The Sythe Tree

A Memorial to Yankee Patriotism

This is the headline from a newspaper article from circa 1941 or 42 that shows my grandfather, Edward H Jones who was then Vermont Commissioner of Agriculture standing at the foot of the Scythe Tree in North Fayston, Vermont. This tree is mentioned in the history of North Fayston and was located below the Jones Camp and was visited by thousands of people.

The story is that a young Vermonter whose last name was Wheeler had heard that a new company was being raised in Montpelier and that the Union was in peril and President Lincoln had called for volunteers. Should he stay at home where is folks needed him or go to war.

By nightfall he had made up his mind and carefully hung his scythe in a beech sapling and went to war and was never heard from again. The Wheelers never permitted the scythe to be removed from the sapling and until a few years ago, although the snath weathered and rotted and dropped to the ground the scythe remained intact as the beech grew around it.

The article states “No better memorial could be erected to Yankee patriotism which was, and is stout as hard wood and enduring as steel”.

Buying Vermont Land? Walk On It First!

Tax Map and Contours

THERE IS MORE TO LAND THAN WALKING ON IT!

KNOW YOUR LAND BEFORE YOU BUY OR SELL.

If you are buying or selling an estate, farm or raw land, I can help you with valuable information available which can help determine the true value. What will you do with the land – develop, agricultural interests, conserve? What assets does your property have that make it more valuable i.e. timber, sugarbush, ponds or views?

Some thoughts:

Contours are important as some areas will not allow septic over 15% slope.

Watershed management knowledge, as you should be aware of wetland projects or wetland advisory areas. Storm water infrastructure information on rivers, dams, flood hazard areas.

Are there flood prone soils, hydric soils (non- aerated) and what type of soils are on the property?  Bedrock geology can help tell if the depth to soil is too shallow for septic and what kind of rock will be encountered.

Waste management information can show landfills, land use restrictions, hazardous waste sites and generators, brown-fields, salvage yards, above and underground storage tanks, dry cleaners and more.

You may care about state natural areas, managed and conserved land, invasive plants, rare or endangered species, deer wintering areas and habitat blocks as they can enter the equation.

There are multiple issues that can be addressed to help Purchasers and Sellers make informed decisions. I work with these kinds of issues daily and can save you and clients valuable time. Please contact me.

Flood Prone Areas

Hydric Soils

Deer Wintering Areas

Remembering - Growing Up and Sugaring

REMEMBERING -  Growing up and sugaring!

This picture is the road leading up to our farm, the present day Von Trapp farm, on Waitsfield Common.  The snow was plowed with a mechanical giant on tracks with a V plow and wings to push the snow back, hence the near vertical snow banks separating us from the sap buckets.  My brother Dick, Howard Corliss, and Alan Richardson would gather the sap, remove the ice from the buckets (insuring your hands were always wet and cold) and climb back down to dump the sap into the holding tank pulled by our horses Tom and Jerry.

Our day would start early with chores of cleaning, watering, and feeding in the barn, then to the house for breakfast, and then off to gather sap which was a great cash crop for the farm and very important for our family income.  Lunch was often delivered to the sugarhouse where we boiled eggs in the sap and had a quick lunch before returning to our gathering duties.  Gathering sap was not just for sunny days. We worked in cold rain and snow.  I remember well breaking through the crust with each step while trying not to spill the precious sap before we delivered to the dray.

And just when darkness approached and hopefully the day was finished, we would remember we had to do the barn chores.  A quick supper, then back to the barn for the all too familiar cleaning, watering, and feeding.  Finally, the end of the day, until we entered the house and our mother would look at us and say “what about your homework?” 

The demanding necessity of those long work days followed with a tired body hunched over a school book has often made me wonder if this were the reason I never became a scholar.

RADON...... the silent killer!

