Green Horizons Vol. 5, No. 1 Winter 2000 News for people who take their trees seriously Published by the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry University of Missouri-Columbia Proving value for higher price In the timber industry, it is accepted that the landowner who acts as his own timber seller is a lot like the person who insists on being his own lawyer - both are representing fools. However, there is the rare exception. Rick Kammler, Missouri Department of Conservation resource forester at Marble Hill, relates the experience of a landowner in his area. Robert Dixon contacted MDC to ask if he could accompany a forester when a timber sale was being marked. He wanted to learn more about forest management, including how to determine which trees to cut and how best to market them. Dixon, who owns 500 acres of woodland on the Wayne-Bollinger County line, worked closely with Kammler. Dixon also has a Forest Stewardship plan that he follows closely. Dixon decided to conduct his own timber sale on a 50-acre parcel of bottomland timber. He took lump sum bids on timber he marked himself and roughly scaled. When the bids came in they were far below what he expected and he rejected all of them. "Apparently, bidders then recognized that he knew what he was selling because the high bid on the second attempt was nearly three times higher than the previous high bid," reports Kammler. Dixon's second sale was on a 40-acre site of mixed hardwoods, mostly oaks. This time, he kept track of the timber he marked by size and species, and estimated the quality grade. He then checked on current prices of the different grades to get an idea of the value. Again, he sought lump sum bids. The same thing happened. Bids came in low. He then negotiated with the high bidder. He showed him the tally of the marked trees which included volumes by species, size and anticipated grades. From that tally the buyer determined that the value of the marked trees could, indeed, be higher than his high bid, but he was concerned that some of the trees might have hidden rot. Buyer and seller then agreed that the buyer would pay on a guaranteed minimum somewhat higher than the original high bid. This was to be paid as a lump sum prior to the start of cutting. It was further agreed that the buyer would report to the seller on a weekly basis the volume, grade and price received for logs harvested from the site. When the total value credited to Dixon equaled the guaranteed minimum amount, he was to receive (based on the agreed upon percentages for each grade) any excess over that amount. In this case, the timber value did exceed the minimum, so Dixon received additional payments bringing the total received to nearly 75 percent greater than the original high bid. As a comparison, that amount was 385 percent higher than the lowest bid. The actual amount was many thousands of dollars. A third sale also added considerably to the owner's net income because of his marketing experience. Kammler points out that a bonus was received by the landowner because when the trees were marked for sale the best immature trees were left standing. "If all of the best trees had been cut he would have a difficult time attracting buyers when future sales are to be made since only poor- quality trees would be left to grow," notes Kammler. The forester also notes that those high-quality, immature trees left in the stand will increase in value at a much faster rate after the stand was thinned. He also cautions that if a landowner is not willing to take the effort to learn about timber marketing and negotiating with bidders, he or she would be far ahead to hire a professional forester. [****Photo not available in text version****] Robert Dixon (center, plaid shirt) shares his knowledge of forest management. He also participates in the Community Forest Initiative (see story below). Community Forestry Initiative started In the Southeastern Ozark region of Missouri more than 1,800,000 acres of timberlands are privately owned. These resources receive little management for sustained production and environmental protection. Indiscriminant harvesting practices with little regard to forest health, viability or future production have often been dictated by current economic conditions. The economy of this entire region could be dramatically affected if these forest resources are properly managed for sustainable production and marketed effectively. In 1999, a cooperative effort began between private landowners, local, state and federal agencies and is now the Eastern Ozarks Community Forestry Advisory Council (EOCFAC). The overall goals of this council are to provide programs on forest management to private landowners, to increase community and youth awareness of forest values and to create economic changes of benefit to individuals and communities, leading to employment opportunities and retaining the population in the area. Members of the EOCFAC got together and identified key issues associated with the area's forest resources, one of which was the importance of landowner education programs. They felt there is a need to create an awareness of the current economic potential of proper timberland management and its benefits to environment and community. To address this need, during 2000 the EOCFAC plans to expand the local Master Tree Farmer program. Landowners participate in classes that teach basic forest