Brian Michalski was named the 2014 Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year at the recent annual meeting of the Delaware Forestry Association held in Bridgeville. Michalski owns a 59-acre tree farm near Greenwood in Sussex County that became a certified Delaware Tree Farm in 1997 and was recertified in 2010. An active Tree Farm inspecting forester since 2001, Michalski also chaired the Delaware Tree Farm Program Committee from 2000 to 2003. Currently, he is President of the Delaware Forestry Association, a post he has held for about four years.

As a procurement forester for Hardwood Mills – based in Millington, Maryland – Michalski has actively managed his 59-acre tree farm largely through his own efforts. The property, which consists of 30 acres of mixed upland/wetland hardwoods and 29 acres of native pine trees, is operated under an active Forest Stewardship Plan. Previous management activities include:

•  2013 = TSI (timber stand improvement) on 10 acres of hardwood by himself – girdling & chemical application
• 2011 = 25 acres of pine aerial sprayed with Arsenal
• 2010 = 25 acres of pine pre-commercial thinned, residues left at site
• 2005 = 5 acres of pine TSI
• 2004 = spot planted Bald cypress and Loblolly pine throughout woodland
• 2002 = spot planted about 2,000 pine trees
• 2001 = pine area intensely managed, 25 acres of pine plantation established, aerial application of Arsenal
• TSI in hardwoods to release oaks, yellow-poplar and gums

Delaware’s program is affiliated with the American Tree Farm System, which was established in 1942. As a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), the American Tree Farm System focuses on the long-term sustainability of America’s forests in ecological and economic terms. The vision statement of AFF states, “AFF is committed to creating a future where North American forests are sustained by the public that understand and values the social, economic, and environmental benefits they provide to our communities, our nation, and the world. The network of over 90,000 woodland owners is organized through state committees and governed at the national level. Currently 45 of the 50 states have committees.

For more information about the Delaware Tree Farm Program, contact Dot Abbott at (302) 730-4000. Email: dotad@udel.edu

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