Orland. Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. On August 24, 2012, and again on August 31, dozens of foresters from all over Maine converged on the Wildlands. This was the Maine Division of the Society of American Foresters, and they were here for a conference sub-titled, “Forests Through Time – Problems With Stands In Early Development.” 
On both dates, caravans of foresters and Trust members wended their way through the Wildlands, stopping at nine specific sites, five in the morning and four after lunch. Discussions, heated at times, were led by Roger Greene, Consulting Forester and Silviculturist for the Trust. Topics ranged from crop-tree release (manual vs. chemical) through snag tree creation, then on to the pervasive topic of reducing and removing unwanted beech. To an untrained observer, the day was a crash course in silviculture and forest management. Not to mention an opportunity to meet numerous friendly and highly-skilled individuals. (Go to Photo Gallery for more pictures.)