management, marketing, economic planning and environmental awareness for long-term sustainable resource production. Upon completion of the course, each landowner "student" volunteers to work with neighbors to create awareness of the value of timber management. This program originally began as a cooperative project of University Extension and Missouri Department of Conservation and generated a lot of landowner interest in forest management. Forty- three landowners have taken the course. A number of these landowners now host informational programs and tours, talking about their forestland successes. Additionally, the EOCFAC hopes to assist in establishing local steering committees, for landowners in interested counties, to deal with local forest land issues. The Council is composed of representatives from the Missouri Department of Conservation, local and regional foresters; Lincoln University small farm educational assistants; University of Missouri Outreach and Extension state forester, agronomist and community development specialist; private landowners; private forest consultants; as well as Resource Conservation and Development, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It is also expected that primary and secondary timber users and environmental representatives will soon join the effort. Other initiatives planned are landowner clubs, marketing co-ops, school programs for both students and teachers, and methods for meeting short term income needs before trees are harvested. The EOCFAC plans to secure funding through grants to eventually impact the forestland community in the Eastern Ozarks. Another forest landowner class will begin in February. Also, EQIP cost- sharing funds are available in Bollinger, Wayne and Madison counties for forest management activities that address water quality and wildlife. For more information on both, please contact Gerald Bryan at University Outreach and Extension, Jackson office, (573) 243-3581. - Gerald Bryan, agronomist and Celeste Vanderbrugen, community development specialist, University Outreach and Extension, Jackson and Fredricktown Growing up with trees Woodland owners have a unique opportunity to instill the values of growing trees in their children and grandchildren. Doc and Jeannette Howard, Tree Farmers from Virginia, have planted a tree on their Tree Farm for each of their 16 grandchildren. Each tree has a plaque with the child's name. Similar tree plantings have been made by several Missouri Tree Farm owners. One second generation owner who helped his father plant a pin oak tree in 1949 now uses the stump of the tree as an anvil base in his farm shop. The tree was destroyed by fire in 1993. Another pin oak was planted in that spot by the second and third generations in 1995. Timber quote "It is a concern to me that many landowners are not getting what their timber is worth when they sell trees. It is my belief that if landowners can make money from forestry they may be more likely to manage their forest. [****Photo not available in text version****] - Rick Kammler, MDC resource forester, Marble Hill Landowner demonstrates agroforestry [****Photo not available in text version****] Gene Nuse (right with cap), a landowner near Fayette, talks with Dusty Walter, agroforestry training specialist from the MU Center for Agroforestry, as students from the agroforestry class in the MU School of Natural Resources look on. Nuse has implemented a 40-acre alley cropping practice on his farm where he grows pecans intercropped with soybeans and hay. 50 years of Missouri tree farming Shannondale Community Center and Tree Farm was the site of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Tree Farm program. The Tree Farm system, which began five decades ago by forest industries in Washington state, has grown into America's largest volunteer forest conservation effort system. Sponsored and administered by the American Forest Foundation, it now involves foresters, landowners and most segments of the forestry community. The Missouri State Tree Farm Committee began in 1947. Arthur Meyer, district forester with the Missouri Conservation Commission, was the first chairman of the committee. Other original committee members were Ed Wood of National Distilleries, L. E. McCormick with University of Missouri Extension, B. L. Groesbeck with the U.S. Forest Service and J. C. Kopitke with the S.C.S. (now the Natural Resources Conservation Services). Now sponsored by the Missouri Forest Products Association(MFPA), the state program boasts 1,001 certified Tree Farms with 297,655 acres enrolled in the program. National Distilleries was the first certified Tree Farm in Missouri with 86,000 acres. (A significant portion of the farm was sold and now forms part of Pioneer Forest.) Today, the 4,040-acre Shannondale Community Center and Tree Farm, certified in 1949, is the oldest, single ownership Tree Farm in Missouri. It was originally purchased to allow the forest to recover after having been heavily cut over during the early part of the century. By 1974, the forest needed a comprehensive inventory and a more detailed management plan, which was written for Shannondale by Missouri Department of Conservation Foresters, Gary Smith and Rick Kammler. With minor variations, the plan is still followed today. As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration, a formal ceremony was held in a stand of virgin shortleaf pine where membership