Green Horizons Vol. 4, No. 2 News for people who take their trees seriously Summer 1999 Cattle in your woods? What are you gaining? Keep in mind this article is not intended to encourage cattle in the woods. It's quite the opposite. It does however provide you with some interesting information about what cattle come across in the woods, how much forage potential exists in an upland white oak stand and some alternatives and benefits of removing cattle from the woods. In the forestry profession, we promote excluding cattle from woodlands. This benefits trees in a number of ways. However, landowners cite several reasons why they graze cattle in woodlands, such as: convenience, not having the time or money to build fences and maintain them; necessity; the water sources are in the woods; or it allows them to use property they feel is otherwise left idle. On the other hand, landowners who choose to exclude cattle will site reasons such as: it is more profitable to maintain cattle on highly productive pasture than allowing them free range on low forage production in the woods; they are focused on timber management to gain periodic income; and there are toxic plants that cattle will eat if allowed in the woods. Keep the above mentioned information in mind while you read the following. I looked at some upland woods to determine forage potential and value as woodlands. Tree diameters ranged from 12 inches up to 20 inches, mainly white oak. The woods were thinned about 4 years ago to open the canopy and allow more sunlight, growing space, and groundcover development for wildlife. Prior to that they were grazed by cattle. Forage samples were taken towards the end of the growing season to determine the annual production. This amounted to about 790 pounds per acre of woodland forage. This pales by comparison to what can be produced on pasture land which may range from 7,500 to 9,500 pounds per acre depending on the intensity of management. This probably comes as no surprise since the top reasons for grazing cattle in the woods are convenience and necessity. However, while cattle are grazing in the woods they are not maximizing weight gain like they would on the pasture. In addition to poor forage, many of the plants present were not very palatable. Sedges made up a large percentage of the volume along with blackberry leaves and canes, blackhaw and fragrant sumac. Detrimental plants such as poison ivy and black cherry were also present in the woods. I noticed white oak seedlings and acorns. With a bumper acorn crop this year, I wonder if acorn toxicity was a concern to anyone? So what are the alternatives? The particular stand I looked at had a good sawtimber component. The total standing volume today has 3,116 bd. ft. per acre with an estimated value of $625 per acre. If it were allowed to grow another 5 to 6 years, the volume would approximate 3,400 bd. ft. per acre and increase in value another $55 per acre. A thinning of about 1,114 bd. ft. would yield an income of $225 per acre and still leave $455 per acre worth of timber standing. A timber sale is not a once in a lifetime event. By waiting 10 years the volume would grow back to approximately 3,135 bd. ft. per acre - exceeding the original starting volume. As a forester, I would clearly state that this is the best use for the land. The presence of cattle would degrade the value of trees due to compaction and damage to stems and root systems. Cattle also inhibit the growth of desirable regeneration. Find a white oak stand with a hickory understory, and you know it's been grazed. Cattle tend to eat the oaks and leave the hickory seedlings. Honeylocust is also a frequent problem of grazed woodlands since cattle eat the pods and transport the seeds to other areas. Good timber stand management can be a profitable choice, but it means that cattle stay in the pasture and out of the woods! - Brian Schweiss, MDC forester Perceptions of log buying After hearing over and over again that log buyers and mills would not buy anything smaller than a 16-inch butt log, Tree Farmers Larry Harper and Scott Brundage decided to take an inventory of their own. In January they made a quick tour of sawmills in the mid-Missouri area and took measurements of logs in the log yards. It was estimated that a high percentage of the logs in the mill inventories measured less than 16 inches. In fact, it was determined that between 20 percent and 30 percent of the logs were less than 12 inches in diameter with several in the 9-inch range. Forestry Summit in Washington, D.C. A forestry summit to address "Sustaining America's Forests: The Role of Research, Education and Extension" was held in Washington, D.C., February 21-22. The focus was on non-Federal U.S. forest lands, of which 59 percent are privately-owned by approximately 10 million landowners. The conference was sponsored by the National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. The reasons for the conference related to an increased focus on sustainable forest management and changes in federal land management policy, such as decreased harvesting in federal forests. With less timber being supplied from federal forest lands, there is a need for the non-federal forest lands, primarily privately-owned forest