When fields previously used for farming are no longer in use what happens to them? Natural growth occurs as the shrubs and brush grow in the area as it begins to revert to forest. However, this process takes time and for many years the once usable field remains idle as brush before becoming useful as forest again. Phil Viereck experienced this issue when he bought his property in Shaftsbury in 1954. The area was farmland, but Phil, being a teacher did not have the time to farm. The problem he faced was what to do with the land. He decided to keep a large part of it open as farmland and a neighboring farmer agreed to plant and use the land. The only problem was that another large pasture was growing scrub. It was then that Phil decided to plant this area with trees.

    He planted five hundred trees in one weekend to start the forest. Fifty years later the trees are still there and thriving. He has continued to plant every year since and the fields are returning to forest. As of now Phil has planted 9,000 trees and has no plans to stop in the future.