certificates were awarded to the first ten landowners in the state program. During the last 50 years, there have been two nationally-recognized certified tree farms in Missouri. The John Powell Tree Farm was the Midwest Region Tree Farm Of The Year in the national "Tree Farmer of the Year" competition and Horse Creek Tree Farm (John and Connie Johnson) won the same award. [****Photo not available in text version****] John Keesey, consulting forester for Shannondale Tree Farm near Salem, discusses silvicultural techniques used on the tree farm to program attendees. [****Photo not available in text version****] Jeff Fulk, of Shannondale Tree Farm, accepts a special 50-year sign and certificate presented by Missouri Tree Farm Chairman Larry Harper and American Forest Foundation Director Bob Simpson. Fred Crouse, MDC forester, looks on. - Bob DeWitt, Tree Farm contributing editor A notable quote "Currently in the United States, the value of timber delivered to mills is higher than the annual value of corn, of soybeans or hay." - Gary L. Hergenrader, president of the National Association of State Foresters 20th Annual Tree Farm Stewardship Workshop The 20th Annual Tree Farm Stewardship Workshop will be held Friday evening, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, 2000 at the Ramada Inn in Columbia. The theme for this year's workshop is "What's Ahead for the Woodland Owner?" Concurrent workshops will cover these topics: * the Website for Woodland Owners; * Impacts of Forest Practices Regulations on the Small Woodland; and * Forestry Cooperatives and Associations - Their Importance to the Woodland Owner. Other sessions will include: * Hunting Woods Mushrooms for Fun; * Market Comparisons; * Forest Ecology; and * Sources of Assistance for New Tree Farmers. Those attending will also receive updates on agroforestry, taxation, legislation, cost-sharing programs, pesticide use, the Forest Heritage Center and other woodland-related topics. Exhibits of interest to woodland owners will be featured. The traditional awards banquet will be held at noon on Saturday, March 4. The workshop is sponsored by the School of Natural Resources Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia. Cooperating agencies include the Missouri Department of Conservation; the Missouri State Stewardship Committee, the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee; the Missouri Forest Products Association and the University of Missouri Conference Office. For information about registration contact Lorene Lake or Jewell Coffman at (573) 882-2301 or fax (573) 882-1953, or by email at LakeLM@missouri.edu. For information about the program contact John Slusher at (573) 882-7242 or by fax at (573) 882-1977. Governor signs proclamation [****Photo not available in text version****] Governor Mel Carnahan (center) signs a proclamation for State Tree Farm Week, February 28 to March 5. Attending the signing were (from left to right): Terry Truttman, Missouri Department of Conservation; Bill Kickbusch, retired U.S. Forest Service; Bob Krepps, Missouri Department of Conservation; Julie Rhoads, MU School of Natural Resources; Governor Mel Carnahan; Larry Harper, Tree Farm Committee; Fred Crouse, (partially hidden), Missouri Department of Conservation, Cory Ridenhour, Missouri Forest Products Association; Fred Bergman, retired Missouri Department of Conservation. (Photo courtesy of the Missouri Forest Products Association.) Harper takes on new career Longtime Missouri Ruralist editor and contributor to Green Horizons Larry Harper is heading in new directions. With his retirement from the magazine last November, Harper has taken the opportunity to establish HarperHill Farms, Inc. a multifaceted business that includes agroforestry consulting as well as work in marketing, public relations and communications. After 36 years of observing and writing about rural Missouri, plus nearly 20 years pioneering black walnut and pecan agroforestry systems on HarperHill Farms near Butler, the timing was right to combine both experiences into a service and offer it to the public. "I'm getting dozens of inquiries every week from people who want to know how to start an agroforestry system. There is a lot of information, but no single source, especially for proven, practical how-to-do-it guidance," says Harper. "Over the years, I have gathered a lot of that information and research. If we haven't done it at HarperHill, or don't have a handy reference, I probably know who to contact for specifics." Harper describes the book he is writing as "the source" for practical black walnut and nut tree agroforestry information. He plans to have this guidebook in print before the year is out. At the heart of the marketing arm of HarperHill is an alliance with Forrest Keeling Nursery at Elsberry. HarperHill is an official sales representative for the nursery and its RPM seedlings and grafted trees. The massive root system developed by RPM seedlings allows plantation owners to get nut trees into production much sooner than with traditional methods. "We have worked with Wayne Lovelace and Forrest Keeling Nursery in developing seedlings for our plantations at HarperHill Farms. We furnished seed and grafting scionwood and they grew seedlings for us. All of our recent plantings have been RPM trees. It just makes economic sense to get into nut production as soon as possible. Time is money," says Harper. Also in the