Tree Farming, the sign of good forestry.

2012 Maine Outstanding Tree Farmers

Ernest and Alberta Angevine of Bethel

Ernest and Alberta Angevine of Bethel have been named 2012 Maine Tree Farmers of the Year.  They were honored at the Augusta Civic Center during the Maine Agricultural Trade Show and SWOAM annual meeting on January 11, along with Abbott and Miriam Ladd of Belgrade, Kennebec County Tree Farmers of the Year and Tom and Rachael Armstrong, Lincoln County Tree Farmers of the Year.

Now in their 90’s, the Angevines have been stewards of their 189 acres, as well as active participants in the local SWOAM chapter, and overall SWOAM and Tree Farm supporters for many years.  Sherman Small, their forester says “It is impressive to see what has been accomplished over the course of time by diligent forest management.  I think Ernest and Alberta’s work provide a good example of the fruits of long term management.”

Much of the management work throughout the years has been done by Ernest.  He started a pruning rotation in the 1950’s and to date over 3,000 stems have been pruned. Most of the logging was done by Ernest until the late 1990’s.  Local loggers were hired a few times for the bigger jobs.  There is a well-established trail system as well as wildlife-friendly practices, thanks to the assistance from the Oxford County NRCS office and the Wildlife Incentives Program.

The land has been open to the public for all types of recreation, fishing and hunting, and many people have viewed the Angevine’s ongoing management program and benefited from it.  Their daughter Judy Coolidge, a retired second grade teacher, developed an annual Environmental Day on the property for all second graders in the district that is still going strong 23 years later.