Green Horizons News for people who take their trees seriously Vol. 3, No. 2 Spring 1998 Professionals study agroforestry There were 60 of them. They came from all over the state - the northwest, southwest, northeast, southeast and central parts. They devoted two days to learning about agroforestry practices and their potential for income and protection of Missouri's natural resource base. They were natural resource professionals from the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and University of Missouri Extension. For two intensive days the professional resource advisors came together as teams to explore how agroforestry practices - alleycropping, riparian buffers, windbreaks, silvopastoral systems and forest farming - are designed and how they might apply these practices with landowners in their own communities. The Advanced Agroforestry Course, organized by Sandra Hodge, coordinator of technology transfer for the University of Missouri center for agroforestry, brought in authorities on design and implementation from many sources. Jim Brandle, University of Nebraska noted expert on windbreaks, presented the philosophy behind the practice and how they are designed. Dick Shultz and Joe Colletti from Iowa State University, both known for their expertise in riparian buffer establishment, covered the variety of issues related to their design. Gene Garrett, director of the University of Missouri center for agroforestry, shared his expertise in alleycropping and silvopastoral management. And Deborah Hill of the University of Kentucky presented the unique potential of forest farming. The basic economics of agroforestry were explored by Tom Treiman, economist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Larry Harper shared real-life examples of costs and income from his 12 years of production experience at HarperHill Farms near Butler, Mo. In addition to providing an advanced level of training, another purpose of the course was to identify a cadre of natural resource professionals throughout the state who can form regional teams and offer specialized technical support for each other. Because agroforestry is a combination of forestry and agriculture and involves aspects of conservation, it often requires the expertise of all three agencies represented at the conference. Woodland appraiser A competitive investment We asked Missouri consulting forester Jay Law of St. James, Mo. to give us some advice on an investment opportunity involving woodland. Jay's Tree Sheperd Products and Consulting Co. serves the central Ozarks with appraisals, assessments, educational services and forest and plant protection products. If you have questions, contact Jay at 12121 Country Rd. 3410, St. James, MO 65559. Phone: (573) 265-6036. The Investment: There is a 12-acre patch of timber for sale in our area that consists mostly of black walnut trees with some hickory and elm and a few honey locust and other brush. We measured and counted the walnut trees on about 3 acres which is typical of the whole tract. There are an average of 80 black walnut per acre ranging in diameter from 3 to 8 inches. Average would be about 5 inches. The land is along a little creek bottom and the trees have grown well at about .5 inch per year. This was mostly open land 25 years ago. The trees have fairly straight trunks and are clear for up to 20 feet on many of the larger ones. The owners want $650 an acre for the 12 acres. I'm tempted to buy it as an investment. How would you rate the potential return on this compared to a bank CD? Forester's Assessment: Yes, I'd say that little 12-acre tract with 80 walnut trees of 3 to 8 inches diameter would be a fun property to own. A realtor friend tells me that $650 per acre is a fair price for a small wooded tract that adjoins a creek. However, your question is: "Should I buy this property as a forestry investment or put my $7,800 in a bank CD." I think a financial advisor would say, "Do neither!" His or her advice would probably be to put $130 a month into a good mutual fund over the next five years. That strategy would likely provide you with the best return from your hard-earned dollars. But in my opinion, that is not nearly as much fun or personally rewarding as working with trees. Unfortunately, the small acreage and the low stock of pole-sized walnuts will limit your financial returns from this property. This is particularly true if you don't plan to plant more walnuts or work around the existing trees to improve stem quality and insure their survival. If nothing is done over the next 30 years, their numbers will be reduced by nearly half through natural mortality. The good news is that the average diameter of the remaining walnuts will nearly double in that time and in 40 years you'll have sawlogs. Walnut research indicates that for nut production