UMaine Forest Properties
University of Maine Lands
The following are properties owned by the University of Maine, including the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest, campus woodlands, MAFES lands, and outlying woodlands.
Presque Isle, 150 miles from campus
507 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: In the early 20th century, Maine farmers began to realize the importance of local agricultural research and encouraged the state to establish research farms. As a result, the 275-acre Greenwood Farm was purchased in 1912 with the intention of establishing a research farm. There was a need to expand in 1939, which resulted in the purchase of the adjacent Annis Farm. Together, these two farms make up what we now recognize as the Aroostook Farm.
Current Uses: Aroostook Farm is the University of Maine’s largest research farm. Much of the research focuses on potatoes.
Potential Uses: Aroostook Farm could be available for use by the College for various purposes at the discretion of the lot manager.
Bradley, 12 miles from campus
1354 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: Bradley lands include several woodlots adjacent to one another, and adjacent to the Penobscot Experimental Forest. The lots were purchased from private companies and landowners with money generated from a sale on the Demeritt Forest.
Current Uses: Today, Bradley lands are primarily used for the production of raw materials. Money raised from harvesting helps to fund the University Forest Office. The woodlot is also managed for diversity and forest health.
Potential Uses: This property may be used for research by professors and graduate students at the University of Maine. Please contact the University Forest Manager for more details.
Chapman, 144 miles from campus
736 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The woodlot has been owned by the University of Maine System since the 1950’s. The property was described as “over-mature with aspen and in need of thinning” by one of the University foresters in the 1970’s, but knowledge of the property was lost shortly thereafter. In the early 2000’s, the USDA contacted the UMaine System about conducting a harvest around the perimeter of a potato field where they were conducting research. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the University owned the deed to the field and the surrounding forest. It has been assumed that the University gave permission to the USDA to conduct research, although neither party is in possession of any documentation.
Current Uses: Since its rediscovery, the primary goal of management has been to produce raw materials for sale to generate revenue for the University Forest Office, with secondary goals of supporting wildlife habitat (i.e. deer overwintering areas).
Potential Uses: For more information, please contact the University Forest Manager.
Manchester, 85 miles from campus
200 acres
History: This land was given to the University of Maine at Augusta by Frances Collins in 1987. It is managed by the University Forests Office under agreement between the Augusta and Orono campuses.
General Description: The Collins woodlot is a mixed species forest comprised of white pine and upland hardwoods. It was extensively cut over prior to its donation to UMA. It is a good example of a forest which has been high graded. There is still a good stocking of trees throughout.
Current Uses: This woodlot has had annual timber harvesting on it over the last 15 years. It is managed to generate income for UMA.
Potential Uses: This is available for research uses by the College of Natural Resources, Forestry and Agriculture.
A map of the Collins Woodlot is unavailable at this time. Please contact the University Forest Office with any questions.
Lagrange, 23 miles from campus
197 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Crawford Lot was acquired by the University of Maine in 2000. It consists primarily of hardwood species.
Current Uses: The lot is currently managed primarily for timber production, with secondary goals of management to promote diversity, wildlife, and forest health.
Potential Uses: The lot is also available for student and faculty research. Please contact the University Forest Manager Keith Kanoti for more information.
Orono/Old Town, Maine
1478 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: This land was leased and then deeded to the University to be managed by the Forestry Department in 1939. It is the closest of all holdings to campus. It is used as a demonstration, educational, and research facility, and is also heavily used for recreation.
General Description: This lot is comprised of mixed forest stands, fields, and water. It has been under management for over 50 years and extensive records are maintained regarding it’s history.
Current Uses: The Demeritt Forest is currently used for education, demonstrations, research, and recreation.
Potential Uses: Uses that are in line with the stated objectives of the Demeritt Forest are encouraged.
For access to a map of Demeritt trails, please click here.
Orono/Veazie, 5 miles from campus
370 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: This property was donated to the University by International Paper Company.
General Description: This property is a bog (Orono Bog Boardwalk). It is a Registered National Landmark by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Current Uses: This property has been used for research and timber production.
Potential Uses: Uses of this property are restricted by the terms of the National Landmark designation.
