November 2, 1998 Green Horizons News for people who take their trees seriously Vol. 3, No. 4 Autumn 1998 Agroforestry in north Missouri -- Out of the ordinary agroforestry Lewis Griffith lives two miles from where he grew up in Knox County. He hasn't always been there. He returned in 1979 after a career with the U.S. Agency for International Development, having lived in Ghana, West Africa, Kenya, East Africa, Guatemala and Brazil and having traveled extensively in the rest of Central and South America. In 1983 he started planting trees on his farm. He says part of what influenced him was the severe deforestation in the countries where he had served. The influence must have been quite strong, because in 1997 he was recognized as Tree Farmer of the Year for his efforts. "You don't think you'll ever come home," he says. But he has settled in and, in addition to 74 acres of timber on his farm, he has several agroforestry sites using alley cropping. On one site he is growing red pine, which has a long needle, to demonstrate the potential the needles have as pine straw, an excellent mulching material. Between the rows he grows hay, a brome and red clover mix. On another site he has a medicinal alley cropping system with purple coneflower plants between rows of ginkgo trees. The biggest challenge is controlling the weeds in the purple coneflower plantings. As Griffith says, he is still learning about planting purple coneflowers and about harvesting ginkgos. Another agroforestry site on his farm is a 30-foot tree buffer of hazelnut trees, witch hazel shrubs and hawthorne trees that he planted for wildlife. He planted witch hazel for its medicinal value. He plans to harvest the hazelnuts if the wildlife do not get to them first! Agroforestry: An investment in erosion control Frank Thomas is looking to agroforestry to protect some of his long-term investments. Thomas, who lives in Liberty, Mo., has invested in several tracts of farmland in north Missouri. His goal is to preserve the most highly erodible landscape by seeding it to grass and leasing it for pasture. An added element of erosion protection comes from trees planted on the contour at 60-foot intervals and 9 feet apart within the rows. This agroforestry system is one of several demonstrations funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation through the Missouri Agroforestry Program. The Missouri legislature established this program a few years ago to encourage agroforestry practices. Limited funding from MDC has made about a dozen of these demonstrations possible. The purpose is to show that a landowner can plant trees on cropland or pastures and continue to have an income while the trees are growing. The program allows the landowner to receive the average Conservation Reserve Program payment rate for that county minus the gross income from any farming practices such as cropping , haying or grazing the alleys between the trees. Thomas has 110 acres in the agroforestry program using hay as his alley crop. The forage consists of timothy, brome and orchardgrass. A nurse crop of wheat was used to get the stand off to a good start. A few days after the grass planting was made, Thomas hired a professional tree planting service from Burlington, Ia. to plant the trees. Under his 3-year contract, the tree service comes back each year to spray herbicide to insure good growth without weed - especially grass - competition. The tree species were mixed with black walnut, pecan, swamp white oak, red oak and white oak. Pines were planted in some areas. Liveability for the pines was poor, but the deciduous species had about 90 percent survival. The 60-foot alleys were chosen so hay equipment could easily pass through without damaging trees. "I like to see about 80 trees per acre," says Lonnie Messbarger, MDC forester who helped Thomas design his system. With the 9-foot spacing between trees within the row, Thomas has a few more than 80. Although the system was established in 1997, two hay crops had been harvested by summer of 1998. The hay crop is estimated to be worth $10 per acre on a cash rent basis to a neighbor. Using the program formula of taking the local CRP rate ($60 to $65 per acre) and subtracting cash crop value, Thomas realizes $50 to $55 an acre cash flow from the program payments annually. "Sure, there's a money consideration there," says Thomas, "but I wanted to stop erosion." "I don't expect top dollar, but have to have something (for the investment). This is far better than the CRP program. We are using the hay crop and eventually will have a tree crop." A bonus crop has emerged from the improved land. The quail and pheasant aren't harvested by Thomas, but are appreciated by local hunters, says Thomas. - Larry Harper CAPTIONS: Lewis Griffith, of