Green Horizons
Volume 11, Number 3
Summer 2007 



How Clear is Your Vision? 
Kirk Fine and David Watson, Financial Planners 
  and Missouri Tree Farmers 


We have all heard the phrase – “He can’t see the forest for the 
trees.” It describes someone who does not visualize the big picture. 
He can only see the trees immediately in front of him, not the way 
through the woods. Ironically, this is often true of forestland 
owners with respect to their long-term planning. 

Woodland owners are often so focused on the day-to-day tasks of 
managing their forest – timber stand improvement (TSI), pruning, tree 
planting, timber sales (the fun stuff) – they often do not have a 
clear vision of where they want to take their property in the long 
run. As important as activities such as TSI are to the future of our 
woodlands, it may be more important to have a crystal clear picture 
of what we are building during our lifetimes, and after. We wouldn’t 
begin a long trip without a clear idea of where we want to go, and we 
shouldn’t manage our woodlands that way either… A vision statement is 
the answer. 

A vision statement should be a statement about our dreams. It should 
capture the essence of our desire for the woodlands that are so 
important to us. It should be clear and concise. A vision statement 
does NOT contain specific objectives or strategies nor does it tell 
how we are going to get there. It simply states where we want to go. 
It defines why we are in this business, or why we own this woodland. 
A vision statement becomes a compass. 

Examples of a properly designed vision statement could be: 
* To provide hunting and recreational opportunities to our children 
  and their families; 
* To maximize the long-term revenue potential of the timber resources 
  for current and future generations of our family; 
* To grow and harvest high-quality black walnut timber in a 
  sustainable manner. 

A properly constructed vision statement should frame the owner’s 
ultimate goal for the benefit of anyone making decisions regarding 
the tree farm now, or in the future. It is the beginning of the 
blueprint for the operating decisions, as well as the estate planning 
decisions, later on. 

Once a vision statement is in place, goals can be identified. For 
example, a goal for our vision of maximizing the longterm revenue 
potential of the timber resources could be: 
* To implement timber management practices that produce sustainable 
  long-term revenues. 

As we become more focused, specific objectives flow easily: 
* Conduct a timber inventory this winter; 
* Conduct TSI on stands 1, 2 and 3 next year; 
* Conduct a professionally managed timber sale on stands 4 and 5 
  in the next five years; 
* Establish a properly designed trust to manage the farm when we 
  are unable to do so. 

The real value of a vision statement is that it provides a roadmap 
for the woodland owner when he/she is faced with complex and 
difficult decisions. For instance, suppose a husband and wife own 
400 acres of prime timberland, which they have managed with care 
for decades. They want to pass their land, intact, to their three 
children and grandchildren. When they sit down with their advisory 
team (CPA, attorney and financial adviser) to make estate plans 
regarding their tree farm, they may be presented with a confusing 
array of choices regarding estate taxes, gifting, trust provisions, 
insurance, easements and the like. These choices can be complicated, 
and seemingly contradictory. 

It would be easy for this couple to lose their way, unless they are 
able to keep their eye on the big picture – on what is most important 
to them. In other words, it would be easy to get lost in the forest, 
by focusing only on the trees! However, a properly designed vision 
statement could provide the high-altitude perspective they need to 
stay on track. It should keep them focused on the ultimate goal, and 
allow them to sort through the various choices in front of them, 
selecting the ones that best accomplish their vision. 

Hundreds of thousands of acres in this state alone are destined to 
change hands in the next two decades as the current generation of 
owners ages and needs to hand the reigns over to the next generation 
of their family. 

These children and grandchildren, many times, have different 
perspectives and different skill sets than the current owners. This 
makes the task of transferring the tree farm or woodland, in the 
manner the owner wishes to transfer it, more difficult. The ultimate 
success of this ownership transfer is crucial to the future of our 
great woodlands, and it hinges on successfully communicating and 
transferring the owner’s vision, first. 

So, how clear is your vision? 

Need Help Seeing Your Forest for the Trees?
Remember… Woodland Steward is now available online! This program is a 
great way to learn basic forest and wildlife management concepts and 
integrate them in a management plan that will help your vision come to 
life! Check it out at www.cdis.missouri.edu.  