Monmouth, 99 miles from campus
214 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The University of Maine purchased the first pieces of what would become Highmoor Farm in 1909. The property was established as an experimental farm with a focus on apple-related research. Since its inception, much of the research has focused on finding suitable rootstock and apple cultivars that can tolerate the Maine climate. Several new varieties of sweet corn, cucumbers, a cantaloupe, a tomato, two strawberries, and an apple were all developed at Highmoor Farm. Part of the property also includes a small woodlot, which is managed by the University Forest Office.
Current Uses: While a lot of the research at Highmoor Farm is related to apples, the experimental farm is known as a fruit and vegetable research facility.
Potential Uses: Please contact the University Forest Manager for more information.
Huff Hill Property
Hartland, 50 miles from campus
200 acres
History: This property was acquired by the University in 1962 from the Rupert H. Baxter heirs. It is the site of an old farmstead. Originally, the site was used by the Plant and Soil Science Department, but they stopped using it and turned over responsibility of the property to the Forest Management Department.
General Description: The property is located on a north-facing slope on Huff Hill. It is comprised of a mixture of overgrown fields, orchards, and woods. Access to the lot is via a gravel road which is gated and locked. There is a camp lot leased on the lot.
Current Uses: This lot is managed for multiple uses with primary emphasis on timber production. The American Chestnut Society maintains a plantation on the property.
Potential Uses: This property may be suitable for educational use or for research but is restricted by its distance from campus and the access to the property. It is somewhat hard to find and good directions need to be given to locate it. Any proposed uses will be considered on an individual basis.
Old Town, 3 miles from campus
90 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Lucien lot was recently acquired by the University of Maine.
Potential Uses: Please contact the University Forest Manager for more information.
North New Portland, 100 miles from campus
95 acres
History: This woodlot was donated to the University by Wayne H. Merrill in 1988.
General Description: This lot is entirely wood consisting of second growth mixed species. It was previously pastured and last harvested in the 1990’s.
Current Uses: The Merrill lot is currently managed for timber production. Any proceeds from the sale of products must go to a scholarship for the College of Natural Resources, Forestry and Agriculture.
Potential Uses: This lot has potential research value, but its distance from campus limits uses to low intensity. Timber production will remain dominant to support its named scholarship.
Farmington Falls, 85 miles from campus
70 acres
History: This woodlot was given to the University in 1985, to be managed by the University Forests Office. It has been under management of the Maine Forest Service since the 1950’s with cultural operations carried out each decade since that time.
General Description: The woodlot comprises of approximately 70 acres of sawtimber-sized white pine. All stands have been thinned in the 1980’s. There have been previous cultural operations on the lot dating to the 1950’s. The lot is very accessible, bordering Route 156 and the Sandy River.
Current Uses: This woodlot is managed for multiple use; primarily timber production. Harvesting operations have been conducted by the forestry program at Foster Technical Center, in Farmington. The lot has also been used for Certified Logging Professional training.
Potential Uses: This woodlot has potential as a study site for research in white pine growth and management.
Orono, On campus
29 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Park street lot was purchased by the University of Maine in the 1990’s
Current Uses: The Park Street Lot is managed as part of the Demeritt Forest and is open to similar uses. It is currently used primarily for timber production and is heavily used for recreation.
Potential Uses: Its very close proximity to campus class buildings makes it a good candidate for use by classes or research projects involving undergraduate students.
West Old Town, 8 miles from campus
130 acres
History: The Patten Woodlot was a combination purchase/donation from Patten Corporation in 1989.
General Description: This property contains old fields which have grown over to woods. It also contains large areas of wetlands. A gravel road transects the woodlot but is gated to control access.
Current Uses: This woodlot is managed for multiple uses including timber production and wildlife habitat enhancement. Research projects in forestry and wildlife have been conducted.
Potential uses: The Patten Woodlot is available for uses in line with the College of Natural Resources, Forestry and Agriculture programs.
Old Town, 7 miles from campus
841 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: Perch Pond has become a popular local destination for outdoor recreation. In the past several years the property became a part of the Caribou Bog – Penjajawoc Project, a collaboration between the University of Maine, the Orono Land Trust, the ME Department of Inland, Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Forest Society of Maine. It is a permanently protected area.
Current Uses: The property hosts a network of trails that are often used by mountain bikers and are maintained in collaboration with the Penobscot Region chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (PNEMBA). PNEMBA is now grooming the mountain bike trails during the winter for fat tire biking. There are also opportunities for fishing in Perch Pond, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and geocaching on the property.
