Green Horizons News for people who take their trees seriously Vol. 4, No. 1 Spring 1999 Visiting the chip mill controversy With all the turmoil created by the two chip mills built in the southeastern Ozarks, the best way to form an opinion is to make a personal visit. That's what the Missouri Chapter Society of American Foresters and others did last fall. A two-day gathering in Van Buren, Mo. and a visit to the Willamette chip mill in Mill Springs, Mo. may have posed more questions than it answered. But it was a start. A start on determining if chip mill operations have a place on the Missouri forest scene. Chip mills, which utilize low-grade hardwood timber to produce fiber for the paper industry, have been roundly criticized by the environmental community. Environmentalists fear that the mills will cause clear-cutting of forests in an area 50 or more miles surrounding the mills. Proponents of the mills believe they create a market for low-quality trees that otherwise would go to waste. Some environmental groups foresee only the worst consequences with large-scale soil erosion, stream degradation and loss of wildlife habitat. Many professional foresters and landowners who are actively managing their trees see it as a very helpful tool in creating highly improved forests that increase in value, both commercially and aesthetically. With a market incentive to remove the poor quality trees and leave the better crop trees, the landowners have an opportunity for sustainable management. Who's right? Both, probably. In the end it will be up to the landowners and how well informed they are about management practices that will give them an income and keep a healthy forest on their land. During the two-day meeting a small group took a tour of several harvested areas where the timber went to one of the two chip mills. They saw the good and the bad. One area was almost totally cutover. However, there was a corridor of trees left around the perimeter to slow erosion. Without knowledge of what the timber stand was composed of before the harvest, it was generally agreed that the harvesting practices left something to be desired. It could not be determined after the harvest just how many of the larger trees would not have been worth keeping because of fire damage, hollow butt logs or other faults. On another harvested area consulting forester Doug Enyeart proudly showed the results of a selective cut. In this case the forester marked the poor quality trees for cutting and the result was a timber stand that obviously would be quite valuable in the future. To make this type of harvest, the landowner had to understand that he was foregoing some immediate income for more in the future. It also required a well thought-out contract with the loggers and supervision by the landowner's consulting forester. From these site visits, there is no doubt that Missouri forest landowners have the management techniques and the technical advisors available to accomplish sustainable forestry that most everyone would be proud of. - Larry Harper captions: The chip mill owned by Willamette Industries, at Mill Springs, Mo., is a potential market for poor quality hardwood timber. Most trees were cut on the harvest site on the left. On the right, a selective cut eliminated poor quality trees but left the valuable crop trees and was done under the supervision of a consulting forester. Doug Enyeart, consulting forester (right), visits with chip mill logger, Dale Million, during a harvest. Woodland appraiser Do-it-yourself forestry - should you? Do-it-yourself (DIY) has been popular for generations as a way for industrious individuals to develop new skills and save money at the same time. Currently, there are self-help guides for nearly anything one wants to tackle, from stock market trading to major renovations to your home. Those of us who are visual learners can even obtain videos that take us through almost any process step-by-step. The "information age" has blessed us with instant instruction through a variety of media and all of it appears to be "so easy that nearly anyone can do it." How many of you have found that even the best instructions nearly always contain gaps in what you really need to know to complete the job? Several public agencies and trade organizations are currently working together to develop "Landowner Education" programs that will provide forest landowners with information helpful in scientifically managing their land. Sustainability, stewardship and biodiversity will be the operative words in much of the literature. Hopefully, it will help landowners learn how to assemble the data and information they need to make management decisions, ensuring the long-term good health of their precious natural resources. You may be reading this publication because you have been involved with a government program or agency. I'm sure the majority of you feel like you know more about your woodlands, streams, wild creatures, etc. than when you first became involved. However, even if you are at the most advanced level of information gathering and training, are you truly qualified for do-it-yourself resource management? Having reviewed some of the forestry information now available to landowners and being involved in development of timber price reporting targeted at the same group, I am keenly aware that the professional forester/resource manager is still an essential part of any successful management equation. Forestry, or any other resource management discipline, is very complex from both the biological and social perspectives. Messages from the media might lead you to believe that simply preserving what you have is the correct prescription for everything, or that harvesting trees under an even-aged system is not as good as one based on uneven-aged stands. Those of you who have inventoried your property, and worked with a resource professional to develop a plan for a desired future condition, know there is more to the story. My interest in preparing this article started with a phone conversation with a landowner who had recently sold some very good quality timber. He was calling, after the fact, to determine current price levels for quality trees that had already been harvested. This person was intelligent and motivated to practice good land stewardship. However, he did not seek any professional assistance (public or private) with timber marking, competitive bidding, contracting for harvesting, income tax treatment or follow-up management prior to initiating the timber sale. He assumed he had enough information to successfully make a sale and he had a willing buyer who assured him he was doing things right. As we talked, he realized he had cost himself current income