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Process Has Begun to Revise the Missouri State Forestry Law 
Steve Westin 


The State Forestry Law was enacted in 1946 as a way to increase the 
quality of Missouri’s private forests by encouraging management 
assistance and protection from wildfire. The centerpiece of the State 
Forestry Law is the Forest Crop Land (FCL) program. Timber tracts 
larger than 20 acres, valued at no more than $400 per acre, are 
eligible for classification as FCL for 25 years. To help landowners 
partially defer property tax payments, qualifying lands are assessed 
at a valuation of $3 per acre. To make up for the loss of tax 
revenue, the Conservation Department makes an annual payment in lieu 
of taxes to the counties where Forest Crop Land is located. 
Landowners are obligated to pay a 6 percent yield tax back to MDC at 
harvest. But, times change and land values and timber prices have 
increased to the point where the existing statute is extremely 
outdated. 

Late in 2006, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Forestry 
Division began the process to revise the Missouri State Forestry Law 
with a series of internal meetings to define issues and possible 
solutions. The next step in the process was to gather input from 
external stakeholders. On June 18, representatives from environmental 
groups, the forest products industry, various state and federal 
agencies, the Missouri General Assembly, consulting foresters and 
private forest landowners met with MDC Forestry staff to identify 
issues that need to be addressed and potential solutions. This 
session was extremely well attended and was very productive. The 
framers of the new statute collected everyone’s input and were given 
the charge to develop several possible statutes covering a range of 
ideas. 

After consideration of all input and feedback, a final legislative 
proposal will be presented to the Conservation Commission for their 
approval with a goal of introduction in the 2008 legislative session. 

Comments may be addressed to:
Steve Westin
Forestry Division
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Steve.Westin@mdc.mo.gov 

Stay tuned for updates in future issues of Green Horizons. 



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From ‘hobby tree’ to serious orchard crop 
Rachel McCoy, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 


Most Missourians have either stooped to collect black walnuts from 
the woods, or know someone who has taken on this task. 

The rich, hard-husked nuts are often collected by hand and delivered 
to various hulling stations across the state under the management of 
Hammons Products Company, Stockton, Mo. – the largest processor and 
supplier of eastern black walnuts for both food and industrial uses 
in the U.S. 

Black walnut enthusiasts may make fewer trips to the woods for nut 
harvesting in coming years, thanks to a new guide developed by the 
University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. While black walnut 
trees can be grown for timber and/or nut production, the focus of the 
guide is toward planting, managing and harvesting top-quality black 
walnut nuts for sale at the retail or wholesale level from an orchard 
practice, similar to pecan and other nut trees. Titled “Growing Black 
Walnut for Nut Production,” the guide is a collaborative effort of 
the nut tree research cluster at the Center for Agroforestry and the 
nut research program of Kansas State University. It is the only one 
of its kind published in the U.S. and represents a decade of research 
on growing black walnut trees in an orchard practice. 

“Black walnut has always been recognized as one of Missouri’s most 
valuable timber species. With the application of knowledge from this 
guide, black walnut may soon become known as one of our most valuable 
orchard species,” said Gene Garrett, director, University of Missouri 
Center for Agroforestry. 

The guide offers sections on 
* Nut production vs. wood production 
* Setting goals for the orchard 
* Site and cultivar selection 
* Orchard design 
* Transplanting walnut trees 
* Harvest 
* Marketing nuts 

“Growing Black Walnut for Nut Production” is part of the Center’s 
Agroforestry in Action series, and can be downloaded, printed or 
ordered from: http://www.centerforagroforestry.org, Publications 
link. The guide is also available through MU Extension, publication 
#AF 1011, by calling (800) 292-0969; or order online from: 
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agroforestry. 



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Effort Begins to Form a Missouri Woodland Owners Association 
Rachel McCoy, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry 


MU Forestry Extension, with the help of the Missouri Department of 
Conservation’s Forestry Division, has begun an effort to form a 
Missouri Woodland Owners Association. Nearly all Midwestern states 
(IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and WI) have such an organization in place, some 
of which are quite structured while others are loose associations. 
Several individual forestland owners here in Missouri, as well as 
individuals in various organizations and state agencies, have 
expressed similar desires in seeing an association form. 