                                    RADON ABATEMENT IN YOUR HOME

In the 70’s when we started hearing about radon gas no one quite understood the problem as it has no smell and you cannot see it and the only way to detect radon is by testing.  Radon occurs naturally and is a radioactive gas that is known to cause cancer in high doses.  At that time, we would sandblast the concrete while dealing with the dust and aggregate cleanup and apply two coats of a 100% solids epoxy to form a vapor barrier which we hoped would stop the radon gas.

There is an abundance of information on the EPA’s website about testing for radon and now we have sophisticated systems to remove the contaminated air from your structure and can keep your radon level below the Environmental Protection Agency recommendation of 4.0 picocuries/liter of gas.

In existing homes holes can be cored in the concrete floor and fans draw the radon from beneath the slab and it is vented to the outdoors.  In other instances, a polyurethane vapor barrier is installed and a fan draws radon from beneath the vapor barrier in the crawlspace. There are ways to install a sump/drain-tile depressurization system and this why you should engage a highly qualified contractor to do this work.

Remember that if you place concrete directly on the vapor barrier it could cause slab cracking and curling as the moisture in the concrete cannot readily pass through the membrane and will exit the top rapidly causing the cracking problem.  You should consider placing a layer of damp compacted sand above the membrane before placing the concrete.  Using an architect, professional engineer and a skilled specialty contractor would more than likely be money well spent.

Land Use - Current Use - Use Value Appraisal A misunderstood Program

One of the most misunderstood programs offered to Vermont land owners is the

“CURRENT USE – LAND USE – USE VALUE APPRAISAL Program

So many times, I have heard:

(1)   “No one is going to tell me what to do with my land”

     (2.)   “I will not participate in a giveaway program”

      (3.)  “I have seen no evidence of tree disease in my forest”

(1.)  Actually, you design a plan for your property with the help of knowledgeable professionals and all that is asked is that you conform to your plan.  It could be as simple as just allowing the forest to grow for an extended period of time.

(2.)  If you think about the program, it makes sense to pay taxes on the land for what it’s use is rather than what someone might pay if it was developed.  Please read the attached information from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to better understand the program.

(3.)  Many of the trees in Vermont already have diseases i.e. butternut, beeches, hemlock, maple, elm and now the Emerald Ash Borer which is destined to kill our ash trees in the next few years.  Who better to help monitor your forest than professional foresters who are knowledgeable and deal with these situations on a daily basis.

https://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/your_woods/use_value_appraisal

Dog is GOD spelled backwards PET FRIENDLY HOMES

And in many of our homes this is so true as our pets are like a member of our immediate family.  We like to make our animals happy because it gives us such pleasure to see them respond to our kindness.  If you are building new or a major remodeling, why not consider a pet friendly home?  The pets will love it and your life can be made easier with some forethought.

First consider how you live or are going to live and then design.  A move to the country can change your dog’s life in much the same way that yours will change.  Muddy paws or heaven forbid that your friend rolls in a mess to cover his scent or maybe just needs a good cleaning, consider a small dog shower in the entry way which could be elevated with positive flow to the drain.  Flooring should be durable as stone or ceramic and the subbase needs to be waterproof.   Over plywood a low viscosity epoxy with very small colored aggregate might work and can be attractive.  Remember that the larger the aggregate the harder it is to clean.

On areas that will need extensive cleaning a seamless polyurethane coating can be used as it is flexible, seamless and waterproof and is produced in many colors.  As with any coating applied to wood or concrete make sure the appropriate vapor barrier is in place prior to application.

A room with a view is appropriate so your dog can look out over his domain.  Under a window construct a “built in” for storage that also gives them a place that is theirs.  This space allows your protector an opportunity to bark and alert you if someone is in his area.  You might consider ramps or stairs for older animal’s ease of access.   A bed beneath cabinetry in the laundry could provide a cave and safe haven if needed. A pet friendly entry, dog doors, and a feeding station that is easy to clean might be considered.   By checking on line you will find many great ideas to help in your design.

