Spaulding Outdoors by Jack Spaulding 

 

A log sale to remove dead and dying ash and tulip trees from picnic areas, campgrounds and other public places is planned for McCormick’s Creek State Park this winter. Additionally, local residents will be able to cut firewood.

Tulip trees marked for removal have been affected by drought and tulip scale, and are threatening to fall or drop dead limbs. Falling limbs and trees can damage roads, buildings, public spaces and utilities. Because the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been identified in the park, ash trees in public spaces and along trails will be marked for removal as well.

“We have around 500 tulip and ash that need to come out before the summer recreation season,” Park Manager Dwight Brooks said. “People will see stumps and tops along park roads, in picnic areas and in the campgrounds – but we’ll get as much cleaned up as we can before our campers roll in this spring.”

Park staff will cut the trees with assistance from sawyers from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry. Then, timber buyers will be allowed into the park to bid on the logs. Interested buyers should watch for a future news release describing the bid process.

Affected trees less than 14 inches in diameter and trees in campgrounds containing debris which could damage sawmill equipment will not be included in the log sale. Instead, the park will drop the trees and make them available to local residents to cut for firewood for $5 per pickup load.

A permit for cutting firewood will be required and can be obtained at the park office between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays beginning Jan. 20. Days, hours and access for cutting will be determined by weather conditions. Call the park office for updates.

Purchasers of firewood must agree to comply with ash quarantine requirements. Any wood brought back to the park or used at a state property must have the bark removed, as required by DNR’s firewood rule. All proceeds from the log sale and firewood permits will be designated for resource management, which includes planting new trees.

Ginger Murphy, deputy director of stewardship for DNR Division of State Parks, said the tree removal is necessary for park safety. She called the selling of firewood and logs to fund replacement trees a “win-win.”

“The Division of State Parks’ mission requires that we manage our natural and cultural resources wisely and, at the same time, provide safe and enjoyable access for our visitors,” she added.

Several state parks have been affected by EAB. Ash trees have been or are being removed at Pokagon, Potato Creek and Spring Mill state parks and at Patoka, Salamonie and Mississinewa lakes.

McCormick’s Creek State Park’s address is 250 McCormick’s Creek Park Road, Spencer, IN 47460.

Eagle watch on Upper Wabash

See Indiana’s largest documented wintering eagle roost during the Second Saturday eagle watch at Salamonie Lake Feb. 14. Participants should meet at Salamonie Interpretive Center at 3 p.m. for a short overview of Indiana’s bald eagles; everyone will caravan to the roosting spot.

Hot drinks and snacks will be available at the roost for a donation. The event includes some walking on paved roads. Individuals needing handicapped parking should request it upon registration. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, cameras and spotting scopes if they have them.

The eagle watch is part of a monthly educational series at Salamonie Lake called Second Saturday. Advance registration is required by calling 260-468-2127.  The Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is located at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, IN 46702.

Become a state park volunteer

Jan. 19 celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. If you are looking for an opportunity to be a volunteer, don’t forget your “outside opportunities” and sign up to be a park volunteer in 2015.

From maintaining trails to entering computer data to helping in nature centers, Hoosiers can donate their time and talent in a variety of ways at a state park, according to Jody Heaston, volunteer coordinator for the DNR Division of State Parks.

“Volunteering gives you a great sense of accomplishment,” Heaston said. “You know you are helping manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.” For more information on volunteering, visit www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2443.htm

Download an application and return it to the state park or lake where you want to volunteer. You may also email it to jheaston@dnr.IN.gov if you don’t have a particular park in mind.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.