Green Horizons

The Missouri State Tree Farm Committee invites all woodland owners to attend the 26th Tree Farm Conference at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, Mo., Feb. 24-25. Themed "Creating Value-Added Woodlands," the format is expanded this year with a full-day field day at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in nearby New Franklin, Mo. Participants will learn how to evaluate tree crowns and crop tree management techniques. Attendees will also see specialty wood products entrepreneur Paul Easley of Moweaqua, Ill., turn “junk” logs into green blanks that can used for a wide array of value-added products. In the evening, landowners will have the opportunity to share their personal experiences in woodland management.

Saturday presentations will focus on Quality Deer Management, specialty wood products, Missouri timber price reports and eastern red cedar market analyses. The conference concludes with a presentation on new horizons for utilizing Missouri’s small-diameter trees. For more information, contact the Missouri Forest Products Association’s Education Coordinator, Glenda Fry, at 573-634-3252, email Glenda@moforest.org or visit the association’s web site at www.moforest.org.