History

Tree Farming, A Maine Tradition Since 1952

…And Into the Future

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) was founded in 1941 and is now the oldest and largest forest conservation, certification, and advocacy program in the United States. The first two Tree Farms in Maine were dedicated in 1952, and today, over 1,400 family forest owners are part of the Maine Tree Farm System.

The American Tree Farm System is a program for woodland owners committed to sustainably managing their woods for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. Maine Tree Farm receives direction from a volunteer Committee of dedicated Forestry Professionals and Tree Farmers.

On October 20, 1952, Maine became the 35th state to adopt the Tree Farm program. The state’s first two certificates were awarded to Samuel B. Condon and Professor R.I. Ashman in ceremonies held in South Penobscot.

Click the button to view a PDF of “A History of the Maine Tree Farm Program: 1952-2002”

Today there are over 1,400 Tree Farms in the state, encompassing over 400,000 acres of sustainably managed forest.