Maine ’ s Forestry Industry
Insights From Brian Souers
Brian Souers
Brian Souers grew up in Fishkill , New York , attended Syracuse University and graduated from New York State Forest Ranger School in 1977 . After sending out 100 resumes he garnered a part time job in Mattawamkeag , Maine with International Paper . From there he began a sideline niche market of cutting and thinning spruce growth with an International log skidder and a horse . In 1981 , he broke out on his own and a year later , in order to fulfill a contract with International Paper , Brian reluctantly took out a $ 65,000 loan at 18 % interest and expanded to a full time logging operation . Today , like others , Brian and his team at Treeline , Inc . are weaving their way through the changes in the forestry industry .
Brian feels that in the short term , with the mill closings , that forestry will have a few difficult years ahead ; however , Brian states “ My view is that there is a lot of potential for the long term . We have a great road system built into the Maine forest and a trained work force with a work ethic second to none .” Though Maine lacks the number of growing days that occur in southern states , Maine has better wood fiber for many wood products .
Treeline ’ s woods operation now cuts ½ the amount of wood that it was cutting only a year ago . Recently , they have diversified in many ways . It was not long ago that the logging , chipping and trucking was nearly 100 % of Treeline ’ s revenue . Today , those divisions of the business account for only 65 % to 70 % of operating revenue .
In agreement with others we have interviewed , Brian feels strongly that the State of Maine ’ s business environment is less than friendly towards the industry . He is quick to point out that many large business owners have not reinvested in their plants in recent years and the state ’ s attitude , regulatory policy and policy volatility may have played a significant role in those decisions .
Souers believes the future of Maine ’ s forest industry will be built upon greater diversification and new technologies . Paper will continue to play a significant role but less so than in the past . For example , Maine wood fiber has high sugar content and a future facility ’ s primary goal may be producing biofuels and paper as a by-product . Another potential wood use , among several touted by Souers , involves thermally treated wood , cooked wood . This process , now being employed by a company started by two Maine foresters , involves a method of heating the wood which becomes more durable , 80 % less absorptive , increases hardness , reduces the weight , eliminates shrinking and swelling and enhances the wood ’ s beauty among other qualities . Thermally treated wood can be used for decking , counter tops , gunstocks & several other applications . Souers states that while it may be a rough road for the industry in the short run , new technology and expanded uses for wood products will triumph with time . +