marketing department is a web site that will feature production information coming from experiences at HarperHill Farms, plus a catalog of tools and supplies that have been proven at HarperHill Farms. Some of the initial items in the on-line catalog are: the Gardner "Master" black walnut nut cracker, Felco No. 2 pruner ("the only one to use"), polypropylene weed barrier mats, and the RPM trees. Harper expects to add many other items as arrangements with suppliers can be made. However, he says, "If we don't use it, we don't sell it!" On the communications side, Harper will continue to contribute a regular column to Missouri Ruralist and work with Green Horizons. He also is developing marketing and public relations programs for small, entrepreneurial companies and organizations. In the future, Harper expects sales of grafting scionwood and seed nuts from the nearly 2,000 grafted black walnut trees at HarperHill Farms to become a major portion of the business. [****Photo not available in text version****] Larry Harper with grafted walnut trees at HarperHill Farms. (Larry Harper may be contacted at: HarperHill, 908 Danforth Dr., Columbia, MO 65201. Phone: (573) 442-5326, or e-mail: mailto:lharper@tranquility.net. lharper@tranquility.net.) Nuts in the news... High quality kernels earn prizes The competition was stiff with over 90 entries for the Southeast Missouri pecan contest. Samples came from Ste. Genevieve to Kennett, with over 50 of the samples from Perry County alone! Top prize of $100 was awarded to Fred Douglas of East Prairie for a medium-size pecan with nearly 56 percent kernel. A $50 second-prize went to Jen Sievers of Jackson for a medium- size pecan with 53 percent kernel. J. W. Pope took the $25 third-prize with his seedling pecan that produced a medium-size nut with 50 percent kernel. Dr. Bill Reid, director of the Pecan Research Field Station at Kansas State University and Dr. Ken Hunt of the University of Missouri Agroforestry Center served as judges. Both were impressed with the high quality kernels, given how dry it was this past summer. Getting priorities straight Missouri pecan growers with native stands may take a hint from Kansas pecan specialist Bill Reid in setting their production priorities. Reid says most native plantation owners have their priorities out of kilter. Typically, growers would list their production practices in the following priority list from most important to least important: 1. insect control; 2. grazing ; 3. tree thinning; 4. disease control; 5. nitrogen fertilization; and 6. surface drainage. Compare this with Reid's list of priorities which he bases on economic returns: 1. tree thinning; 2. surface drainage; 3. nitrogen fertilization; 4. insect control; 5. disease control; and 6. grazing. Selective thinning alone can boost nut yield by more than 300 pounds per acre and increase kernel grades by 3 to 4 percent, says Reid. Improving surface drainage and fertilizing with nitrogen can add an additional 200 pounds per acre. Only after a grower develops fruitful trees should investments be made in pest control. Cattle grazing in a native pecan grove should be viewed solely as a labor-saving measure used to reduce the costs of mowing the groundcover, he says. [****Photo not available in text version****] Jim Jones, director of the Center for the Advancement of American Black Walnut presents a copy of the Nut Production Handbook for Eastern Black Walnut to Missouri Director of Agriculture, John Saunders. Copies are available from Jim Jones, P. O. Box 600, Stockton, MO 65785-0600, (417) 276-6010. Pruning and mulching on Walnut Council tour Back to school will become reality when members of the Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council and guests visit Dr. Robert Littlejohn's farm south of Higginsville, on Saturday, July 8, 2000. The gathering site is a converted country schoolhouse Dr. Littlejohn attended through the 8th grade. The site is 2.5 miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 13, then east on Borland Road 1.5 miles. Visitors will be shown 16 acres of black walnut plantations that were planted on the contour. Emphasis of the tour will be on pruning to correct deer damage and on mulches for tree plantings. Registration begins at 9 a.m. For those who register before July 1, a meal will be available. To reserve the meal, call Phil Moore at (816) 540-3169. [****Photo not available in text version****] Jim Jones, director of the Center for the Advancement of American Black Walnut presents a copy of the Nut Production Handbook for Eastern Black Walnut to Missouri Director of Agriculture, John Saunders. Copies are available from Jim Jones, P. O. Box 600, Stockton, MO 65785-0600, (417) 276-6010. [****Photo not available in text version****] Dr. Robert Littlejohn MU Center for Agroforestry Tree improvement specialist joins MU Center for Agroforestry Mark V. Coggeshall, a tree improvement specialist, joined the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry in January. Mark has over 20 years experience in genetic tree improvement programs in Indiana and Kentucky. He will focus on tree improvement of black walnut and pecan. He received an undergraduate forestry degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. and a master's degree in forest genetics from Mississippi State University. As a tree improvement specialist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Division, Mark's