The Tree Farm

The Mission Municipal Forest, in the Fraser Valley of southern British Columbia, is the first and oldest continually operating community forest in Canada. Its resilience and success helped paved the way for the community forestry model in BC. Operating under BC Tree Farm Licence #26, these 10,000 hectares of cedar, hemlock, and fir forest straddle the lower reaches of Stave Lake, a scenic area of historical and economic significance to First Nations, the province, industry, and the wider Mission community. This book captures the history of the municipal forest, known as The Tree Farm, and demonstrates why locally managed forests can innovate and generate a diversity of benefits for surrounding communities. The Tree Farm describes the trials and opportunities in the Mission Municipal Forest, including fire management, fluctuating log prices, surging numbers of visitors, and the need to take steps towards reconciliation. Fully illustrated with contemporary and archival photos and maps, The Tree Farm is a perfect way to commemorate this innovative forestry model and chart a path forward.

A tree farmer teaches his grandson about trees.

Trees are our allies in maintaining a healthy planet. Partnering with trees allows us to build soil, enhance biodiversity, increase wildlife populations, grow food and medicine, and pull carbon out of the atmosphere. Trees of Power by Akiva Silver shares a step-by-step path toward working with these arboreal allies, from planting to propagation to understanding the multiple benefits that ten of our most essential tree species - the chestnut, apple, hickory, and more - provide for humans, animals, and nature alike. In this book you'll learn how to work successfully with perennial woody plants. It includes in-depth information on individual species and different ways to propagate trees - whether by seed, grafting, layering, or with cuttings. These time-honored techniques make it easy for anyone to increase their stock of trees simply and inexpensively. Silver's combination of hands-on experience and sincere exuberance for the natural world will inspire a new generation of tree stewards while appealing to anyone who feels a deep appreciation for these magnificent plants.--COVER.

When he first envisioned becoming a farmer, author Emmet Van Driesche never imagined his main crop would be Christmas trees, nor that such a tree farm could be more of a managed forest than the conventional grid of perfectly sheared trees. Carving Out a Living on the Land tells the story of how Van Driesche navigated changing life circumstances, took advantage of unexpected opportunities, and leveraged new and old skills to piece together an economically viable living, while at the same time respecting the land's complex ecological relationships. From spoon carving to scything, coppicing to wreath-making, Carving Out a Living on the Land proves that you don't need acres of expensive bottomland to start your land-based venture, but rather the creativity and vision to see what might be done with that rocky section or ditch or patch of trees too small to log. You can lease instead of buy; build flexible, temporary structures rather than sink money into permanent ones; and take over an existing operation rather than start from scratch. What matters are your unique circumstances, talents, and interests, which when combined with what the land is capable of producing, can create a fulfilling and meaningful farming life.

A Tree Farm is a delightful story about a family that lives on a tree farm, who grows and manages trees. It is the first in a series of fiction stories that take place on the tree farm. The characters in this book find value in their family and home and lifestyle. The young man in A Tree Farm depicts an individual who makes the most of his abilities to help in his family business, and finds reward in doing so. The book is written for seven to nine year old readers, however, can be read and enjoyed by other ages. While A Tree Farm is a sort of process book, there are many lesson planning ideas presented.

Pastor and writer Michael D. Kurtz reflects upon lessons learned from growing Christmas trees for nearly twenty years and applies these lessons to everyday faith and living in LESSONS FROM A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. In the prologue Kurtz writes: "The instructions from God's creation are pronounced and profound if we will open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the inherent lessons. Growing Christmas trees, like growing in the Christian faith, is neither quick nor easy. There is required of us patience, diligence, and hard work. And, above all, divine grace." Divided into thirty chapters LESSONS is easily adaptable to a monthly devotional resource, by simply reading a chapter per day for one month. Or, LESSONS FROM A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM is ideal for small groups and Sunday School classes. Each chapter is designed around one theme with a section entitled "Questions and Reflections" at the conclusion of every chapter suitable for discussion. In LESSONS FROM A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM the reader will discover a wealth of biblical and practical wisdom for living. As you read this engaging volume you will not only be entertained, you will also be encouraged and inspired in your spiritual journey.

A boy describes how he, his grandfather, and the rest of his family work on their tree farm throughout the year to prepare Christmas trees.