Cannonsville Lumber Opens Educational "Eagle's Nest"

Just beyond the outlet of the Cannonsville Reservoir, General Manager Terry Leonard is busy with the day-to-day operations of managing Cannonsville Lumber. The company, a vertically-integrated circular/band sawmill and dry kiln in Deposit, New York, has established strong relationships with loggers and lumber buyers throughout the New York City watershed and beyond.

In early 2002, the Watershed Agricultural Council’s Forestry Program – with funding from the USDA Forest Service – awarded Cannonsville a grant to create transportation pallets out of low-grade, native hardwoods. As the only regional pallet manufacturer of its kind, Cannonsville has successfully tapped into a niche market for forest products. “For a company that is only 6 years old,” says Leonard, “the funding has been instrumental in the growth and establishment of business relationships in the watershed region.”

Recently, the Forestry Program awarded Cannonsville a second grant to purchase and install a dry kiln for adding value to unique types of wood including spalted and birdseye maple. Grant funds were also used to construct an observation booth, appropriately dubbed “The Eagle’s Nest,” where tourists, school groups, and industry professionals can view the entire milling process from saw log to finished lumber in a safe environment.

“Awareness of the forest products industry in this region is lacking, and Cannonsville hopes to bridge the gap by educating the public of the many uses for wood,” says Leonard. The Eagle’s Nest is open to the public for guided tours. Call Ms. Leonard at (607) 467-3380 for more information and to schedule a tour.