We are surrounded by plans, either those that we make for ourselves or those that have been created by others. Some of the latter may impact our lives directly and unexpectedly— such as road construction along a favorite commuter route. Others are more predictable and may only affect us temporarily — such as the publicity related to an upcoming movie release. You can take a different way to work, or change the channel or the website, and thereby minimize any inconvenience.
Then there’s the media blitz touting seasonal sales, which seem to begin before Halloween takes place. These are planned in conjunction with whether Thanksgiving is “early” or “late,” which many believe affects the holiday shopping season. (This has been debated for decades and even involved the federal government.) How impactful the blitz is depends on your own planned holiday shopping.
This is also a good time of year to plan for 2025 and beyond. While a New Year’s Resolution is, at is heart, a plan for action, if you are a land owner or manager, you don’t have to wait until January. Now is a good time to assess the property and make a plan, starting with some simple questions.
Do you plan to plant trees in the coming year? State tree nurseries across the region are now taking orders for delivery in time for spring planting — and the nursery managers always recommend making your purchases early for best availability. Read more about this in our News and Notes section, and plan your planting now.
Do you plan to improve the health of your woodlands? Now is a good time to assess the impacts of invasive plants, as many species continue to stay green after natives have become dormant for the winter. It’s also a good time to check for egg masses on your trees from invasive insects such as the spongy moth or the spotted lanternfly. Plan to reduce emerging insects by removing the egg masses now.
Do you plan to generate more income from your woodlands? Perhaps that involves a timber harvest; be sure to understand all the tax implications by consulting the National Timber Tax website and the updated publications from US Forest Service experts. Also be sure to work with an accountant who is familiar with timber tax regulations. Perhaps your plan includes opening your woodland to recreational activities for a fee; be sure to understand the legal liability issues involved by reading this publication from UME and consulting a legal professional for the most up-to-date advice.
However, as the saying goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Many situations, particularly when it comes to adverse weather, are beyond your control. Although, for example, our region was spared the worst of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene, the potential impact of such storms should be assessed in your plans for your natural areas, especially when it comes to property insurance.
It’s also a good time of year for me to set the schedules for our program’s online courses, as I have started to receive emails from folks planning to attend one or more sessions next year. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to pull out my 2025 calendar and start making my own plans.