because he received less than he should have for the timber, and future income because he had not sufficiently designated which trees to cut and which to leave. Unfortunately, this conversation is typical of many I have had with other landowners over the past 30 years who attempted do-it-yourself timber sales. The cost of a consulting forester almost always will be offset by additional revenues generated through competitive bidding for a specified number or volume of trees. Public agency foresters will also provide free assistance, although you may have to wait several months for their services. All will provide an expertise and understanding associated with the job that a lay person simply will not think of, even with the most complete set of landowner education leaflets. There is also peace of mind for landowners that accompanies the experienced professional forester acting in the landowner's best interest. Of course, mine is a biased opinion. I'm a professional forester. My colleagues and I spent years obtaining formal education, experience, and expertise in managing trees, wildlife, watersheds and people. This volume of knowledge simply cannot be transferred to a few publications and workshops for landowners in the hopes of generating instant expertise. Additionally, it is really a partnership. We need each other to get the total job done. You own the resources and have accepted the responsibility for their future value to society through your actions. We have the expertise to most accurately predict the impacts of your actions. Everyone, including foresters, wants you to do a good job. Doing it yourself is probably not the most efficient, or even the least expensive, method of accomplishing good forestry management. You need a forester to help you with that task! - Shelby Jones, consulting forester A timely quote "One reason for selecting my particular farm was that it adjoined the only remaining stand of mature pines in the county." "This pine grove is a historical landmark. It is the spot where, in 1828, a young Lieutenant named Jefferson Davis cut the pine logs to build Fort Winnebago. "This grove is an ecological landmark. It is the nearest spot where a city-worn refugee from the south can hear the wind sing in tall timber. It harbors one of the best remnants of deer, ruffed grouse and pileated woodpeckers in southern Wisconsin. "My neighbor, who owns the grove, has treated it rather decently through the years. When his son got married, the grove furnished lumber for the new house, and it could spare such light cuttings. But when war prices of lumber soared skyward, the temptation to slash became too strong. Today the grove lies prostrate, and its long logs are feeding a hungry saw. "By all the accepted rules of forestry, my neighbor was justified in slashing the grove. The stand was even-aged; mature and invaded by heart-rot. Yet any schoolboy would know, in his heart, that there is something wrong about erasing the last remnant of pine timber from a county. When a farmer owns a rarity he should feel some obligation as its custodian, and a community should feel some obligation to help him carry the economic cost of custodianship. Yet our present land-use conscience is silent on such questions." - Aldo Leopold, originally printed in the September 1947, The Bulletin of the Garden Club of America under the title "The Ecological Conscience." Missouri FFA forestry team is second in nation Competing against teams from 35 other states, the team from Anderson, Missouri placed second in the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Forestry Contest, held during the 71st National FFA Convention in Kansas City. The National FFA Forestry Contest is a competitive activity which tests students' skills and knowledge of forest management. Events include a general forestry knowledge exam, tree and equipment identification, timber stand improvement, tree disorders and forest inventory. Each team in the event had competed with other chapters in their state for the privilege of participating in the national event held at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs, Mo. Congratulations to the Missouri FFA Forestry Team from Anderson for their strong showing! This was the last year, for the time being, that the National (FFA) Convention and its associated contests, will be held in Kansas City. The state and regional contests which precede the national contest, will continue in Missouri, the same as they have in the past. caption: Walter Gardiner (far left), president of Schrade Cutlery, congratulates The Anderson FFA Forestry Team (left to right), Jody Gilmore, Mike McCormick, Marcus Knoefler and their advisor, John Hobbs. DNR seeks strict chip mill permits The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is drafting legislation that would require restrictive permits on existing and future chip mills in the state. The proposed legislation would not only regulate the mills on their processing sites, but would go further. The new permits would require that mills keep records of where the timber comes from. That means keeping records on landowners who supply the mills. Their names would become public record. The mill must show how much timber was harvested from each tract and how much more it plans to harvest. A second restriction would require that all loggers hired or contracted by the mills must attend the Missouri Professional Timber Harvester Program which teaches sustainable harvesting practices, safety and best management practices. The landowner identification requirement is being considered so landowners can be contacted by Department of Conservation foresters and consultants who can offer them information to help them make harvesting decisions. It is estimated that currently less than 10 percent of Missouri's forest acreage is under any type of formal management plan. It also is estimated that less than 5 percent of Missouri timber sales have a professional forester involved. Whether this proposed legislation is considered by the General Assembly this session, is not decided. However, the general consensus is that several pieces of legislation of this nature will be proposed. caption: Regeneration on this clear-cut site was well underway a few months after harvest. Tree Farm field days Focus is on riparian buffers and timber marketing captions: Kenneth and Lee Stricklin hosted Tree Farm members at their Clear Springs ranch in Texas County. The group gathered along a stream bank to learn about stabilization practices (shown left). Other topics presented were timber stand improvement, livestock exclusion fencing, wildlife management after timber harvest, and other aspects of timber management - all of which the Stricklins have implemented. The field day was organized by Clint Dalbom with assistance of several other West Plains MDC forestry personnel. The Bollinger County Field Day was a partnership effort between landowner Robert Dixon, (center, front) on his farm near Grassy, Mo., University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, and Missouri Department of Conservation. Timber marketing was the focus of the day for the 30 landowners who attended. Dixon's ongoing commitment to learning more about managing his forested land has paid off, literally. He has developed a method of selling his timber that has consistently resulted in better prices for his products than is commonly received by most forest landowners. 