Green Horizons
Volume 9, Number 3
Summer 2005


Planting Trees Next Spring?... Prepare Your Site This Fall!
Hank Stelzer, Extension Forester

I don’t know how many calls I received this spring on how to control
weeds in new forest plantings. But, they all pretty much went
something like this. "I just finished planting my seedlings in an old
field. What herbicide can I use to kill the weeds?"

Weed management in new tree plantings begins with proper site
preparation the fall before planting. The objective is to provide new
seedlings with a 3- to 5-foot vegetation-free area. This weed-free
zone can either be a strip or circle.

If planting in perennial sod (like fescue), the most effective way to
kill existing vegetation is with a contact herbicide. Fall
applications will provide more consistent control than spring
applications. An added benefit is that your planting rows, or spots,
will already be "marked" come planting time.

Control can be improved by mowing the area in late August or early
September to eliminate existing foliage and treating the tender (and
more susceptible) re-growth when at least 10" of new foliage is
present.

Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup, Touchdown, many others) is the most
effective contact herbicide for perennial sods. The recommended rate
is dependent upon the type of vegetation (fescue, brome, bluegrass,
etc) and the particular formulation of the herbicide you apply. For
tall fescue, the recommended Roundup rate is 2 quarts per treated
acre.

Remember that a treated acre is always smaller than an actual acre.
This is because you are not treating a solid area; only the area
around your trees. For example, planting trees on a 10’x10’ spacing
will give you 435 trees per acre. If you plan to prepare a 4’-diameter
circle around each tree, then your treated area is 1/8 acre [3.14(2
ft) 2 = 12.56 sq ft; 12.56 sq ft per tree (435 trees per acre) = 5,464
sq ft].

Make sure you read the herbicide label at least twice: before you
purchase the product and again before you apply the herbicide. An
excellent online source for product labels can be found at
www.cdms.net. On the website’s main page, click on "Labels &
MSDS"located on the left side. On that page you will find a search
window. Just type in either the chemical name of the active ingredient
(if you know it) or the product name to locate the product label.

I also recommend adding a second herbicide containing sulfometuron
(e.g., Oust XP) alongside glyphosate to take care of any late-season
grasses and broadleaf weeds. Sulfometuron has both pre- and
post-emergent activity. As with glyphosate, make sure you carefully
read the label as rates do vary depending upon where you live and what
species you intend to plant. Here in the Midwest, the Oust XP label
will allow fall application rates of 3 to 5 oz of product per treated
acre on sites where northern red oak, white oak, ash (green or white),
sweetgum or yellow-poplar are to be planted. These rates will also
provide some pre-emergent control the following spring.

Sometimes weed control in new plantings cannot be started until the
spring of the planting year. If it is begun early enough, before weeds
have begun substantial growth, an application of a soil-applied
herbicide at least two weeks before planting might get you out of your
jam. For optimum tree growth, you may wish to respray dormant
seedlings for the first 3 years following establishment.

But, spring weather conditions are usually dicey at best and the risk
of damaging actively growing roots of freshly planted seedlings is
high if you do not correctly apply the herbicide. So, your safest and
surest bet is to prepare next year’s planting sites this fall.


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Native plants: The right choice for cleaner water, wildlife habitat
and reduced erosion in a buffer system

In the previous issue of Green Horizons, we addressed the topic of
some of Missouri’s most unwanted plants, exotic invasives. This
article offers information about our state’s beautiful and diverse
native plants and how these are a productive choice in a forested
riparian buffer.

Prior to the arrival of the first settlers, Missouri’s landscape was
vividly colored with native wildflowers (forbs) like Purple Poppy
Mallow and Black-Eyed Susans, and millions of acres of native warm and
cool-season grasses, trees and shrubs. With the settlement of the
state and the later introduction of commercial agriculture practices,
many once prominent native species seemed to fade into the horizon.
However, distinct benefits are derived by including native plants in
landscape plantings, and on a more direct level, into land and forest
owners’ riparian buffer systems.

Native plants are beautiful and well-suited to Missouri’s variable
weather. They conserve soil and water and provide the backbone for
non-polluting landscapes because they don’t need fertilizers or
pesticides. They also provide diverse wildlife habitat, require less
long-term maintenance than introduced species after plantings are
established and contribute to fewer plant losses because they are
drought tolerant, winter hardy and resistant to insects and diseases.

These qualities make native plants an excellent choice for use in a
riparian forest buffer system. Riparian forest buffers - one of the
five practices of agroforestry - are a critical tool for reducing the
impact of byproducts from agricultural practices, including sediment
runoff and the filtration of agricultural chemicals that may pollute
streams and groundwater. Riparian buffers, which consist of a
combination of trees, shrubs, native grasses and forbs placed in
distinct strips along the streambank, can significantly improve water
quality by removing sediment and chemicals before they reach surface
water. A well-maintained buffer zone also helps reduce flooding,
prevent soil erosion and create wildlife habitat. Additional income
can be generated from a riparian buffer by planting trees with future
timber harvest or nut production value, or by planting high-value
decorative woody florals, such as Curly Willow and Red Osier Dogwood.

Choosing the right match
Matching the right plants to growing conditions is the key to a
successful planting. Whether you are planning a riparian forested
buffer or a 10-acre reconstructed prairie, native plants - with proper
management - will spread energetically through underground rhizomes,
bulbs or other natural, vegetative means.

