​Woodlot Owner: Brian Archibald
County: Guysborough
Phone: 902-833-2724

Forestry has played a key role in Brian's family for many generations. He grew up in Denver, Nova Scotia near Archibald's Mill. His father and uncles operated the water-powered sawmill and Brian got his first power saw at the tender age of 12! In 1979, Brian purchased his first woodlot, and now has over 500 acres (200 ha) of woodlands. His sons, Donnelly and Daniel, share in the employment, private enjoyment and recreation that are provided by their father's woodlot. The woodlot is bounded by the St. Mary's River's East and North Branches, and traversed by the old Guysborough Railroad and the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline. A visit to Brian's woodlot would include sights of mixed-species and uneven-aged stands, hardwood stands, an eagle's nest, a variety of wildlife, and possibly a glimpse of one of the thirty wood turtle nests that were documented on an adjacent property, along the St. Mary's River. Brian's knowledge, passion, and achievement on his woodlot are recognized through his participation with the Northeastern Christmas Tree Association and the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia. He is also a member of the Nova Scotia Landowners and Forest Fibre Producers Association and the Nova Scotia Forest Products Association.

Management Goals and Objectives
  • Family use
  • For future generations
  • Historical
  • Recreation (Hiking, skiing, bird watching, etc)
  • Revenue generation
  • Wildlife

Management Tools
  • Woodlot Management Plan
  • Forest Stewardship Council Certification​

Species Present
  • Hardwoods: American Beech, Black cherry, Choke cherry, Grey Birch, Ironwood, Largetooth Aspen, Pin cherry, Red Maple, Red Oak, Striped Maple, Sugar Maple, Trembling Aspen, White Ash, White Birch, White Elm, Yellow Birch
  • Softwoods: Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, Christmas Trees, Eastern Hemlock, Jack Pine, Red Pine, Red Spruce, Scotch Pine, Tamarack / Eastern Larch, White Pine, White Spruce, Other/Exotic Species

Harvest Systems Used
  • Clearcut
  • Legacy trees
  • Selection cut
  • Shelterwood cut
  • Crop tree pruning (Category 7)
  • Selection management (Category 7)

Silviculture Treatments
  • Plantations
    • Balsam Fir
    • Black Spruce
    • Red Pine
  • Pre-commercial thinning
  • Commercial thinning
  • Manual weeding
  • Herbicides

Forest Health / Pest Control
  • Pests/Diseases:
    • Native spruce beetles
    • Tussock moth
  • Controls:
    • ​Insecticide
    • Biological Controls

Equipment Used for Woodlot Management
  • ATVs
  • Chainsaws
  • Skidders
  • Tractors
  • Trailers
  • Winches

Revenue Sources
  • ​Firewood
  • Non-Timber Forest Products
    • ​Blueberries
    • Christmas Trees and Greenery
    • ​Mushrooms
  • Pulp wood
  • Saw logs

Wildlife
  • Wildlife Enhancements:
    • Buffer zones
    • Corridors
    • Habitat types
    • Species at risk
    • Wildlife clumps
  • Water Bodies and Riparian Zones / Special Management Zones:
    • ​Bridges
    • Buffers
    • Culverts
    • Lakes
    • Ponds / Fire Ponds
    • Streams