Paper Birch – Hardwood
Climbed July 14, 2026
Women in forestry!
My travels to the forests of New Hampshire connected me with Lindsay Watkins to find a Paper Birch (aka White Birch), Betula papyrifera, the state tree of New Hampshire. Lindsay is the Strafford County Forester with cooperative extension.
New Hampshire’s forests are impressive. The state ranks 2nd in the country in forest cover with almost 85% of the state covered in forest. Forest-based recreation contributes approximately $3.1 billion annually to the state’s economy while the forest products industry generates an additional $1.5 billion of direct economic output according to a recent study released in January 2020.
Much of the industry today relates to lumber production as well as pulpwood (paper and cardboard).
But what New Hampshire really highlighted for me is the role of women in leadership positions in forestry in the USA. Lindsay is an excellent climber. Her knowledge of the forest really impressed me.
She scouted out a great forest in Stonehouse Pond natural area and found a perfect White Birch for me to climb. She got her rope in a Black Birch and we ascended side by side. Her gear was impeccable (this coming from a jealous climber who has pieced together this and that from various climbing systems).
Lindsay recently attended “Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop”. They are a Vermont-based organization.
I attended the Society of American Foresters conference in Baltimore in 2022. The theme was “our working mosaic” and featured multiple workshops and speakers about how to advance women in forestry and arboriculture.
How do we encourage more young females to pursue forestry? One answer is to show role models to the next generation. If young women see strong women in leadership roles, they will think “this is something I can do too”.
Lindsay Watkins is an excellent role model to young people! She has practiced forestry all over the USA.
We encountered an emergency situation in the forest today and she handled herself extremely professionally. It is clear to me that New Hampshire’s forests are in good hands with professionals like Lindsay Watkins. I hope many young ladies follow her path.