Dick Schultz, professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and
Management, Iowa State University, focuses his research on restoration
ecology and watershed management and is the leader of the Agroecology
Issue Team of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ames
Iowa. Schultz explains that when selecting native species for buffer
or prairie plantings, it is important to understand three types of
sites. "We break plantings into wet meadows, mesic prairies and dry
prairies, and they should each have different sets of grasses and
forbs used accordingly," he says. "In addition, the Midwestern corn
belt has the richest soil in the world because it developed under
prairie vegetation, and should not need any amendments or additives
for establishing native plants."

In conjunction with a supply of rich soil, native prairie plants have
incredible root systems that support the plants in times of drought.
Many of the native grass species are known as warmseason grasses
because their root system allows them to be competitive during the hot
summer months. Compared with the roots of most non-natives,
warm-season grasses and flowers have a deep, extensive root system
that helps absorb moisture and prevent erosion. Many species have
roots that extend four to eight feet into the soil, while cool-season
non-native grasses, such as Kentucky blue grass and smooth brome,
extend only a few inches into the soil. The native plants can
withstand long periods of dry weather, and do not require watering
unless the buffer is established in a small residential or business
park setting and is less than one year old.

Laurie Brown, conservation ecologist, Patti Banks Associates of Kansas
City, Mo., a natural resource planning and landscape architecture
firm, also praises the deep root system of native plants.

"By having this greater root system, native plants are better able to
hold soils together," says Brown. "Try taking a clump of turf grass
and a clump of native grasses, with roots and dirt, and immerse the
roots in a jar of water. You can watch the soil fall off of the turf
grass roots, leaving them bare and exposed, while very little soil
comes off of the native plant roots."

In recognition of the habitat value provided by native plants, the
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has established the Grow
Native! program, which is operated in conjunction with the Missouri
Department of Agriculture (MDA). Grow Native! strives to protect and
restore our state’s biodiversity by increasing conservation awareness
of native plants and their effective use. By building partnerships
among private industry, non-profit organizations, government agencies
and landowners, the program aims to significantly increase the demand
for and use of native plants on all landscapes. Information abut
native plant species, landscaping and farm guides and information
about native plant workshops and events are available on the Grow
Native! web site at www.grownative.org.

"Other resources offered by MDC include landscape guides with detailed
information for using native plants in home landscapes, and a farm
guide that shows how native plants can maximize conservation benefits.
The MDA side of Grow Native! Works with native-plant producers and
retailers on marketing and businessplan issues," says Barbara
Fairchild, Grow Native! communications specialist.

Why plant natives in a buffer?
"Using native plants in a buffer means incorporating plants that are
adapted to the local environment - plants that are able to resist
native pests and diseases and can survive extremes in weather
conditions for that local area," Schultz says. "These are plants that
are adapted to the local soils, topography and the competition from
other plant species in the riparian ecosystem. They provide specific
habitat for local wildlife, butterflies, beneficial insects, etc. It
is almost always best to go with native species because of their
adaptation qualities."

Schultz explains that natural selection (survival of the fittest) is a
powerful reason for the success of local native species. "Introduced
species may grow faster, but are susceptible to weather and pests that
may be very different from those where the introduced species are
native. In our buffer settings, native species also usually have
better root systems and provide more protection to the soil and stream
compared to introduced species," he says.

One of the most notable benefits of using natives in a buffer is the
creation of effective wildlife habitat. "A cool season grass buffer
just does not provide much structural habitat, and because it usually
consists of only one or two species, there is little plant diversity.
Native grasses and forbs provide different heights, densities, shapes
of stems and leaves, different flowering times, and different flowers
and fruits so that they can attract many more different species of
wildlife," says Schultz.

The key is to plant as wide a mix of species as possible to achieve
the maximum wildlife benefit. Schultz suggests that planting pure
native warm-season grass strips with one or two species is more
effective than just one species of low growing cool season grass, but
planting 5 or 6 species of native grass and 25 forbs provides much
more habitat potential. Similarly, planting mixtures of trees and
shrubs will provide more diverse structural habitat, but if a
landowner is mainly concerned with upland bird habitat, trees provide
perches for predator raptors that may prey on the prairie birds.

Selecting a variety
Brown comments that there sometimes is no "quick and easy answer" to
selecting natives. "The types of plants chosen depends upon soils,
amount of sunlight, water levels, frequency and duration of flooding,
and adjacent land use," she says. "The type of plants selected is very
dependent upon conditions within the buffer."

In addition, a landowner seeking to establish natives plants in a
buffer zone has many choices - there were once more than 150 different
species of plants found on native prairies.

Schultz recommends visiting the web sites of reputable prairie seed
and supply companies to find a list of possible plant mixtures. "Most
nurseries provide different mixtures based on general site
requirements and seed cost. It is also important to remember that
prairie plants usually take longer to establish than non-native
cool-season grasses.

"Native trees and shrubs could include any that are usually available
from the local state forest nursery. The main consideration here is
selecting species that grow on potentially moist sites, and most
nursery information includes the kind of sites that different species
grow on," says Schultz.

Establishing natives in a buffer zone*
"Most buffers are large enough to require seeding to be cost
effective," says Brown. "Plants or plant plugs can be used, but add to
the cost of the buffer. If a buffer area is prone to flooding,
additional measures will need to be taken (such as erosion control
blankets, etc.) to ensure the success of the planting."

