Green Horizons

Timber stand improvement (TSI) not only improves the quality of the timber, but wildlife habitat... which means more successful hunts.

Dave Murphy is the 2010 Tree Farmer of the Year. The 376-acre, Clark County farm has 240 acres of woodlands and has been in the family for several generations. But, as with most family forest landowners, forest management was not a high priority. That changed a few years back when, through a long series of negotiations and transactions with extended family members, Murphy and his wife became sole owners of the family farm.

Murphy always knew his woodlands were an untapped resource. Now he was in a position to do something about it. Fencing cattle out of the woods began reversing the adverse effects the livestock had on soil compaction, root exposure and erosion. Hiring professional consulting foresters to inventory his forest resource and develop a written management plan came next. This allowed for timber stand improvement to be done in areas needing attention, and harvesting trees that were ready to be harvested.

Dave Murphy, 2010 Missouri Tree Farmer of the Year.

These simple acts have brought the Murphys two very significant advantages. First, as an investment, their farm is now worth considerably more than before they began their efforts, and its value is secure. Second, there are a lot more deer, turkey, mice, rabbits, squirrels, bobcats, coyotes and bats than before they began.

Being Executive Director for the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Murphy is in an excellent position to promote good land stewardship and does so every chance he gets. In his vocation, he visits with legislators on a daily basis and regularly provides opportunities for them to visit his Northeast Missouri farm where they are exposed to his passion for forest and wildlife management. Through the Federation’s bi-monthly magazine, Missouri Wildlife, more than 90,000 readers had the opportunity to read a six-part series describing, from a landowner’s perspective, his journey to becoming a Tree Farmer. That series of articles, Forest from the Trees, is now available through the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee and its partner organizations.

You are invited to see the many practices implemented on his Clark County farm at the annual Tree Farm Conference, May 21, 2011. Landowners, hunters and families will be sure to find informative presentations and tour topics to help improve their forests and enjoy their property. Conference agenda and registration details will be in the spring issue of GH.