Forest Activities
Gravel Roads
All DLLT gates are open. Please take caution when driving on forest roads, be aware that after heavy rains portions of the roads may be soft, and THANK YOU for helping us keep the roads in good condition.
Daugherty Ridge Patch Cuts
In December 2022, DLLT began the second entry into the Daugherty Ridge Grouse and Woodcock Management Area, located 1 mile west of Grand Lake Stream. This harvest is since completed.
The purpose of this harvest is to create and maintain a young forest stand in which 4 separate classes can be found in close proximity. The harvest will consist of patches 2-5 acres in size and totaling 31 acres. The majority of trees within each patch will be removed, leaving occasional individual trees or clumps consisting of standing dead snags, mast-bearing trees like mature beech and oak, or large coniferous “roost” trees. Post-harvest condition will be comparable to patches that were harvested in this area in 2012, and rapid regeneration of shade-intolerant hardwoods such as aspen, birch, and red maple is expected to occur. A visual buffer strip will be left along the Fourth Lake Road to protect scenic values. The harvest areas will be accessed from Daugherty Ridge Road via the Farm Cove ATV/Snowmobile Trail. The trail will be posted, and ATV and/or snowmobiles should use caution and travel at slow speeds in this area. Post-harvest, DLLT will coordinate with the Grand Lake Stream ATV Club and Grand Lake Snowmobile Club to restore conditions for motorized recreation in the area. The harvest is anticipated to produce approximately 300 cords of hardwood pulp. Branches, tops, and other non-merchantable wood will be arranged as periodic “habitat piles” within the patches to provide cover for birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. This harvest is designed to benefit Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, moose, deer, small mammals, and other wildlife associated with young forest stands. The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is a fiscal partner in this harvest, and the harvest plan was developed with the input of RGS, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Dark Cove Mountain Harvest
Update 12/15/22: Harvest date has been delayed until winter of 2023-2024 due to current unfavorable market conditions.
A winter harvest is planned north of Dark Cove Mountain in T5 Sakom which will take place about 1/2 mile in on the Dobsis Dam Road on the east side of the road. The harvest is a commercial thinning, removing mostly Hemlock. The upland portion of the harvest will remove White Birch, Aspen, and Hemlock while leaving Maples, Beech, and Yellow Birch which are more shade tolerant and a longer lived species. A buffer will be left between the harvested area and the brook.
Musquash Esker Patch Cut
A small harvest near the Musquash Esker Trail was completed during the 22-23 winter. The harvest cut 7 patches totaling about 3 acres. Smaller growth was left standing, creating an early successional forest stand. Management in this area is for the benefit of many wildlife species, including Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, American Woodcock, and the Chestnut-sided Warbler. The patches do not cross into the ecological reserve, but some do come near the border.