Novelty, examines a ginkgo seedling in his ginkgo/coneflower alleycropping system. (Left) Frank Thomas, of Liberty, points out the variety of species intercropped with hay on his farm near Albany. (Story on page 3.) (Right to left) Lonnie Messbarger, Missouri Department of Conservation, Sandy Hodge, MU Center for Agroforestry, and landowner Frank Thomas review plans for his riparian buffer. Woodland appraiser -- Missouri timberland values The following situation often is faced by absentee landowners who own Missouri forest land. We asked consulting forester John Keesey of Lonedell, Mo. to comment on this type of timber sale. If readers of Green Horizons have comments or questions on this or other timberland value situation, we welcome those thoughts. The situation: A California couple inherited a northeast Missouri farm with 400 acres of good crop ground and 260 acres of open pasture. The farm also has about 50 acres of timberland on the roughest part of the farm. They will not bemoving to Missouri, and want to sell the property. A realtor has told them they should be able to get $700 to $800 an acre for the farm. However, the wife thinks it might be best to auction the property, dividing the timberland off and selling it separately. She thinks it would enhance the values of both types of land. The realtor has told them the "brushland" is probably worth only $300 an acre even though it hasn't been logged in recent history. Forester's reply: I need to know what I'm selling and its value before I can make a sound decision on how to handle the sale of this tract. I would hire a consulting forester to make a determination of the amount and value of timber on this tract and other forest-related values. When I have this information, I can decide whether to sell the tract separately or to include it with the sale of the crop and pastureland. Care should be taken when selling timberland because the price can vary much more than that for cropland or pasture. For example, a 40-acre tract of oak timberland in Iowa sold for $7,150 an acre in 1987. (Editor's note: A recent professionally conducted timber sale on a south central Missouri Ozark 60-acre tract of oak resulted in $950 an acre on a selective cut. The land with standing timber included would have appraised at only $400 an acre.) 1999 Tree Farm-Stewardship Conference March 5 and 6, 1999 mark the 19th Annual Tree Farm- Stewardship Days at Columbia, with concurrent educational sessions and an awards banquet. Look for information in the next Green Horizons or contact John P. Slusher, Extension Forester, 203 ABNR Building, University of Missouri, School of Natural Resources, Columbia, MO 65211-7270. Agroforestry since 1981 Dan Shepherd has one of the older agroforestry systems in Missouri. His alley cropping system with pecans and row crops has been in existence since 1981. Today he has over 6,000 pecan trees spread over 225 acres and all are grafted. During the last 17 years he has planted beans, corn and wheat between the 40-foot wide rows - the trees are 30 feet apart in the rows. Initially, the spacing was 15 feet between the trees in the rows and, as they grew, they were thinned. Shepherd does not recommend starting in agroforestry the way he did. The initial planting at his farm involved over 12,000 nuts which came from grafted trees. The flags to plant those 12,000 nuts took 10 days to set up. The nuts were planted over a period of several weeks. But the worst was yet to come. Because the trees were all the same age, grafting was quite a challenge since they all had to be done at approximately the same time. While he has one of the few fully-grafted pecan orchards in the state, he suggests 25 acres at a time is a much more manageable size. One of the more unique stories about the agroforestry system at Shepherd's farm is the history of the Shepherd variety pecan which makes up 10 percent of his trees. They bought a tree that was a known producer of excellent pecans. A deed was drawn up and registered at the county courthouse. The tree stayed where it was but it is owned and used by the Shepherds to supply scionwood for grafting the Shepherd variety pecan. During the early years, Dan's agroforestry system supplied income through the row crops while he waited for the pecans to bear nuts. The trees are producing now and he anticipates he will have a full crop within the next two years. In anticipation of this harvest, he has switched his alleyways to bluegrass. He will harvest it and use it to feed the buffalo he raises on his farm. He chose bluegrass because it is shallow rooted and goes dormant when it gets dry rather than competing for moisture with the trees. Further, it does well on bottom lands and is much easier for harvesting pecans because it produces a