Green Horizons

Several changes are in store for those attending the Silver Anniversary of the Missouri Tree Farm Conference, February 25-26. First, the conference is returning to Columbia with the beautiful Stoney Creek Inn hosting this year’s event. The wilderness theme hotel is located just south of the MU football stadium on Providence Road. Secondly, the informal landowner exchange returns to the Friday evening social. Last, but not least, a single-track format will allow all participants to hear all of the presentations.

The conference will kick off this year with a Friday afternoon indoor workshop on estate planning. Owners of forestland are faced with many difficult issues when it comes to estate planning. While taxes and the law must be considered in any plan, the most difficult issues have nothing to do with Uncle Sam. Professor Bill Hoover, from Purdue University, will provide an introduction to this often overlooked aspect of owning forestland. Dr. Hoover will discuss the temporary phase-out of the federal estate tax and the need to develop plans that take into account the possibility that the phase-out will not be made permanent.

Dr. Hoover will also discuss the impact of the federal gift tax which is not being phased out. Most importantly, he will discuss the importance of adequately incorporating in your plan the abilities and desires of your heirs. The tax and practical aspects of conservation easements will be reviewed for landowners considering the permanent protection of their land from development.

Everyone is invited to attend the Friday evening social where landowners will gather to share what has worked, as well as what has not, when in comes to managing their woodlands.

Saturday, conference attendees will learn some key aspects relating to reforesting their land; from selecting the right species for the right location to what exotic invasive plants threaten their survival once they are planted. Participants will also learn how to turn an average oak or walnut into a potentially high-value tree through proper pruning.

Following a lunch where outstanding Tree Farmers and Tree Farm inspectors are recognized for their stewardship efforts, participants will receive a forest health update.

The conference will conclude with an interactive forum on habitat restoration efforts for bringing back the Bobwhite quail. Cutting timber, burning, disturbing the soil, renewing vegetative succession are all activities to which quail responded to favorably in the past. Producing quail habitat today demands the same approaches. So, if you want to hear the familiar call of the Bobwhite on your property once again, this forum is for you.

All Green Horizon recipients should have received a brochure by now. If you have not, or would like more information, contact Glenda Fry at the Missouri Forest Products Association, (573) 634-3252 or glenda@moforest.org.