FOREST HISTORY

More Than Fifty Years of Forest Management

By 1970, the focus of the Idylease woodland had shifted from earlier agricultural uses toward forest resource management. An early plan was prepared by the New Jersey Forest Service, followed by a more formal management plan in 1981. By 2010, the property was already operating under its fourth ten-year management plan.

In 1987, the woodland became Certified Tree Farm #256 in the New Jersey Tree Farm Program, part of the American Tree Farm System. In 1991, two separate recognitions followed: the Bureau of Forest Management named Dr. Arthur Zampella Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, while Idylease was separately named New Jersey’s Outstanding Tree Farm of 1991 within the American Tree Farm System. The state Outstanding Tree Farm contest was administered by the New Jersey Tree Farm Committee.

Aerial view of Idylease and the surrounding woodland

Tree Farm certification sign at the Idylease entrance

American Tree Farm System sign on the Idylease grounds

Tree Farm emblem photographed during forestry work at Idylease

1970

Forest resource management became the principal focus of the woodland.

1987

Idylease became Certified Tree Farm #256 in the New Jersey Tree Farm Program.

1991

DR. ARTHUR ZAMPELLA
Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
Bureau of Forest Management

1991

NJ OUTSTANDING TREE FARM
New Jersey Tree Farm Program
American Tree Farm System

Planting the Future

As a boy, Richard Zampella planted approximately 1,500 seedlings at Idylease. Decades later, many of those trees have matured into the woodland that surrounds the property today.

THE 1930s

The New Deal left its mark on the forest.

A Civilian Conservation Corps eastern white pine plantation established in the 1930s survives in the surrounding landscape, with a portion extending onto the Idylease property.

RENEWING THE STEWARDSHIP

A Commitment to the Forest

Richard Zampella in the Idylease woodland during forestry work

Richard Zampella during tree work at Idylease

Richard Zampella in the forest at Idylease

2016

When stewardship of Idylease changed, a commitment was made to restore active management, address standards that had not been consistently maintained, and return the woodland to regular professional forestry oversight.

Trees marked during professional forest management work at Idylease

Natural regeneration and younger growth beneath the Idylease forest canopy

2021

New Management Plan

The consulting forestry work transitioned from Galway Forestry Services to Ridge & Valley Forest Management. Ridge & Valley prepared a new ten-year Woodland Management Plan covering March 2021 through March 2031.

2022

Inspection & Corrective Work

Following a New Jersey Forest Service inspection, the plan was revised and corrective forestry work was undertaken.

2023

Forest Stewardship Plan

The Woodland Management Plan was formally upgraded to a Forest Stewardship Plan in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Copies were submitted to the New Jersey Forest Service, NRCS and the local tax assessor, and the plan was subsequently approved by the state.

Annual Accountability

Each year, the Farmland Assessment application is submitted to the New Jersey Forest Service and the West Milford Township Tax Assessor for review for the following tax year.

ACTIVE STEWARDSHIP

Sometimes caring for a forest means removing trees so the forest can continue to grow.

Thinning reduces competition, improves growing space and creates room for natural regeneration.

ACTIVE MANAGEMENT

Managing a Living Forest

Forest stewardship at Idylease is based on active management rather than leaving the woodland untouched. The management plans prescribe thinning, crop-tree release, salvage of storm-damaged trees, invasive-species control, access maintenance and work intended to encourage natural regeneration. These practices are applied selectively, with attention to the condition of individual stands and the long-term health of the woodland. Management is intended to guide the forest’s development while preserving the structure, habitat and regenerative capacity of the larger landscape.

In 2022, approximately ten acres were marked for Forest Stand Improvement work. 571 trees were selected for removal after the stand was evaluated at approximately 78 percent stocking. The prescribed work was intended to reduce competition and improve stand quality while maintaining a fully stocked forest at approximately 65 percent stocking.

Forest stand improvement work at Idylease

Boom lift used for tree work at Idylease

Tree climber working in the Idylease woodland

Selective thinning within a continuously forested stand at Idylease

10 Acres

Approximate 2022 stand-improvement area.

571 Trees

Professionally marked for removal.

78%

Approximate stocking before treatment.

≈65%

Targeted full-stocking level after improvement.

WATER & WILDLIFE

Managing More Than Trees

Kanouse Brook moving through wetland vegetation at Idylease

Riparian wetland vegetation and shallow water within the Idylease woodland

The forest at Idylease is managed as part of a larger ecological system. Water quality, wildlife habitat, natural regeneration, forest health, aesthetics and productive forest use are treated as interconnected management objectives.

Kanouse Brook and associated wet areas are addressed through streamside management practices and forest buffers intended to filter sediment, stabilize banks, maintain water temperature and provide wildlife corridors.

Wildlife management is also built into the forestry work through habitat trees, standing deadwood, mast-producing species, nest boxes, woodland openings and native plantings.

Management decisions consider:

Natural regeneration
Water protection
Wildlife habitat
Long-term forest health

Close view of Kanouse Brook and its vegetated stream edge

Red-tailed hawk perched above the Kanouse Brook wetland landscape

Fungi growing on decaying wood on the Idylease forest floor

THE FOREST

A Woodland of Distinct Stands

The current management plan divides the Idylease woodland into distinct stands according to age, species composition and site conditions. Management decisions are made according to what is occurring in each part of the forest.

Managed Woodland

93.10 ± acres are classified as woodland in the current management plan.

Upland Hardwoods

Uneven-aged stands include oaks, birch, beech and maple across much of the property.

Mixed Forest

Other stands combine upland hardwoods with softwoods including eastern white pine.

Water Resources

Kanouse Brook and associated wet areas are managed with streamside protection and forest buffers.

Evergreen Plantings

The stand map identifies a spruce-and-pine plantation of white spruce, Norway spruce and eastern white pine.

Forested Wetland

11.50 ± acres are classified as forested wetland, including red maple, yellow birch and oaks.

PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY

Building the Team Around the Forest

Richard Zampella assembled the current professional team around the woodland, bringing Ridge & Valley Forest Management into the work and establishing the forestry relationships that guide the property today.

Andy Bennett State of NJ Approved Forester

STEWARDSHIP

“Preservation protects what was here before you. Conservation is for what comes after. Stewardship is trying to do both at the same time.”

— Richard Zampella

FIELD NOTES

Work in the Woods

Updates from the property document forestry work, seasonal conditions, regeneration and the continuing stewardship of Idylease Tree Farm.

Reworking the Idylease Tree Farm website sent Richard Zampella back into parts of the forest not walked in years.

Richard Zampella Drone Footage at Idylease

Richard Zampella cutting trees at Idylease

HISTORIC IDYLEASE

The History Behind the Land

Idylease Tree Farm forms part of a historic property whose story extends well beyond forestry. The broader history of Idylease—its resort era, architecture, physicians, guests, photographs, records and preservation—is documented at Idylease.org.

Explore the History of Idylease →

info@idylease.org

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