AND THEN THERE WERE MAPLES

Many of the beeches on my tree farm are infected with disease (cyrptococcus fagisuga /neonectria spp) and it appears to me to be as bad as it sounds.  Blemishes, warts, pimples and white spots that look like a fungus are easily spotted on the bark of the tree.  At first, I would wait until these symptoms appeared and then would harvest the tree for firewood for my use and my many friends who also burned wood.  Then the situation got worse as the beeches would seed themselves in clearings and on my woods roads.  As they grew at what seemed like a rapid pace the branches would extend as if they were searching for sunlight as a way of healing themselves.  Anyone who has been slapped on the face by a beech whip on a cold winter day while walking or skiing in the woods will realize my grave concern about my woods being taken over by this problem.

My research showed the problem could be solved three ways – chemical, biological or mechanical.  Being a fan of the physical, of course, I chose cutting the whips with a chainsaw.  It amazes me how much area one man can clear in a few hours.  The sight of healthy maples and ash made my project very worthwhile.  At first, I was concerned that new growth from the stump would grow again and I might need to use an herbicide like glyphosate to control any new growth on the stumps.   But to my amazement the deer have kept the new growth completely at bay and we have a win - win situation.

ENJOY THE LATE FALL COLORS!

Late fall colors can be outstanding.

The beeches and many poplar (popple) trees still have leaves in a gold color that can be beautiful on a misty fall day.  These trees are Deciduous (leaf bearing) and will eventually lose their leaves.  What about a needled conifer with cones that will be green in the spring and summer and then turn into a lovely yellow before losing its needles in the winter?

If this interests you consider a Larch Tree (Tamarack) which has cones, but is classified as Deciduous because of the needle drop.  In the spring the needles will be only around an inch or less and sprout in little clusters with 30 ton 40 needles each.  If you look closely you will see pink flowers that will start out red or yellow and turn brown by fall as they form the cones.  This tree is also referred to as a Tamarack by many and grow up to 75 feet tall.

Don’t panic when your favorite conifer turns yellow and sheds needles in the fall.  White pine is a conifer that may shed dramatically.  It generally drops all needles except those of the current year and sometimes the prior year.  On the other hand, a spruce conifer sheds its needles inconspicuously and may retain needles up to five years and you will not even be aware of the needle loss.

Inspect and enjoy your trees!

CARBON FIBER for Structural Strengthening of Concrete or Wood

Structural Strengthening of Concrete or Wood Using Carbon Fiber

If you are concerned about the structural integrity of a building that you are considering purchasing, or that you already own, a solution might be the use of carbon fiber for its high strength, its ease of installation, and a diminished project down-time for the structure. For example, if you desire to increase live loads on a floor, gluing two to four-inch wide thin, flexible carbon fiber strips to the bottoms of the beams and/or the floor will increase structural strength.   Or if there is a concern about the integrity of the columns supporting a floor then a carbon fiber wrap might be the solution.  Thin carbon fiber sheets are glued around the columns and saturated with a low viscosity epoxy resin.  If aesthetics is a concern then a coating may be applied over the surface.

4 inch carbon fiber strips

Carbon fiber wrap

Carbon fiber uses:

            Increased live loads on floors

            Installation of heavy machinery in buildings

            Changes of building utilization

            Aging of existing construction materials

            Fire damage

            Removal of slab sections or openings

            Design or construction defects

Most often carbon fiber repairs will need to be designed by a structural engineer and installed by a competent specialty contractor. Instead of an expensive replacement solution, carbon fiber is a repair solution for your investment.

Yes, Deer! Baby it's cold outside -

AMERICAN TREE FARM SYSTEM Mountain Mead Farm has been a member for 25 + years!
Being a good steward of land means being involved in WOOD - WATER -

RECREATION - WILDLIFE in many ways throughout the year.

When the first snows arrive we use our 4X4 tractor with a back scraper and chains all around to open roads connecting two deer browse areas on either side of the Christmas Tree fields. We do this to insure good movement for food and escape paths if needed.