The proposed association would be for both owners and supporters of 
Missouri’s family forests. Its primary mission would be to encourage 
sustained forest management on Missouri’s 350,000+ family-owned 
forests. All Missouri Woodland Owners Association (MWOA) members 
would become members of the National Woodland Owners Association 
(NWOA) at no additional cost and receive the NWOA’s quarterly 
National Woodlands magazine. For more information about NWOA, go 
online www.woodlandowners.org. 

MWOA would not necessarily be affiliated with existing forestry-
related groups, such as Tree Farm, Walnut Council and 
Forestkeepers. 

In an effort to collect more data, we ask our Green Horizon 
subscribers who own land in Missouri to fill out the following 
survey and send it back to us. We will present the results of the 
survey in the next issue of GH along with our future plans. 

On a scale of 1 (not interested) to 4 (very interested), please 
indicate your level of interest to each of the following questions. 

1. What services would you expect from a state woodland owners 
   association? 
   Periodic newsletters                                       1 2 3 4
   Regional field days / workshops                            1 2 3 4 
   Annual state conference                                    1 2 3 4 
   Hands-on training opportunities                            1 2 3 4 
   Coordinate coop workdays where neighbor helps neighbor 
     with activities like tree planting, TSI, etc.            1 2 3 4 
   Representing your interests in Jefferson City              1 2 3 4 
2. If the association provided the information or services 
   you identified above, would you be interested in joining?  1 2 3 4 
3. In your opinion, what would be a fair annual 
   state membership fee?                              $20 $30 $40 $50 
4. Would you be interested in a family rate?                  1 2 3 4 
5. Would you become a full-fledged member of NWOA?            1 2 3 4 

The $45 annual National NWOA dues would be in addition to any state 
association dues, but would entitle you to these additional benefits: 
subscription to National Forestry magazine, Woodlands Report 
newsletters, hunter and vacant land liability insurance group rates, 
and representation in Washington, D.C. 



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Community Forestry - Do We Need Trees Lining Our Streets? 
Trees Forever 


If you’ve attended your community Fourth of July parade or an outdoor 
music festival on a hot, sunny summer day, you’ve probably noticed 
where the most popular viewing spots are – under the trees! People 
cluster in the shade, while sites with equally good views, but in the 
bright sun, remain unused. It’s the trees that make the difference! 

Small towns and large cities across Iowa are becoming increasingly 
aware of the importance of the public landscape. Street trees – that 
is, trees that are planted in the space between the sidewalk and the 
street curb – benefit people and communities in many ways. Street 
trees can greatly enhance the look of a town: residential tree-lined 
streets are very appealing visually. The benefits of trees that we 
enjoy in our private yards – the shade, cooling effects, and increased 
wildlife habitat – can be extended to a more public venue with the 
planting of street trees. 

Recent trends seem to indicate a decline in the number of street 
trees in many communities. “We’re seeing fewer trees along streets, 
and are concerned with the number of communities that are actually 
banning street trees,” said Trees Forever President and CEO Shannon 
Ramsay. “The long-term effects will surely be less attractive 
communities with less shade and poorer air quality.” 

The planting of street trees certainly can raise some challenges, 
since they are usually located on public property and are often 
subject to local ordinances. Concerns that trees may interfere with 
utilities, block views of traffic, or have other potentially 
undesirable consequences have caused many communities to restrict the 
planting of street trees. To deal with the issues involved in 
balancing the benefits of trees against these potential problems, 
many communities have established tree boards to help manage the 
planting of street trees. 

The benefits of street trees are certainly not restricted to residential 
areas. Downtown business districts can enjoy reduced noise, heat, and 
pollutants with trees planted strategically along sidewalks. Trees in 
business districts also have been shown to improve business. Research 
by Dr. Kathleen Wolf of the Center for Urban Horticulture with the 
University of Washington has indicated that consumers will spend more 
time shopping in an urban-forested area, and will spend more money, 
than those customers making purchases in areas without tree-lined 
streets. Even though business owners may see drawbacks of having trees 
in front of their stores – messy leaves, roosting birds, etc. – those 
potential problems are actually offset by the added aesthetic and 
emotional appeal to the consumer. 

