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The mission of Gutchess
Lumber’s harvesting and management team is to ensure
repeated crops of timber through proper management and best practice
forestry
principals, while meeting the objectives and goals of the landowner.
Our hardwood lumber manufacturing operations are located in Central New
York,
Western New York and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Previously owned by
four generations
of the
Gutchess family, we are now an employee owned company. With over a
century of experience in
the forest industry, the Gutchess family has instilled in us the belief that
proper
forest management
is more than words, it is action. Having owned timberland for
over 50
years, we know what sustainable harvesting really means. Our thousands of
acres
of timberland are located in
the heart of some the choicest Hard Maple, Black Cherry,
and Red Oak
timber growing regions of the United States. Our lands also include
Red
Maple, Ash, White Oak and Basswood species. Our staff of professional
foresters
have managed these forests since 1958. We implement the selection method
of harvest
in our forests on 15 to 30 year cycles, whereby our professional
foresters survey and mark each tree with the objective of maintaining
the health of the forest and improving the quality
of the timber stand. Each spring we plant thousands of new trees on our
timberland.
Forests are actively managed for bee
trees, den trees, nesting sites, and rookery
areas.
Soil and sedimentation planning is completed for all of our forests. Wetlands and their
value to our ecosystem are supported and
encouraged for their aesthetic and wildlife
benefits.
Our forest lands are multi-use lands and include many diverse uses and
users, including
but not limited to: bird watching, trout fishing, horseback riding, wild
flower viewing, berry picking, mushroom harvesting, hunting of small and
large game, hiking and backpacking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing,
and snow sledding. These
ecosystems are used and enjoyed by all people
interested in nature and the effect it has
on our hearts and minds.
We are good neighbors to everyone in the local communities, paying our
fair share of real property taxes and participating with public
ordinances and projects. We work closely with Township, County, and
State highway departments for information, road maintenance permits, and
bonding. We follow and exceed all regulatory requirements needed to protect
our waters from pollution. We cross streams at low impact points using
our portable
bridges
to insure minimal disturbance, treating all streams and tributaries with
the respect they deserve.
Our foresters, timber harvesters and timber trucking personnel are trained
professionals.
They have
the best equipment available to promote high quality workmanship, and
receive
continual training in forestry, safety, ecology, harvesting, and operating
techniques.
All of our staff have physicals and drug screenings annually to ensure their
health and
also the
health of our fellow community members.
Gutchess Lumber™
is a proud member of the following responsible organizations:
the
New York State Forest Practice Board, the Empire State Forest Products
Board,
the
American Tree Farm System, the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association,
and the Society of American Foresters' Certified Forester Program. We
are also proud to announce that thousands of acres of our forests have
received PEFC Certification
(PEFC/29-22-01/01) through PEFC's endorsement of the American Tree Farm
System.
PEFC is the largest independently audited sustainable forestry
certification organization
in the world. We warmly invite you to join us in the use of PEFC
Certified products and
become a part of the sustainable development solution of the wood
products industry worldwide.
Our team is ready to compete with all the challenges facing our industry
and look forward
to the opportunities that lie ahead. Be assured that our products have
not only a rich
history, but also a stewardship that will sustain you and us into the
future.
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