Volume VIII Issue II Spring 2013 The Voice for Illinois Forests To act on issues that impact rural and community forests and to promote in Illinois

Message from the President Stephanie Brown

**IFA O!cers** We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! President Stephanie Brown A year in the life of an IFA President goes by quickly. As I pause to re!ect on my term so far, I’m [email protected] struck by how far we’ve come, and the advancements we’ve made this year as a volunteer-driven association. Vice President Bill Gradle [email protected] IFA has only been in existence since 2006, a short time in the life of a member association. And yet, look at what we already have in place. A solid foundation of resident forestry expertise, a rich Secretary collection of informational resources, and a core group of dedicated landowners, , and Dave Gillespie tree lovers in general who joined and have stuck with us through these formative years. [email protected] The average member may not realize that IFA is active on many fronts, striving to grow and better Treasurer serve the diverse interests that we represent. Susan Romano [email protected] Our newsletter content continues to improve. Our most active landowner board members Immediate Past developed an editorial calendar and are aiming to solicit articles that resonate with member President interests and are timed to "t the season. They also added a new member bene"t – timely articles John Gunter and helpful information sent out every two weeks to members who receive email. [email protected] Our website was re-designed less than two years ago, but it has already gained the attention of over two thousand Illinois visitors, almost two thousand from other states, and hundreds covering every continent. The website re-design accompanied a move to centralize our member database with an integrated email system, making it easier for our volunteer board members to communicate together and to each of you. That this system o#ered online membership renewals **Inside this Issue** and event registration was icing on the cake. President Message 1 Our new Landowner Advisory Committee is building learning pathways from the newsletter, to Executive Director’s Report 2 webinars, to "eld days and workshops designed to help our members explore the most popular Secretary Comments 3 topics in greater depth. Legislative Report 3 People in Forestry 3 We have assembled a diverse group of Technical Advisors representing forestry from universities, government agencies, and private consulting perspectives. These volunteers review email Opinions & Commentary 5 messages, website content, and newsletter articles to assure that you, as a member, receive News & Events 9 accurate and complete technical advice. Flora, Fauna & Forestry 14 Event Listing back page This year we were awarded two small grants from the Illinois Forestry Development Council to further strengthen our outreach e#orts. The phenomenal initial success of our webinar programs led to a grant to cover the second year lease of the software needed to run this program. The other small grant is allowing us to develop a new publication called “We planted all these trees: Now what?” This guide, being authored by the experts on our Technical Advisory Committee, was identi"ed as a missing resource needed by Illinois landowners who have reforested land but need guidance in nurturing young forest stands after planting.