Whether in busy shopping districts or quiet residential 
neighborhoods, street trees can beautify our surroundings as they 
benefit the environment. Encourage them in your community! 

When planting street trees keep these points in mind: 
* At maturity, the tree should not interfere with overhead utility 
  lines, underground sewers, lighting, or street traffic. 
* Any unusual maintenance problems, such as messy fruit, should be 
  addressed. 
* To guard against the potential disaster of having an entire street 
  of trees wiped out (such as when Dutch elm disease ravaged many 
  Midwestern towns in the 1960s), street tree plantings should 
  ideally be comprised of a diversity of species. Lists of 
  recommended species for your area are available from your 
  university extension office. 
* Minimize problems by choosing species that are durable, placing 
  them in appropriate spots, and providing necessary maintenance 
  on an ongoing basis. 



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Simple techniques for efficient landscaping: Watering 
Sue Winegarden, horticulturist and Trees Forever Cedar 
  Rapids volunteer 


Q: How much water do your trees and shrubs really need?
A: I recommend about one inch of water per week. When in doubt, feel 
   the soil for moisture one inch below the surface. If it’s dry 
   you’ll need to water. Also, on repeated days of high heat and wind, 
   if you notice your new plantings are wilting, listen to them 
   (they’re telling you that they’re really thirsty) and give them a 
   drink. 

Q: How often should they be watered?
A: Generally once a week. Less often in the rainy season, and 
   possibly more often in the dog days of summer. 

Q: What are some efficient watering tips?
A: It always helps to place some sort of measuring device near your 
   tree or shrub when you water. It can be as simple as a tin can. I 
   use a rain gauge. Once you know how long it takes your hose to 
   fill the gauge to the one inch level, you can set a timer on your 
   hose so it will turn off at the proper time even if you have to 
   leave. 



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Promising ‘New’ Green Technology... or A Tree by Any Other Name 


It is with great enthusiasm that I bring to the attention of this 
forum wonderful news of a technology that I believe may prove to be 
a primary contributor to the search for long term sustainable 
energies. While I cannot yet understand or describe this technology 
in precise detail, on the surface at least, it appears to promise to 
surpass even the potentials of high-temperature depolymerization and 
cold fusion. 

While some understanding and attempts to utilize this technology are 
relatively new, its basic principles are ancient. In essence, it 
relies upon a remarkably complex interconnection of physics, 
chemistry and geometry that uses the sun’s energy to photo-
electrochemically break apart molecules of water and carbon dioxide. 
It then combines the resulting hydrogen and carbon to produce a 
myriad of hydrocarbons. The technology combines some of these 
hydrocarbons to form solids of such great dimensions and strength 
that they may be used to build sizable architectural structures. 
Other uses for the hydrocarbons may be found in the manufacture of 
plastics, adhesives, foods, medicines, solid, liquid and gaseous 
fuels, and countless other products. Surprisingly, the technology 
derives its carbon dioxide directly from the air, then releases 
excess oxygen back into the air. 

Certainly, the most remarkable feature of this technology is the 
advanced development of pre-programmed controls that permit it to 
build copies of itself, much like a CNC lathe which can be programmed 
to totally reproduce itself, complete with programming. The structure 
it builds automatically repairs itself if damaged and thus requires 
very little maintenance. This structure forms a rigid framework 
shaped to hold a multitude of solar cells in such a manor as to 
efficiently collect sunlight, search for the carbon dioxide. It also 
builds and, if necessary, replaces its solar cells. These cells and, 
indeed, the entire structure are totally biodegradable. 

Admittedly, the support structures are tall and do impose themselves 
upon the landscape, a bit like windmills. But this may at least be 
partially forgiven, for in fact, some people find them to be somewhat 
aesthetically pleasing. In large groupings, they do take up a lot of 
space, but it can be shown that these groupings can be arranged to 
actually modify local climates, reducing the extremes of wind, 
temperature, humidity, and even precipitation. Of particular interest 
to stovers should be the welcome news that these structures collect 
and store great quantities of chemical energy that can be released as 
heat and light when burned. One last, and perhaps most important 
observation is that this appears to be a technology that promises to 
be truly long-term sustainable. 