lands, to meet the demand. Issues such as forest fragmentation through inheritance and urbanization, rural development and other environmental challenges are contributing to an increased need to focus on the future of non-federal forests. This also means that more resources for research and information services need to be earmarked for this group. The summit's task was to identify ways of improving the quantity, quality and timeliness of information about non-Federal forests and enhancing access to information for landowners and managers. Who is in a better position to take this on than state universities and local agencies, who are already working with landowners and are familiar with the problems? Getting these groups together may have a major influence on whether money is shifted and more is made available for research, education and information for the private forest landowner. The Karkaghnae story Ed Woods and Gus Hoyer, two early foresters in Missouri, brought the Karkaghnae with them from the Northwest where they had worked prior to moving to Missouri. French-Canadian traders often talked about this mythical creature around campfires. It was reputed to be a destructive beast, vile and vicious. Through the years, imaginations ran almost as wild as the mythical creature, with tales both humorous and fearsome. Woods and Hoyer picked up these tales and brought them to Missouri where they continued the story telling and influencing others. In 1950, Woods and Hoyer formed the Karkaghnae Club (in honor of the mythical beast) to provide a forum where members could express opinions concerning forestry without fear of retribution (and maybe even tell some tall tales!). Membership has always been open to anyone interested in forestry or conservation. As far as is known, it is the only club of its kind in Missouri and perhaps the nation. Meetings are held statewide. A tentative date for the next meeting is May 20 with a visit to Pioneer Forest. Meetings are not held during the summer. If you would like more information, contact Ralph Musbach, Secretary-Treasurer, 573-785-2758, or write him at 2725 Mill St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901-2134. Nut show offers information Each year the Missouri Nut Growers Association members meet to show off the best of their annual production. Samples of nuts from many varieties or cultivars of pecans, black walnuts and other native species are judged for quality. Information from these nut shows may help future nut growers select cultivars they want to grow in their own plantations. Recognition for Grand Champion pecan cultivar went to Paul Manson, of Keytesville, Mo., for a Peruque cultivar. The sample had 59.7 percent kernel by weight and weighed 75.6 nuts to the pound. Grand Champion pecan seedling (unproven and unnamed wild tree) was shown by Gilbert McDowell, of Nevada, Mo. The entry recorded 51.9 percent kernel and weighed 54 nuts to the pound. Grand Champion black walnut cultivar went to Bill Lane, of Fair Play, Mo., for his Football variety that had 32.2 percent kernel and weighed 24.5 nuts to the pound. Grand Champion black walnut seedling was shown by Gerald Gardner, of Sarcoxie, Mo. The seedling, called "Neel #1" had 30 percent kernel and weighed 23.6 nuts to the pound. Among the nut samples within a single cultivar category, the kernel percentage may vary by several percentage points. This difference usually reflects growing conditions and management. While the average kernel percentage of the native crop may run about 18 percent, the top selected cultivars will score as high as 40 percent kernel in some years. Forestry quote "We already have a national forestry policy. It states that: 'All U.S. forests will be managed sustainably by the year 2000.' Of course, that's not possible, but it is a policy. It's like our policy on water that states: 'All waters of the U.S. shall be fishable and swimmable by 1983.' We didn't meet the deadline on that one either, but we've come a long way." - Neal Sampson, at a Washington D.C. Summit Meeting on Sustaining America's Forests: The Role of Research, Education and Extension. Illinois gains respected conservationist Deirdre "D.K." Hirner who has served as executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri has resigned her position to move to Springfield, Illinois. Hirner served the Federation for the last five years and gained high respect from legislators and conservationists for her knowledgeable approach to lobbying. She was selected to serve on the special advisory committee to the Governor on the chip mill controversy. Are Tree Farmers real? Part 1 In a recent issue of Forest Management Update, Arlyn Perkey who is a forester with the USDA Forest Service at Morgantown, W.Va. tells of the disaster suffered by forest owners Tom and Sheila Thomson of New Hampshire. The Thomsons, who were recognized as the Northeast Regional Tree Farmers of the Year in 1997, had their tree farm devastated by the January 1998 ice storm that struck northern New England and damaged nearly 1 million acres of forestland in New Hampshire. Over 90 percent of the Thomsons' trees on 900 acres were destroyed. It is the story after the disaster in which Perkey makes his point: "Some will argue