When apples are abundant our white-tailed deer will have abundant food supply early on. As we are situated near the northern extreme of the white-tailed deer's range, functional winter habitats are essential to maintain stable populations of deer.

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This red maple bud may not seem like much to us, but after being hungry for three months the deer are excited to have fresh food. We have marked red (soft) maple for next year’s fire wood for friends and we will cut them down for deer food. The small deer will come running when they hear the chain saw and immediately start to feed. As their hunger is stronger than their fear it is impossible to get them to run away.  So, we simply move to the next area and wait for the deer to catch up.

We wait until late summer to brush hog our fields making sure the ground birds are all flying and we are not disturbing their nests. But in early summer we do brush hog around the perimeter of the fields for paths and escape routes, but only after I have walked the path to make sure our new critters are not in the way.  Occasionally we see a treasure like this new born fawn and hope that in some way that our love for animals has somehow helped them be healthy so we may enjoy them for years to come.

www.vermontlandbroker.com

DAVID JAMIESON, REALTOR BROKER

802-522-6702

PROBLEM SOLVED - Christmas Tree Needle Drop

If you are celebrating a holiday and there are music, candles, fires and good times - I'm in! But we must also try and manage the stress and the mess that is part of the celebration. According to the National Christmas Tree Association the biggest complaint with using a Real Christmas Tree is needle drop.

Even a freshly cut Christmas tree will normally have brown needles attached to the stem and often on the branches. When the tree has been harvested early the chance for needle drop increases dramatically.

One of the best ways to eliminate the needle drop is to use a hand held leaf blower. Many of these machines boast of an air speed of over 100 mph so trust me that "needle be gone" happens quickly. When Mountain Mead Farm sold Christmas Trees to the wonderful folks at the Gardner Supply Stores in Williston and Winooski each tree was carefully air blasted to the delight of the customers.

Other possible ways include a pressure washer or a quick trip to the local car wash to eliminate this troublesome problem. Now you can enjoy the fragrance of your Christmas Tree.

Time to Know Vermont's Trees

“Do not be afraid to go out on a limb….That’s where the fruit is”

One of my favorite stories involving my son Jake happened when he was in the eighth grade.  His teacher decided it was time for a test on Vermont trees and to see if any of the students had any knowledge of the forests that surrounded them.  As he handed out the test the teacher explained that there were pictures of twenty trees and their leaves that he would like identified to the best of the student’s ability.

Almost before the groans had stopped Jake had turned the test in.  To the teacher’s surprise Jake had identified all of them 100% correctly.  Now here was a student that usually was not the star of the class who had magicly answered all the questions correctly in a very short time.   While the teacher did not accuse Jake of cheating, he started a discussion to determine how this miracle had happened.  Jake told him that anyone who had spent as many hours in the woods as he had following his father who would point his axe at a tree and ask “what kind of tree is this” could have passed the test also.

Although that was one way to learn about trees you might consider one of the following publications to learn about Vermont’s trees.

“A Beginner’s Guide to Recognizing Trees of the Northeast” by writer Mark Mikolas and published by Countryman Press in October of 2017 includes just 12 deciduous and 8 conifer species that represent almost 95 percent of the trees in the northeast.  So, it shouldn’t take that long to become an expert.

A more comprehensive book by www.ForestryPress.com is the #1 selling guidebook to Vermont’s 82 native forest trees, written for ages 10 through adult and is printed in full color with species data about: Bark, Twigs, Leaves, Fall Colors, Flowers and Buds.

There are many sources of information about our wonderful Vermont trees and I certainly hope you decide to get started soon.

FLOOR COATINGS Both VOC Compliant and Red List Free.

Made in Vermont – all ways better!   Manufactured in Hardwick is a line of coatings for both residential and commercial applications that is VOC compliant, red list free, contains no carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxins.  These polywhey products far surpass the highest standards for VOCs and are approved for use in the strictest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certified constructions.  PolyWhey  technology, uses whey protein, a recycled and renewable byproduct of CHEESEMAKING to displace toxic ingredients found in typical wood finishes which also adds to the durability. 

