T o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c yT o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c y

Working For Alternative Forest Products

AlternativeForest Productsto ConsiderMaple Syrup

Wild and CultivatedMushrooms

Witch Hazel

Ginseng

Floral Greenery

Specialty Wood Products

Recreation

While approximately 60% ofRhode Island is forested,this valuable resource isbeing lost and fragmented

by intense development pressure. Due tothe small size, low productivity, andshort ownership tenure of many forestedparcels in Rhode Island, the productionof traditional wood products (logs, fire-wood, pulp, etc.) is often not feasible.Many groups and agencies withinRhode Island have begun to tackle thistough issue by encouraging landownersto adopt innovative forest-based busi-ness activities. Managing for alternativeforest products may provide landownerswith ways to generate income--at leastenough to pay property taxes, and itmay have the potential to develop into asmall business. This may also provideadditional incentives and opportunitiesfor large acreage landowners to retaintheir land. The development of alterna-tive forest products is one proactiveapproach that compliments many otherstatewide programs, which promote thesustainability, viability, conservation,and preservation of rural lands. At theleast, these suggested products mightprovide you with personal satisfactionand enjoyment, which include medicinaland edible products, floral greens, spe-cialty wood products, and recreation.

Where do I begin?As with traditional timber production,producing alternative forest productsrequires time, research, and preparation.The first and most important step is tocomplete a thorough inventory of yourproperty to determine what resourcesand features your land has and whichproducts will be the most suitable toyour site. You may wish to enlist thehelp of a consulting forester or other nat-ural resource professional (contact RIDEM Division of Forest Environment totalk with a service forester and obtain alist of Consulting Foresters). For exam-ple, a property with an existing stand of

sugar and red maple trees will be muchmore suited to maple syrup productionthan a dry, sandy site predominated bypitch pine and oak trees, which may bemore suited to producing floral greens,pine cones and other decorative prod-ucts. The types of trees and other vegeta-tion growing in your woods serve as anindicator of the type of soil conditionsand sunlight availability that exists.Refer to the attached Woodland AreaInventory Sheet and factsheet Where Do IBegin? A Forest Is More Than a Bunch ofTrees to review your property featuresand characteristics.

With certain options in mind, youthen need to thoroughly research thespecifics for producing each product.These specifics include:

➣ Identify land conditions, resources,start-up costs and other issues neces-sary to produce the product (forexample, it can take 40 to 60 years fora maple tree to achieve a tapable size,depending on the overall site quality).

➣ Identify the amount of product youneed to produce to make the venturefeasible, practical and profitable.

➣Determine whether you want to pro-duce the product for you and yourfamily or to sell for added income. Ifyou plan to sell, identify markets andmeans of distribution.

➣ Identify any other special considera-tions such a legal or liability issues.

What are some alternative forestproducts that I should consider? The Rhode Island Rural Lands Coalitionand the Rhode Island Department ofEnvironmental Management (RI DEM)have identified alternative forest prod-ucts suitable for Rhode Island. Theirfindings are summarized below. Contactthe RI DEM Division of ForestEnvironment and the SustainableWatersheds Office or see the AlternativeForest Products website

T o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c yT o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c y

Maple SyrupIt takes 40 gallons of sap tomake 1 gallon of syrup.

Wild & CultivatedMushroomsWild edible mushroomsthat are typically found inRhode Island are Chickenof the Woods and HoneyMushrooms.

Witch HazelThe Native Americansused it to combat a varietyof ailments, minor wounds,and abrasions.

GinsengAmerican Ginseng that isfound growing naturallywild in Rhode Island is rareand should not be collectedor disturbed in any way.

Floral GreeneryA wide variety of craftstores, wholesalers, andflorists could be interestedin what is growing in yourwoodlands.

Specialty WoodProductsThese types of products aregaining popularity withthe people who desire anenvironmentally friendlylifestyle or natural andrustic products that signifya local area.

RecreationDue to overcrowding atpopular public parks, andan overall dwindling of nat-ural areas, people are look-ing to private lands to ful-fill their outdoor activities.

