He has planted about 70,000 seedlings over the years, half by hand. Some areas are left undisturbed for wildlife. Elsewhere, he has created trails for hikers and ponds for frogs and beavers. And last summer, Edson embarked on an ambitious plan to restore eight acres to prairie. Seeing forest changes The future of Wisconsin's forests lies in contacting private landowners, accommodating different views, educating people about the benefits of tree management and wildlife habitat, and encouraging them to get involved, Edson believes.
People forget forests are changing all the time.
Education means checking in with a forester on occasion, whether someone from the DNR or hired privately. That person can help identify changes in the woodlot, suggest which areas are ready for cutting, and mark specific trees. Knowing when to give up may be part of the plan, too. That's what Edson may do with a small, aggressive stand of red maples that are crowding out other desirable trees. The maples are beautiful in autumn, but currently are used mainly to make plywood and interior framing for furniture.