that what happened to the Thomsons is a good example of what risk is all about. They made an investment, and they suffered a loss. It's all part of the cost of doing business. That is true, but isn't it also true that considering the benefits they are providing free to society (clean water, wildlife and recreation), the least they deserve is to be treated equitably? Shouldn't they receive the same consideration as other family farmers?" "After the ice storm, Tom and Sheila pursued all avenues of support normally available after natural disasters. Unfortunately, they learned that timber is not considered an eligible agricultural crop by the USDA's Farm Service Agency. From the agency perspective, timberland is not cropland, even if it is managed under a Stewardship Plan developed through the federally funded Forest Stewardship Program. Their inquiries about assistance did result in letters stating why the agency couldn't help. If the Thomsons were seeking disaster assistance for damage done to a sugarbush that generated annual income, they would be eligible for clean-up assistance through the Emergency Conservation Program. However, apparently since their income is periodic rather than annual, they don't fit into the traditional mold of agricultural producers that are served by farm programs designed to support the family farm. Similarly, they are not eligible for EM loans (Emergency loans) as the following excerpt explains: 'A timber owner, who only had woodland and did not qualify as a farm by producing any other crop, would not be considered eligible for EM loans.' The message in that statement is not very subtle. Tree Farmers aren't real farmers unless they grow a crop other than timber that makes them eligible. What about the Small Business Administration? Can they help? Their response: 'The Consolidation Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from providing disaster loans to agricultural enterprises. The SBA defines agricultural enterprises as those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching and raising livestock. Information provided with your application indicates that your primary business activity is the operation of a Tree Farm. Based on SBA guidelines, your business is not eligible for disaster loan assistance.'" Could they deduct the loss from their income taxes? Yes, but... "The allowable deductible loss is much less than the true loss they incurred. While their loss certainly would appear to qualify as a casualty loss, their deduction is limited to the allowable basis of the timber less any compensation (like revenue from a salvage sale.) That means their deduction can't be any more than the undepleted portion of the cost basis of the timber. Whatever increase in value they had realized because of tree growth and increase in timber prices is lost, and it is not deductible. "Apparently, the IRS has a perspective similar to the Department of Agriculture. Timber is not really viewed as an agricultural crop. Trees aren't seen as a commodity that grows every year and hopefully increases in value annually. Most family farm-size Tree Farmers don't sell their growth every year. To have a marketable quantity of timber they must accumulate multiple years of growth into a viable sale. If they suffer a casualty loss while growing that marketable quantity, it is not recognized. The loss of their increase in value from time of purchase is not acknowledged as a crop loss. That should change." A fist-full of wood We watched as the lady picked up a few pieces of split wood; each no larger than a brick. She then handed over several dollars to the man behind the counter. The scene was played over and over at the Soulard Farmers Market in St. Louis recently. The wood - cherry, hickory, pecan, etc. - was advertised as barbecue wood and priced at $1 a pound. Logging trailer for ATVs Tree Farmers in Larimer County, Colorado watched as a 15-inch by 14-foot green ponderosa pine was lifted onto a special logging trailer and hauled out of the woods up a steep, rough dirt road with a Kawasaki 400 ATV. The logging trailer was built by Rafael Ramos who says it is performing well. In addition to carrying single logs, multiple logs of smaller diameter can be carried. On one occasion, Ramos reports transporting a 15-inch corrugated culvert pipe 16 feet in length. Logs up to 20 feet long and 16 inches in diameter have been moved in rough terrain with the unit. The trailer is constructed of 11-gauge, 2- by 3-inch rectangular tubular steel. Stub axles are welded and reinforced to the open end of the horizontal, U-shaped frame. When loading, the trailer is backed to the log or the log can be winched into the open end of the trailer. After raising one end of the log, a chain is hooked at the bottom of the frame to hold the log up while the other end is hoisted and another chain is hooked to the bottom on that side. Stakes can be inserted on the side of the trailer to allow stacking of small wood, using the chains as the floor of the trailer. Specifications: Frame: 11-gauge, 2- by 3-inch rectangular tubing Tongue weight: 140 lbs. unloaded Tires: 5.30 x 12 trailer Stub axles: Northern Hydraulics 3,500 pounds Hubs: Northern Hydraulics 3,500 pounds Winch: Sears "used" (Material for this article taken from the January 1999 issue of Tree Farmer magazine) Governor signs proclamation Governor Mel Carnahan presented the official Tree Farm/Stewardship proclamation to Missouri Tree Farm Committee chairman, Larry Harper. Also attending the ceremonies in the Governor's office were: (left to right) Cory Ridenhour, Tree Farm Committee secretary; Marvin Brown, Missouri state forester; Jack Slusher, MU Extension forester; Governor Mel Carnahan; Larry Harper; and Fred Bergman, consulting forester. 