My professional career involved specifying, estimating and supervising the installation of coatings, waterproofing, and repairs around the United States. Hence, my tendency is to be critical of products and when it is my own home, even more so.

The first step was to prepare the surface by sanding down the high wear areas with a dustless grinder and vacuum system.  The rest of the surface was thoroughly cleaned with Vermont Natural Coatings professional wood floor cleaner and then hand applied the EasyWhey floor color until all surface color was the same.

Now the easy part was applying the Polywhey 3500 Wood Floor Finish which because of the small areas was applied with a nine-inch roller.  You can actually watch the coating “break” or cure with great consistency where you just applied

the product.  After a cure time of one and one-half hours the second coat was applied and then the third coat.  Trust me when I say “these are incredible products”.

www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com

FOR THE LOVE OF LAND AND YOUR TREES

Our magnificent butternut trees died and were lost soon after we purchased our land for “Mountain Mead Farm”.  Our elm trees grow up to twenty feet and then die from Dutch Elm disease.  Our beeches are dying from a fungus type disease, so we harvest them for firewood.  The young beeches grow with extended branches as if trying to receive extra energy from the sun to save themselves from the disease.  We mechanically harvest the small beeches to keep our roads and trails open for recreational use such as hiking and cross-country skiing.

Our hemlocks need constant monitoring as there is an invasive disease already killing trees in southern Vermont.  Vermont’s precious maples are also under scrutiny as we hear about an insect that can kill entire sugarbush plantations.   Now the Emerald Ash Borer is threatening our ash trees.  In the words of a young forester, “It is not a matter of if they will kill our trees - but when”.

‘Stick time’, when the leaves are gone, is a great time to monitor your forest.  Leaf bearing trees generally die from the top down while cone bearers die from the bottom up, many times from ant infestations or other predators.  Go for walks, get to know your forests, and look for indications that the trees are not right.

Talk with your county forester or any of the knowledgeable consulting foresters who practice in your area.  Most importantly, get involved before it is too late!

WHAT IS THE SPAN NUMBER LISTED ON ALL VERMONT TAX BILLS?

What is the SPAN number which is found on the property tax bill for each parcel of land in Vermont? 

SPAN stands for School Property Account Number,  a unique 11 – digit identification number assigned by a municipality to each property.  The property tax adjustment is credited to the property tax bill linked to this number.  The code of the Vermont school district in which the property is located is the middle three digits of the SPAN.

Pruning the top of a coniferous tree for future growth and beauty!

The perfect tree does not just happen to grow that way – they will need help and I am willing to share the secret!

For example, a Christmas tree should have the ends of the branches cut or tipped during mid-July to mid-August and the sides should be approximately a 70 degree taper which will force the growth back into the rest of the whorl and help thicken the tree for future use.

But the trick is in the top - Picture 1

First remove any leaders that may extend from the lower tree by clipping them as close to the tree as possible.

Picture 2 Remove any branch that is growing up over a 45-degree angle as it will try to become a leader the next year and result in multiple tops.

Picture 3 Save the best leader and clip it just above a predominant bud and for normal growth that may be around eight inches in height. To slow the upward growth simply keep the leader short and trim the tree to this angle.

PURE VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP IS EXACTLY THAT... "PURE"

FDA drops "added sugar" on labels of 100 % Pure Vermont Maple Sugar products! Most people have known this fact for years. It is clearly indicated on the Maple Syrup label on the cans sold by my grandfather, Edward H. Jones, who was Vermont Commissioner of Agriculture from 1924 to 1944, serving under eight governors. His label clearly states " FULLY GUARANTEED UNDER THE PURE FOOD LAWS AND TO CONTAIN NOTHING BUT THE PRODUCT OF THE MAPLE.