Schultz agrees, and adds that his team sometimes plants cover crops to
help control weeds while the natives are becoming established.
"Prairie grasses and wildflowers (forbs) are usually started from
seed, but wetlands are often planted with plugs. Trees and shrubs are
planted as 1-2 year old bare-root seedlings."

Site preparation for planting the grasses and forbs in a filter strip
can take numerous forms. If the site was previously in pasture,
burning down the existing pasture vegetation with glyphosate in the
fall and spring, and then using a prairie seed drill will result in a
good stand of plants. If the site was previously in row crops, light
tilling of the sur-face to kill early weed species, followed by
surface packing with a cultipacker and then using a seed drill will
provide a good stand. For woody plant establishment, Schultz suggests
that site preparation begin in the fall followed by spring planting.

If the site has been in pasture, eliminate competing perennial
vegetation in 3-foot or 4-foot wide strips or circles where trees or
shrubs will be planted. Fall tillage and/or herbicide application (ex.
glyphosate) can be used. If the area has been used for row crops, it
is desirable to disk the ground in the spring and seed the area where
trees and shrubs will be planted with a mixture of perennial rye and
timothy grass.

These cool-season grasses are less competitive with trees and shrubs
than other species. Additional grass species recommendations are
available at your local NRCS or Missouri Department of Conservation
office. Mowing two to three times per year is recommended to control
broadleaf and grass weeds.

Many forest nurseries carry one to two-year old seedlings of most tree
species for planting in zone 1 of the buffer, the managed forest area.
Use high quality stock with good root systems. Quality hardwood
seedlings should have a minimum of four to five large lateral roots.
Trees and shrubs should be planted in early spring, and make sure the
planting holes are completely closed so the roots do not dry out.

Maintenance of natives in a buffer zone*
Maintenance of native plants within a buffer will be highest during
the first three years after planting. "This is especially true when
using seed," says Brown. "During the first year, native plants spend
most of their energy developing roots, so these areas should be mowed
frequently to keep weeds under control."

Weed control is essential for survival and rapid establishment of
prairie plantings in a buffer, and can be achieved through mowing. Mow
as high as possible to allow the native plants to develop their above
ground food-producing leaves. Mowing is used primarily to cut off the
flowers or seed heads of the weed species that are found at the top of
the plant. Burning the prairie plantings in the spring during each of
the first 3-4 years will also help control weeds and stimulate prairie
plant establishment. Once the prairie is established, a burning cycle
of 3-5 years is recommended. Burning regimes are best determined by
contacting local natural resource managers with experience in using
fire. If burning is not an option, periodic harvesting or very careful
.ash grazing may be used. However, if the buffer is enrolled in the
Conservation Reserve Program, using the harvested material or .ash
grazing are not permitted during the enrollment period of either 10 or
15 years.

For the maintenance of trees and shrubs, mowing and using pre-emergent
herbicides are usually needed the first few years. Late fall mowing
helps minimize plant damage from rodents during winter months.
Mulching is an alternative for woody plants, but if there are several
plants spread over a long distance, mulching adds extra expense.
Fertilizing a buffer zone generally is not recommended, as most
floodplains consist of very fertile top soil.

The use of fast-growing tree species (willow, cottonwood, silver maple
and green ash) ensures rapid growth and effective use of nutrients and
other excess chemicals that could pollute water. To remove nutrients
and chemicals stored in their stems, it may be necessary to harvest
these fast-growing trees every 15 to 20 years. If harvested in winter,
these species will regenerate from stump sprouts and maintain root
system integrity to offer continued protection of the streambank. In
most buffer settings there is also the option of planting some slower
growing high quality hardwoods that could provide an income source at
a later date.

*Portions of this information from the Stewards of our Streams series,
produced by Iowa State University. See www.extension.iastate.edu to
access these publications.


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Brookshire named as new Director of Missouri Forest Products Assn.


One of Missouri’s most recognized and well-respected statewide
associations has a new CEO, effective June 1, 2005.

Brian Brookshire, 40, was named the new CEO & Executive Director of
the Missouri Forest Products Association at an April 21 Board of
Directors meeting held in Rolla. Brookshire has worked with Missouri’s
forest industry for the past five years as a member of the Missouri
Department of Conservation. Brookshire began his career with MDC in
1990 and has held several positions: Assistant Resource Forester,
Forest Products Marketing Specialist, Wood Products Specialist,
Silviculturist and most recently as Forestry Staff Supervisor.

"I have always admired the work ethic and skill demonstrated by those
in Missouri’s wood products industry," Brookshire said. "The
continuing increase and reach of MFPA’s services has already made an
impact to individuals and companies alike across the state."

Recent expansion of MFPA’s services has given the organization a much
larger regional and national presence. The Association is one of only
13 agencies in the U.S. that offers heat treating services for lumber
being shipped overseas. The service is currently available to nine
states. Other significant MFPA services include the Professional
Timber Harvester program, the state’s first Online Timber Sale
program, Missouri’s annual Best Live Christmas Tree contest and the
introduction of the Provider Pals program, which will be honored by
First Lady Laura Bush at a June 8 dinner in Washington, D.C. MFPA will
also host the National Game of Logging Finals at their Midwest Forest
Industry Show in St. Louis on Sept. 23 & 24.