Cryptically yours,
Dick Boyt
Pottershop Hollow Tree Farm
Neosho, MO 



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5th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast 


Saturday, October 13, 2007
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, 
New Franklin, Mo.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free admission 

Assistance Dogs Allowed - No Pets
Most activities held inside tents, for comfort rain or shine 

Guided tours of the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center 
Educational booths and presentations from Missouri value-added 
agriculture vendors and University agricultural and environmental 
research programs 

Showcase for Missouri’s outstanding agricultural products including 
pecan, black walnut, hickory, and chestnut products; locally produced 
honey; cheeses and meats; wines and beers. Free tasting samples in 
many booths. 

* Free fresh-roasted chestnut samples; fresh chestnuts and potted 
  chestnut trees for sale; native plants and seed packets 
* Children’s activity area with crafts, storytelling, face painting, 
  straw bale maze 
* Live music from Ironweed Bluegrass Band 
* Cooking demonstrations by local gourmet chefs featuring Missouri 
  chestnuts.........and more 

For additional information, including driving directions and a 
detailed event schedule (available in Oct.), visit:
www.centerforagroforestry.org 



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Emerald Ash Borer Found in PA 
Hank Stelzer, Extension Forester 


Add Pennsylvania to the emerald ash borer’s (EAB) hit list. On June 
21, 2007, EAB was detected for the first time in western PA by two 
USDA APHIS surveyors. They collected two adults using a sweep net 
while conducting visual surveys that are part of the joint EAB 
taskforce detection effort. State and federal officials are currently 
working to intensify surveys near the detection site to determine the 
extent and severity of the infestation. 

To date there have been NO confirmed reports of EAB in Missouri. 

But, with the vacation season in full swing remember that the 
transportation of infested firewood has been linked to the long-
distance spread of this serious pest. Help prevent the spread of 
emerald ash borers by buying local firewood when camping, and burning 
all wood onsite during your stay. If you go camping outside Missouri 
DO NOT bring any firewood back with you. 

If you think you might have an emerald ash borer infestation, collect 
a sample by trapping the insect in a zippered plastic bag. Place the 
bag in the freezer for several days to kill the insect, then mail the 
sample in a sturdy container (35mm film canisters or empty pill bottles 
work well) to one of the addresses below. Be sure to include your 
contact information and the date and location where you captured the 
sample. 

Rob Lawrence
Forest Entomologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
1110 S. College Ave.
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 882-9909 ext. 3303
E-mail: robert.lawrence@mdc.mo.gov 

Michael Brown
State Entomologist
Missouri Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 630, 1616 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-5505
E-mail: michael.brown@mda.mo.gov 



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The Bid Box 
(All volumes reported in Doyle Scale) 


Callaway County 
* 120 acres 
* 946 trees 
* Estimated volume: 160,880 bd.ft. (40% white oak) 
* Consulting forester valued the sale at $33,000 
* 3 bids received 
  $21,690 
  $34,000 
  $37,570 
* Return: $313 per acre 

Saline County 
* 30 acres 
* 231 trees; 53 walnut and 178 mixed species trees (7,400 bd.ft.) 
* Estimated volume: 49,420 bd.ft. (walnut 7,400 bd.ft.; mixed 
  hardwood trees 42,020 bd.ft.) 
* Consulting forester valued the sale at $13,300 
* 3 bids 
  $11,000 
  $12,250 
  $18,400 
* Return: $613 per acre 

         -------------------------------------------------

Do You Have a Timber Sale for The Bid Box?
If you have competitively sold your timber in the past few months and 
would like to share the information with other landowners we would 
welcome your input. All sales will be reported at the county level as 
shown above and no personal information will be divulged. 



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Farm Bill 2007 (2008?) Update 
Hank Stelzer, Extension Forester 


General forestry legislation is within the jurisdiction of the House 
and Senate Agriculture Committees, and past farm bills have included 
provisions addressing forestry, especially on private lands. Most 
federal forestry programs are permanently authorized, and thus do not 
require periodic reauthorization in the farm bill. Nonetheless, the 
2002 farm bill reauthorized one office (international forestry), 
created a new private landowner cost-share assistance program (the 
Forest Land Enhancement Program or FLEP) replacing two previously 
existing programs, and enacted a new Community Fire Protection 
Program. 

