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I am a rail fan (former dairy employee) from Ontario. I first visited St Leonard, NB in 2007 to photograph the MMA with a load of timber originating from Maine and delivered to the Irving Mill via a set of practical / interesting trackage. With all the changes in rail ownership lately, I am wondering which rail transportation services JDI utilize and, in particular, the mill at St Leonard? Thanks to all! Glenn Cherry, Hagersville, ON
Asked on January 22, 2017 at 10:20pmHi Glenn,
Thanks for your email and interest in our railway operations.
Here is a link to the map of our rail operations and connections to other carriers.
In 2013, we purchased the 25 mile Van Buren Sub Division from Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway.
The line which connects with affiliate Main Northern Railway (MNR) at Madawaska, ME. and CN Rail at Saint-Leonard, NB. was an important addition to the NBM Railway system.
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What kind or trees do you plant after you cut them trees down? Do you plant a variety or just one type? Do you plant only soft wood or only hard wood? Do you only plant trees that grow fast or do you plant any kinds of trees? do you plant the exact amount of trees that you cut down or do you plant more or less?
Asked on January 15, 2017 at 5:56pmThanks for your interest in J.D Irving. We are happy to provide some information on the questions you are wondering about.
What kind of trees do you plant after you cut them trees down? Do you plant a variety or just one type?
We have 6 primary softwood species that are used to re-plant our clear cuts (White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Red Spruce, Black Spruce, White Pine, and a small amount of Jack Pine)
Do you plant only soft wood or only hard wood?
We only plant soft wood species. Hardwood regenerates naturally and we rely on several types of NON clear-cut harvesting that promote natural regeneration of hardwood species. For example in ares that are dominated by hardwood species we would cut narrow strips only removing a small percent of the mature trees. This allows for natural Hardwood to begin to grow underneath the remaining trees. There will also be some percentage of hardwood that will naturally regenerate within our planted areas over the life cycle of the stand. Today, in New Brunswick there is more hardwood than 50 years ago
Do you only plant trees that grow fast or do you plant any kinds of trees?
We have a tree improvement program at JDI to ensure we are planting very healthy trees with the best possible potential. We have achieved this mostly through collecting seeds from healthy, natural tress across the region and using those seeds to grow our seedlings.
Do you plant the exact amount of trees that you cut down or do you plant more or less?
Every year we are growing more wood than we harvest. Sustainable forestry means we harvest 2% or less of the land each year.
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How long would it take to reforest an acre of clear cut land and be able to seel the mature wood?
Asked on January 13, 2017 at 10:28amThe time it takes a stand to reach maturity is mostly a function of how intensively the stand is managed and how good the soil is.
For example a clear cut allowed to naturally regenerate and simply left to grow may take upwards of 70 years to reach maturity.
A clear cut that is planted with high quality seedlings, released from competition at age 2 or 3 and at age 10-12 (i.e mechanically cleaned with a brush saw to allow more space and light for growth) has the potential to produce trees 6-12 inches in diameter, and approximately 18-30 feet tall in 22-25 years and be ready to clear cut again at age 35-40.
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What made you make your company in Atlantic Canada?
Asked on November 29, 2016 at 10:02amHello,
Thank you for writing into Just Ask JDI.
In 1882 our company started here. Our founders settled here in Atlantic Canada when they came from Scotland.