plus quality sawlogs there should be at least 200 trees per acre by the time trees are averaging 5 inches in diameter. The present stocking of walnuts on this 12-acre tract is far short of the ideal. To gain the maximum return you'll need to add substantially to your investment and intensify walnut management on this tract. Aside from wanting a return in CD equivalents, you don't state a full range of objectives for owning a forest property. Are wildlife and aesthetic values important? Do you want this property to become part of a family inheritance? Would you like to harvest nuts and market veneer quality logs or both? Foresters can be of most help when clients share all their interests. "Growing" trees by computer modeling and developing investment scenarios tailored to a client's interests are just some of the things a consulting forester can do for people considering the purchase of forest properties. Root grafting At a recent Missouri chapter of the Walnut Council field day we overheard growers say they "had always been warned about root grafting, but nobody seems to have seen it." Root grafting is a natural circumstance that occurs under the soil surface in the root zone. As roots multiply and cross over each other they tend to fuse and grow together. The result is that nutrients and water and any other materials moving through the roots are shared by the trees grafted together by their roots. To "see it," one must observe the detrimental effects of one tree upon another on the surface. This can sometimes be seen when a tree is cut and its stump treated with a systemic herbicide to control regrowth. The herbicide also travels through the roots of neighboring trees that are root-grafted to the killed tree and they, too, die. Yes, it has been seen. At HarperHill Farms at Butler, Mo. every other tree in a 12-year-old black walnut plantation was removed. The remaining trees were grafted to known cultivars. Originally planted on a 40- by 10-foot spacing, half the trees were removed to allow room for adequate growth of the remaining grafted trees. Stumps of the removed trees were treated with an undiluted application of Tordon herbicide. The stumps averaged about 4 inches in diameter and thoroughly covered with the herbicide using a squirt bottle. The thinning and herbicide treatment were made in the spring of 1997. There was no regrowth on the stumps. However, in several instances, the neighboring tree that had been grafted soon sickened and died, showing classic signs of herbicide poisoning. These trees were 10 feet away from the treated stump. Of about 100 stumps treated, only four neighboring grafted trees died. The question comes to mind: Would this have occurred if the trees had been thinned at an earlier age before root grafting could take place? Tooling up Every morning when you get up, you put on a hundred dollar bill. Surprising? A decent pair of work shoes ($50); jeans or cotton pants ($20); shirt ($15); leather belt ($20); socks, etc. ($5). That's more than $100 and it assumes you were given a free cap. That grafting kit you carry into the field each spring might surprise you, too. Last spring when a couple of Missouri nut tree grafters were comparing tools, they began to tally the investment in their caddies. Start with the caddy, a Wal-Mart plastic tool caddy ($8). Now put in the recommended tools found in most every kit: Bow saw ($5). If you use a Felco folding saw as many do chalk up $20. Basic Victorionox Swiss grafting knife ($11). Knives may cost as much as $60. Felco No. 2 pruning shears ($35). Don't settle for anything less. Arrow J-21 staple gun ($16). Arkansas sharpening stone - double sided, medium and fine ($15). That's $90 and you haven't bought any supplies yet. You will need the following to perform a common side-bark inlay or a four-flap graft: 300 sandwich bags ($2); staples ($2); grafting tape ($1); masking tape ($1); Elmers glue ($2); aluminum foil ($2); aluminum ID tags ($15). Don't skip these or you will cuss a lot later when you can't remember which cultivar you grafted to what tree. Colored flagging tape ($10/dozen). That's another $35 or $125 total. Now add a sheath for the pruning shears ($5) and a few other "necessities" that make each of us unique, and you get a good idea of the start-up investment. And don't forget that 400cc 4-wheeler you "just have to have" to get around the farm ($5,600). Retirement.what's that? by Francis Dilsaver, Management Forester Missouri Department of Conservation We just fell in love with these White River cedar glades," is what prompted Dick and Esther Myers to look for land to buy in Taney County, Missouri. As a biology professor, first at Central Missouri State University and then at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Dick would use the unique ecosystem of the glade region of