solid sod, unlike orchardgrass or fescue which is bunchy and can trap the pecans. CAPTION: Dan Shepherd examines pecans on one of his 6,000 grafted trees near Moberly. Northwest Missouri agroforestry training Riparian buffer and silvopastoral system design was the focus for 25 natural resource professionals at a recent agroforestry training program held in northwest Missouri at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Emmet and Leah Seat Memorial Conservation Area. Lonnie Messbarger, Missouri Department of Conservation resource forester hosted the program. Natural Resource Conservation Service, MU Extension and MDC personnel attended this hands-on session. Subjects covered during the day included how to begin the planning process, reading and understanding soils, identifying ownership objectives which influence tree and crop selection, and considerations for establishing both riparian buffers and silvopastoral systems. With riparian buffers, understanding the existing conditions at the site, tree selection and grasses for a buffer are important considerations. With silvopastoral design, it is necessary to understand tree species, their spacing, the type of forage used, weed control, fencing and grazing practices. Lonnie Messbarger, who has actively promoted agroforestry in the region, gave an update on the number of landowners currently using agroforestry and the types of practices they have established. Sandy Hodge, from the MU Center for Agroforestry, discussed the participatory agroforestry teams in the state and how they can be sources of information. Gene Garrett, director of the Center, led most of the discussion for designing the two practices. NRCS played an active role in the training. Bill White, a wildlife biologist, talked about tree selection; Jerry Zimmerman did soil sampling and discussed soil identification; and James Mayberry, grazing lands specialist, talked about landowner objectives and some grazing strategies. MDC resource technician Jim Grace demonstrated some economical fencing options and Kyle Reno, MDC fisheries management biologist, gave an overview of the importance and benefits of riparian buffers. CAPTIONS: Jim Grace, Missouri Department of Conservation, presents fencing options. Gene Garrett, MU Center for Agroforestry, discusses silvopastoral design with workshop participants. Kyle Reno, Missouri Department of Conservation, gives an overview on the benefits of riparian buffers. Lonnie Messbarger, Missouri Department of Conservation, (right) gives an update on agroforestry in northwest Missouri, as Jerry Zimmerman, Natural Resources Conservation Service, waits to demonstrate soil sampling. Less is more When selecting crop trees, it is desirable sometimes to girdle competing trees instead of cutting them. Large trees can be allowed to deteriorate slowly, thereby causing less damage when they fall piece by piece. Wildlife also can benefit from the dead standing trees. Experience in the field is proof that this is a case where less is more. Cutting to a depth of one inch with a chainsaw is sufficient to kill the tree, especially when coupled with a herbicide application. Deeper cuts may defeat your purposes. Cutting deeper than an inch may leave the tree, especially smaller trees, vulnerable to falling during high winds and create a hazard to workers or visitors. Elm a survivor The June issue of Smithsonian magazine reports there is hope for the survival of the American elm. This traditional shade tree that is responsible for the name of streets in almost every American village and town has almost disappeared from the scene. Dutch elm disease has devastated the species since it was discovered in 1919. Thanks to researchers at the National Arboretum at Glenn Dale, Maryland, the American elm may be making a comeback. At least two strains of Dutch elm disease-resistant trees have been selected and thoroughly tested. These strains are being released through a few nurseries. Perhaps we'll see Elm Street lined with the stately giants once again. Hardwood chipping In Missouri For the past 30 years professional foresters and forest landowners in Missouri have needed markets for their small diameter hardwood and the stems that are removed in thinnings and timber stand improvement cuts. "If only these markets existed," they lamented, "more timber management would be practiced and financial returns would be improved." In some areas, the introduction of scragg mills in the early 1980s provided markets for short bolts. However, the mills wanted mainly oak so the minor species were ignored by cutters. Thinnings and timber stand improvement did not increase significantly, but the harvest of pole-size timber did. Today, more than 80 percent of the total volume of wood harvested in Missouri