work in genetic tree improvement covered a variety of hardwood species, including black walnut. He leaves his current position as plant propagator at the Blenheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Clermont, Ky. where he was responsible for propagation of all plants within the arboretum collection. Mark Coggeshall has served on a variety of committees including being founding chairman of the North Central Fine Hardwoods Tree Improvement Cooperative and chairman of the Walnut Council Tree Improvement Technical Committee. [****Photo not available in text version****] Mark Coggeshall Garrett named to national small farms committee Gene Garrett, director of the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, has been named by Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Small Farms. The 19-member committee will serve for 2 years, reviewing USDA programs and strategies to implement small-farm policy and advise the secretary on ways to improve programs. Garrett believes that as the nation's timber demands increase, the small farm can play an important role in helping meet domestic wood needs.. [****Photo not available in text version****] Gene Garrett New faces [****Photo not available in text version****] Both Larry Godsey (right) and Dusty Walter (center) recently joined the staff of the MU Center for Agroforestry. Larry is the center's new economist and will work on the benefit/cost analysis of agroforestry practices. Dusty will be working as an agroforestry technical training specialist. Here they discuss an alley cropping practice for pecans with landowner Gene Nuse (left). Nuse farms 93 acres near Fayette, with 40 of those acres devoted to agroforestry. Both Dusty and Larry are MU graduates and bring extensive field experience to their positions. Soap on a rope [****Photo not available in text version****] Jim Fischer, of Leslie, sent this tip on how to prevent deer from rubbing their antlers on his grafted nut and persimmon trees. He ties a one-inch square of Lifebuoy soap in a four-inch square of cheesecloth. He then uses butcher's twine to tie the soap 18 to 24 inches above the ground. Late August is best, he says. Jim has been raising trees for 40 years on his 130 acres and says this works well for him. Several others have commented that this really does work, although they may use a different brand of soap! Purple Paint Law can save valuable lumber The Purple Paint Law...the best thing since sliced bread! Why would a Tree Farmer/consulting forester make such as a statement? To save money and to make money, that's why. Purple paint on boundary line trees or fence posts means NO TRESPASSING, just as a green light means go and a red light means stop. But how can the purple paint law possibly save money for a woodland owner? Just think. In the past, if woodland owners wanted to post their land against trespass, they would almost always nail a sign to a tree. I have seen black walnut, white oak and red oak veneer logs ruined by such a practice. Think of the hundreds, if not thousands of butt logs, the most valuable log in a tree, that were affected! In the mid-1990s, the Missouri State Legislature passed the Purple Paint Law, probably never realizing they were going to save millions of future butt logs. The law reads as follows: "The owner or lessee of any real property may post the property by placing identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts around the area to be posted. Each paint mark shall be a vertical line of at least eight inches in length and the bottom of the mark shall be no less than three feet nor more than five feet high. Such paint marks shall be placed no more than 100 feet apart and shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property. Property so posted is to be considered posted for all purposes, and any unauthorized entry upon the property is trespass in the first degree, and a class B misdemeanor". Another important advantage of purple paint over posted signs is that it cannot be torn down. Also, as fast-growing trees pull the nails through the sign in 2 or 3 years, it loses hold and falls, requiring replacement. And, hunters won't be as tempted to shoot purple paint as they are to shoot signs. To make the purple paint last longer, before painting a tree, scrape off the loose bark with a draw knife, taking care not to wound the tree. This process will at least double, if not triple the life of the paint mark, anywhere from 4 to 8 years! Smooth-barked trees, such as hickory are perfect to paint. If you must put up a sign, be sure to nail it to a small, low-value tree of firewood quality. If you aren't sure which trees are low- value, be sure to contact your local consulting forester to assist you! Mistakes can be costly! Any butt log that is saved can mean financial benefit for landowners, loggers and foresters! - Scott Brundage, consulting forester Bid sheet Consulting forester Skip Stokes, of Stella, reports a recent timber sale in southwest Missouri that reaffirms the value of the bidding process when selling timber. Skip reports that five of the six bids were from loggers who graduated from the Missouri Logger Training School, which emphasizes best management practices when harvesting timber. The following bids were reported for this timber harvest. $7,370 $8,000 $15,250 $16.000 $16,000 $22,500 This range of bids is typical of reports received from foresters. It pays to have a consulting forester help you sell your timber! For a list of consulting foresters in your area, write for a free copy of the Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Membership Directory, c/o Missouri Consulting Foresters Association, P. O. Box 981, Columbia, MO 65205-0981. 