Renfrew County Forest Stewardship Committee Demonstration Sites

The best way to learn about forest practices is to see them in action. The second best way is to see them after the action is over. The RCFSC network of demonstration sites do just that - show you forest practices common to forest types that grow in Renfrew County after they have been treated so that the effects of the treatments can take hold and you can judge for yourself how to best manage your woodlot. Background information about each practice is given, cost and economics presented, and the results are on the forest floor where you can see the difference between the treatments.

Project Partners: The Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Algonquin College, and the Petawawa Research Forest

To find out more information or to arrange a guided tour please contact The Renfrew County Stewardship Council coordinator Karen Stokes: Karen.stokes@ontario.ca or 613-732-5523.

White Pine Demonstration Forest

Towering 120 year old white pine greet you as you walk up the scenic trail to where the demonstration forest begins. Eight stops along the trail show different management techniques including; tree marking, the old practice of diameter limit cutting, the current practice of shelterwood cutting, renewing the stand with competition control (mechanical and chemical), scarification for natural regeneration, regeneration through tree planting, and how to leave a wildlife reserve. Additional information on economics, statistics and how treatments impact wood quality are contained in the signage. Established in 2004 the site has been toured by more than 50 groups.

Silvicultural system: Shelterwood Location: The Petawawa Research Forest (PRF) Access and Signage: Park at the PRF visitor centre. The trail begins just past the deck. Interpretive signage is up year round. The site is open to the public daylight hours/day, 7 days/wk. The trail is an easy 500 m walk.

Please visit the Friends of the Petawawa Research Forest website for more information.

Left: Nature reserve around a Broad-winged Hawk nest. Right: Shelterwood cutting about two years after harvest.

Tolerant Hardwood Demonstration Forest

The tolerant hardwood demonstration site has two components. One shows the traditional exploitive diameter cutting technique and the other shows the single tree selection method. Three additional individual tree plots demonstrate how to identify trees to leave and trees to harvest under the single tree selection system for diseases, species diversity, wildlife values, and timber values.

Silvicultural system: Individual tree selection Location: Lake Clear Access and signage: By appointment only Landowner partner: Don Kilby

Plantation Red Pine Demonstration Forest

Red pine plantations are common in Renfrew County where old agricultural fields have been converted back to forest through afforestation. This demonstration site shows various steps and management techniques for plantation red pine. The site begins with with aforestation planting through to crop tree selection and harvesting techniques. Signage covers various topics including pruning, growth response to release, site preparation, crop tree management, and thinning. Plantation grown red pine has proven to provide Renfrew County landowners with good economic returns on their investment.

Silvicultural system: Plantation management Location: Beachburg Access and signage: This site is off County Road 21, approximately 500 m North of Fletcher Road, along the east side of the road. Access is on an unmaintained dirt road. Interprestive signage is up year round along the 500 m trail. Follow the instructions at the roadside sign. Landowner partners: Kiwanis Club of Pembroke, Brian Hugli, and Danny Buchanan