Putnam Blodgett’s Legacy

A Tireless Champion

Will You Support Put’s Legacy?

A Call for Photographs & Remembrances

Putnam, “Put” Blodgett, a leader in forestry, passed away March 3.  He  was president of Vermont Woodlands Association (VWA). You can read the obituary here.

“I  really enjoyed meeting up with Put at various VWA events over the years, “said VT NRCS State Biologist/Forester Toby Alexander. “We are all better for having known him, but he surely will be missed. He was a true leader for VWA, private forest landowners and good forestry.” Toby says that Put and Paul Harwood graciously hosted NRCS and partner employees back in 2013 to show what he had done over the years for forestry at his Bradford tree farm. “It was excellent,” recalls Toby. “What a wonderful property and great man.” He said that walking around the woodlot illustrated excellent management – large, straight trees everywhere.

They learned about the history of the property from Put, including the infamous splitting of his land due to the new Interstate system (1-91). “Obviously that still was a sore spot for him.” He also highlighted some of his experimentation with American beech control using herbicides and how it would travel to nearby beech saplings. His well maintained and vegetated woods roads were also a showpiece. “It was obvious he loved to try new things he had seen or read about elsewhere.” He showed off some deer exclosures he had fashioned to illustrate the negative impact that deer could have on forest regeneration. The tour participants were also treated to stories from his Challenge Wilderness Camp for boys and he pointed out places around the woodlot where kids had bivouacked and learned to survive in the wilderness. “We are all going to miss Put,” said Toby.