Field notes.

Walked the east skid trail from the landing to the township line. Ground still soft in the low spots; we will not roll equipment before the 15th. Counted three fresh blowdowns from the March wind — two yellow birch, one sugar maple, all within twenty feet of the trail edge. Buckable to firewood; flagged for the contract crew.

Deer browse pressure on the maple regeneration is heavier than last year in the hemlock-fringed pocket at the north end. Not yet at the threshold for tubing, but worth another look in June. Noted the usual ruffed grouse near the old woods road.

basal area (spot): 91 sq ft/ac · residual target: 90 · within band

Soil temperature at four inches, 38°F on the south headland, 34°F in the shaded strip along the fence line. Residue count from last year's rye came in at 68% cover — above the soil-health rider threshold, credit applied. Tile riser on the north end needs a new cap; have one on the trailer.

Spring planting window looking like the third week of April if the forecast holds. Will call the office before moving on field 4.

Winter operations proceeding on frozen ground, eight to ten inches of frost under the skid road. Crew of four; good order. Removal this cycle is the marked white pine in compartments B and C, with a light crop tree release in the transition to the uneven-aged block. No rutting observed.

One minor adjustment: the landing on the east edge of compartment C is smaller than the 2015 map indicates; the neighbor's fence has moved. Noted for the next cruise. No property-line dispute — their fence is on their side; our map was generous.

cords decked at landing: 94 · target for the cycle: ~240

Tuckpointing crew finished the north elevation. Lime mortar matched satisfactorily to the 1961 sample we kept in the office jar. Gutter leader replaced with cast iron in the original profile; the section pulled off the wall had been there, by the look of it, longer than any of us.

Signed the lease renewal at the counter, over coffee, as we have four times now. Twenty-eight years. A good afternoon.

Walked the buffer from the culvert north to the Carrow property line. Prairie margin is establishing well; big bluestem dominant, with side-oats grama and purple coneflower in the upland pockets. The monarchs were still moving through, later than usual. One small bank cut on the east side needs attention before next spring — probably a load of rip-rap and two afternoons.