(This article is the third in a series by Lloyd C. Irland, and was originally published in the November issue of Maine Woodlands).
In the Middle Ages, most farms consisted of scattered patches with rights to plow, graze pigs, cut wood, or harvest honey. A manor held by a minor lord might include several villages, each with a few dozen farms, tilled by villeins bound to the land . . . .
(The second article of a series by Lloyd C. Irland, this article was originally printed in the October issue on Maine Woodlands).
Medieval kings and feudal landholders tightly controlled rights to hunt on their land. Rules were detailed, making Maine’s book of hunting and fishing regulations look . . .
Read Moreby Llyod C. Irland
(This article is the first in a series, and was originally published in the September issue of Maine Woodlands).
Newspapers and magazines have been reminding us it’s the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the “Great Charter” signed under duress by King John in 1215. It turns out that, in addition to protecting the traditional rights of the barons, it also created medieval forest rights that are still with us today.
Read MoreSince 2000, deer tick populations have expanded throughout the state, and Lyme disease cases have increased exponentially. The 5- to 14-year-old age group, and those over 65, have been most vulnerable.
Read More“Trees are like any other crop,” David Rocque, Maine State Soil Scientist, says, in that they thrive with specific soil conditions. He warns against “shoe horning” trees in places where they won’t be happy. Rocque recommends . . .
Read MoreMost of Maine’s migrating songbirds will arrive at the beginning of May. Some can’t wait that long.
Read MoreIf you see a brown rabbit during the winter in Maine, it’s a New England Cottontail.
Read MoreCan I tap this tree? I could, if I wanted to tap a . . .
Read MoreMany white pines never get a chance to fulfill their genetic potential. and in most cases it’s not because they’re cut down, or blown down, or broken down by snow and ice, but because they fall victim to a tiny insect – the white pine weevil, a bug that could be a candidate for the 10 Most Unwanted List.
Read MoreWhen looking at tracks, a good way to start is deciding whether it is a canid (dog) or a felid (cat). A dog track will have . . .
Read MoreTake a survey and help determine state and local natural resource programs and funding opportunities in the coming five year cycle.
Read MoreShoreland zoning laws help to keep our waters clean; at least that’s the intent. This set of laws, as it relates to timber harvesting . . .
Read MoreLike a lot of woodland owners, we usually select a wild tree for Christmas from our land each year. But several years back, we also planted some balsam firs.
Read MoreIn just five years, the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (ME-TACF) predicts they will be producing potentially blight-resistant chestnut seed. Reintroduction of the American chestnut to the Maine and eastern U.S. forest ecosystems is an enormous undertaking.
Read MoreAt 115 feet, this recently discovered American chestnut tree in Lovell, Maine is the tallest in North America. While it is blight-free, it may not have resistance. It may just have managed to escape due to its isolated location.
Read MoreI’m a landowner and I’m a user of private lands as well. I think many sportsmen and women are in the same boat, and those who are recognize and understand the relationship between landowners and land users. There are others, however, who treat public access as a right and not the privilege it truly is.
Read MoreThe fact is that hunters are at a high risk for exposure to ticks. What might not be immediately obvious is that . . .
Read MoreIn Maine, this is the time of year that large numbers of adult ticks are feeding. Here are three pointers . . .
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