Old Town, 8 miles from campus
183 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: This lot was donated to the University of Maine in 1990. The property was granted to the Forest Society of Maine in 2011 as a conservation easement. It is a part of the Carious Bog- Penjajawoc Project along with other University of Maine properties (Smith Farm Lot, Perch Pond Lot).
Current Uses: The property is managed for timber harvest, wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, and recreation. The lack of direct access to the property limits its use for recreation. Hunting is allowed on the property.
Potential Uses: Research projects consistent with the conservation easement are possible, although the property has not direct road access and is best accessed by boat or over the ice.
Orono, 3 miles from campus
117 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: Rogers Farm was purchased in 1947.
Current Uses: Today Rogers Farm is home to the University of Maine’s student-run community supported agriculture program, the Black Bear Food Guild. Research related to foraging, small grains, and sustainable agriculture is conducted on the farm. It is also home to the Penobscot County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, which is maintained by 40 to 50 master gardeners each year.
Potential Uses: Please contact the University Forest Manager for more information.
Old Town, 7 miles from campus
107 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The lot was acquired by the University of Maine in 2013 and is adjacent to the Perch Pond Lot.
Current Uses: The lot is currently managed for the production of forest products, recreation, wildlife habitat, and hunting. Like Perch Pond, Sargent Lot hosts several mountain bike trails that are maintained in collaboration with the Penobscot Region chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association.
Orono/Old Town, 1 mile from campus
136 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Smith Farm was acquired as part of the Original Demeritt Forest
Current Uses: The Smith Farm Property is part of the Caribou Bog – Penjajawoc Project land. The goals of the project include conserving land for recreation and maintaining a large, contiguous tract for wildlife habitat. The Property is subject to a conservation easement and all activities must be consistent with this easement. Recreational trails on this property are used by skiers, mountain bikers and walkers.
Potential Uses: The Property has been used in the past for research activity including the Vernal Pool LEAP study. Additional research activities are possible on this parcel.
Old Town, 1 mile from campus
220 acres (40 Forested)
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Witter farm was part of the original Demeritt Forest and is now under the control of the Witter farm superintendent. The University Forest Office manages the woodlands (about 40 acres) under a cooperative agreement with the farm superintendent.
Current Uses: Witter Farm serves as an educational farm to teach students about dairy and equine sciences. The farm superintendent hopes to manage forested land on the property for the production of forest products. The Old Town Elementary School is developing an outdoor classroom along the bike path on a corner of the property.
Potential Uses: Additional uses would need the approval of the farm superintendent as well as the forest manager. Potential uses are similar to the Demeritt Forest; the forest land contains some pine stands growing on shallow ledgey sites that present some different conditions than much of the rest of the surrounding area.
LaGrange, 25 miles northeast of campus
255 acres
Owner: University of Maine
History: The Worthern Woodland was donated to the University by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Worthen in 1965. Proceeds from management operations on the forest go to support the Worthen Scholarships offered to students within the College of Natural Resources, Forestry, and Agriculture.
General Description: The Worthen Woodland consists of mixed stands of wood, wetlands, and the headwaters of Hemlock Stream. The lot has been divided in to 10-acre blocks similar to the Demeritt Forest, and records are kept by block.
Current Uses: The property is managed for timber. There is a camp located on the property that has been used for several summers by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to house personnel involved in the Black Bear Project. A trapping and tagging program for bear is ongoing.
Potential Uses: The Worthen Woodland is available for uses in line with the objectives of the University Forests with the primary emphasis on timber management for support of the Worthen Scholarships.
University of Maine Foundation Lands
The following are University of Maine Foundation Lands, including the Penobscot Experimental Forest and Green Endowment lands.
Bethel/Mason Township, 150 miles from campus
86 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Applin Lot was donated to the University of Maine Foundation by the Applin Family in 2015. Prior to this it was managed for timber. The lot contains over 40 acres of white pine plantation.
Current Uses: Currently the lot is currently managed for timber income.
Potential Uses: Because of the white pine plantation resource studies of white pine health and management could be appropriate.