is oak. This percentage has increased steadily since 1987. In 1990, Missouri's new forest survey attracted the attention of large paper companies needing hardwood chips. They were also attracted by Missouri's river transportation access, and an annual growth surplus. However, lack of experience in harvesting pulpwood and the absence of mechanized logging equipment created doubt that enough pulpwood could be delivered to a market. Companies determined that Missouri's forest resource would be able to provide both the volume required by existing wood industries and that needed to support a chip manufacturing facility. Yet it was 1996 before there was a commitment to construct a chip mill in southeast Missouri by Willamette Industries. That plant is now providing hardwood chips to its parent pulp and paper mill in Hawesville, Ky. Following closely on the heels of Willamette Industries, Canal Wood Corporation announced construction of a chipping facility near Scott City. A large portion of Canal's hardwood chips will be exported for paper production. Combined, the two plants will produce 500,000 to 600,000 tons of chips annually. Immediately after the announcement of a second chip manufacturing plant, environmental groups questioned the sustainability of production for the two plants and their impact on the traditional sawlog-oriented wood industry. There were also unsubstantiated rumors about the location of several other chip mills across southern Missouri. Media coverage has been constant since that time and the two companies have come under scrutiny from several regulatory agencies as a result. The message generally coming from the media is that the volume of wood required to feed these two plants will cause the clearcutting of all of southern Missouri in only a few years. That kind of information tells only one side of a broader story. Pulpwood markets can generate income when a landowner needs to clear land of timber and convert it to other uses. Exploitation of the forest resource happens daily: by agriculture, by urbanization and by the wood processing industry. But the positive aspects of hardwood pulpwood markets for Missouri forest landowners are being largely ignored. Timber management options increase with the addition of these markets. Shorter term financial return opportunities increase. Competition for wood fiber generally means that landowners receive higher prices for their wood commodities. And lastly, management for high quality sawlogs and veneer logs is more desirable than ever because it will produce lots of pulpwood and other intermediate products during the rotation. The expense of timber stand improvement will no longer be necessary because commercial thinning will be economically possible. Why wouldn't forest landowners be excited about the increased opportunities of these new markets? It is a win/win situation for both landowners and forest management. Here is a challenge for you. How many forest owners do you know who are not convinced that they should be using a stewardship ethic and the best scientific management practices available? The number of professional foresters is relatively small when it comes to reaching nearly 300,000 landowners. Think how many people could learn from you if you took the initiative to talk with them on the subject. Chip mill markets can positively influence forestry in Missouri if timber owners know how to fit the harvest practices into their management objectives. The next time you see a negative article or news clip about chip mills, ask yourself about the other side of the story. There is always another side! - Shelby Jones, consulting forester A legacy of forest stewardship Dwight Bensend and Mary Bensend Robertson have a relationship that goes beyond simply being father and daughter. Their strong relationship is based on their mutual interest in sound land stewardship. Dwight and Mary have taken a unique approach to natural resource management on their adjoining Carroll County properties. They have coordinating Landowner Forest Stewardship Plans (LFSPs) for their Tree Farms. Dwight Bensend and his wife Marguerite have owned a 200-acre tract adjacent to the Grand River in Carroll County for more than 20 years. During this time, they have practiced active forest management activities such as non-commercial thinnings, pecan grove management, tree planting and plantation maintenance. Wildlife management always has been a priority because several members of the Bensend family are avid whitetail deer and wild turkey hunters. Water quality and recreation are important to the Bensends and can be seen in the construction and care of a 3-acre lake and an 8-acre wetland area. In the interest of small game management and erosion control, nearly 20 acres of