Left to right: Chris Moser, Jake Peer, David Moser, and Carmen Ordonez. Photo courtesy of Tom Mills.

Moser Woods Tree Farm will be open to the public Saturday, September 6

AUG 25 MEDIA RELEASE__The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry invites you to tour the 2025 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year on Saturday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
This year, the Ohio Tree Farm Committee announced Moser Woods Tree Farm in Bluffton, Ohio, as the Tree Farm of the Year. Moser Woods Tree Farm is owned by the Moser family and was nominated by fellow Ohio Tree Farmer and Tree Farm Inspector, Tom Mills.

“The Moser family has done an excellent job of managing their tree farm, and we hope that the Tree Farm Tour will help share the story of quality woodlot management with woodland owners in western Ohio and throughout the state,” said ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser. “I am very pleased that Tom nominated Chris Moser for the 2025 Tree Farmer of the Year.”

Moser Woods Tree Farm is a woodland that has recently turned its focus to native oak regeneration through underplanting oak seedlings by planting oak seedlings underneath the current tree canopy and harvesting timber to create an uneven-aged forest stand. The benefit of an uneven-aged forest is that it allows for continuous canopy cover and a diversity of tree ages and sizes. The property has also turned into a haven for wildlife through active management, including invasive species removal and creating brush piles for habitat improvement. The wooded acreage also features a vernal pool.
 
During the 2025 Tree Farm of the Year Tour, professional foresters will be leading seminars on the practices used at the farm, including oak tree regeneration, timber stand improvement, pollinator plots, and maple syrup production. There will also be forester-guided field tours throughout the day to see management practices in action.
 
The event will be outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Parking for the event will be at 12300 Bentley Road, Bluffton, OH 45817, and shuttle vans will be available to transport attendees to the Tree Farm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.