Specialty Wood ProductsSpecialty wood products include thewidest variety of products. They areproducts made from either the wholetree or various parts. These types ofproducts are gaining popularity with thepeople who desire an environmentallyfriendly lifestyle or natural and rusticproducts that signify a local area.

Things to keep in mind:➣Specialty wood products include bas-

kets, barrels, buckets, bowls, butcherblocks, trays, rustic furniture, frames,games, handles, lamps, planters, nov-elties, toys, walking sticks, dishes,decoys, craft wood, trellises, andwhatever else the imagination cancome up with.

➣These products are especially popularwith seasonal visitors as they can take apiece of local “flavor” home with them.

➣ If you plan on clearing brush anddebris from your woodlands, anoption might be to locate a craftsmanor gift and craft stores that would beinterested in using these raw materials.

For additional information:Chapter 16 – Specialty Wood Products.Margaret G. Thomas and David R.Schumann. 1993. Income Opportunities inSpecial Forest Products--Self-Help Suggestionsfor Rural Entrepreneurs. AgricultureInformation Bulletin AIB–666, U.S.Department of Agriculture, Washington,DC. This chapter describes types of spe-cialty wood products and their marketingconsiderations, available on-linewww.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/agib666/aib66616.pdf

RecreationDue to overcrowding at popular publicparks, and an overall dwindling of natu-ral areas, people are looking to privatelands to fulfill their outdoor activities.Fee-for-use and property leasing are waysto earn income by charging people foraccess to your property for various recre-ational purposes. You can lease yourproperty to an individual or an organiza-tion and allow them a previously agreedupon type of access to your property.With Fee-for-use, you can set up yourproperty to be used for specific purposesand then charge people for access.

Things to keep in mind:➣These outdoor activities include ski-

ing, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing,snowmobiling, horseback riding, andviewing scenic beauty and wildlife.

➣There are legal matters that you willneed to address with the public use ofyour private lands for a fee. Consult alawyer, discuss your responsibilities,and draw up any necessary legal doc-uments and paperwork.

➣You may need to create a trail system onyour property and maintain it regularly.

You can also refer to factsheet Working forRecreation and Aesthetics for more informa-tion and ideas relating to this topic.

For additional information:TITLE 2 Parks and Recreational Areas CHAPTER 32-6 Public Use of Private Lands—Liability Limitations SECTION 32-6-3This is a Rhode Island State Law regard-ing the liability of a landowner thatallows people to use his/her propertyfor recreational use,www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE32/32-6/32-6-3.htm

TITLE 2 Parks and Recreational Areas CHAPTER 32-6 Public Use of Private Lands—Liability Limitations SECTION 32-6-5This section covers the exceptions toSECTION 32-6-3, www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE32/32-6/36-6-5.htm

David M. Rathke and Melvin J.Baughman, Minnesota Extension Service,University of Minnesota Recreational TrailDesign and Construction. This publicationgives detailed step-by-step instructionsand tips for the design and constructionof various trails. It also describes types ofhazards and obstacles that will requiremaintenance during and after trail con-struction and how to handle them,www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD6371.html

Hunting Leases and PermitsThis is an Alabama CooperativeExtension System publication. It wasdesigned to make people aware of leasesfor recreational purposes and the needfor proper legal advice. www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/publications/anr/ANR-0541/anr541main.html

Programs and activities are available to all per-sons without regard to race, color, sex, disabili-ty, religion, age, sexual orientation, or nationalorigin.

This project is a collaboration of the SouthernNew England Forest Consortium, Inc.1, andthe University of Rhode Island CooperativeExtension Home*A*Syst Program2. Writtenby Holly K. Burdett 2, Christopher Modisette1,Alyson McCann2 and Brianne Neptin2.Special thanks to all publication reviewers.Funding for this project was provided by theUSDA Forest Service in cooperation with theRhode Island Department of EnvironmentalManagement Division of Forest Environmentand the USDA Renewable ResourcesExtension Act, URI Cooperative Extension.

