Hutchinson Family Woodland
Location: Auburn
Year Acquired: 2021
Acreage: 69
Donor: Hutchinson Family
Description: This property has impressive 120' – 130' tall white pines and is one of the most unique woods in southern Maine. The property has been in the family for many generations and the woods were at one time connected to a house and farm fields. Now almost completely surrounded by developed and unforested land, its preservation is quite important. Prior to deciding to donate the property, the family had never conducted a harvest. However, as part of the donation conditions, the owners did complete a 15 acre selective harvest.
While white pine is by far the primary species, the oldest wood, some over 150 years old, is Eastern hemlock and red oak. This parcel has a maintained snowmobile trail that weaves through the property and doubles as a walking trail. In addition, a notable white pine has been designated by the family as the location where a bench will be installed later this year.
The plans for the parcel include the elimination of invasive species found along the property edges and the designation of a no-cut reserve that maintains the legacy of the old forest characteristic. In several years, there will be a continuation of the harvesting that occurred in 2021.
Anyone who plans to visit this property should park on Brighton Hill Rd., just west of the intersection with Marston Hill Rd in Auburn.
