Chandler Reservation

i. Timber: See Timber Stand Description table for specific information. Overall, the goal is to seek to improve the value and health of each area of the reservation when active forest management takes place. Current sound forestry practices are encouraged, as are modern harvesting techniques and sound cutting practices. Best Management Practices should be used throughout timber sale areas.

ii. Wildlife: Benefits to many wildlife species exist because of the large size of this undeveloped property. There are many stands of hemlock, oak and beech, as well as many den/cavity trees. As a result, there are some wildlife management opportunities available here that are not possible on smaller properties. One objective could be to increase the acreage of regeneration and early successional stand types, as these are beneficial to many species, yet there are very few acres of Reservation property that are classified as these types. Creating these types can be accomplished by creating modest sized patch cuts within harvest areas during future forest management activities. Many of the recommendations and suggested wildlife management strategies were suggested in a plan created by John Kanter, Wildlife Management Specialist.

Other wildlife management tools involve leaving large cavity and mast producing trees within harvest zones, favoring hardwood sprout growth for browse, and maintaining dense hemlock canopies and understories for important deer winter habitat. The designated "leave" areas are important habitat opportunities for wildlife that depends on dead, dying and decaying trees. These areas will have more examples of these trees than areas of the property under long term active forest management.

The overall impact of the ice storm on wildlife habitat has been positive. The storm damage has created more ground cover in the form of broken tops and branches, somewhat better browse opportunities with increased sunlight from reduced canopy density, and a higher per acre number of snags and potential den/cavity trees.

iii. Soil: The vast majority of the soils covering the Reservation are Hermon extremely stony sandy loams or Canaan-Hermon extremely rocky sandy loams. The most notable features of these soils are the abundance of stones on the surface, droughty nature, and steep slopes. The Hermon soils are relatively deep to bedrock, while the Canaan-Hermon soils are shallow to bedrock with many ledge outcrops. Both soils are Site Class II for white pine, sugar maple, spruce, red oak, birch and hemlock. In general, hardwoods do not out compete softwoods in these soils. These soils have few equipment limitations pertaining to forestry, other than the steep slopes and ledge outcrops creating inaccessible areas.

iv. Water Quality and Wetlands: The Chandler Reservation has many year-round and seasonal streams. There are also many wetlands, and some vernal pools. The wetlands and vernal pools can be protected using sound harvesting techniques and forestry practices. The wetlands should not be disturbed, and any tree removals should be limited to periods when the ground is either frozen or extremely dry. This will prevent soil compaction, rutting, and siltation. Harvesting near wetlands should seek to "feather" the transition between cut and uncut (the wetland) areas, rather than having an abrupt no-cut buffer line. This practice provides better habitat opportunities for a broader range of species and plant communities.

Unlike wetlands during optimal conditions, no cutting should occur within vernal pools. The buffer surrounding a vernal pool should be treated the same as a wetland buffer, creating a transition between treated and untreated (vernal pool) areas.

Other water quality protection measures include using appropriate stream crossing techniques during harvesting. These are described as Best Management Practices (BMP's), and the State has a handbook listing them.

v. Recreation Resources: One of the most important aspects of the Chandler Reservation is the opportunity for various recreation activities. There is a long network of hiking trails, some of which can be used by snowmobiles during the winter. These trails are maintained by the Committee through brush cutting and trail marking and footbridges have been provided in some areas. The Committee is also responsible for new trail establishment, possibly restoring the flag tower, and mowing the ski-tow area and the Osgood Road.

For the more adventurous, the myriad skid trails are an opportunity to see a larger portion of the Reservation. For those interested in hunting, the varied habitats provide for many game species, including deer, moose, turkey, woodcock, and grouse.

The damage caused by the ice storm necessitated a lot of cleanup to the trail network in the form of downed wood removal, as many of the trails were rendered impassable. Many hours were spent with chainsaws to clear each of the trails. After the cleanup, all the trails were marked with paint and new signage was added to aid hikers in following them.

There is also a new trail being established from the "Hippie House" on Bean Road. The location has been laid out, and it will be brushed and painted before summer 2000.

Finally, a new loop trail has been proposed to wind through the property on the east side of Bean Road. This trail would have some interesting features to demonstrate, including a vernal pool, the aspen clearcut, and the stand of very large white pine.

vi. Cultural Features: One of the most obvious features is the stone walls throughout the Reservation. These walls were used to retain livestock (usually sheep) in their pastures. Other walls were created as ownership boundaries, or became boundaries over time. Some walls outlined town roads or livestock runways. In all, there are thousands of linear feet of stone walls in the Reservation, in addition to those that form most of the boundary.

There are other features as well. Several foundations are within the property, along with some wells associated with those former buildings. There are a few dams and stone impoundments still evident. Old farm roads and logging trails, as well as the more recent truck roads and skid trails, hint at the past agricultural activities and tell of the present land uses. There is still evidence of a sawmill located high in the Minks, as mentioned earlier. The ski tow attests to a time when Bostonians came to Warner by train to enjoy winter activities.

There is a small cemetery near Bean Road. It is composed of one headstone. The isolated location was chosen because the deceased had had smallpox.

Finally, there is the tower atop Chandler Mink that once was quite visible from town and displayed a flag. Today, it has collapsed and the stone abutments are crumbling, but their purpose is still evident.

vii. Forest Protection: Forest protection measures can be integrated to protect many different resources. Soil erosion on roads and skid trails can be prevented by using water bars. These also prevent siltation of streams by diverting water flows into the forest instead of directly into a stream. The road network that exists will allow modest access for some fire suppression, although the majority of the property is located far from vehicle accessible areas. Active forest management currently employed allows for up close observation of forest conditions, and can aid in locating areas needing salvage caused by disease, insects, or other widespread damage.

viii. Threatened/Endangered Species and Unique Natural Communities: No threatened or endangered species have been noted on the property, but there are some unique habitats and communities. Management should seek to continue to allow these habitats to exist and be part of the reservation, and can be actively managed for where appropriate. The aspen clearcut habitat is on such example. Another unique area is the large hemlock dominated "leave" parcel adjacent to Bean Road.