Carthage, 122 miles from campus
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This lot was gifted to the University of Maine Foundation in 2002. A timber harvest was conducted over the southern portion of the lot in 2012.
Current Uses: The lot contains primarily mixedwood stand types and is managed for timber income and wildlife habitat. A large portion of the lot is mapped as deer wintering area.
Potential Uses: The long distance from campus may limit opportunity for use of this lot, but it is open for consideration of research projects.
Whitneyville, 95 miles from campus
100 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: These two lots were donated to the University by Dr. Charles Crowley in 1995. There is substantial frontage in the west side of the Machias River between Whitneyville and Machias.
General Description: This woodlot was heavily affected by the spruce budworm, and was also logged prior to Dr. Crowley owning it. It has 2,500′ of frontage on the Machias River.
Current Uses: No active management of this woodlot is planned over the next ten years. The lot provides valuable protection to the river by providing a significant section of undeveloped shoreline. Management activities will be planned around wildlife habitat objectives.
Potential Uses: This lot is available for appropriate research, education or demonstrative uses.
Old Town, 7 miles from campus
49 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Delmar B. Lovejoy lot was purchased in 2016.
Current Uses: It currently contains mature stands of mixed oak, aspen and birch on the uplands and hemlock/fir on the lower slopes. This lot abuts the Henderson lot which was heavily harvested in the 1990’s. Some areas contain a large percentage of understory beech.
Potential Uses: This lot will be managed for timber production and wildlife habitat. Upcoming harvests will be regeneration harvests, with uplands bird habitat particularly in mind. Potential wildlife research projects are possible.
Old Town, 8 miles from campus
92 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Frank P. Whitney Forest was gifted to the University of Maine Foundation in 1999 and is part of the green endowment lands.
Current Uses: The lot contains a significant deer wintering area, and is managed to maintain this deer wintering area and for timber production. The lot abuts the 800 acre Henderson lot.
Potential Uses: Since it is close to campus classes could make use of this forest, as could approved research projects.
Woolwich, 125 miles from campus
90 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This woodlot was donated to the University by Margaret Gardiner in 1995.
General Description: This is a mixed species woodlot that has over 1,500′ frontage on salt water. It has a system of horse trails traversing it. A salvage of hemlock trees killed by the Hemlock looper was conducted in 1993.
Current Uses: The woodlot is used for horseback riding by a local club. It will be managed for multiple uses with recreational use and timber production as the primary objectives.
Potential Uses: This woodlot is available for research uses if compatible with the above-mentioned objectives.
Gray, 131 miles from campus
41 acres and 48 acres, respectively
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Gates lots are located directly across from one another across RT 115. They are part of the green endowment lands and were gifted to the Foundation in 2002. A portion of the Gates 2 lot is leased to the Gray Water District which has drinking water well head on the property. The Gates 1 lot was harvested in 2010 and the Gates 1 lot was harvested in 2018.
Current Uses: This is one of the few university forest properties that is not open to hunting due to the wishes of the donor. The property is primarily managed for timber income and wildlife. The Vector born disease program is monitoring tick populations on this property.
Potential Uses: Additional research projects are possible on this property, particularly involving oak which is a large component of the Gates 2 lot. Gates 1 is hemlock- and pine-dominated.
Bradford, 20 miles from campus
80 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This lot was gifted to the Foundation as part of the green endowment. The last harvest took place in 2016.
Current Uses: The lot is currently managed for timber production.
Potential Uses: This lot has a good component of high quality upland white cedar. Research projects on this species could be an appropriate use.
Eddington, 13 miles from campus
122 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation.
History: This lot was donated to the foundation in 1996. It was heavily cutover prior to donation. A significant portion of this lot was planted to a mix of spruce species in 2004.
Current Uses: The lot is currently managed for timber production and wildlife habitat, including deer winter cover in the forested wetland areas.
Old Town, 7 miles from campus
885 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The lot was donated to the University of Maine Foundation in the late 1990’s. Almost the entire lot experienced a very heavy harvest before it was donated.
Current Uses: The lot is managed for timber income and wildlife habitat. The forest is still recovering from the pre-acquisition harvest and no commercial harvests have yet take place, although some precommercial thinning was done in 2004. Due to its harvesting history much of the lot is occupied by early successional intolerant hardwoods. The lot is used extensively by hunters for bear, upland birds and deer. There is currently a woodcock study ongoing on the lot headed by Dr. Eric Blomberg. Future management will focus on maintenance of quality upland bird habitat using rotational aspen management.