MFPA’s substantial impact across the state is perfect for native
Missourian Brookshire, who grew up in Rolla and received Bachelor’s
and Master’s degrees in Forestry from the University of
Missouri-Columbia. He is also married to wife Laura and has four
children.

The Missouri Forest Products Association’s mission is to encourage the
wise use and conservation of our nation’s natural resources. The
industry’s complex business concerns also include safety and
environmental issues. MFPA promotes the business of all forest-related
industries and encourages closer working relationships among forest
product firms, forest owners, producers, and harvesters. This
networking helps improve procurement, processing, research, and
marketing of forest products.

Learn more about MFPA at www.moforest.org.


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The Bid Box... and Related Wood Product Information


Recent reports from the field and comparing reported price trends from
a year ago suggest stumpage prices around the state have cooled off;
particularly for lumber-grade red oak.

Incoming bids have been low enough that some landowners are rejecting
all bids and waiting for higher prices to return. Unless you are
losing trees to disease or insects, that is a good strategy. Your
forester can help you feel the timber market pulse and advise you when
to advertise your sale. Remember when soliciting competitive bids,
make sure you clearly advertise that you retain the right to reject
any and all bids. This will enable you to leverage the market and
obtain the highest price for your trees.

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UMCA silvopasture research shows promise of enhanced forage and
livestock production


Silvopasture is the intentional combination of trees, forage and
livestock managed as a single integrated practice. In a typical
silvopasture practice, perennial grasses and/or grass-legume mixes are
intentionally combined with trees to create unique livestock pastures
in one of two ways: (1) between established rows of trees or (2) in
appropriately managed natural forests. The proper integration of trees
and pasture allows for the management of light and moisture, critical
factors related to forage production. The trees not only provide a
long-term investment in nut crops or a timber harvest, but also
provide the animals shade in the summer and shelter in the winter. In
turn, the forage base provides feed for beef cattle which ultimately
provides livestock sales for short-term income. A silvopasture
practice diversifies farm income, minimizes the need for chemical or
mechanical vegetation control and can reduce hay and feeding costs for
livestock. (Note: Allowing livestock to graze in a natural woodland
area without tree and forage management is not considered
silvopasture. Unmanaged forest grazing is never recommended.)


Silvopastoral management creates an environment where trees, forage,
and livestock can be developed to their full economic potential.
Ideally, the tree species selected for a silvopastoral practice should
be marketable - this includes both the wood itself and other products
such as nuts or fruit, offering another source of income in addition
to livestock. In a rotational grazing system, a successful
silvopastoral practice requires understanding forage growth and
managing the timing and duration of grazing to avoid browsing of young
tree seedlings and specifically, their elongating shoots. Precautions
should be taken, such as adding fencing, to prevent trampling or
rubbing of the young trees as well as over-grazing and soil
compaction.

Potential of Silvopastoral Prac-tices in Beef Grazing Systems by Monty
Kerley
The primary focus area of silvopastoral research has been the use of
forage for hay production or grazing, with a twofold emphasis: the
effects of the forage on tree growth, and the effect of the tree on
forage growth and nutritive quality.

Silvopasture research indicates that managed forage production
(whether used for hay or rotationally grazed for pasture) has little
effect on tree growth, while continuous grazing has been shown to
reduce tree growth. As expected, new or young tree plantings have
little consequence on forage production since they have little impact
on light intensity reaching the forage plant. However, when light
intensity is altered due to the tree canopy, forage growth and
nutritional quality can be affected. Many cool season grasses and
legumes show growth that is not reduced when grown in partial shade
and their nutritional quality (crude protein content and
digestibility) is improved longer into the summer. The extrapolation
of these data show that forage quality is better longer into the
summer grazing season when forage is grown under shade, as in a
silvopastoral practice.

With more than 13 million acres of pasture lands dedicated almost
entirely to beef production, Missouri is in a position to greatly
benefit from the economic and environmental benefits of silvopasture.
While silvopasture seems like a natural choice for many producers in
Missouri, growing perennial forages for livestock pasture with trees
requires careful matching of tree, forage, and animal species.
Interactions among all three of the biological systems must be in
concert with each other to make the system work. For instance, if the
system is not managed well, competition from many forage species
reduces tree growth. This is most likely to be a problem in the early
phases of tree establishment. Later in the production cycle, the
opposite can be true, where shading and competition from trees can
reduce forage growth and thus, livestock feed. Another problem that
producers observe is that when young trees are not protected from
livestock, the trees can be damaged, reducing growth. Still another
challenge in silvopasture is that the allelopathic compounds produced
can inhibit the growth of susceptible forages and/or trees. Sounds
like a lot to worry about, doesn’t it? In reality, these challenges
are very manageable and are overshadowed by the benefits of the
practice.

There has been little research conducted studying the effect of
silvopastoral practices on the grazing animal. Specifically, what are
the effects of a silvopastoral practice on reduced heat stress in the
summer and reduced cold stress in the winter? Cattle typically seek
shade in the summer to alleviate the heat load created from exposure
to direct sunlight. Likewise, cattle seek windbreak shelter in the
winter to reduce the additional cold stress caused by wind. This can
be particularly important for cows that are calving where the need is
to reduce the cold exposure on the newborn calf. For these reasons,
there are few pastures that don’t provide access to some form of tree
structure that offers shelter. While most pastures provide access to
such shelters, almost none of these shelters are managed to provide
maximum benefit to the animal, the tree and the forage. It is our
hypothesis that silvopastoral practices could be implemented to
provide the shelter component to the grazing animal, while
simultaneously managing the timber to increase its value and shelter
functionability and the forage for grazing and soil cover.

