04/08/2026
To Our JCRC Trail Users and Supporters,We are providing this information to make you aware of a project we are doing at the trails. This project will look really messy, and we want our users to understand what is going on. There will be very limited impact on the trails, but when you see it, it will be surprising. We will install signs near the project areas, but this is a "heads up."
Jay Community Recreational Centre Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle AssistCurrent State April 2026The health and longevity of our beloved balsam forest at the Jay Community Recreational Centre are declining. This 10 acre parcel fondly known as "the Tree Farm" was slated for a subdivision in the late 1970's, at which time tree harvest was discontinued. Since the March 2005 acquisition of the land by the town of Jay, these trees have served as wildlife habitat, shade for recreational trails and forest education outdoor classrooms for our communities' school children.
Our balsams are over 50 years old and are susceptible to damage. The old, unmanaged stands of trees have very shallow roots, resulting in the many blowdowns we see along the trails. Many of our balsams have been infected by witch's broom, the most conspicuous fungal disease of balsam fir.
Patch Planting Project Summer 2026 and beyond - Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle Assist
With the help of our County Forester and support of Vermont Land Trust, the Town of Jay and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic River Community Grant, we want to "fast-forward" the Forest Life Cycle.
Process: - Proactively fell some of the damaged balsams
- Leave them in place and plant young trees within the slash. The felled trees act as protective cover for the younger forest hardwood plantings, shielding them from deer grazing.
Location: One of these patches is located on the eastern side of a trail called Smooth Groove that heads north out of the field area.The second patch is off Winter Wonderland in an area where we will be expanding an opening that was created by several trees blowing over. Both areas are quite small in size (less than 1/10th of an acre).
Considerations in locating the patches:
Areas with some existing regeneration and also some non-balsam fir trees that can be retained (not cut) within the patch;
Areas that had fairly well-drained soil (this is relative, but mostly locations without indicators of very wet soil such as sensitive fern fronds);
Areas with minimal disruption to trail use, but also visible to trails users to maintain educational opportunities;
Areas with declining fir overstory.
With help from students from Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School, tree growth, health and resiliency will be monitored over time in order to determine next steps.
Patch planting and small-scale patch cuts in Vermont are utilized to diversify forests, improve wildlife habitat, and boost climate resilience by encouraging regeneration. Small canopy gaps (roughly 0.1 to 1 acre) allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting native species growth while often outpacing deer browse (Vermont Woodlands & Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation.)
This work will look very “messy” afterwards, especially juxtaposed with the sterile understory that currently exists. A trail walk or ride will be organized this summer when the work is complete to help explain the project to trail users.