Cornell CooperativeExtension, Departmentof Natural Resources(607) 255-2115Agroforestry LearningCommunities in theNortheastwww.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/agroforestry/sarePublications: www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/ext/publications.htm

USDA Forest Service,Northeastern Area, Stateand Private Forestrywww.na.fs.fed.usLinks to Durham, NHField Office(603) 868-7600www.fs.fed.us/na/durham

➣ Information on Urban& Community Forestry;Forest ProductsPublications; Wildlife;on-line Library.

Agro Forestry Links:www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/links/agrofor.htm

A Forest Landowner’sGuide to InternetResources: States of theNortheastwww.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/misc/ir/index.htm

➣Publications and fact-sheets for: SpecialtyForest Products;Recreation;Wildlife/Hunting;Economics of ForestInvestments.

vate ginseng or grow wild-simulated gin-seng to export to Asia.

Things to keep in mind:➣American Ginseng that is found

growing naturally wild in RhodeIsland is rare and should not be col-lected or disturbed in any way.

➣Ginseng grows best in areas with 80%shade cover, moist, well-drained soils,average air temperature of 50ºF, andaverage annual rainfall of 40-50".Ginseng has specific soil requirementsin order to grow. The additional infor-mation below as well as the resourceslisted on the RI DEM web page willprovide you with more information.Have your soil tested before plantingto make sure your site is suitable.

➣Cultivated ginseng can generally beharvested 3-5 years after planting.Wild simulated ginseng is ready toharvest 9-12 years after planting.

For Additional information:Ginseng, description of the plant fromThe Herb Hunters Guide AmericanMedicinal Plants Of CommercialImportance, Sievers, A.F., USDAMiscellaneous Publication No. 77,Washington, D.C., July 1930, availableon-line at www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/herbhunters/ginseng.html

Economics and Marketing of GinsengAgrogforesty Notes, AF Note - 15, July1999, USDA Forest Service and USDANatural Resources Conservation Service,available on-linewww.unl.edu/nac/afnotes/ff-4/ff-4.pdf

Producing and Marketing Wild SimulatedGinseng in Forest and Agroforestry SystemsVirginia Cooperative Extension,Publication Number 354-312, covers:➣The steps for growing both cultivated

and wild-simulated ginseng➣Marketing ginseng➣Economics of growing ginseng avail-

able on-line at www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/354-312/354-312.html

Ginseng, section from the Alternative FieldCrops Manual, University of Wisconsin &University of Minnesota. It gives adetailed description of the steps requiredfor growing cultivated ginseng, availableon-line at www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/ginseng.html

Floral GreeneryMany people enjoy having floral arrange-ments as centerpieces in their home andat a variety of gatherings such as wed-dings and other parties. Many also enjoyhanging holiday wreaths, as well asadorning the home with a variety of flo-ral decorations year-round. With the righttype of tree and shrub species you cansupply these decorative products.

Things to keep in mind:➣Commonly harvested floral products

include pine cones, boughs from cedar,pine, spruce, fir and hemlock, branchesfrom alder, birch and ironwood, moun-tain laurel, holly, ferns, dogwood,grape vines, sumac, cattails, club moss,white birch bark, winterberry, andpussy willows. Be aware of invasiveplants and do not plant them in yourwoodlands. Refer to factsheet Workingfor Biodiversity and Protection fromInvasive Species for more information.

➣Product freshness is key.➣A wide variety of craft stores, whole-

salers, and florists could be interestedin what is growing in your woodlands.

For additional information:Chapter 9 – Greenery, Transplants, andFloral Products. Margaret G. Thomas andDavid R. Schumann. 1993. IncomeOpportunities in Special Forest Products--Self-Help Suggestions for Rural Entrepreneurs.Agriculture Information Bulletin AIB–666,U.S. Department of Agriculture,Washington, DC. This chapter will give abasic idea of what types of floral greeneryare good for commercial markets, market-ing techniques and considerations, andbuyer’s prices. Available on-linewww.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/agib666/aib66609.pdf

T o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c yT o d a y ’ s F o r e s t • T o m o r r o w ’ s L e g a c y

www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bpoladm/stratpp/forprod/forstprd.htm, for moredetailed information about each of theseproducts, including brochures with a listof additional resources. A factsheet onsite assessment is also available throughthe sustainable watersheds office, (401) 222-3434.