tillable ground have been enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and are being converted from cool-season grass to a native warm-season grass and forb mix. Daughter Mary Robertson and husband Marc actively manage activities on the Bensend farm. In the fall they collect pecans, in the spring they plant new seedlings and, during times of flood, they help wetland cleanup efforts. Together they look forward to the time when they can retire to the property and enjoy the fruits of their labors, as Dwight and Marguerite have done. With a recently acquired 160-acre tract south of Mary's parent's farm, the Robertsons have renewed interest in stewardship. They admit feeling a little overwhelmed by the daunting task of managing both farms appropriately. "Marc and I work and live in Liberty. The time we get to spend at the farm is limited," says Mary. "We want to make sure the things we are busy doing there will truly help us achieve the goals Dad has set for his farm and goals we have set for our farm." "We all realize there is a great deal of work that could be done on each farm," says Marc. "Because of the proximity, any management activity completed on one farm would benefit the resources of the other farm. We felt if we had both farms' resource needs prioritized, we would not feel quite so bewildered by what to do first." Dwight, a distinguished retired Iowa State University professor of forest products, knew what both farms needed was a plan. "The first step was to determine where we stood. We needed an assessment of the resources. Then we could get on with addressing the forestry and wildlife needs in an orderly fashion," he says. Dwight contacted Missouri Department of Conservation forester Jennifer Battson. Battson helped them complete a technical assessment of the forest, open land, water and wildlife resources on both properties. She then wrote two 10-year LFSPs that considered and complemented the activities taking place on each farm. In those plans, Battson included an implementation schedule that followed the same considerations. "I tried to keep in mind that the Bensends and Robertsons were going to be helping each other complete the management activities. Essentially, I looked at the two tracts as one. They had to be separated for purposes of tracking potential cost-share, but I made my suggestions as though they were under a single owner," says Battson. "It's nice to know that for the next 10 years each property's goals and objectives have been clearly identified and agreed upon. Instead of first doing those activities that come easiest, we can focus on the work that will have the greatest impact," says Mary. "Also, Dad and Mother can potentially pass on a forest stewardship legacy to all of their family in the form of a plan for their property." - Jennifer Battson, Management Forester, MDC CAPTION: Dwight Bensend and his daughter, Mary Bensend Robertson, have a mutual interest in trees and land stewardship. State forestry nursery offers new species, sizes Tree farmers and planters who haven't used seedling stock from the Department of Conservation's state nursery in a while may want to take a fresh look at what the facility is producing. First-time customers will likely be impressed as well. There is a greater choice of species and the quality of trees and shrubs shipped to Missouri landowners is improved. The George O. White State Forest Nursery has always strived to produce seedlings economically that met specific soil, wildlife and forestry conservation needs. Many of these seedlings were not available commercially. The 1998-99 order forms will be available in November for 60 species, as compared to last year's 38. The nursery emphasizes providing stock that is native to the state and is minimizing exotic plants, except with pine. The only native pine (shortleaf) isn't suitable for windbreak plantings in north Missouri, so eastern white pine, Austrian pine and red pine will still be available. Scotch pine is still available for a few more years for Christmas tree growers, but plans are to phase it out eventually. This year is the first time that certified walnut, pecan and shellbark hickory will be available. These trees have been grown from seeds of trees that have been verified as having good growth and nut production. With the exception of white oak, the supply for individual species this year is excellent. Additionally, the overall size of the average seedling has substantially increased. With the exception of a couple of species that transplant best at 8 to 10 inches tall, it will be common for seedlings to be at least 15 to 20 inches tall. Seedling costs have risen slightly this year after remaining the same for almost a decade. Hardwood seedlings will be $5 per 25. Most conifers