A third generation of Pittacks now work at Pittack Logging. The family business is based in Bovey but will travel up to about 100 miles for work.

“I started going with my grandpa when I was probably 10 or 12 years old, just riding along,” Joe Pittack said.

Scott Pittack worked with his dad through high school, and after studying to be a diesel mechanic and working as a truck mechanic in Green Bay, he took over Pittack Logging.

One of their specialties is thinning, which they were doing for Itasca County this October.

“We’re primarily thinning the red pine from below, taking out the defect and poor quality trees,” Joe said.

“The benefits of a thinning like this is enhanced growth for the remainder trees. Leave the best quality trees,” Scott said. “You’re looking more at the longevity of the stand rather than a short-term harvest.”

Thinning also reduces fire risk. The Pittacks care for sustainability earned Scott the title of “Logger of the Year” from the Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

“You know, this kind of starts way back with my dad and he says, ‘You know, we’re not a huge producer. So we need to be a good producer,'” Scott said.

According to the Minnesota Timber Producers Association, three times as much wood is grown than harvested each year.

“We kind of treat every piece of ground like we own it and it’s our property,” Scott said.