Potential Uses: This lot provides an excellent opportunity for research and class work related to upland bird and early successional species management.
Hudson, 16 miles from campus
250 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This woodlot was given to the University by George Houston in 1995, to be managed by the University Forests Office.
General Description: The Houston woodlot is an old family farm of some 250 acres, about 30 of which are fields. The old homestead is located on the property. The lot consists of varied woodland and wet areas. It also includes some old fields which are growing back into woods.
Current Uses: This woodlot just came to the University.
Potential Uses: The land will be managed for forest products, wildlife habitat and recreation. Research activities are possible in compatible with other uses.
Old Town, 10 miles from campus
15 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Lewis lot was gifted to the Foundation in 1998.
Current Uses: This lot has 1000’ frontage on the Penobscot River and is mostly the riparian floodplain. Because of its sensitive nature no timber harvesting is planned for the Lewis Lot. Rather, is it maintained for water protection, its wildlife habitat value and aesthetics.
Potential Uses: The parcel is close to campus and provides opportunity for classes to use a laboratory to examine the processes associated with an intact Penobscot floodplain forest.
Bradley and Eddington, 15 miles from campus
3,857 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This forest was donated to the University by a consortium of industrial forest landowners in 1994. The forest had previously been leased to the US Forest Service for conducting research in spruce/fir forest types.
General Description: This forest contains a variety of forest types. A good interior road system provides excellent access for all uses. The US Forest Service has conducted research on this forest for several decades. Although owned now by the University, the US Forest Service continues their research under a memorandum of agreement with the University.
Current Uses: The US Forest Service continues its research program today. The College has several research initiatives underway as well. The University Forests Office will be developing a forest management plan for this forest over the next two years.
Potential Uses: The primary objective of this forest is to provide research opportunities. Proposed uses are subject to review and approval by a forest research operations team composed of members from the College, the Experiment Station, and the US Forest Service research unit in Orono.
Please visit the USDA website for more information on the Penobscot Experimental Forest!
Cary Plantation, 121 miles from campus
55 and 6 acres, respectively
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Simpson lots were gifted to the Foundation in 1999.
Current Uses: The Lot is managed for timber and wildlife habitat. The property was in an understocked condition when it was received so no harvesting has occurred to date. There is also a wetland complex on the property and the lot abuts property owned by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Potential Uses: This lot is open to research projects but the distance to campus may limit opportunity.
Please note that the map below only includes Simpson Lot 1 (55 acre parcel).
Hudson, 14 miles from campus
510 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Stubbert lot was gifted to the Foundation in 1999.
Current Uses: The Stubbert lot is managed for timber and wildlife habitat. Due to the wishes of the donor NO HUNTING is allowed on this property. The gift agreement also required that logging on this lot only use small non-mechanized equipment. The lot contains several plantations, quality white pine, mixedwood and aspen stands. A series of expanding gap harvests took place in 2005.
Potential Uses: Due to its proximity to campus this lot is suitable for educational and research projects. Because of the restrictions, low-impact non-mechanized equipment operational research on these types of systems could be a good fit.
Newcastle, 92 miles from campus
200 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Weston lot was gifted to the University of Maine Foundation in 2005.
Current Uses: Currently the lot is managed for timber production and wildlife habitat. The lot contains a significant pine oak resource.
Potential Uses: The lot is open to research and educational opportunities, the location in the mid-coast and the presence of Oak-Pine makes presents different opportunities from much of the rest of the foundation properties that are more northern types.
Bradford, 20 miles from campus
40 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: This lot was heavily harvested before its donation to the green endowment in 2002.
Current Uses: The lot contains mostly pole-sized mixed wood types and is held for timber management.
Potential Uses: This lot is open to educational and research activities.
Eddington, 13 miles from campus
11 acres
Owner: University of Maine Foundation
History: The Woodhead Eddington lot was donated in 1996 to the University of Maine foundation.
Current Uses: The lot abuts the Henderson Eddington and Penobscot Experimental Forest. It is almost all wetland and has direct no access so no active management is planned.
Potential Uses: This lot is open to educational and research activities.