It is our plan to implement silvopastoral practices at the University
of Missouri Beef Research Farm in Columbia, Missouri, to study the
effects of silvopastoral practices on grazing animal production.
Research will be implemented by converting existing unimproved timber
to silvopastoral practices and by incorporating tree plantings into
open pasture. In addition, we plan to position the silvopastoral areas
to facilitate animal waste deposits in the grazing area, specifically
emphasizing the prevention of uneven distribution of waste in the
pastured area, thus preventing the deposits from being near points of
erosion or water movement. This research is expected to provide us
data not only on the tree - forage interaction, but also on the animal
interaction with the tree and forage components.

Silvopasture on the Wurdack Farm by Dusty Walter
To produce multiple products from a single land area, as in a
silvopasture practice, it is necessary to match plant species to both
landowner goals and the ability of a specific site to grow a tree or
forage species. When planting 10trees to a pasture, or managing and
thinning a forest, select and favor trees recommended for that site.

Arguably, the most important interaction between the tree and the
forage crop is the trees’ direct influence on the light available for
forage growth. This can be controlled by selecting appropriate tree
species and spacings. For example, tree species such as black walnut
have a leaf configuration that allows for a filtered light to pass
through and will produce less shade than a white oak. Under forested
conditions, we often find trees growing offsite. By this we mean that
the tree is not growing on a site where we would expect it to perform
best. If the appropriate tree species are selected for your site and
soil, you are then free to manage spacing between your trees in order
to create the best shade/light environment for forage production and
livestock benefits.

One of the best examples of hardwood silvopasture is located on the
University of Missouri Wurdack Farm in south central Missouri. This is
the third year since the establishment of an experimental silvopasture
practice in an Oak-Hickory forest type. To establish the silvopasture,
we chose 25 acres of forested land on north-facing slopes, then
thinned the forest to approximately 50-percent light/shade levels and
seeded appropriate cool-season forages (Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue, red
clover, annual lespedeza). Proper forage management allows us to
identify the effects that controlled grazing of cattle may have on
tree growth. When implementing the thinning, we applied a slightly
modified version of a practice known as crop tree release (CTR). In
CTR, emphasis is placed on selecting the best trees on a given site
and thinning/removing all other competing trees around them. We also
designed removal of competition based on the crown size of each crop
tree, resulting in 40-60 percent shade. White oak was favored on the
sites.

A great deal of skepticism exists on the impact controlled grazing may
have on the remaining trees. Critics of this practice have some valid
concerns. In the past, continuous grazing of, and access to, woods by
livestock was shown to have a very negative impact on soil erosion and
the regeneration (seedlings) of the forest. However, at this time the
use of management intensive grazing (rotational grazing) has resulted
in a forage stand that is continuous, and we have not seen any erosion
problems. Additionally, we are not relying on natural reproduction
(which in many unmanaged forests is lacking to begin with), but have
planted improved white oak seedlings and placed a welded wire cage
around each of them. This allows us to place seedlings in selected
locations (looking toward their future shade value) and helps assure
their survival and growth by providing protection from livestock and
deer browsing.

Although the final numbers have not yet been calculated, we hope the
Wurdack Farm will illustrate the advantages a properly managed
silvopasture practice can provide to Missouri land and livestock
owners. We fully expect that the enhanced growth of the high value
white oak trees remaining following our harvest/thin, in conjunction
with regular forage and beef production, will provide long-term
positive income to the farm.

University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) collaborators
Rob Kallenbach, associate professor, Agronomy; Monty Kerley,
professor, Animal Science; and Dusty Walter, UMCA Research and
Technology Transfer Specialist

Resolving Silvopasture challenges by Rob Kallenbach
Silvopastoral management creates an environment where trees, forage,
and livestock can be developed to their full economic potential.
Ideally, the tree species selected for a silvopastoral practice should
be marketable - this includes both the wood itself and other products
such as nuts or fruit, offering another source of income in addition
to livestock. In a rotational grazing system, a successful
silvopastoral practice requires understanding forage growth and
managing the timing and duration of grazing to avoid browsing of young
tree seedlings and specifically, their elongating shoots. Precautions
should be taken, such as adding fencing, to prevent trampling or
rubbing of the young trees as well as over-grazing and soil
compaction.


______________________________________________________________________


Research conducted by the Center for Agroforestry is revealing that
silvopasture offers tangible benefits in both forage production and
livestock performance:
• Cool-season grasses grown in silvopastures are almost always of
higher quality than that grown in open pastures. For instance,
cool-season grasses grown in a pine-walnut plantation had 2 to 4
percentage units more TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) than forage
grown in open pastures.


• Another benefit is that the micro-climate under many tree species
favors growth of cool-season grasses in early spring, mid-summer and
late autumn. By exploiting this relationship, producers can extend the
grazing season during periods of cold or heat stress.


• Trees can increase livestock comfort in winter by providing a
windbreak and by providing shade in summer. While it is difficult to
put an exact value on these benefits, we have conservatively estimated
that they would be worth $50 per animal annually.


• Livestock production per acre from silvopastures is typically equal
to that of open pastures until late in the tree-production cycle. In
summary, livestock income is not reduced, but long-term income from
trees adds value to the production system.