1999 Tree Farm/Stewardship Days conference focuses on role of private woodland owner Put March 5 and 6, 1999 on your calendar to attend the 19th annual Tree Farm/Stewardship Days at the Ramada Inn, Columbia, Mo. This event features concurrent educational sessions and an awards banquet. The 1999 theme is "Sustainable Forests - the Role of the Private Woodland Owner." For more information contact John P. Slusher, extension forester, (573) 882-4444, or Lorene Lake, MU Conference Office, (573) 882-2301. This year's Tree Farm/Stewardship Days conference is cooperating with a separate, but related, conference being held at the MU campus. The title of that conference is "Toward a Vision for Missouri's Private Forests." That conference will begin on Thursday, March 4, 1999 and end at 4 pm on Friday, March 5. For information on this conference, contact Jan Weaver, director, Environmental Studies, 220 Gentry Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211; phone (573) 882-7116, fax (573) 882-5127, or email: envstudy@showme.missouri.edu or access their web page at: http://www.missouri.edu/~esiwww/forests.html Hardwood research center opens doors Missouri walnut and oak forest owners will benefit greatly from a new forestry program at Purdue University. The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center officially opened its doors last November. The new center is a cooperative effort by Purdue, the Forest Service and private forest industry, including the Walnut Council International. Its staff will focus on hardwood tree improvement, specifically oak and walnut, and forest regeneration issues. Northern red oak is one of the most important economic species in the Midwestern forest industry. Poor seedling regeneration and multiple environmental and pathogenic stresses on older stands have led to oak decline and heavy losses of red oak. "In the Midwest, our efforts will result in more productive hardwood forests on lands that are being reforested from past agricultural uses. Trees will grow faster to overcome deer browse, grow straighter, have better wood quality traits (such as wood color) and may resist economically important insect pests," says Charles Michler, the center's new project leader. Initial research projects will place emphasis on four areas: (1) improved hardwood genetics; (2) micropropagation techniques; (3) molecular biotechnology; (4) restoration of natural forest. Funding comes from the Forest Service ($500,000) and Purdue ($250,000) annually. A National Science Foundation grant to Purdue for $1.5 million will allow the center to work on specialized gene sequencing equipment. Sen. Richard Lugar, of Indiana, was instrumental in securing funding for the center. (Condensed from the Walnut Council Bulletin.) Stamp of approval The American Tree Farm System is collecting signatures to send to the Postal Service petitioning for a new 33-cent stamp honoring the work of tree farmers nationwide. The horizontal stamp would feature the Tree Farm sign in front of a classical forest scene with the words "The Sign of Sustainable Forestry" at the bottom. Contact American Tree Farm System, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC 20036 for more information, or if you would like to collect signatures. Limited edition watercolor print proceeds will support Tree Farm effort The Missouri State Tree Farm Committee has approximately 50 limited edition watercolor prints to sell as part of their ongoing fund-raising efforts. The 19x25-inch (15x20-inch image) prints are part of a limited edition of 2,000 by artist Ernest Johnson. The print of a white-tail deer standing in the bed of a stream surrounded by steep and heavily forested hills is reminiscent of a secluded Ozark woodland. The unframed prints are only $35 each including shipping. 100 percent of the proceeds go towards activities sponsored by the state committee. To order a copy of the print send your check payable to "Missouri Tree Farm Print" to Tree Farm Committee, 611 East Capitol Avenue, Suite One, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The print will also be on display and available at the upcoming Tree Farm/Forest Stewardship Days in Columbia, March 5th and 6th. 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 1999 issue is: April 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! Calendar of upcoming events March 4-5, 1999 "Toward a Vision for Missouri's Private Forests." Sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program and MU Environmental Affairs Council. Fee to attend is $15.00. For information on this conference, contact Jan Weaver, director, Environmental Studies, 220 Gentry Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, phone: (573) 882-7116, fax: (573) 882-5127 or email: envstudy@showme.missouri.edu March 5-6 Missouri Tree Farm/Stewardship Days. Ramada Inn, Columbia, Mo. Contact Jack Slusher (593) 882-4444. May 7 Master Grafter Day at HarperHill Farms, Butler, Mo. Contact Larry Harper, (573) 875-5445. May 8 Missouri Nut Growers Grafting Field Day. For time and place contact Mary Ann Byrd (660) 925-5253. June 12-16 Sixth conference on Agroforestry in North America will highlight the potential of agroforestry-based land management systems in rural communities. Arlington Resort Hotel, Hot Springs, Ark. Contact Bonnie Beckett (573) 884-2874, or Sandy Hodge (573) 884-6729 at the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. June 26 HarperHill Field Day at HarperHill Farms, Butler, Mo. Sponsored by the Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council and the Missouri Tree Farm Committee. Emphasis is on agroforestry in black walnut plantations, including livestock, forages and specialty crops. Begins at 9 a.m. HarperHill Farms is located 9 miles west of Butler on Hwy. 52 and 11/4 miles south on "V" Highway. Contact Larry Harper, (573) 875-5445, for more information. (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 on page 7.) 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.