southwest Missouri as an outdoor classroom, taking his classes on extended field trips. Esther would often accompany him, sometimes serving as a chaperone, but they always tried to wake the students up to the natural world which surrounded them. In 1971, after several field trips to the area, the Myers decided they would like to own their own little piece of this unique environment which they had come to love. Their initial plan of purchasing a 40-acre tract was changed somewhat when a local acquaintance told them of 640 acres that was available. Although they didn't particularly want that big a piece of paradise to start off, they changed their minds when they found out that the land would be cleared and converted to pasture if they didn't purchase it. In addition, they found out that by owning this particular tract of land they would be able to protect a large portion of the watershed surrounding Tumbling Creek Cave, a National Natural Landmark. The Myers were finally able to enjoy their Taney County home full time in 1991 when Dick retired from the National Weather Service, after serving 18 years as perhaps the only biologist the Weather Service has ever had on staff; he served as a teacher and trainer for the Weather Service. Because several of his former students had gone to work for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Dick knew that there was a source where he could get assistance in managing the natural resources on his property. He turned to the local MDC forester, Mike Hoffman, who helped the Myers design a stewardship plan for their property. Mike was able to bring together additional expertise within MDC so that the Myers stewardship plan addressed not only timber management but wildlife habitat concerns, glade management and restoration, and, because of the unique geological features and the close proximity to Tumbling Creek Cave, water quality issues. Because of their keen interest in the management of the natural resources found on their property, as well as their love for the outdoors, the Myers are well ahead of schedule in implementing the recommendations made in their stewardship plan. Fencing cattle from the woods, doing some timber harvesting, and installing wildlife food plots was all completed by 1993. Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) has been an ongoing project for the Myers, who have just completed 300 acres. Since this is a partnership, Dick and Esther share the work load. A good example is their TSI project, Dick uses the chainsaw while Esther follows closely behind wielding the stump spray. As a follow up to the timber harvesting they have seeded the skid trails to help prevent erosion, reseeded some of the harvested areas with shortleaf pine, and developed over seven miles of trails. Other accomplishments include renovation of 14 acres of glades from which they also harvested and sold cedar logs, constructed six wildlife water holes, installed and maintain several permanent food plots and are still in the process of converting some of their fescue fields to native warm season grasses. They also help monitor for gypsy moth by providing trap sites. For several years they have provided lease hunting opportunities during deer season. This has proven so successful that this year, for the first time, they have leased their property for spring turkey hunting. Not only do the Myers practice good land stewardship, they preach it every chance they get. They have teamed up with the Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) and the Missouri Department of Conservation to provide demonstration tours on their property. Hisers 1997 State Tree Farmers of the Year The awards banquet at the recent 1998 Missouri Tree Farm/Stewardship Day was a proud moment for George and Marcia Hiser of Excelsior Springs. The Ray County landowners received the highest award that can be given to a landowner by the state Tree Farm committee. The Missouri State Tree Farmer of the Year Award makes the Hisers eligible to compete for the regional and national Tree Farmer of the Year Awards. The award is recognition for years of hard work. Although Marcia's input has come in somewhat more recent times, George has been implementing good conservation practices on their 300 acres just north of Millville, Mo. for more than two decades. The farm has been certified in the American Tree Farm System for 17 years. The Hisers also enrolled their property in the Forest Stewardship Program and placed their woodlands under certified stewardship management five years ago. Missouri Tree Farm No. 505 is managed with an emphasis on forestry and wildlife habitat improvement. Over the years, many practices have been completed in the effort to make the property more productive for wood products, hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and