdisease.com/
Photo: Ned Tisserat, Colorado State University
Your forested land is an exceptional resource in many different aspects. It is an area 
to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, provides habitat for many different species of wildlife, and is a valuable asset for you. Our goal at Tri-State Timber is to understand your own goals and to meet or exceed them.
Have you thought about your goals for your property? It can be an intimidating process. Markets for different species fluctuate and new ecological concerns arise, but we are here to help. Tri-State Timber employs three full-time foresters with Society of American Foresters accredited four-year degrees. Our foresters can inform you about the latest news and trends in forest management and the timber industry. We also can give you a free, no-obligation inspection of your woods. Then decisions can be made on when and what type of forest management would be optimal for your situation.
At Tri-State, we take into consideration future harvests. Harvesting only the highest valued tree species and leaving the lowest valued species is not in our best long term interest. We usually advise landowners to harvest some of all the different species on your property in order to maintain or improve your biodiversity. This will also lead to future balanced harvests for us and for future generations. Trees are truly America’s renewable resource. By utilizing this green resource responsibly and sustainably we create jobs for local, hard working Americans.
Over the last couple of years have been some hot topics in the Indiana Forests. One most commonly questioned is the Emerald Ash borer. This is a serious threat to out state’s woodlands and its Ash component.
If you don’t already know, the Emerald Ash borer is a green colored beetle what was transported here from Asia through some kind of wood packing material. Since its arrival it has infested and killed tens of millions of ash trees in Michigan alone and tens of millions more in the surrounding states including our own. It is not the beetle itself causing most of the destruction as they mainly feed on leaves, but the larvae of the insect damage or devour the water and nutrient carrying tissues of the tree eventually killing it.
Each year we are noticing more and more counties in Indiana reporting infestations. It is difficult for any one to predict a positive outcome at this point. The government agencies are doing their best to make the public aware of this problem, contain the speed, and research ways of stopping the pest.
We as a company are trying to stay up to date with these restrictions on the movement of the product, and help spread the awareness. For your sake we are still able to process ash wood in Indiana and it is still holding a decent value. However, we are now faced with certain stipulations during these times of the year. There are flight windows when the bug is able to move around and we as people can increase its spread rapidly during these times.
Our main obstacle as industry is just tracking the movement of the ash product so we can account for where it came from and help with slowing the spread. It has added some paper work on our end and more planning as to routes traveled to eliminate certain counties from trucking. As a woodland owner, outdoors men, or user of wood the most common spread is through firewood. It is recommended to get firewood out of your county. Ash has been as staple species for our state. Many products come from ash such as lumber, handles, and the famous baseball bat of our national pastime. All is uncertain at this point but we will continue our effort to stay up to date on the rules and the information about the ash borer.
Hello, my name is Al Meyer and I am excited to join Tri-State Timber. I recently graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry.
At Purdue I was deeply involved with Society of American Foresters (SAF) and was Purdue’s chapter President my senior year. SAF is a scientific and educational non-profit organization that represents the forestry profession and was a pleasure to be a part of. In my four years at college I learned a lot about the world of forestry and was given a long term outlook in forest management.
I decided to go into forestry because most of all I enjoy the outdoors. From spotting wildlife to enjoying the landscape of my work, it is a joy to be working in this field. When I am not working for Tri-State I enjoy working on my family farm in Decatur County, Indiana. Also, whenever I’m lucky enough to have the spare time, I really love to go fishing and hunting.
Joining Tri-State is a privilege because of their highly regarded work and I wanted to help landowners make educated decisions for their properties.