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Powers Logging building a new sawmill using Muddy Mountain Lodgepole Pine. Slab cut logs from Muddy Mountain used to build a new sawmill by Powers Logging. Wyoming Wood ’N Works table. Wyoming Wood ’N Works preparing beds made from Muddy Mountain Lodgepole Pine. Wyoming Wood ’N Works preparing products made from Muddy Mountain Lodgepole Pine. Muddy Mountain wood used on the local CY Antique Mall.

Local Community Benefits from Muddy Mountain Lodgepole Pine Products

By Cindy Allen, Forester, & Amanda Jones, Clerk, Casper Field Office, & Lesley A. Collins, Public Affairs Specialist, High Plains District


From furniture to buildings, from siding to fence posts, many different products are produced from the lodgepole pine removed from Muddy Mountain in Casper Wyo. Lodgepole pine is the dominate tree species on Muddy Mountain; however, many of these stands have been infested by Mistletoe, Mountain Pine Beetles, and Ips Beetles (bark beetles).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Casper Field Office (CFO) has a 1,243-acre Environmental Education Area (EEA) on Muddy Mountain. Within this area, the CFO sells firewood, posts and poles. One of the primary goals is to protect the recreational infrastructure - campgrounds and nature trail - by reducing the fuel build-ups - which include infested trees - and creating a healthy forest by creating a diverse plant culture in the area.

Powers Logging
The CFO currently is working with two contractors on Muddy Mountain. Stephen Powers, owner and operator of Powers Logging, has increased the use of the wood products he is removing from the mountain. He is using the slab cut from the logs to build his new sawmill. The post and poles he removes in the pre-commercial harvest are being sold to ranchers, building supplies and businesses.

Wyoming Wood ‘N Works
Wyoming Wood ’N Works is also involved in Muddy Mountain projects. The owner, John Dierenfeldt, Jr., and his family, work together to produce furniture for many lodges throughout the United States. Some of the items he produces are, beds, hanging racks and bedside tables. Dierenfeldt also used Muddy Mountain wood on the front of the CY Antique Mall in Casper, Wyo.

Much of the wood Dierenfeldt uses was killed by insects and or disease. He favors this type of wood because it is filled with character. The characteristics of blue stain, tunnels and holes produced by the insects, make the wood more valuable to this furniture maker.

These two contractors have assisted BLM in continuing to manage the forest in the EEA and have helped BLM accomplish many of its Healthy Forest objectives. According to BLM Forester Cindy Allen, “With the continued growth of the economy in the Casper area, the Muddy Mountain EEA is receiving more pressure to meet public needs for recreation and wood products. These contractors have overcome the lack of forest product markets in the area and have created their own niche, therefore, assisting the BLM and the public in the recreational and forest needs for this area.”