Use the Record of Woodland AreaPlans and Activities sheet to recordactions you plan to take and develop atime frame for accomplishing activities.

Maple SyrupMaple syrup production is a NorthAmerican tradition started by the NativeAmericans who passed it on to the Euro-pean settlers. Today, forest owners witholder maple trees can produce maple prod-ucts for their own use or for added income.

Things to keep in mind:➣ It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1

gallon of syrup. ➣Sugar Maples are the best trees to use,

providing the highest quality syrup. ➣Depending on your production level,

costs will include equipment, the sug-arhouse, management costs, labor, fuel,electricity, packaging, and maintenance.

➣Another option is to rent your trees toanother producer.

For additional information:Cornell University’s Sugar MapleResearch and Extension Program, (607) 255-2115http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/

Wild and Cultivated MushroomsWith an increased interest in naturalfood products and gourmet and ethniccuisine, gathering or cultivating mush-rooms can be both satisfying and fun.Certain cultivated mushrooms such asshiitake and oyster mushrooms can besold on a commercial basis.

Thinks to keep in mind:➣Many mushrooms are poisonous. The

key to safety is to become thoroughlyfamiliar with mushroom gatheringtechniques and mushroom speciesidentification. Take a pictorial guide-book with you. Or take a person alongwho is experienced with mushroomidentification.

➣ Wild edible mushrooms that are typical-ly found in Rhode Island are Chicken ofthe Woods and Honey Mushrooms.

For additional information:Growing Mushrooms Commercially – Risksand Opportunities. This is a publicationby the University of Idaho College ofAgriculture that is accessible on-line.http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/pdf/CIS/CIS1077.pdf

Penn State Specialty Mushrooms webpage www.cas.psu.edu/docs/CASDEPT/PLANT/ext/mushroom.html

National Audubon Society Field Guide toNorth American Mushrooms, Alfred A.Knopf. 1977-on.

The University of Ohio CooperativeExtension has put out a series of fact-sheets relating to the production ofShiitake mushrooms including:➣How to purchase spawn➣Log laying➣Economic Considerationshttp://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/index.html

Witch HazelWitch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is amedicinal shrub native to the easternUnited States. The Native Americansused it to combat a variety of ailments,minor wounds, and abrasions. Today,the astringent is still found in a widevariety of health and beauty products.

Things to keep in mind:➣ It is a slow growing shrub that is

shade tolerant and grows in hard-wood forests on moist, fertile soil.

➣Witch hazel can grow 8 - 20 feet tall.➣ It may only be feasible for you to pur-

sue witch hazel production if you haveexisting mature shrubs on your prop-erty. It takes a long time for witchhazel to mature to harvesting age.

Ginseng The Chinese have used Asian ginseng formedicinal purposes for over 4000 years.Because of its popularity, its supply hasbeen depleted in Asia. American ginseng(Panax quinquefolium) is native to manyeastern states. The root is the mostsought after part and has been collectedfor export to Asia since early in the 18thcentury. Unfortunately, American gin-seng has been over-harvested as well.Ginseng is listed on CITES (Conventionon International Trade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora,www.cites.org). People now either culti-

RI DEM Division ofForest Environment(401) 647-3367www.dem.ri.gov – links to Alternative ForestProducts Website

➣To talk with a state serv-ice forester.

➣Obtain assistance withthe development andproduction of alternativeforest products; list ofconsulting foresters andlicensed wood operators.

RI DEM SustainableWatersheds Office(401) 222-3434www.dem.ri.gov

➣Factsheets on siteassessment and alterna-tive forest products.

Rhode Island ForestConservatorsOrganization (RIFCO)(401) 568-3421www.rifco.org

➣Educational programsand events, newsletter,Rhode Island Tree FarmProgram, links tonumerous publicationsand local, state, and fed-eral forestry agenciesand organizations.

RI DEM Division ofFish and Wildlife(401) 789-3094www.dem.ri.gov

➣ Information on huntingrules, regulations andsafety education training

➣To talk with a statewildlife biologist

Where do I turn for more information & help?