general nature appreciation. About 40 acres of shelterwood harvesting have been completed and an additional 21 acres of timber stand improvement have been done. Annually, over an acre of trees are planted to supplement older, established plantations. There are also 15 food and green browse plots scattered over the acreage that are planted each year. With the exception of using loggers for the shelterwood harvests, the Hisers have done all the management work on the property themselves. Perhaps one of the most important components of the Hiser's Tree Farm operation is sharing with others the information and insights they have regarding tree farming. Being a conservation agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation has given George many opportunities to be a spokesperson for good land stewardship. He has written for newspapers and has had his own radio show locally and has given interviews to the Kansas City area media, including several television appearances. The Hisers feel that efforts to keep Missouri's urban residents informed about what is going on in the outlying rural areas continues to be increasingly important. George also has the opportunity to routinely visit with school and civic groups about the wise management of our natural resources. Practicing what he preaches makes for a convincing case! MNGA Nut Show analysis Missouri Nut Growers gathered at Nevada, Mo. in early February to crack hundreds of nuts to determine the best of the 1997 crop. The judges were looking for high kernel percentage and size as well as high quality. The following listing shows the results including a notation of number of nuts per pound. Seedling pecans and walnuts are those trees that have grown from a native nut with unknown parentage or grown from a nut from a tree that was grafted to a known cultivar (mother tree) but the male parent is unknown. Cultivars are nuts from trees that have been grafted to known, recognized cultivars or varieties. These grafted trees essentially are clones. However, sites, weather conditions and cultural practices result in differences in nuts. The same cultivar grown by three different producers at different sites around the state may vary by three or more points in percentage of kernel. This can often be seen when comparing nuts from a plantation that has been fertilized and irrigated to those from a plantation that has not received such care. It should be noted that many "seedling" nuts have been named but are not recognized by the Missouri Nut Growers Association as a true cultivar. Cultivar status usually is achieved when the seedling is accepted by a large number of growers and is deemed to have commercial or specific breeding value. This year's show had the most black walnut entries on record and the pecan entries were the highest in several years. It should be noted that many of the seedlings, especially in the black walnut class, have very low kernel percentages. Most of these entries are natives that have not been analyzed before. The parent tree may have shown the sought after qualities of high nut production and a trend toward annual bearing, but the nuts themselves yield small amounts of kernel or are of poor kernel quality. All these elements must come together to be recognized as a top cultivar. In the pecan seedling category, there were several new "finds" that came from native groves, city parks and individual trees in pastures. Most notable is the pecan entered by Mary Ann Byrd of Butler, Mo. This seedling not only has a fairly high kernel percentage, but also is fairly large (only 80 nuts per pound). In contrast, the other top- placing seedling pecans all were rather small nuts requiring more than 100 nuts to make a pound. One of the show judges, Bill Reid, director of the Pecan Experiment Field at Chetopa, Kansas, reported that several exceptionally large seedling pecan nuts showed up in this year's show. Most of these are coming from the southern part of the state. He feels that many of these are coming from trees that have grown from nuts produced by grafted trees that were introduced into Missouri at the beginning of this cen tury. The grafted stock came from southern nurseries and were some of the older, well-known southern cultivars such as Stuart. The seedling trees often produce large nuts typical of the southern varieties. The trees may also be cold hardy enough to survive in Missouri, especially in the southern portion. However, the nuts may not mature because of Missouri's shorter growing season. In the black walnut seedling class, the first place winner is a recent find from south Missouri. Its 31.58 percent kernel makes it worth watching for other desirable characteristics. Most of the seedling walnuts, though, had little to offer in kernel percentage since the average of native nuts is about 20 