A 2007 farm bill may also include forestry provisions addressing 
various issues. Funding for forestry programs may be discussed, as 
appropriations have been inconsistent and mandatory spending for FLEP
 has been cancelled. Protecting communities from wildfire continues 
to be a priority for some interests, as the program enacted in the 
2002 farm bill has not been funded directly. Controlling invasive 
species is another forestry issue that might be addressed in a new 
farm bill. Funding and programs to assist forest-dependent 
communities in diversifying their economies could also be debated 
in this context, as funding for existing programs has dwindled. 
Finally, interest has been expressed in trying to create markets 
for ecosystem services – the values produced by forests that have not
traditionally been sold in the marketplace. 

The Administration’s 2007 proposed farm bill includes a forestry 
title. It proposes four new programs: (1) comprehensive statewide 
forest planning; (2) competitive landscape- scale forestry grants; 
(3) a 10-year, $150 million forest wood-to-energy technology 
development program; and (4) financial and technical assistance to 
communities for acquiring, planning for, and conserving community 
forests. The Administration’s proposal does not include a forest 
landowner financial assistance program – reauthorizing the Forest 
Land Enhancement Program, or creating some new alternative assistance 
program. Other proposals are likely to be offered for congressional 
consideration from many possible sources. 

Other legislation within the new farm bill of interest to forestland 
owners will be the venerable Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), 
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), Environmental Quality 
Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Security Program 
(CSP). All of these are due back in the new farm bill. 

With FLEP appearing to be deader than a door nail, Missouri 
forestland owners should pay particular attention to EQIP. The 
forestry community made significant progress this past year in 
raising the NRCS Missouri State Technical Committee’s level of 
awareness in relation to forestry issues. A BIG thanks goes to the 
Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council for their yeoman efforts, as well as 
the consistent presence at all meeting by the MDC Forestry Division, 
Missouri Consulting Foresters Association, Missouri Forest Products 
Association, the MU Center for Agroforestry and MU Forestry Extension. 

While 60 percent of EQIP dollars are committed (by congressional 
mandate) to environmental quality issues relating to animal 
operations, there is still significant money potentially available to 
forestland owners, particularly in heavily forested counties. Each 
Missouri county receives approximately $100,000 in EQIP funds; 35 
percent of the points potential contracts are rated upon depend upon 
that county’s priorities. 

You say that your heavily forested county does not rate forestry very 
high? How can you change that? My reply is two simple words… GET 
INVOLVED! Find out when the county EQIP Board meets and let your 
interests be heard. Better yet, find out how to get on the committee. 

At the June meeting of the State Technical Committee, State 
Conservationist, Roger Hansen, said that if the farm bill is not 
finalized before the 2008 fiscal year begins, there might be a brief 
sign-up period this fall under a continuing resolution of the 
existing farm bill. Then once the new farm bill is signed there would 
be another sign-up period late next spring or early summer. That 
would place extreme pressure on NRCS personnel to get contracts 
signed before the end of the fiscal year. Our best advice to 
landowners is to keep in close contact with your county NRCS office 
for all late-breaking developments. 



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Eastern Redcedar: Challenge or Opportunity? 
Aug. 9-11, 2007 - University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Mo. 


There’s still time to sign up to attend the Eastern Redcedar 
conference 

A collaborative effort by a diverse group of researchers and 
stakeholders, the “Eastern Red Cedar: Challenge or Opportunity” 
workshop brings together landowners, foresters and the redcedar 
industry to learn how to manage and market this often-maligned native 
tree species. Workshop topics include growth and management; log 
grading; pruning and thinning stands; insects and diseases; 
marketing; mechanical harvesting; and a portable sawmill 
demonstration.

Registration:
A brochure and registration form is available online at: 
www.centerforagroforestry.org. Send completed registration form by 
mail with check, cash or money order to: Redcedar Conference, 
Southwest MO RC&D, 283 US Hwy 60, Republic, MO 65738. 



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National Tree Farmer Convention 
Oct. 11-14, 2007
Madison, Wis. 
 Hosted by the American Tree Farm System, the 14th 2007 National Tree 
Farmer Convention is themed: “Great lakes. Great forests.” The 
convention will be held in Madison, Wis., at the Monona Terrace 
Community and Convention Center. 