will be up $1 per 25 from last year's prices. Regular walnut and pecan will hold at $6 per 25 and certified seedlings will run $7 per 25 for shellbark hickory and pecan, with walnut being $9 per 25. Green Horizons readers should receive an order form automatically this year. If you haven't received one by Thanksgiving, you can obtain a form from your local Missouri Department of Conservation office, by calling the nursery at (573) 674-3229 or faxing them at (573) 674-4047. Also, by November the nursery should have its own home page on the World Wide Web which will be listed on the order form. Lots of useful information on tree selection, planting tips and techniques, as well as a continuously updated listing of available species is planned for the site. Because orders are billed after they are received (thereby avoiding the need for a secure site), tree planters should be able to place their orders online, too. This year, there will be a toll-free number for checking on seedling availability (1-800-392-3222). For those who don't have access to a computer, there is a companion book to the nursery's order form that has illustrations and key information for almost all of the plants available. Copies of Missouri Conservation Trees and Shrubs are available, free of charge, by writing to Distribution Center/ Free Publications, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. - Bob DeWitt Timber market improvements spawn more sales Recent improvements in the timber market have brought on a surge in timber sales, according to reports from professional foresters around Missouri. But better prices do not always foster more selling. Stan Petzoldt, of Petzoldt Lumber Co., Frohna, says, "Fifty percent of sales are made just prior to an ownership change in the land. Age of the owners is a big factor." The timber buyer also says that about 10 percent of the landowners his company buys timber from are already managing their timber. He estimates that at least 70 percent of the owners believe in timber management but are unwilling to spend the time or money to do it. Most of the sellers his company buys from do not actively oversee the harvesting. In fact, they don't even discuss the harvesting process with the loggers. Petzoldt offers this advice to timber owners: "Selling as standing timber will most likely get you the most dollars for your timber unless you are a competent logger and marketer." CAPTION: Stan Petzoldt Harper heads Walnut Council Black walnut tree grower, Larry Harper, Columbia, Mo., was elected president of the Walnut Council International. This unique commodity organization has grown to nearly 1,000 members and is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis. Harper began growing black walnuts in the mid-1980s when he established his first plantation on Conservation Reserve Land on the family farm in Bates County. Plantings were made for several years and now the total acreage in black walnut plantations exceeds 120 acres. During that time, several thousand native black walnut and pecan trees were identified and cared for. The HarperHill Farms plantations are part of an agroforestry system that includes mostly forages between the tree rows, but also has incorporated such crops as corn, soybeans, wheat, pumpkins, Christmas trees, even ginseng. Joining the Walnut Council at both state and national levels in 1988, Harper has served as Southwestern Region landowner representative and vice president. "My association with the Walnut Council has probably given me more usable information about black walnut production than any other single source," says Harper who is the sixth Missourian to serve as president of the organization. Past Missouri presidents include: Gus Rutledge, Stockton; Jim Jones, Stockton; George Trial, Columbia (deceased); Dr. Ed Masters, Sikeston and Gene Garrett, Columbia. CAPTION: Walnut Council International president Larry Harper visited a black walnut progeny test near Danville, Ill. this summer during the annual summer meeting and tour. The seedling shown here is a Missouri selection. Radials in the woods When we admired the tires on Lonnie Messbarger's 4-wheel ATV, we noticed they were steel-belted radials. Lonnie, who is an MDC forester in Northwest Missouri, comments: "They are good tires. I can't remember having a flat and I don't even use the tire slime. I ordered slightly wider and taller tires than stock so the ATV is wider and has a better stance and goes over objects better. However, the tires can rub on fenders, so check this first. I had to adjust the springs on the shocks on the Kawasaki to stop rubbing, but that was mostly when the ATV was fully loaded." Lonnie bought his tires from McBride's Yamaha in St. Joseph, Mo., but other dealers should be able to get them. Cost for the front tires was $120 each and the rear tires were $104 each. Leaf removal affects roots As a rule of thumb, it is a good practice never to prune more than one-third of the branch area of a tree in a single year. Some research indicates that a tree can lose up to 50 percent of its leaf volume before roots are affected. At the 50 percent level of leaf volume removed, the root growth stoppage percent is less than 5 percent. However, when 60 percent of leaf volume is removed, up to 50 percent of the root growth is stopped. At 80 percent leaf removal, there is 100 percent root growth stoppage. 