percent. Special awards were given to Paul Woody, Bronaugh, Mo. for the Grand Champion black walnut cultivar (Surprise); Bill Reid, Chetopa, Kan. for the Grand Champion pecan cultivar (Kanza); Bob Nieman, Lockwood, Mo. for 1st Place black walnut seedling and Mary Ann Byrd, Butler, Mo. for 1st Place pecan seedling. Seedling pecans % Nuts Grower Tree Kernel /Lb. Place ======================================================= M. Byrd Seedling #2 49.38 80.00 1st P. Rotert #12 48.50 100.00 2nd J. Rupp Jenkins 52.91 114.28 3rd B. Kussman Irma 47.87 114.28 4th L. Weber #1 45.07 88.89 P. Woody #1 52.91 100.00 R. Dye #108 43.11 88.89 N. Schafer #202 42.33 80.00 N. Schafer #299 45.56 66.67 B. Nieman #3 43.11 88.89 P. Rotert #38 43.11 88.89 P. Rotert #64 37.79 114.28 P. Rotert #7 43.29 72.73 J. Stewart #780 39.68 100.00 G. Kempf 12K67 41.89 100.00 D. Warren 317 49.97 133.33 D. Warren 346 42.83 114.28 J. Wilson B12 35.27 72.73 J. Wilson B2 35.27 114.28 J. Wilson Bee Tree 41.15 88.89 G. Nuse Brohn 49.97 133.33 J. Byram Delane 41.89 100.00 G. Kempf F 35.27 133.33 B. Nieman Fence Row 48.10 72.73 B. Kussman Goose Pond 43.29 72.73 D. Grotjan Grotjan #1 47.03 88.89 W. Adams Harts 45.86 53.33 L. Harper HH-P1 35.27 133.33 V. Byrd Improved Seedling 44.68 53.33 J. Byram Kelly 42.83 114.28 B. Kussman Kussman 49.97 133.33 W. Adams Marylou 49.80 47.06 P. Woody McDowell 16 49.38 80.00 N. Wilkerson N1 44.89 72.73 N. Wilkerson N2 38.80 80.00 D. Johnson Native 15 48.99 88.89 G. Gardner Ozarkia 41.15 133.33 G. McDowell Pond 40.08 72.73 D. Warren Rema 45.86 80.00 G. Nuse Sandy 41.89 100.00 M. Byrd Seedling #1 37.79 114.28 J. Bays Seedling #1 40.56 80.00 J. Rupp Sturgis 42.62 66.67 G. McDowell Top Middle Tree 46.13 61.54 G. McDowell Top Row 39.68 66.67 G. McDowell Unknown 51.55 61.54 J. Wilson unnamed 42.33 80.00 J. Rupp Walker 42.83 114.28 G. Gardner Warren 57.32 100.00 P. Woody Woody #1 58.79 133.33 Pecan cultivars Grower Tree % Kernel Nuts/Lb. Place ========================================================== B. Kussman Colby 43.20 61.54 1st R. Dye Colby 39.68 100.00 R. Dye Colby 42.33 80.00 G. Gardner Dooley 47.03 88.89 1st W. Knaust Dooley 48.10 72.73 B. Nieman Dooley 45.86 80.00 P. Woody Dooley 45.35 114.28 R. Dye Giles 54.87 88.89 1st P. Woody Giles 51.15 80.00 V. Byrd Giles 43.41 61.54 R. Dye Giles 57.32 100.00 R. Dye Giles 50.95 88.89 G. Gardner Giles 54.51 72.73 G. McDowell Mohawk 59.41 42.10 1st J. Wilson Mohawk 58.10 47.06 G. Gardner Mohawk 57.32 50.00 G. McDowell Pawnee 56.02 47.06 1st V. Byrd Pawnee 58.79 44.44 G. Kempf Pawnee 40.31 57.14 P. Woody Peruque 62.71 88.89 1st E. Williams Peruque 59.52 100.00 R. Dye Peruque 47.03 88.89 K. Hunt Peruque 66.63 88.89 G. Kempf Posey 57.72 72.73 1st R. Dye Posey 54.51 72.73 R. Dye Posey 56.44 80.00 K. Hunt Posey 60.93 72.73 D. Warren Posey 55.85 66.67 W. Reid Kanza 54.51 72.73 1st B. Kussman Niblack 49.38 80.00 2nd W. Reid Canton 49.38 80.00 J. Wilson Chief 46.30 50.00 J. Wilson GraCross 55.85 66.67 P. Woody Greenriver 54.27 61.54 J. Wilson Greenriver 52.91 66.67 P. Woody Hirschi 48.50 100.00 J. Stewart Hirschi 48.50 100.00 P. Woody Indiana 49.38 80.00 P. Woody Johnson 38.80 80.00 D. Warren Lucas 58.79 133.33 P. Woody Major 47.03 88.89 M. Koehn Major 51.31 72.73 J. Wilson Maramec 52.91 66.67 G. McDowell Maramec 52.91 57.14 G. McDowell McLaurie 45.56 66.67 G. McDowell McLeon 48.84 61.54 W. Reid Norton 49.97 66.67 D. Warren Norton 43.41 61.54 G. Gardner Osage 51.31 72.73 P. Woody S. Hirschi 47.62 80.00 P. Woody Shephard 48.50 100.00 G. Gardner Shephard 48.10 72.73 J. Wilson Shoshoni 54.27 61.54 R. Dye Starking Hardy Giant 44.09 100.00 J. Stewart Stuart 50.39 57.14 P. Woody Unknown 50.95 88.89 G. McDowell USDA 61-4-36 62.67 53.33 E. Williams Witte 54.51 72.73 Seedling black walnuts % Nuts Grower Tree Kernel /Lb. Place ==================================================== B. Nieman Pond Tree 31.58 29.84 1st B. Lane Lee's Summit 23.08 17.45 2nd G. Gardner Gardner 345 22.86 32.40 3rd J. Fann #1 16.67 21.00 G. Messner #11 21.62 30.65 J. Fann #2 11.11 25.20 J. Devine Agnes Blomes 21.43 20.25 L. Harper Briscoe #1 12.24 23.14 L. Harper Briscoe #2 20.00 28.35 L. Harper Briscoe #3 19.15 24.13 L. Harper Briscoe #4 19.35 36.58 J. Devine Devine #1 25.41 18.59 P. Moore Drain Tree 24.24 34.36 J. Fleck FBW-1 10.00 32.40 J. Devine Gray Summit 14.15 21.40 J. Devine Hanlon #8 23.53 33.35 K. Hunt HR3 24.07 21.00 J. Devine Long Walnut 29.76 27.00 G. Gardner Ozark King 25.00 21.81 G. McDowell Tank Tree 26.25 28.35 P. Moore Williams Seedling 25.00 47.25 P. Woody Woody #1 23.96 23.62 P. Woody Woody #2 22.60 15.53 N. Workman Workman #1 19.15 24.13 Black walnu cultivars % Nuts Grower Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place ====================================================== K. Hunt Clermont 23.68 19.89 1st P. Moore Clermont 21.82 20.62 B. Lane Clermont 25.00 