James & Eleanor Crider Forest

In the fall of 2016, a timber harvest was conducted on the Crider and Rumrill Family Forests in accordance with our written forest management plan. The harvest covered about 100 acres (of the 164 acre property).  Access for the harvest was via Protection Road, which is also used by hikers on the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail (MSGT) to access the Crider Shelter.  The Crider Shelter was built around 1996 on the forest as  one of the many shelters servicing this long distance trail.  The trail to the shelter is a short spur from the main MSGT trail, no other hiking opportunities exist on the property.  For more information about the MSGT visit: http://www.msgtc.org/. Goals for the harvest include regenerating white pine in a stand of mature white pine that surrounds the shelter.  The result has opened up a view of Dakin Hill from the shelter which provides a new sunset backdrop. Large trees that posed a safety concern above the shelter were removed during this harvest as well.  A Picture Post has been installed about 100' south of the Crider Shelter for visitors to use their cameras or smartphones to document changes to the harvested area over time.   Please use it if you do visit the shelter!  Directions can be found on the post itself.

Throughout the remainder of the harvest area several different silvicultural prescriptions were implemented.  Hemlock and red spruce stands were cut lightly to promote and regenerate hemlock and spruce, which provide valuable wildlife habitat, especially in winter. Patch cuts and group openings totaling 13 acres ranged from ½ to 5 acres each.  These canopy openings were concentrated primarily in the Rumrill Family Forest where tree growth had been slowed due to overcrowding, ice damage and the presence of low quality timber.  Tree species that will hopefully thrive in the smaller sized openings include yellow birch, sugar maple and red spruce.  Larger openings are expected to grow some of the same species, but with the addition of early successional species such as trembling aspen and white birch. Areas that were not harvested include a wildlife corridor connecting the patch cuts, a red pine stand with abundant bear sign and areas with groups of old legacy trees along Chandler Meadow.  

The Forest Society primarily manages this property for sustainable forestry, productive wildlife habitat, and other conservation benefits in support of the greater Stoddard community. While all of our reservations are open to the public, this property may be difficult to access due to a lack of developed recreation features and resources such as signage, parking, established trails, and a detailed Forest Reservation Guide map.

If you are looking to explore a unique forest in this area that offers a wider array of recreational opportunities, we encourage you to visit any of our “recommended properties nearby” featured below.