Page 15 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Third Quarter 2022
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Q: What lessons have you learned along the way that you would
do differently?
ROGER MELVIN: We would automate when necessary. As a small company, we can’t afford to be leading edge. I don’t have any regrets on the job we’ve done. We work on 19 acres, which is small for a sawmill, but I’m proud of how we have continuously provided a quality product with a solid repeat customer base. We have great folks working for us and are fortunate.
Q: What measures does your organization take to ensure
healthy, productive, and sustainable forests?
ROGER MELVIN: We have been certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) for five years and we take it very seriously. We have a committee of four people — two foresters, myself, and my son — coordinate the program. We work with loggers and landowners, making sure all the necessary environmental impacts are minimized based on SFI certification. Every logger that comes in here is ProLogger certified. On occasion, we buy logs from individual landowners that meet our specifications, but we try not to buy more than 5%.
Q: How does your organization support the local community?
ELIZABETH MELVIN: We support the community in many ways. For example, for 20-plus years, we have provided logs for the Lewis Family Sawmill, run by volunteers
at the North Carolina State Fair to bring awareness of how sawmilling was once performed. We support county forestry organizations such as the Warren County Forestry Association and the Northampton County Forestry Association, with plans to continue this support as we emerge from the pandemic. Toney Lumber welcomes tours of our facility by business organizations such as the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce as well as other groups. In addition to the physical tour, tours include discussions on timber procurement, timber harvesting, and SFI certification — all key components for sawmill operations. As an example, in 2019, the Northampton County Forestry Association and Duke University’s Nicolas School of the Environment Master’s Program toured the mill. (The latter has become an annual event.) This year, the NC Cooperative Extension Franklin County office conducted a tour
that included landowners, NC Forest Service personnel, consultants, and timber buyers. These tours are always fun and informative.
1-800-797-7276 • www.powerscreenmidatl.com • Kernersville, NC
HORIZONTAL GRINDER
• Produces more than 200 tons an hour
• CAT C27; 1050hp or optional CAT C32 1200hp engines
• Hog box raises for fast and easy screen and tip changes
• 40” diameter by 60” wide forged, high-strength rotor core
• Large capacity feed hopper easily handles full-length trees
• Metal Detection System protects machine from tramp metal
ECOTEC PHOENIX 2100 TROMMEL SCREEN
• Unrivaled high volume compost production
• Mulch coloring package across applications • 180° radial fines conveyor controlled by remote
North Carolina • South Carolina Virginia • West Virginia
G. Clay Creed, R.F.
P.O. Box 159 Laurel Hill, NC 28351
NC Registered Forester No. 1655 NC Certified Prescribe Burner 313 C Registered Forester No. 1794 SC Prescribed Fire Manager 899
Society of American Foresters
Contributing member of NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
610-5841
ncforestry.org / THIRD QUARTER 2022 13
