FORESTRY

   Forestry Pictures                      Maple Pictures

Community stewardship is more than just running the Land's Sake Farm.  We also run an innovative forestry program on both private and public conservation land in the Town of Weston.

Our principal aim is to make the forest inviting and accessible to local people for recreational and passive uses.  On behalf of the Weston Forest & Trail Association, Land's Sake maintains the trail system throughout the town.  Over the past fifty years, the Weston Forest &Trail Association have designed and built one of the most extensive trail systems in the Boston suburbs.  We are proud to partner with this important land trust to maintain the commons of our community.

Land's Sake also practices productive forestry on public land.  Each year, we proceed with a town-wide forest cultivation plan to selectively log a small woodlot in what is known as a shelterwood harvest.  On approximately 10-12 acres each year (rotating through the over 1,800 acres of public forest) we harvest specific trees which otherwise might succumb to natural disaster, disease or pests.  Primarily we harvest white, black and red oak, black and white birch, and some hickory and ash.  We manage this harvest during the winter while the ground is frozen to ensure low-impact results.  We do not use large machinery and we use bio-based chain oil, reducing the impact of our work even further.  The saw logs and naturally seasoned firewood is available for purchase to Weston residents and Land's Sake members wherever they live.

Land's Sake regularly hosts educational programs in the town forest for many grade levels, college students, and adults.  Please see our calendar for more information.