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Landowner Spotlight - Sweet Tradition: For the John Martin family,
maple syrup is rooted as deep as the trees on the farm


Like moths to a flame, visitors to John Martin’s home place near
Viburnum seem to gravitate to the steam. As winter begins to yield to
spring, John and his sons light a fire under a stainless steel vat and
cook watery tree sap down to thick, sweet maple syrup. Invariably,
each neighbor, friend or relative who stops by to watch finds
themselves leaning over the bubbling tank.






"People will stand there and just put their face in the steam," says
Scott Martin, who helped stoke the fires this year as the family
gathered for a semi-annual ritual of maple syrup making. "It’s an
interesting sensation. There’s a real sweet smell and the steam is
real warm but it doesn’t burn your face."

It takes nearly 24 hours to cook 300 gallons of tree sap down to a
precious six to eight gallons of syrup so there’s plenty of time to
enjoy the steam. The Martins -- especially the male members of the
family: 81-year-old patriarch John and his sons Stephen, Scott and
Stanton -- occupy the time warming themselves over the steam, sampling
syrup, playing chess and telling stories.

"This is the closest thing to fishing you can do in February," Scott
says as he warms his feet against the steel door of the family’s
concrete fire pit.

While the men gather around the fire, their wives and children tend to
stay inside the family’s home until it’s time to pour off the finished
syrup, Scott says. "They stick their heads out the door and say, ‘I
can’t believe you’re sitting out there watching water boil!’"

The description is not far from the mark. Sap from maple trees runs
thin and clear and is only vaguely sweet to the taste. But given
enough heat and time the watery sap evaporates, leaving a pure, sweet
nectar. The imitation maple-flavored corn syrup concoctions sold in
grocery stores pale by comparison.

"The first batch that comes off is the best. It’s an amber color like
honey," Scott says, explaining how the syrup changes throughout the
two-week collection and cooking process. "Every batch we take off
after that is going to get darker and darker till the last batch will
look almost like molasses.

"The last stuff is the best for cooking with. It’s a very strong maple
flavor, very dark," he says as he dips a fingertip into the simmering
vat and quickly lifts it to his tongue for a taste.

Although maple syrup is normally associated with Vermont and other
northeastern states, Missouri’s maple trees will yield sap if the
weather cooperates. Nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime
highs in the 40s cause the sap to rise in the tree. Gathering the sap
simply involves drilling a hole in the side of the tree, pounding in a
spigot and placing a bucket to collect the steady drips.

"People ask, ‘What do you put in it to make syrup? What’s your
recipe?’ There is no recipe," Scott says. "It’s just tree sap. That’s
all it is."

The trick comes in getting the right consistency. "You cook it far
enough it turns to sugar," says John as he drips syrup off the end of
a spoon, attempting to decide when this batch is done.

John grew up in the valley his grandfather homesteaded in 1886. Their
old house is still standing and memories spring forth like the maples
that line the creek. John not only remembers syrup making, but the
location of trees his father tapped and even which ones yielded the
sweetest sap.

"My father made it in kettles years ago. My grandfather made it before
my father did," he says. "They just made enough for their own use for
one year. Maybe a half a gallon or a gallon.

"He tapped trees with a brace and bit," John recalls. He had
five-quart oil cans he got from a service station that he washed out
and he hung on the spouts. The spouts were made from alders. He
hollowed them out and made a notch for the bucket to hang on."

The Martin family tradition might have ended with John’s father, who
made his last batch in the 1960s. But sometime around 1996 or ’97 a
neighbor approached John and asked to tap his maple trees.
Coincidently, Scott visited the family farm that winter and the
tradition was renewed.

"I came down and saw all the buckets and asked what was going on. I
said, ‘We should give that a try,’" Scott says. "We made maybe a
gallon of syrup."

That first year the Martins gathered and cooked syrup the way John
remembered his father doing it, down to the brace and bit and iron
kettles. The next year, they modernized.

John bought a portable generator and electric drill to tap the trees.
Spouts were made from PVC pipe and the sap was collected in 13-gallon
plastic buckets. Scott, who studied engineering in college, designed a
huge stainless steel vat, 7 feet long and only a few inches deep. The
large surface allows the "water" to evaporate more efficiently.

While this generation of Martins has surpassed their ancestor’s
methods, they also out-produce them. They put out nearly 170 buckets
and typically gather more than 1,000 gallons of sap, which produces
between 30 and 60 gallons of syrup. After the syrup is made, the
Martins reheat small batches on the kitchen stove and can it in pint
and quart Mason jars.

"We haven’t bought any syrup from the grocery store since we started
this," John says. "We keep a jar in our refrigerator all the time.
Once a week we eat something that requires syrup. We either have
waffles or pancakes or French toast."

Even with all those breakfasts, the Martins produce far more syrup
than they’ll ever use. Some they give to friends, the rest is sold.
"We don’t advertise it or anything," John says. "People just hear
about it. We sell all we can make."

While the Martins like maple syrup, that’s not why they devote nearly
two weeks during the winter to gathering and cooking tree sap.
Instead, the ritual offers a chance for friends and relatives to get
together.

"It’s just a constant flow of people," Scott says. "Neighbors who live
up and down the road will come out when we make syrup. It draws the
whole family down to see what you’re doing. I’ve seen more of my
family when we’re cooking syrup than I see in an entire year."