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 2000 issue is: April 15, 2000 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! Seedling trees still available Each year, beginning in November, Missouri landowners can order bareroot seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation's George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. More then 7,500 orders had been received at the nursery by early January. "Some species are already sold out" according to Greg Hoss, nursery superintendent. Northern red oak, hazelnut, black oak, white oak, extra large pecan, extra large red oak and extra large black walnut are gone. The extra large trees are over 24" tall on pecan and 36" tall on the oak and walnut. Hoss stated that "the extra large trees were very popular and sold out in the first 3 days of ordering." Hoss says that "over 50 species are still available and there are three special bundles still available." This year only the nursery is offering a special bundle for sale. The Forest Legacy Bundle includes tree species with possible life spans of more than 100 years. These include shortleaf pine, white oak, bald cypress, flowering dogwood, American hornbeam, Ohio Buckeye, black cherry, sugar maple, blackgum and yellow wood. Each Forest Legacy Bundle will contain 20 seedlings with two each of the 10 species. The price is $15. The legacy bundles celebrate not only the new century but also the 100th anniversary of the founding of professional forestry in the United States. The nursery offers dozens of tree and shrub species for reforestation, wildlife habitat improvement, windbreaks and erosion control. Species still available at press time according to Hoss include "shortleaf, eastern white, Austrian, and red pines and hardwood trees including walnut, pecan, sycamore, tulip poplar, bur, pin and shumard oaks, bald cypress and many more." In wildlife shrubs they still have plum, aromatic sumac, flowering, gray and roughleaf dogwoods, deciduous holly, witch hazel and others. The other two bundles, the Conservation Bundle (30 trees of 6 species) and the Wildlife Cover Bundle (50 trees of 6 species) are also still available. Missourians can order seedlings from now through May 1. Most are sold in bundles of 25. Seedling order forms with price and other information are available now from any Missouri Department of Conservation office, University of Missouri Extension offices, Natural Resources Conservation offices (NRCS) in each county or from the Nursery at (573) 674-3229. Or you can find them online. Hoss states that "this year our customers can download our order form or even place their order via the Internet." Access the Conservation Department homepage at and go to the forestry icon. From there you will find an interactive order form that allows you to order seedlings without using a $.33 stamp! For more information about what trees are still available or to obtain an order form contact the nursery at the number listed above. Forest farming [****Photo not available in text version****] Mike Gold (far right), University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, discusses forest farming, an agroforestry practice, with an MU Freshman Interest Group at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm at New Franklin. A variety of woods-cultivated mushrooms are grown on this research plot. Research of this nature ultimately benefits the private forest landowner as more is learned about this lucrative agroforestry practice. Calendar of upcoming events March 3-4 Missouri Tree Farm/Stewardship Days with recognition of Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, the 3rd, at the Ramada Inn ,off Interstate 70, in Columbia. Contact Jack Slusher, (573) 882-4444. April 6-7 American Black Walnut Nut Production Conference 2000 will be held at the Holiday Inn University Plaza, Springfield. Sponsor is The Center for Advancement of American Black Walnut, Jim Jones, Director. Two-day program will explore latest information in plantation production methods for eastern black walnut for nut production. For reservations call (417) 276-6010. May 4 Master Grafter Day at HarperHill Farms, Butler. For more information call Larry Harper at (573) 442-5326. May 9 Master Grafter Day at Pepper Creek Farm, Windsor. For more information call Carroll Chancellor at (660) 647-2209. July 8 Missouri Chapter of the Walnut Council Summer Tour, Dr. Robert Littlejohn's farm south of Higginsville. Highlights: Pruning and mulching of walnut plantings. (See accompanying story.) July 30-August 2 Walnut Council International annual meeting and summer tour near Lansing, Mich. Closely seeded plantings will be seen as well as managed natural stands. Contact Nancy Gunning at (317) 802-0332. Send your forestry related event dates to: Sandy Hodge, 203 Anheuser- Busch Natural Resources Bldg., MU Center for Agroforestry, Columbia, MO 65211. Read Green Horizons on the World Wide Web at: http://agebb.missouri.edu/agforest/ **** Note: Photos are not available in the text version. Please view the newsletter on the World Wide Web to see accompanying pictures. ****