by Michael Skubal - Daily News Staff

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School forest land is a valuable resource, both to fund various programs in the Rhinelander School District and as a classroom that is second to none.

At the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) Tuesday was a day to plant for the future.

According to Manny Oradei, DNR liaison to the Rhinelander School District, last fall’s sales of timber from school forests went well. $131,000 worth of timber was harvested. In addition, $65,000 worth of lumber was produced for technology and engineering departments at the James Williams Middle School and Rhinelander High School. There are some 240 acres of school forest land on South Shore Drive and Little Bullhead Lake.

Tuesday was a time to plant new seedlings, a time to plan for the future. More than two dozen students were on hand to lend a hand.

"Students volunteered to come out and plant for future generations,” said Oradei. “They are all industrial technology students in a variety of programs at RHS. We use the timber for woods technology programs and the building trades classes uses the lumber produced.”

The planting was overseen by Oradei, Bob LeFebvre, Technology and Engineering Instructor at RHS and Travis Pydo, Automotive Technology Instructor at RHS. Oradei and LeFebvre are chairmen of the Forest Management Committee for the School District of Rhinelander. The outdoor classroom’s namesake, Ced Vig, is also on the committee.

Oradei talked about the timber sales last fall.

“We left the best quality oaks out here to help regenerate future oak and pine stands. There’s as much standing value as what we’ve harvested. We’re going to carry these trees for another 75 years. There is over two hundred board feet in a larger oak tree. Oak sell for between $3.50 and $5 a board foot at Menards. That average tree is worth $1,000. We even market the boulders to landscapers.”

The volunteers Tuesday were planting over 4,000 red and white pine and spruce trees. The pine were being planted about 12 feet apart, scattered around shotgun style. The spruce were planted in clusters of about six feet by six feet. This planting creates a thermal winter cover for deer, turkey, grouse and bear. The clusters hold heat and keep the wind out to help animals survive.

“The spruce will also be harvested for forest products,” said Oradei. “The red pine can grow for up to 250 years and matures between 150 and 250 years. The white pine can grow for up to 350 years.”

Volunteers were there for a variety of reasons. Andrew Litke was participating so that “our kids can have trees.” Julia Waydick was there to help the environment and provide lumber for the building trades classes. For some it was independent study and others just appreciated a chance to work outside on a warm spring day.

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