DHJ:: Getting in Touch with Trees, Horses and the Earth

Getting in Touch with Trees, Horses and the Earth
by Al Balhmann
published in The Draft Horse Journal, Autumn 2001

A pristine forest situated in the heart of a modern bustling city may in itself seem a bit unusual. But, add to that the sight and sound of trees being felled, a horse logger skidding logs to a landing area, and the whine of a portable sawmill sawing lumber at the site, and you really have something out of the ordinary.

Interestingly, what is going on is part of a Woodland Stewardship Plan being implemented by the Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights convent in Rochester, Minnesota. All of which makes for quite a story. Enough of a story, so that along with this writer, a freelance writer from Madison, Wisconsin, is on hand. He is observing and recording the activities with the expectation of submitting a story to the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, which does environmental stories for National Public Radio. It will hopefully be aired over some one-hundred NPR stations around the country.

This story really had its beginning in August of 1997 when the Sisters at Assisi formed an Outdoor Environmental Task Force. The task force was given this mandate: To manage the Assisi Community grounds, (consisting of 119 acres), “in a manner that is both respectful of, and in harmony with, nature and life so future generations may benefit.” To proceed with this charge in a responsible way the task force engaged Kurt Hinz, a local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forester, to examine the property and develop a detailed Woodland Stewardship Plan. It was completed in January, 1998.

The plan specifically recommended logging some of the mature trees, (those more than 80 years old). Older trees can be subject to damage by storms, natural deterioration and disease. By harvesting this wood, at least some financial benefit would be derived and the cleared areas would make way for new vigorous forest growth. The DNR would carefully select the trees to be cut and draw up a timber sale plan specifying the volume and species of trees to be cut and wood quality. It would also set forth the conditions to be met by the selected logger. Such as cutting in the dormant season, lessening the damage to soil and wildlife and using low-impact logging methods to protect the residual trees.

To really appreciate the thinking, the planning and the philosophy of what goes on in this place, one needs to talk with someone like Sister Marlys Jax, Facility Manager of Building and Grounds at Assisi Heights. The convent has been her home since 1961 when she joined the Franciscans right out of high school. She and the other Sisters, have a great affection, if not a reverence for their trees. It was no small matter to decide to cut down trees in their forest. They recognized the gifts the trees have given over the years. They provided oxygen, shade, green space, a sanctuary for wildlife and beauty for Assisi and the Rochester community. In gratefulness, a prayer service was held, to say goodbye to the trees. It took place in the woodland, and simultaneously in the convent for those who could not make it out to the grounds. They reflected on how the trees grew over time, the various uses for the harvested wood and the new life that would spring forth in the cleared areas.

Sister Marlys has a deep sensitivity toward the earth and care of the earth. She has a genuine interest in “sustainable living.” As she explained, “We all have a place on the earth. We all use the earth in some way and we all return to the earth. Everything has to live in relationship with one another. We all benefit from one another. We need to ask: What are we returning to the earth? Are we restoring things? Or are we returning things that result in degradation and pollution?”

Tim headed to a new site with his Lucas Portable
Sawmill. He can get it all on one bobsled.

All set up and ready to go. Since this is an ongoing job, several local schools have brought students out on field trips for some first hand wisdom from a top horse logger.

Tim Carroll, horse logger from Lyle, Minnesota, with his horses and below at his portable sawmill.

Naturally when it came to selecting a logger, consideration was given to the care of the earth and protecting and enhancing the ecosystem. Several prospective horse loggers were interviewed. Tim Carroll from Lyle, Minnesota, was selected. He was fairly local and his thinking seemed most akin to how the Sisters felt about the spirituality of trees and the earth. It’s no surprise Tim was chosen. A short visit will readily demonstrate his passion for stewardship of the land. He looks at things in terms of their long term impact. Along with harvesting trees, he is looking to improve the woodlot for the future. He enjoys being in the forest, and likes to work with wood. He loves wildlife and animals, especially horses. To top it off, when you see this guy with his reddish beard, in his working attire, complete with Eskimo style mukluks, he just looks like a guy who can handle himself in the woods.

An important part of Tim’s mission is to make an impact in the logging industry with draft horses. He acknowledges the fact that mechanical logging is more prevalent and in some respects more productive. But in many situations he feels strongly that horse logging represents a superior alternative. It has been shown that reduced soil compaction and disturbance to the forest floor can increase production of residual trees by as much as 35%.

I believe Tim would be regarded as an excellent horseman. Strangely enough, he did not grow up with horses. He got into horses largely because of his wife, Doreen. She was a horse lover and part of knowing her and dating her meant riding horses. When they got married, Tim not only acquired a wife, but three horses. It was part of the deal. Later they bought a team of draft horses. To keep them it only made sense to use them. A logging crew was logging in the area and Tim offered to help out by pulling logs to the road with his horses. In doing so, folks passing by would stop by to see what was going on. One party asked if Tim would haul some wood for them. As things turned out, before he got that job done, he got three more. Before he finished them, he had ten more. Since then logging has become a full-time career. He even teaches horse logging. These days, along with felling trees and skidding logs, he has his own Lucas portable sawmill. And portable it definitely is. I watched him haul that mill into the Assisi forest on a bobsled. In no longer than twenty minutes he had it unloaded, set up and was starting the engine.

So according to plan, this winter’s logging project at Assisi is underway. Tim Carroll and his fine team of Percherons are logging in the northeast section of the Assisi forest. Red Oak, White Oak and Basswood are being cut, sawn into lumber and sold for furniture making in the Amish community nearby. The money realized from the sale of wood will be returned to the earth in new seedlings to replant and restore the forest. Some of the wood will be made into new furniture pieces for the convent which the Sisters will enjoy.

Sister Marlys likes to see the horses work. As she says, “Working with horses slows down our day.” A mechanical logger could probably have made short work of the logging job at Assisi. As is, Tim Carroll was given a three year contract to do the cutting. The Franciscan Sisters see this as having three years to say goodbye to the trees. Sister Marlys doesn’t mind that the work with horses takes time. Reflectively she added, “ Our world is whirling around so fast. Horses remind us that life takes time. We need to take time to wait, to reflect, slow down. Be conscious of what is around us. Get in touch with creation and the creator. We need to hear the voice of the earth.”

I came away with a multitude of thoughts after visiting with this keen minded, sensitive, religious woman and being there on the Assisi property. Uppermost was that there is much that can be learned here.