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 Fall 1999 issue is: July 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! Tree farm news The Missouri Tree Farm Committee has made a table-top display available to Tree Farmers in every Missouri Forestry Region. The displays, including the reproduction and enlargement of photographs of Tree Farmers in action, were made possible through a grant from the American Forest Foundation. Seven displays and seven sets of photographs have been sent to the regional forestry offices of the Missouri Department of Conservation for use by Tree Farmers, foresters and others who want to tell the Tree Farm story at local events. The photographs illustrate the major reasons why landowners manage their trees and why they participate in the Tree Farm Program. John and Connie Johnson were named Missouri State Tree Farmer of the Year for 1999. Their Horse Creek Tree Farm in Stone County was first a pioneer Tree Farm in 1986, and was soon upgraded to a fully certified status. Multiple harvests, a bottom land walnut conversion and a shortleaf pine conversion are all projects that have been successfully undertaken. A second farm was recently certified in Webster County, bringing the managed forest acreage to about 1,100 acres. The Johnson's goal is to get the farms in a joint 110-year even-age rotation for the stands with a major harvest (and income) every 10 years in perpetuity. Good old duct tape Dan Schmoker is an Illinois regional forester, Walnut Council board member and duct tape fancier. In a recent Illinois Chapter of the Walnut Council newsletter, Dan offers up some good uses for his favorite product. If you do corrective pruning on seedlings or saplings, you can add another use to your duct tape list, says Dan. Obtaining a central leader in a young tree is very important if your goal is timber products. Walnut, especially, needs some help. 1. Choose the best leader from the ungainly mass of branches at the top of the problem tree. 2. Straighten the best limb to within 5 inches from the vertical (plumb) using your hands. If this seems to work, go to step 3. If not, try again or go on to the next tree. 3. Pull up one, two or three other limbs to support the chosen branch. Various angles and points of attachment will make the new central leader more or less straight. Now, using your third hand, get out your 2-inch duct tape. 4. While still holding the branch arrangement in place, wrap the stems together using three wraps of tape (3 layers) at one or two strategic locations. If the side limbs are competing with the new central stem, cut back the side limbs 6 to 12 inches. Be careful, though, you have just begun to improve this tree. You will need to return for additional corrective pruning and many episodes of side branch pruning. 5. Step back, admire your duct tape job. If it didn't work well, go to step 6. If it looks okay, you are done. 6. Severely prune the tree at 1 inch above ground level. This is called coppicing which is best done from November through June. After several feet of new growth from sprouts has occurred, choose the best sprout and cut the others close to the stump. Now the leftover duct tape can be used for straightening the new sprout. A word of caution on duct tape buying: Choose duct tape with high tack (gripping ability), good adhesive and with cotton cloth as the base. In other words, the bargain bin variety shouldn't be used. Avoid duct tape with nylon or polyester fiber since this may girdle or injure the tree when it doesn't deteriorate. The cotton tape should fall off within 12 months. Calendar of upcoming events 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. 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 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. August 1-4 Walnut Council International Summer Tour and Annual Meeting, Lexington, Ky., Contact Nancy Gunning, Secretary of the Walnut Council, (317) 802-0332, or email her at: walntcnl@xbeinc.com October 12-15 Second Annual National Small Farm Conference, St. Louis, Mo. Regal Riverfront Hotel. There will be a section on agroforestry at this conference. For more information check out the website at http://www.luce.lincolnu.edu/nsfc or call Ms. Troy Darden, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo., (573) 681-5587. October 15 Missouri Tree Farm Program 50th Anniversary Celebration and Tour, Shannondale Tree Farm, Eminence, Mo. Contact Cory Ridenhour at (573) 634-3252. November 7-9 National Tree Farm Convention, Louisville, Ky. (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 6.) 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, MU Center for Agroforestry, (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.