Hawley Forest & Land Management LLC

06/07/2026

It's that time of year again! Have you seen any of these turtles crossing roads or digging nests on your property? If so, please consider submitting your observations to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory Rare Species Form to help inform turtle conservation efforts across the state!

Click here to learn about the Rare Species Form:
https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/report

Click here to learn more about MNFI, the Natural Heritage Database, and the work that we do:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/10cff7ddf03240c395fbb384a0ab76e9

06/05/2026

Alert 🚨 Invasive Watch 👀

On a short walk this afternoon on my property, I happened upon Garlic Mustard. This herbaceous w**d is rare in our region but has made a real problem for forest health in southern MI. The plants sprout early in the spring and grow densely in the forest understory. They have explosive seed pods that can spread over 7,000 seeds up to 10 feet from each plant.

Keep your eyes open for these plants along trails over the next couple weeks. If you find it, take a second to pull the individuals with flowers so their seeds don’t spread.

05/20/2026

Spring leaf out is the perfect time to spot invasive shrubs. Species like autumn olive leaf out early and quickly outcompete native plants such as serviceberry (pictured) one of the best natural forage and habitat species for wildlife.

I’ve seen properties where dense autumn olive completely suppressed native regeneration. After selective treatment, serviceberry, oak, and other native species began reclaiming the understory within just a few growing seasons.

Selective invasive shrub treatment helps promote quality forage, healthier habitat, and long-term native forest regeneration.

If your woods have been or are becoming inundated with invasive shrubs, now is the time to address them while they stand out during spring leaf out.

05/15/2026

Have a professional protect the positive outcomes for you and your property.

05/03/2026

First planting of the year is officially in the books 🌱

This site has quite the story! After a pine dominant harvest, a wildfire swept through and left a portion of the property scorched and struggling to recover. But instead of letting it sit, we’re putting it back to work.

We planted red pine to jumpstart regeneration, stabilize the soil, and rebuild a healthy, productive forest. It’s a long-term play. One that creates future timber value while restoring wildlife habitat and ecosystem health.

Moments like this are where good forestry makes a real difference. Not just clearing land, but setting it up to thrive for decades.

If you’ve got acreage that needs a reset, whether it’s post-harvest, storm damage, or just underperforming ground, there are smart ways to turn it around.

Send me a message if you want to walk your property and see what’s possible.

04/30/2026

Nothing like walking through the woods and finding giant cobwebs to keep your heart rate up.

Good news: not spiders! Just eastern tent caterpillars throwing a group dinner party.

They love cherry and apple trees, can eat a lot in a hurry, but they’re native and trees usually bounce right back. They are NOT gypsy/spongy moths and their damage is common place in our woods.

Caught these guys in action on a pin cherry during a red pine replant. Rude house guests, but harmless overall.

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

Morel season: where grown adults wander the woods hunched over like they're searching for lost car keys 🍄 🍄‍🟫
Find one... and suddenly you're acting like a wildlife tracker on a mission.
The forest didn't change-you just unlocked "morel vision."

Haven’t had a sighting so far this year. Anyone found so far this spring?

04/15/2026

Your woods are always telling a story… are you listening? 🌲

A healthy forest doesn’t happen by accident. It takes awareness, timing, and the right plan. That’s where forest monitoring comes in.

With professional monitoring, you can:
✔️ Identify forest health concerns before they become costly problems
✔️ Discover opportunities to improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity
✔️ Get connected to financial assistance programs that help fund improvements
✔️ Learn how to make the most of your land’s unique features

Whether you own a small woodlot or large acreage, regular monitoring keeps your forest thriving, resilient, and working for you.

Your land has potential; let’s unlock it.

📩 Message me to get started or to schedule a walk-through of your property

04/11/2026

Trees Tell the Story of Our Land🌳🌲

While walking a property for a new forest plan, I came across a massive white pine, likely over 200 years old. Trees like this are more than just impressive; they hold clues about the land’s history.

The wide, low branches show that this tree once stood alone in an open field, probably when the land was used for agriculture. Later, when the field was abandoned, fast-growing trees like aspen filled in around it. As competition for sunlight increased, the pine’s branches turned upward, reaching for the light.

Those same aspen trees helped create the conditions for a new generation of pines to grow beneath them. Leading to the forest you see today.

Understanding the past of your land is the first step in shaping its future. Every forest has a story, learning to read it helps guide better decisions for years to come.

Guiding land, growing legacy starts with recognizing the signs left behind.