19.55 J. Stevens Emma-K 28.75 28.35 1st W. Knaust Emma-K 33.67 23.14 2nd E. Williams Emma-K 30.00 25.20 K. Hunt Emma-K 30.00 28.35 G. Gardner Emma-K 34.78 24.65 B. Lane Emma-K 30.85 24.13 G. Leaming Emma-K 30.68 25.77 W. Knaust Football 29.46 20.25 1st J. Stevens Football 19.77 26.37 2nd P. Woody Football 21.82 20.62 P. Moore Football 24.24 34.36 K. Hunt Football 24.07 21.00 G. Leaming Football 22.73 25.77 G. Gardner Football 26.00 22.68 B. Lane Kwik-Krop 27.27 25.77 1st E. Williams Kwik-Krop 26.83 27.66 2nd P. Moore Kwik-Krop 22.37 29.84 J. Stevens Kwik-Krop 25.53 24.13 W. Knaust Kwik-Krop 29.46 20.25 G. Gardner Kwik-Krop 28.00 22.68 B. Lane Mintle 26.56 35.44 1st E. Williams Mintle (B. Nugget) 24.29 32.40 2nd P. Woody Mintle (B. Nugget) 25.00 31.50 J. Stevens Mintle (B. Nugget) 20.59 33.35 B. Lane Mintle (B. Nugget) 25.71 32.40 K. Hunt Mintle (B. Nugget) 22.22 31.50 P. Woody Sauber 25.61 27.66 1st J. Stevens Sauber 27.27 34.36 E. Williams Sauber 29.46 20.25 G. Gardner Sauber 30.30 34.36 B. Lane Sauber 31.25 28.35 E. Williams Sparks 127 34.21 29.84 1st B. Lane Sparks 127 29.73 30.65 G. Gardner Sparks 127 30.56 31.50 B. Lane Sparks 147 35.14 30.65 E. Williams Sparrow 28.21 29.08 1st W. Knaust Sparrow 26.85 21.00 2nd P. Moore Sparrow 26.74 26.37 J. Stevens Sparrow 26.67 25.20 L. Harper Sparrow 27.55 23.14 G. Gardner Sparrow 25.56 25.20 P. Woody Surprise 29.63 21.00 1st B. Lane Surprise 30.85 24.13 2nd E. Williams Surprise 27.91 26.37 G. Gardner Surprise 29.09 20.62 K. Hunt Surprise 22.45 23.14 W. Knaust Surprise 32.41 21.00 G. Leaming Surprise 27.55 23.14 B. Lane Tomboy 24.00 22.68 1st E. Williams Tomboy 22.12 21.81 2nd P. Moore Tomboy 20.65 24.65 G. Gardner Tomboy 23.00 22.68 W. Knaust Bowser 29.76 27.00 1st B. Lane Hare 26.67 18.90 2nd G. Gardner Hay II 27.63 29.84 3rd G. Gardner Jackson 31.25 35.44 4th G. Gardner Bowser 24.36 29.08 B. Lane Crosby 22.64 21.40 B. Lane Daniels 30.65 18.29 B. Lane Dubois 27.78 25.20 E. Williams Harney 25.56 25.20 E. Williams Hay 30.16 18.00 B. Lane Hay 30.36 20.25 E. Williams HRC3 25.93 21.00 E. Williams Jackson 24.53 42.79 G. Gardner Mystery 23.26 26.37 B. Lane Mystery 25.51 23.14 B. Lane Ogden 22.64 21.40 E. Williams Patterson 29.76 27.00 B. Lane Patterson 32.56 26.37 E. Williams Ridgeway 22.56 13.83 G. Gardner Ridgeway 20.37 14.00 B. Lane Rowher 27.36 21.40 G. Gardner Rowher 21.67 18.90 E. Williams Sauber II 26.47 33.35 B. Lane Schreiber 26.56 17.72 G. Gardner Shessler 26.60 24.13 E. Williams South Fork 20.69 39.10 B. Lane Stanek 19.23 21.81 J. Stevens Thomas 23.15 21.00 B. Lane Thomas 25.41 18.59 E. Williams Thomas-Myers 30.56 21.00 G. Gardner Thomas-Myers 27.68 20.25 E. Williams Woody 22.22 36.00 Hickories % Nuts Grower Species Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place ========================================================== E. Williams Mockernut Windsor Park 18.75 47.25 E. Williams Shagbark Wilcox 36.67 75.60 J. Stewart Shellbark 959 29.17 18.90 1st J. Stewart Shellbark 873 29.17 23.62 2nd J. Stewart Shellbark 867 27.78 31.50 J. Stewart Shellbark 872 21.15 21.81 J. Stewart Shellbark 874 31.25 23.62 J. Stewart Shellbark 875 22.22 21.00 J. Stewart Shellbark Banana 23.33 18.90 J. Wilson Shellbark JW1 15.31 23.14 Miscellaneous nut species % Nuts Grower Species Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place ============================================================= K. Hunt Chestnut Sleeping Giant 22.68 1st K. Hunt Chestnut AU-Cropper 54.00 K. Hunt Chestnut AU-Homestead 22.23 K. Hunt Chestnut Crane 29.84 K. Hunt Chestnut Mossbarger 29.08 K. Hunt Chestnut Revival 25.20 K. Hunt Heartnut Canoka 21.05 59.68 J. Wilson Hican Wilson 43.86 39.79 1st P. Woody Hican Weese 41.67 37.80 2nd D. Warren Hican Gun Club 26.67 50.40 B. Lane Hican Underwood 30.30 34.36 Timber output survey underway Every timber processor in Missouri is being asked to help determine how much timber was cut in Missouri in 1997. This survey, called the Timber Products Output is funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation and is part of a larger effort to monitor status of Missouri's forests. The actual survey will be done in person by trained consulting foresters. Similar surveys are taken every three years and are often called "Drain" surveys. "Interest in Missouri's hardwood timber, especially the oak, has increased steadily since 1991," says Shelby Jones, who has supervised the last four surveys for MDC. "While wood industries which have been a part of Missouri's economy for generations are expanding, there has also been an increase in interest from outside the state." Results of the surveys can be used to predict impacts from proposed new or additional need for wood raw materials. It is very important in forecasting both short and long-term availability of timber. The survey will be completed in June. At the same time, a