This year the Martins were even joined by international guests as a
Romanian couple joined the effort.

All that company - not to mention the work involved in sterilizing the
equipment, gathering the sap and cooking the syrup - takes its toll.
Some years, the Martins simply decide not to make syrup. And every
year John threatens to end the tradition.

"He says that every year," says Stanton, John’s youngest son,
dismissing his father’s annual threat.

"With my father, there’s definitely an excitement I see when we do
this. There’s something about him teaching and showing us the things
his grandfather used to do and passing it on," he says. "The day
before he left to come down here he was just elated."

Still John insists he can’t do the work involved in making syrup
without help. This year, a farm accident sent him to the hospital and
cut the syrup season short. He’s back on his feet but is even more
convinced that the Martin family maple syrup tradition may soon come
to an end.

"You know, those buckets of water are a lot heavier than they were a
few years ago," he says, referring to the raw syrup the family
collects. "As far as I’m concerned this will be the last year."


______________________________________________________________________


Timber management and syrup production
John Martin is an expert at "using what’s around." In addition to his
maple syrup business, Martin recycles fallen trees for creating craft
wood projects.

"Each spring after leafing out I take a drive through the acreage to
see the condition of the trees. If I see one of my black walnut, red
oak, white oak, pine or wild cherry trees has died, I have it sawed,"
he says. "I have 3 or 4,000 feet or more in the barn that I can use to
make furniture or craft pieces, and the rest I can usually sell.

" Most of Martin’s hand-crafted furniture pieces are given to family
members as keepsakes, and only a few are sold.

His advice to other landowners considering syrup or other value-added
businesses is simple.

"Use what’s out there, what’s already available," he says. "There are
so many forested acres out there, but few of them are utilized. We tap
trees on a neighbor’s lot and then pay him back with syrup. We get
slabs of wood from a local sawmill to heat the vat for cooking sap.

"Take a look around you and find out what resources you already have."


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The Back Page: A Tribute to Larry Harper


On a rare occasion in our lives, we have the good fortune to meet and
get to know an individual who greatly influences the way we think.
Larry Harper had that effect on me.

Larry was born July 4, 1942 in Butler, MO. He graduated from the
University of Missouri with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1963
and went on to become a highly respected agriculture communicator as
editor of the Missouri Ruralist Magazine. He was a strong supporter of
Missouri agriculture and served each of our recent governors
(beginning with Governor ‘Kit’ Bond) in various advisory capacities.
He was also an avid supporter of the University of Missouri and always
made himself available when called upon to serve the College of
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Larry was a family farmer and a strong advocate of preserving
America’s rural lifestyle. He firmly believed that agroforestry could
provide an economic boost to the family farm. Moreover, he put into
practice what he preached. He transformed his family farm near Butler,
Missouri from a row-crop enterprise into a highly diversified mix of
grafted black walnut, inter-cropped with pumpkins, Indian corn and a
variety of other niche crops or livestock grazing the alley ways.

He was once quoted as saying that agroforestry had helped save his
farm. However, when asked how profitable agroforestry was, he would
only say "I am now making more than what I used to be losing" - spoken
like the true farmer that he was!

Larry passed away on May 23rd, 2005, and his loss leaves a void that
will be difficult to fill. He was a gentleman, a scholar and truly a
man of influence in the agricultural community. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his family.

Gene Garrett, Director, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry


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Calendar of Events

July 31 - August 3, 2005: National Walnut Council Annual Meeting,
Moline, Ill. Themed "Reality Forestry," the meeting workshop topics
include woodland wildlife management, resource management, harvesting,
seeding, forest farming and specialty wood products. A field tour to
the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve will also be included. To register,
or for more information, visitwww.walnutcouncil.org.

July 31 - August 3, 2005: Northern Nutgrowers Association 96th Annual
Meeting, Pella, Iowa. NNGA meetings provide a forum for the grower and
serious hobbyist to share their recent findings and tours of orchards
and facilities to observe planting, cultural, harvest, processing and
marketing practices. In 2005, Pella, a beautiful and historic Dutch
village with canals and windmills, will be host to the meeting. For
more information, send e-mail to icomserve@aol.com with “NNGA Meeting
2005” as the subject; or visit http://icserv.com/nnga/

Aug. 20, 2005: Summer meeting of the Missouri Walnut Council, held at
farm of Lloyd Grafton. Contact Scott Brundage by email at
brundage@socket.net for more information.

Sept. 21 - 24, 2005: 45th Annual Black Walnut Festival, Stockton, Mo.
Event features a carnival, parade, demonstrations by local crafters, a
most interesting nut wizard relay race, and of course, plenty of black
walnuts. Contact the Stockton Chamber of Commerce at (417) 276-5213
for hours and information.

Sept. 27 - 29, 2005: Management Intensive Grazing, a three-day seminar
sponsored by the University of Missouri Forage Systems Research
Center, Missouri Forage and Grassland Council (MFGC), and the Green
Hills Farm Project. View program or register online at
http://agebb.missouri.edu/mfgc/mfgconf.htm. For more information,
contact Joetta Roberts, MFGC, at (573) 499-0886 or email
mfgc@mchsi.com.

