The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Bailey Hill Woodlot

Located separately from the Demonstration Forest in Williamsburg, Bailey Hill is primarily managed for scientific forestry and was donated to PCSWCD by the Maine Forest Service in the 1980’s. On this 78 acre lot, many red and bur oak trees and several hundred American chestnut trees were planted in 2008 to create a legacy for future generations. This project was funded by the Hardwood Forestry Fund, an educational organization dedicated to establishing sustainable hardwood forests, and through generous contributions from Lumbra Hardwood mill in Milo and the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Society. It was made possible through the work of PCSWCD, the Maine Woodland Owners Association, the Charlotte White Center’s Lifejackets program and community volunteers. 

After 13 years, PCSWCD has located and started to reflag the grown trees that have survived. Boundary line work and GPS tracking is underway as we work with other local foresters to revisit this property. This parcel of land will continue to be under management for the purposes of scientific forestry and can only be accessed by the public upon request. PCSWCD is working on developing further plans for this forest and how it will benefit the community with conservation educational goals for Piscataquis County.