new Forest Inventory which measures the increase or decrease in the total forest resource of the state, will begin in July of 1998. Since the inventory involves measuring thousands of forest plots around the state, it will require approximately two years to complete. Moving toward forest protection Missouri citizens overwhelmingly believe that environmental and economic agendas need not clash in state forests, but two-thirds said if they were forced to choose, they would support environmental protection, according to a survey conducted by the University of Missouri. "When push comes to shove, they would prefer environmental protection over economic development, but they just don't believe that push should come to shove," says Sandy Rikoon, director of the study. They sampling was heavy on rural people. It was noted by the researchers that there wasn't much difference in the attitudes of rural and urban respondents. A similar study conducted in 1993 showed that 67 percent of Missourians believed economic development and environmental protection go "hand in hand." The more recent data, gathered in 1996, put that number at more than 70 percent. When forced to choose between the two alternatives, support for environmental protection rose significantly from about 50 percent in 1993 to 67 percent in 1996, while support for economic development dropped accordingly from 24 percent to 14 percent. In general, the study found urban Missourians more likely than rural residents to support government regulation of private forestland. It also indicated that women are more likely than men to support such regulations. Leaving a bad taste Lots of complaints have been voiced this winter about wildlife damage to tree plantations. One particular problem most often heard is rodent damage to newly planted trees. One western Missouri Tree Farmer reports losing 50 of the 60 nursery-grown seedlings he planted last fall. He asks if there is any remedy. Excellent reports have come in on a new repellent that protects trees from deer damage. The product is Nortech Tree Guard and has virtually eliminated deer browsing, but not buck rubbing. The compound contains Bitrex which is reputed to be the most bitter substance in the world according to the Guiness Book of World Records. Will it work on rodents and other animals? We have no reports, but the product is being tested by the University of Missouri Agroforestry Center in its walnut grazing trials this summer. It may allow agroforesters to plant trees and graze the plantations immediately. The product is available from Nortech Forest Technologies, Inc., 7600 West 27th St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Phone: (612) 922-2520, or FAX: (612) 922-3865. The bid sheet (The following is the results of an actual timber sale bidding process on a Missouri forest property during the last two years. What would the result have been if the timber had been sold without a bid?) Situation: 265 trees with 66,510 board feet (Doyle scale). Mostly white oak with quite a bit of red/black oak and hickory; 7 black walnut; 1 black cherry, 1 basswood and scattered elm, sycamore, hackberry, ash. Bid opening: A. $7,250; B. $10,200; C. $13,365; D. $25,600 Missouri Forester profile Bob DeWitt has a Bronze hardhat and it isn't a souvenir from a construction job. It's the recognition he has received for certifying more that 25 Tree Farms into the American Tree Farm System. But he hasn't stopped there. While he says he has to check his records to make sure, he thinks he will receive a Silver hardhat in just a year or two, when he signs up his 50th member. There are nearly 1,000 certified Tree Farms in Missouri alone. You can tell when talking to Bob that he is proud of his accomplishment. Not because he was personally recognized but because the Tree Farmers have been recognized for their stewardship of the land. This stewardship is not limited to producing forest products, which is a misconception some people have about the Tree Farm program. In fact, Bob says while producing forest products is one aspect of the Tree Farm Program "four out of five cooperators are not in it for only producing forest products. They want to keep their trees healthy, do wildlife management for viewing or hunting, and improve the environment in areas such as water quality. Tree farms reduce erosion, filter runoff and can help hold soil throughout watersheds. There is a focus on a balance between the economic aspects of forestry and conservation." Bob also appreciates the fact that it is a grassroots organization where members get together at an annual conference and field days to share information. Working with the Tree Farm Program is just one aspect of Bob's job. As a Resource Forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, he has responsibility for all Forestry