Registration: Visit the American Tree Farm Web site at 
www.treefarmsystem.org for updated conference information, or call: 
(202) 463-2462. 

Lodging: Conference rates have been secured at the Hilton Madison 
Monona Terrace. Call (866) 403-8838 to make a reservation (be sure 
to mention the National Tree Farmer Convention) or make lodging 
reservations online: 
www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/msnmhhf_tree/index.jhtml 
(This is a direct link to the conference lodging reservation site.) 



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Our Readers Respond 

Hank, 

Regarding the article about carbon credits in the Spring 2007 issue.

I am not a student of green house gases and air pollution, but do have
a question or two about carbon credits.

What little I know tells me that the earth has had green plants since
the carboniferous period, some 354 to 290 million years ago. This
being the case, one could say that carbon has been circulating in and
out of the atmosphere for a long time. This transfer continues to this
day, thanks to green plants and the oceans. Inasmuch as carbon can’t
be destroyed, only changed in form and stored, there is as much carbon
in the earth and atmosphere as at any time in the past. Green plants
do absorb carbon while they are growing, but when declining or in
death, give it back to the atmosphere at a rate similar to when it was
absorbed. We can’t lose sight of the fact that this occurs over
millions of years, and there is no start and stop point that has any
meaning to our civilization.

And so it is with Joe Heckemeyer’s (or any forest). In the long run,
it is in balance absorbing and giving off an equal amount of carbon.
This being the case, how will the payment to Joe (or any forest owner)
suddenly make his trees absorb additional carbon represented by the
money paid? On the other hand, even without monetary payment to Joe,
his (or any other trees) will absorb whatever carbon nature programs
them to absorb.

It appears to me that carbon credits are a “feel-good” thing, and of
absolutely no use whatsoever beyond that. Perhaps someone can explain
this to me.

Sincerely,
Donald Bradley


I appreciate you taking the time to write, Don. I have had other
people ask me questions along similar lines. So, I thought this would
be a good place to answer them and highlight some of the key benefits
of this new-found “commodity.”

You are correct in your understanding that the overall amount of
carbon is a relatively fixed quantity. But, how it is stored, for how
long, how it is released, how it is put back into storage
(sequestered) and for how long make carbon credits valuable beyond a
“feel-good” thing.

It is all about differential rates; release, sequestration, and
storage. I can hear my college calculus professor now, “See, I TOLD
you differential equations were useful!”

Payments will not make Joe’s trees grow faster. But, they do reward
Joe for planting trees that will absorb more carbon per acre than a
crop field or pasture. Plus, it will store the trapped carbon for a
longer period of time than either of those two land uses. Even when
the wood fiber is processed into lumber, the carbon will remained
sequestered; not as long as the fossil fuels we are consuming today,
but long enough to make a difference in a regional ecosystem.

In addition, trees that are vigorously growing (as in the case of
young saplings) absorb carbon dioxide at a faster rate than
slow-growing trees. This also makes the case for a landowner to
actively manage his or her forest. Forest stands will maintain
vigorous growth if properly thinned throughout the life of the stand;
more so than if all the trees were left to grow at slower rates due to
increased competition. Further, the release of CO2 back into the
environment from those trees that would have died in the forest due to
the increased competition will now be tied-up in some other form; a
pallet perhaps. Finally, the crop trees left after these thinning
operations will be healthier, reach financial maturity faster, and
contain higher-quality wood products compared to the wood fiber
harvested from unmanaged forests.

In my opinion, ecosystem services – clean water, air, carbon
sequestration – have been overlooked for too long. The public (you and
I) enjoy all of these benefits, but have not helped pay for any of
them. By finally placing an economic value to these benefits, perhaps
it will slow the rate at which our woodlands across the country
succumb to the next strip mall.



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Trees Down, Income Up 
Tammy Homfeldt, Missouri Forest Products Association 


If a tree falls in the woods are income and safety maximized? The
Professional Timber Harvester Program, provided through the Missouri
Forest Products Association (MFPA) in partnership with the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC), is aimed at making the answer to
this question a resounding YES!

