Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year

CAMBRIDGE – Joe Arington has been selected as the 2009 Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year. The Tree Farmer of the Year honor recognizes private landowners who do an exceptional job of both managing their forests and promoting sound forest management.

“It’s exciting” said the owner of Arington Tree Farm, 2935 Evergreen Rd., Cambridge upon his selection by the Wisconsin Tree Farm Committee, based out of Waupaca. The Committee is made up of individuals from industry, consulting foresters, past winners, state Department of Natural Resources staff and woodland owners.

Mr. Arington will be recognized at the annual Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA) convention in Stevens Point next month. He will receive county, district and state plaques, along with a gift certificate from Stihl for a chain saw and safety gear.

The Cambridge man was nominated for the award by Charles Brooks, a forester with Christie Forestry Consultants, Madison, with whom he has worked on numerous projects since 2001 and who will present the awards. Mr. Arington also receives forestry assistance from DNR forester Mary Ann Buenzow, Janesville.

Mr. Arington bought his first 20 acre parcel of land in 1998 and continued to purchase property up to what now encompasses 360 acres, of which 150 acres is Tree Farm Certified. The rest remains in agriculture.

Timber present on the Arington Tree Farm includes red and white pine, white spruce, oak, hickory, black walnut, other hardwoods as well as some wetland and grassy areas.

“Joe works tirelessly on controlling invasive species, which is a large and ongoing problem,” points out Shirley Bargander, DNR forestry team leader based at Wausau.

These invasive species include buckthorn, honeysuckle, garlic mustard, reed canary grass and box elder. Invasives are removed from all parts of the property, both forested and wetland areas.

Mr. Arington restored wetlands by not only removing invasives, but through planting species such as tamarack and aspen to promote quality wetlands, along with developing 15 ponds on the property.

Pheasants have been released on the tree farm which also has many hiking trails. A large deer exclusion has been built to protect young seedlings from deer damage. He is working with the Walnut Council to establish test plots of chestnut, butternut and walnut. The Walnut Council is holding its annual conference at Madison in 2011 and will use the Arington Tree Farm for a site visit.

“Joe is very committed to improving his land as well as providing an environment where other landowners can visit and educate themselves about progressive tree farming. He takes the role of a good land steward to the next level with his dedication, enthusiasm and foresight and sincerely deserves to be the 2009 Tree Farmer of the Year,” added Ms. Bargander.

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