Division programs in Lafayette and Saline counties, the western parts of Cooper and Howard counties and the southern part of Moniteau County. A 1982 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources, he did a short stint as an urban forester in Cincinnati before returning to Missouri. He spent two years in the Springfield area and 11 in Chillicothe. Just this past year, he moved to his current position. His office is now located at the University of Missouri's Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC) in New Franklin. When asked how he ended up there, he says it is just one of those situations where things worked out right. Bob is a member of the Mid-Missouri Agroforestry Resource Team. Early last fall, at a time when the Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry Division had undergone regional boundary changes, he was looking for office space. He had just attended a meeting of the agroforestry team at HARC and wondered about the possibility of locating his office there. One thing led to another and he is now located at the Center! The situation has been beneficial for the University and Bob. He enjoys being on the front line of research, especially in the agroforestry area, as the newest information becomes available. He also feels that with some of the research such as agroforestry or tree improvement for walnut, through an interchange of ideas, he can add a unique perspective since he works so much with landowners. Bob can be reached at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, 10 Research Rd, New Franklin, MO, 65274. His phone number is (660) 848-2525. Newsletter deadlines Because your newsletter must be in the mail at least 30 days before the next organization meeting and another three weeks is needed to get it ready and through the printing process, the deadline for the Summer 1998 issue is: June 1, 1998 Send your newsletter material to: Sandy Hodge, 1-76 Agriculture Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Phone (573) 884-6729. Your management tips, ideas and experiences are most welcome! Calendar of upcoming events April and May Karkaghnae Club Meetings: April - Kingsford Charcoal Plant at Belle, Mo.; May - Family Day and tour at Montauk State Park. Contact David Massengale, 1404 S. Jackson, Salem, MO 65560 for specific dates. Saturday, April 18 Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council spring tour, at Paddle Creek Farm, Roby, Mo. Tour will feature large Ozark ranch and timber operation with walnut plantings and natural stand release. Learn how hunting leases fit Missouri forestry operations. Contact Roland Cartwright (417) 962- 3411 or Kevin Poe (417) 458-4490. Tuesday, April 28 MNGA Grafting Day at Rick Kammler Farm, Perryville, Mo. (1:30 p.m.). Contact Rick Kammler (573) 238-2321 or (573) 547-8640. Saturday, May 9 May 9: MNGA Grafting Day at Pepper Creek Farm, Windsor, Mo. (9 a.m.). Contact Carroll Chancellor (660) 647-2209. Tuesday, May 5 MNGA Nut and Fruit Grafting Demonstration at MU Southwest Center, Mt. Vernon, Mo. (1:30 p.m.). Contact Andy Thomas (417) 466-2148. Tuesday, May 19 MNGA Grafting Day at Meyers Farm, Dalton, Mo. (1:30 p.m.). Contact Bob Kussman (660) 548-3352. Sunday through Wednesday, August 2-5 Walnut Council International Annual Meeting and Tour at Danville, Ill. Contact Ken Konsis (212) 442-1691 or Nancy Gunning (317) 873-8780. Saturday, June 13 Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council Field Day, Paul Smith Farm, Clearmont, Mo. Tour agroforestry alleycropping system. Contact Roland Cartwright (417) 962-3411. (Send your forestry related event dates to: Sandy Hodge, 1-76 Agriculture Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.) =========================================================== Green Horizons is published quarterly by the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. All submitted material is subject to editing for style and length. Editorial board: Scott Brundage, Missouri Consulting Foresters Association (573) 443-3977 Roland Cartwright, president, Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council, (417) 962-3411 Gene Garrett, director, MU Agroforestry Center, (573) 882-3647 Sandy Hodge, editor, Green Horizons (573) 882-7242 Phil Rotert, president, Missouri Nut Growers Association, (913) 341-3538 Eric Peters, Missouri Forest Products Association (573) 634-3253 John Shopland, superintendent, MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, (816) 848-2268 Clell Solomon, Missouri Christmas Tree Producers Association (816) 273-2368 Doug Wallace, president, Missouri Tree Farm Committee (573) 876-0900 Wayne Wittmeyer, Forest Stewardship Program (573) 751- 4115 Mailing address: Green Horizons, c/o Sandy Hodge, MU Agroforestry Center, 1-30 Agriculture Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.