Oct. 27, Riparian Buffer Workshop, Horticulture and Agroforestry
Research Center, New Franklin, Mo. Hosted by the University of
Missouri Center for Agroforestry. For more information, contact Julie
Rhoads at (573) 882-3234 or by email at rhoadsj@missouri.edu.
Additional information to be posted online at
www.centerforagroforestry. org. (See box, page 11)

Oct. 29, 2005: 3rd Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, Horticulture and
Agroforestry Research Center (HARC), New Franklin, Mo. The Chestnut
Roast is an outreach and educational opportunity featuring guided farm
tours of the 660-acre HARC farm, agricultural exhibits and displays,
free samples of fresh Missouri roasted chestnuts and chestnut dishes,
agroforestry and cooking demonstrations, a children’s tent and several
Missouri value-added food vendors, featuring Missouri black walnuts,
chestnuts and pecans; meats and cheeses; specialty condiments and
wines. Free admission and free parking. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit www.centerforagroforestry. org for more information.


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Some Like it Hot!


Just as some people wilt in the sun and others relish heat, so it is
with plants. At this time of year, what we really want are plants that
shine in the garden — plants that wow the neighbors and make us look
like gardening geniuses. What better choice than natives?




Summer heat and drought can be rough on colorful gardens, but native
flowers, shrubs and trees are up to the challenge.

Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a drought-tolerant,
trailing native that produces dozens of showy magenta flowers from
June until first frost. The trailing, mat-forming stems make an
excellent ground cover. One of our native warm-season grasses that
stands up to heat and dry soil is sideoats grama (Bouteloua
curtipendula). Narrow, blue-gray leaves form a dense clump. Birds and
small mammals eat the reddish flowers that dangle along one side of
slender stems in summer. The plant turns gold in fall.

Native trees and shrubs that do well in heat and drought include black
haw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium). It produces flat heads of white
flowers in spring, followed by purple-black fruit, which birds eat.
The leaves develop beautiful red fall color. Another adaptable native
is New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus). This compact, 3- to 4-foot
tall shrub billows with delicate white flowers in May and June. Birds
come to eat clusters of small black fruit in July. It grows easily on
rocky soil.


Source: Grow Native!


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3rd Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast!






Saturday, October 29, 2005 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Horitculture &
Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin, Mo.
Guided tours of the 660-acre Horticulture and Agroforestry Research
Center featuring diverse agroforestry practices

Educational booths from Missouri value-added agriculture vendors and
University agricultural and environmental research programs

Showcase for Missouri’s outstanding agricultural products, including
wines; jams and jellies; pecan, walnut and chestnut products; locally
produced honey; cheeses & meats

Children’s Tent, farm display, family activities and live music by
local artists

Informational presentations on the farm’s Hickman House, a historic
1819 Georgian cottage and one of the oldest brick homes still standing
in the state

Demonstrations of new research on profitable specialty products
produced through agroforestry, including pine straw and chestnuts

Free fresh-roasted chestnuts, an emerging value-added crop for
Missouri, and samples, displays and sales of Missouri pecans and black
walnuts set amidst the beautiful Missouri River Hills

Exhibits by local River Hills landscape artists

Free admission! All activities under tents for comfort, rain or shine!
For maps and information, visit our web site at
www.centerforagroforestry.org or call (573) 882-3234.

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Internet resources for native plants:


The Ion Exchange: Offers more than 200 high-quality native tallgrass
prairie seeds and plants for wetlands, savannas or prairies.
www.ionxchange.com.

Grand Prairie Friends: Offers addresses of prairie nurseries in
various Midwestern states and a list of species that could be planted.
www.prairienet.org/gpf/nurseries.html.

Iowa State University Extension: Additional information on designing,
establishing and maintaining riparian buffers is available from the
Stewards of our Streams series produced by Iowa state University
Extension. www.extension.iastate.edu.

Grow Native!: A joint program of the Missouri Department of
Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA),
Grow Native! offers species information, landscape and farm guides,
updates on native-plant events and workshops, and a listing of native
plant sources. www.grownative.org.

USDA NRCS: Offers several publications to help in planning and
maintaining buffers. www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Hamilton’s Native Nursery & Seed Farm: Located in Elk Creek, Mo.,
Hamilton’s offers a large collection of native seeds, seed mixes,
roots and potted plants, as well as information about
planting.www.hamiltonseed.com.

Pure Air Native Seed Company: Offers native warm season grasses,
wildflowers and legumes for Bobwhite quail and conservation habitat
needs. Located in Novinger, Mo. www.oberlefarms.com. Missouri
Wildflowers Nursery: Located in Jefferson City, Mo., with an extensive
collection of native Missouri perennials, both seeds and plants.
Plants are nursery propagated. www.mowildflowers.net

Missouri Department of Conservation: Web site has a listing of local
state forest nurseries. www.conservation.state.mo.us.

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Riparian Buffer Field Day: Managing Riparian Forests and Riparian
Buffers

When: Oct. 27, 2005
Where: MU Horticulture & Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin,
Mo.
For Who: Resource professionals and landowners who work in (or have)
streamside forests
Cost: FREE
The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry and its
collaborative researchers are hosting this field day to detail current
research on riparian buffers and their application on the land. Topics
include methods of holding and outplanting trees and shrubs in the
fall, planting configurations on the landscape, species selection,
riparian buffer function and design, and wildlife management.
Registration information available soon at
www.centerforagroforestry.org; or contact Julie Rhoads at (573)
882-3234 or email rhoadsj@missouri.edu.


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