|
|
 |
Foresters' Corner
Ted and Jeff started a working relationship back in 1988 when Ted selected Jeff and his crew to harvest timber on the Whittemore family forest properties. Over the ensuing years to the present time, Ted contracted more than 35 timber harvests with Jeff on the Whittemore properties, as well as his own Tree Farm in Pembroke, cutting more than 10 million feet of timber. Ted grew up in Gloucester, MA. As a young man he served 3 years in the US Navy during World War II as a Naval Aviator flying dive bombers. His last duty station was the USS Franklin Roosevelt aircraft carrier. After the War he received his Bachelor’s degree in forestry from UNH in 1948 and his Master’s degree in Forestry from Yale, completing his five years of schooling in four years. While at UNH, he was a member of the hockey team and his team photo still hangs at the Whittemore Center. While attending college he worked part-time for the US Forest Service. He started his state employment in 1950 with the NH Forestry and Recreation Commission as a Management Forester. Heretofore, State owned lands consisting of more than 120 forested parcels, totaling about 150,000 acres, were not managed under any organized program. Ted was instrumental in developing management plans for these properties and viewing them as a business. From time to time, most prominently in the 1960’s, the State provided authorization and funding for expansion of State parks and forests. Ted and his staff did everything from initial surveys, researching titles, appraising properties, negotiating purchases and preparing property swaps during these expansion activities. Present state holdings such as Bear Brook, Pawtuckaway, Greenfield, Rye Beach, Coleman, Kearsarge, Pisgah and many others benefited from these efforts. In 1967 Ted was appointed Director, Division of Forests and Lands (state forester) by Governor John King. During the next 19 years he directed the State’s forestry programs and participated in many activities of significance to the well-being of New Hampshire forestry. He saw many changes over that period. One of the more important events was the enactment of Current Use Assessment in 1973. Ted was an active participant with countless others in the deliberations of this crucial legislation, which permitted the taxation of farm and forest lands at current use values. Ted subsequently served as Secretary of the Current Use Board until his retirement. An early proponent of Biomass, Ted helped provide impetus for the utilization of low grade wood for energy by establishing about 400 acres of carefully controlled biomass operations. This study revealed that more than 40 tons of tops, in addition to considerable volume of cull and low grade trees were being left on each acre after the typical logging operation. As a result of this information, biomass operations gradually began to be implemented. The extended use of this low grade wood has certainly been one of the positive changes in forest practices over his span of years. The term “Urban Forestry” became very prominent in New Hampshire with the acquisition of the Langdon property in Portsmouth. This 182 acre site was gifted to the state on the basis of its being established as an “Urban Forestry Center” providing a place for all to learn about forestry in an urban setting, while enjoying a unique ecosystem near the ocean.
We all enjoyed our visit with Ted and hope to see him again. |
 |
One Monday morning a few weeks ago Ted Natti visited our Allenstown Concentration Yard. With his friendly smile, Ted is a very interesting man to talk with. He has seen many changes in the forestscape of NH. Ted worked for the State Forestry Department from 1950 to 1986, being the State Forester from 1967 to his retirement in 1986. He was instrumental in developing many of the programs in place today.
After retiring from state service, Ted and his wife, Betty traveled extensively, including several trips to Finland. They still reside in Pembroke, their home for the past 50 years. They greatly enjoy their extended family – their two sons and daughter and five grandsons. Ted still manages his own Tree Farm as well as the holdings of his long time clients, the Whittemore family. In his spare time he gardens, plays golf and works on his own wood pile.