NOVA SCOTIA REPORT
by Alan O’Brien

Summer finds the Nova Scotia Silviculture Contractors’ Association heading in a new direction as we plan for our annual general meeting in August. The Association has hired an executive assistant to take the lead on a number of proposed initiatives, which our volunteer board simply did not have the luxury of devoting the necessary time to deal with. 

In the spring, a survey was developed and mailed to all contractors in the province. Our high response rate was a strong indicator that we need to continue to strive to affect change in a number of areas and act as a voice with stakeholders in the industry. The compiled results of the survey will be presented to members at our meeting in August and will help guide our plan of action in the coming year. 

Industry funding has all been allocated for 2007, forcing many contractors to carryover completed projects into 2008. This has placed an enormous financial burden on many contractors and again highlights the need for ongoing discussions and change within the industry.

The issue of stand tending has been brought to the attention of the Association by several contractors. The concern is that the majority of private land plantations are not receiving any follow-up competition control (herbicide treatment). Perusal of the data provided on the Department of Natural Resources’ website would suggest this to be the case (see tables). During the period of 2001-2005, there was only one year (2005) when more competition control than planting took place on a per hectare basis. A list of possible limiting factors might include public sentiment regarding the use of herbicides, proximity of residential property, and the rate of compensation paid to the applicator.

Media has painted an extremely negative picture of forestry herbicide practices, leading many landowners to question the application of chemicals to their woodlots. When spray block perimeters are within 500 metres of residences, the occupants must be notified, in accordance with Department of Environment regulations. Many contractors are uncomfortable treating any areas where notifications must be sent out. In addition, payment for such work has not increased in ten years, leaving only a few select contractors doing the herbicide jobs.

Since the industry requires a minimum number of completed silviculture hectares to comply with regulations, the predominant treatment used is tree planting. Plantation establishment has accounted for over 40% of all silviculture work carried out in Nova Scotia during the past five years. From a public relations perspective, it is much more favourable to plant trees than to spray them. 

The reality is that plantations established without necessary vegetative management are limited in their volume growth potential, and in some cases their survival. There needs to be a more concentrated effort by industry, landowners, and contractors to see that all management tools are being utilized and stands in question reach their full potential.