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 Spring 1999 issue is: February 1, 1999 Send your newsletter material to: Sandy Hodge, 203 Anheuser- Busch Natural Resources Bldg., Forestry Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Phone (573) 884-6729. Your management tips, ideas and experiences are most welcome! Recreational mowing Tree farmers and forest plantation owners probably spend more time and money on a management practice that offers less return for the expense than any other. The practice? Mowing. Here's what Walt Beineke, retired professor of forestry at Purdue University and black walnut grower, has to say on the subject. "Mowing is not a weed control method and is mostly a cosmetic effect. "The root systems of the weeds are still intact, and the weeds resprout using additional moisture and nutrients. In fact, in numerous plantations, mowing has done much more harm than good. The tendency is to mow too close to the trees and cause a serious disease known as tractor or mower blight. By bumping or scraping the bark, pockets of decay develop beneath the bark, even if the bark remains intact. These areas provide ideal points of infection for various canker and wood rotting diseases which can lead to wind breakage at that point or severely degrade the log at harvest. "If you must mow, at least use herbicide or hand pull weeds from around the base of the trees before you mow so that you won't be tempted to mow too closely." CAPTION: Walt Beineke says that mowing is mostly a cosmetic effect. Tree champs To settle any arguments you may have about where the largest trees of all species in Missouri are located, the Missouri Department of Conservation keeps a list. For instance, the largest Osage Orange tree is located in Columbia; the largest black walnut in Fayette and the largest white oak in Millersville. The record list includes the species of tree, owner, location and the dimensions of each tree. To obtain the list, contact Donna Homan in the Forestry Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or call (573) 751-4115, Ext. 111. Trees as noise buffers Trees can protect your home from annoying highway noises or from other intrusive sounds such as confinement livestock. Trees and shrubs can reduce noise five to 10 decibels (reduction of approximately 50% to the human ear) if plantings are correctly designed. Some rules of thumb for these tree/shrub plantings include: 1. Plant close to the noise source rather than close to the area to be protected. 2. When possible use taller plants with dense foliage. 3. Plant trees/shrubs as close together as the species will allow and not be overly inhibited. 4. Evergreen varieties will give best year-round protection. 5. To reduce heavy vehicle noise in suburban or rural areas: a) plant 65 to 100-foot-wide belts of trees. b) Edge within 60 to 80 feet of road center. c) Trees in center row should mature at minimum of 45 feet tall. 6. To reduce noise of moderate traffic in communities plant: a) 20 to 50-foot-wide belts of trees b) edge within 20 to 25 feet of road center c) use 6- to 8-foot shrubs next to road and back up tree rows to a minimum of 15 to 20 feet tall. 7. The length of the buffer should be twice as long as the distance from source to the recipient. 8. The buffer should also extend equal distance both directions parallel to the road. (Source: Inside Agroforestry, a newsletter from the National Agroforestry Center at Lincoln, Neb.) 