Quality logging requires much more than just cutting down trees, and
this course provides a holistic approach so that participants, be they
professional loggers, professional foresters, forest contractors, or
landowners, graduate with a full appreciation of how their different
roles must interact to ensure a successful forest harvest.

Safety in logging operations is a major component of the course.
Instructor Joe Glenn is an active logger with 30 years of experience.
He also studied for three years as assistant instructor under Soren
Eriksson, a master logger from Sweden who developed the Professional
Timber Harvester program. Joe knows too many of his fellow loggers who
have been seriously injured or killed due to misapplication of
traditional logging techniques. Therefore, he knows firsthand the
importance of safety. Some graduates from the course even experience
lower insurance rates.

Many landowners have taken the course to learn more about how to
properly manage their own woodlands as well as safely cut trees on
their property. Mr. Glenn notes that very often the landowners taking
the course get better marks on their felling techniques than the
professional loggers. Joe explains, “Loggers subconsciously bring
their old habits with them, but it is easier for a novice to strictly
follow the directions given in the course.”

Participants complete the course with an expanded knowledge of how to
accurately aim a felled tree to minimize damage to trees tagged to
remain standing. Often landowners want only a partial harvest of their
timber, so having a “professionally trained” logger that possesses the
ability to leave the forest in an undamaged condition will result in
both a healthier forest and increased income over time.

Equally important, forest ecology and wildlife considerations are
presented. This allows landowners to work with their forester in
planning a harvest that will optimize all the benefits their forest
can provide.

The course is presented in five days held over a period of five to six
months. In addition to the general forest management session the other
four sessions cover increasingly complex application of advanced tree
felling techniques and equipment care and management.

For more information or to register for the Professional Timber
Harvester program contact Missouri Forest Products Association, 611
East Capitol Avenue, Suite One, Jefferson City, MO 65101-3038, call
them at (573) 634-3252, or visit www.moforest.org



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The Back Page 


Green Horizons Takes the Gold
The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP)
tapped GH as the top newsletter for 2007! Several newsletters from
across the country were considered. While we take great pride in this
recognition, we will continue to search for ways to improve the
publication.


Help Us Save $$
We can send Green Horizons to your Inbox instead of your mailbox. If
you would like to receive the latest issue of GH electronically,
please send your e-mail address to Hank at stelzerh@missouri.edu.


Welcome Aboard, Michelle Hall!

I am pleased to announce that the MU Center for Agroforestry has found
someone to put up with me and serve as co-editor to Green Horizons!

Michelle Hall returns to her hometown of Columbia after having earned
a degree in journalism from Truman State University (Kirksville, Mo.)
and working in the Media Relations and Marketing department at Kansas
State University.

Michelle and I look forward to bringing you the most up-to-date
information for helping you grow tomorrow’s forest today!

- Hank



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Calendar of Events 

July 29-Aug. 1, 2007: Walnut Council Annual Meeting, Dubuque, Iowa.
For more information, please visit www.walnutcouncil.org or contact
Liz Jackson, (765) 583-3501 or Jackson@purdue.edu.

Aug. 9-11, 2007: Eastern Redcedar Conference, Springfield, Mo. For
more information, please contact SW Missouri Resource Conservation and
Development office at (417) 732-6485. See "Eastern Redcedar: Challenge
or Opportunity?" for details.

Aug. 12-15, 2007: Northern Nut Growers Association Annual Meeting,
Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.
nutgrowing.org or e-mail icomserve@aol.com.

Oct. 5, 2007: Fall Field Day at Wurdack Farm. The event will be 11:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural
Resources’ Wurdack Farm, located about two miles southeast of Cook
Station, Mo.

Oct. 11-14, 2007: National Tree Farmer Convention, Madison, Wis.
Hosted by the American Tree Farm System, the 14th National Tree Farmer
Convention features speakers, presentations and more. For registration
information, visit www.treefarmsystem.org. See "National Tree Farmer
Convention" for details.

Oct. 13, 2007: 5th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, MU Horticulture and
Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin, Mo. For more information,
please visit www.centerforagroforestry.org or contact Julie Rhoads,
(573) 882-3234 or rhoadsj@missouri.edu. See "5th Annual Missouri
Chestnut Roast" for details.



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