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: A landowner had only 26 trees, mostly oaks, but his consulting forester urged him to sell it by taking bids. Even a seemingly small timber sale (4,886 board feet) can benefit from the competitive bidding process. Bid opening: A. $576.63; B. $785.00; C. $850.00; D. $1,000.00 1999 timber harvesting course The Missouri Forest Products Association has announced the 1999 dates and sites for its Professional Timber Harvester course. While it is designed for the professional logger - interested landowners, foresters and others are welcome to enroll. (Several landowners already have completed this course.) It is taught by Soren Eriksson, internationally known trainer and woodsman, and by Skip Stokes, consulting forester. Each of the six training sites has five days of training to complete the course. The course description, site locations and dates are listed below: Course descriptions Forest Management: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. * Managing for long-term profitability * Forest ecology * Best management practices Level 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. * Protective equipment, such as chaps, boots, hard hat, first aid kit, and saw features * Parts of saw teeth, their purpose and settings, and how to properly sharpen them * Saw inspection and safety procedures * Bore cutting Level II: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. * Establishing the notch and hinge * Use of felling wedges collecting data on hazards, tree height and lean, and escape route * Each participant felling a tree * Chain filing, carburetor setting and bar care * Cutting spring poles Level III: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2 to 3 months later) * Calculating tree lean limits * Advanced cutting and wedging techniques on leaning trees * Bucking and limbing methods * Each participant felling a tree Level IV: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2 to 3 months later) * Advanced felling * Planning efficient harvest layouts * Each participant felling a tree * Use of other powered forest management tools * Final evaluation and scoring Professional Timber Harvester session dates and locations Session A Session B West Plains Ellington December 19 - Forest Mgt. January 9 - Forest Mgt. January 13 - Level I January 15 - Level I January 14 - Level II January 16 - Level II March 26 - Level III March 25 - Level III April 28 - Level IV April 29 - Level IV Session C Session D Hannibal Chillicothe March 13 - Forest Mgt. March 20 - Forest Mgt. March 19 - Level I March 23 - Level I March 20 - Level II March 24 - Level II May 3 - Level III April 27 - Level III September 25 - Level IV October 25 - Level IV Session E Session F Columbia Piedmont September 18 - Forest Mgt. September 25 - Forest Mgt. September 27 - Level I September 29 - Level I September 28 - Level II September 30 - Level II October 26 - Level III October 27 - Level III TBA - Level IV TBA - Level IV The complete 5-day course fee is $135 for MFPA members and $155 for non-members. For more information contact MFPA, 611 East Capitol Avenue, Suite One, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or call (573) 634-3252. Calendar of upcoming events October 31 Hammons Products Co. annual black walnut production field day at Sho-Neff Plantation north of Stockton, Mo. Emphasis on nut production, agroforestry and tree culture. Contact: Jim Jones, (417) 276-5181. November 12-15 The 1998 National Tree Farm Convention will gather in Savannah, Georgia. Convention will feature tours of Savannah woods, outdoor and indoor learning sessions. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Tree Farmers will help build a house with wood from certified sustainable forests. November 14 Missouri Nut Harvest Festival and fall meeting of Missouri Nut Growers Assn. at the Osage Valley Pecan Farms owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Marquardt at Papinsville, Mo. east of Rich Hill in Bates County. Contact: Mary Ann Byrd, (660) 925-3253 or Ronnie Marquardt, (417) 395-4222. November 21 Central Region Woodland Stewardship Conference, Lied Conference Center, Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Nebraska. Contact: Wayne Wittmeyer at (573) 751-4115, ext. 627. December 3 The Missouri Tree Farm Committee will meet in Columbia, Mo. at the new Natural Resources Building on the MU campus at 10 a.m. Contact Doug Wallace (573) 876-0908. March 5-6, 1999 Missouri Tree Farm/Stewardship Days at the Ramada Inn Columbia, Mo. Contact Jack Slusher (573) 882- 4444. (Send your forestry related event dates to: Sandy Hodge, 203 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Bldg., MU Center for Agroforestry, Columbia, MO 65211. Note deadlines for each issue.) ============================================================= 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 Center for Agroforestry, (573) 882-3647 Sandy Hodge, editor, Green Horizons (573) 884-6729 Wayne Adams, president, Missouri Nut Growers Association, (417) 625-9731 Eric Peters, Missouri Forest Products Association (573) 634-3253 John Shopland, superintendent, MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, (660) 848-2268 Clell Solomon, Missouri Christmas Tree Producers Association (660) 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 Center for Agroforestry, 203 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Bldg., Forestry Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.