IFA Web site www.ilforestry.org continued on page 2

1 President’s message continued to arrange an expert and advertise the Community leaders join IFA because IFA is also active on the policy and event. Give us some feedback; we’d love they need to keep their roadways, legislative front. Our new Executive to hear from you. streets and avenues attractive and safe. What they learn from the IFA website Director, Mary Murphy, monitors We’ve come a long way, baby! But there and webinars helps them make better legislation and our Legislative/Policy is still a long, long way to go. With your management decisions to enhance Committee has developed a plan of support, we are making progress every property values and the quality of life in action for the coming year. We are year. Thank you for being a member of their communities. particularly vigilant of the Illinois Forestry IFA! Development Act and the use of the Tree Farmers join IFA because they are funds collected through the 4% harvest Executive Director devoted land stewards who recognize fee. On the federal side, we are actively the value of an added source of Why Does Anyone Join an Association? encouraging changes to the Farm Bill information and representation on the that would make more cost-sharing issues that a#ect their ability to continue An association’s available to landowners for forest managing their woodlands. management plans and practices. starting roots begin with a group Conservationists join IFA because they Over the last few years with your help of people who recognize the value of an organization in contacting your legislators, we have gather together in focused on helping landowners manage successfully turned back legislation order to organize their forested lands wisely. Our mission that would have hurt Illinois woodland themselves to "ts their core land ethic. owners, and helped pass legislation that serve an audience. Legislators join the IFA because they made your work easier. All the while, we In other words, need a GO-TO source of credible, science- maintained and added to our friends in they “associate” based information when considering the legislature. with folks who have common interests legislation that a#ects our natural on a given subject. There is more work to do. We have resources. re"ned our mission and vision The founders of the Illinois Forestry Students and teachers join IFA because statements, but we have yet to mount Association (IFA) banded together of their duties to both learn and impart the kind of marketing and public to assist and support the interests of information on the physical earth around relations e#ort needed to get the word woodland owners and others who help them. Tree identi"cation in summer and out clearly about who we are and what conserve and manage the trees and winter as well as conservation methods we represent. That PR can also improve forests of Illinois. Charter members and are part of that curriculum. the general public’s impression of our founding o$cers included professional woodlands and how we contribute to foresters who have dedicated their Homeowners join IFA to learn how to everyone’s well-being. We need to build lives through studies and careers to enhance the value of their property our membership base so we will have master the art and science of forest through the proper planting and care of an even stronger voice and be able management. trees. to sustain our organization to serve a greater proportion of Illinois woodland Forest landowners join IFA in order to Chances are if you are reading this article, owners. We need a deeper bench of assimilate the knowledge needed to you are already a member of the Illinois members willing to step up and host keep their forests healthy. They depend Forestry Association, but how about "eld days, join our Board, serve on a on IFA to represent the interests of your family, friends and neighbors? committee, recruit friends and neighbors, woodland owners and advocate for Invite them to join in this worthwhile, and perhaps accept the baton of IFA policies that help them manage their educational organization. Today is the leadership one day. resources wisely. day to join forces with like-minded people in the forestry conservation There are things that you can do to help. world. If you know others who own woodlands, mention to them the good work that IFA Technical Advisors we are doing and invite them to join or Kurt Bobsin Paul Deizman Dan Schmoker bring them along to an event. One article IDNR -Forestry Regions III-IV IDNR IDNR-Div. Forestry (retired) in this edition suggests that you should 217-935-6860 (o$ce) 217-782-3376 (o$ce) [email protected] learn about invasive species, learn to [email protected] [email protected] identify the worst of them, and convince Jay Hayek John Groninger your friends and neighbors to watch for University of Illinois Southern Illinois University them as well. If you have an idea for an 217-244-0534 (o$ce) [email protected] event that would help you, talk to one of [email protected] Stan Sipp your regional directors and o#er to host Wade Conn Forestry Info. Spec. - NRCS it. Your regional directors might be able State , USDA-NRCS [email protected] 217-353-6647 (o$ce) [email protected] 2 Secretary Comments Legislative Report People in Forestry by Dave Gillespie by Dave Gillespie – for the Legislative/Policy Who We Are Committee Spring has "nally arrived with rain, more Behind the IFA name are many rain and cool temperatures. Not our The funding of the cost share program individuals working for healthy Illinois typical spring. However, things as looking under the Illinois Forestry Development woodlands. This is an organization of up with a great increase in membership Act (IFDA) has been the number people working together to improve in the IFA, thanks to the IDNR’s Division one objective of the IFA Legislative our lands. Here are two of the 23 of Forest Resources. Committee for the last three (3) years. people who have volunteered to help Some background information: you. (Subsequent editions will continue According to the Illinois Forestry to introduce you to IFA volunteers.) Development Act (IFDA), forest t6OEFSUIF*'%" QSJWBUFGPSFTU landowners with an approved Forest landowners pay a harvest fee of Mike McMahan, Region 4 Director Stewardship Plan must certify every 4% of the money they receive for two years that they are following their a timber harvest into the Forestry plan. This is the year of that certi"cation. Development Act Fund (FDAF). Beginning about a month and one- t5IF*'%"TBZTUIBUUIFGVOETJOUIF half ago, the IDNR began to mail out FDAF can be used to fund a forestry approximately 11,000 certi"cation letters cost share program to help forest to IFDA participants. Along with the landowners manage their forest certi"cation letters the IDNR allowed resources, to fund the activities of the IFA to enclose a letter from the IFA the Illinois Forestry Development President who wrote about the IFA and Council, and goes on to say funds can invited the recipient to join. To date, be used to administer the IFDA. approximately 160 forest landowners t%VFUPUIFWFSZQPPSFDPOPNJD have either joined the IFA as new status of Illinois, since 2004 funds members or renewed their membership. deposited in the FDAF have been swept by the State and used by the A big thanks goes to the IDNR, State IL Department of Natural Resources Mike and his wife, Lynn, began planting Forester Michael Mason, Forest (IDNR) to pay the salaries of some cherry and walnut seedlings on their Stewardship Program Manager Paul of the personnel in the Division of property in Johnson County in late 2002. Deizman, and Forestry Secretary Kim Forest Resources rather than for the They planted approximately 1000 trees Wyco# for their e#orts to include IFA purposes prescribed by the IFDA. over several years and are currently letter with the certi"cation letters sent to maintaining about 650 surviving trees. the IFDA forestry participants. I can attest The IFA has drafted an amendment to the This long-term project prompted that this process takes a great deal of IFDA that would restrict the amount of Mike to search out the Illinois Forestry e#ort, as I helped stu# envelopes about money from the FDAF that the IDNR can Association for additional education and three years ago when the IDNR last sent use for administrative purposes; directs guidance. “I am interested in spending out the IFDA certi"cation letters. Also, the IDNR to provide an accounting of more time and energy within IFA in when consideration is given that the the FDA funds received and then how an e#ort to simultaneously gain more Division of Forest Resources is severely they are spent by the IDNR; and directs personal knowledge and understanding understa#ed due to budget cuts, the task the IDNR to send to the Illinois General of trees and how to help them grow to becomes even greater. Again, thanks. Assembly an annual report of the full, healthy maturity”. expenditure of these funds. If you have any questions that I might Mike is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from answer, please contact me. At the recent IFA Board meeting, the the Air Force. Following his retirement, Board adopted the Legislative Plan he taught mathematics in both urban for 2013 and the draft amendment to and rural school systems and held the IFDA. For the remainder to this administrative positions at the high legislative session, the IFA will work with school level. His last, and probably most the IDNR to resolve the funding issue of rewarding, job in education was at a the cost share program and work with Charter High School in St. Louis. This the Illinois State Legislature proposed innovative charter school taught urban amendment to the IFDA. students skills to enable them to enter the construction trades after graduation. He retired from this rewarding second career in education in 2008. continued on page 4

3 Who We Are continued Lynn and Mike then began building create a stronger network of forest Farmer when Ray and Bev join together their retirement home in Vienna which landowners and forestry practitioners to collect, husk, sort, and wash tree seeds is located in very Southern Illinois. across the region and state. He plans they collect each year. A lot of tree seeds. “Banberry” is 80 partially wooded acres to leverage partnerships to amplify the She chuckles at what the neighbors must that also includes a pond, creek, and message of sustainable forestry. Jake think each year as their well-tended almost complete log home. Because has an interest in using technological yard is taken over by bags and bags of they are building this house themselves, innovation to engage members and to tree seeds. Ray and Bev estimate they it is taking some time but they are meet the informational needs of forest still collect and process 8,000-10,000 getting closer as each day passes. Mike landowners. pounds of seeds each year with the help is not sure, however, if he will ever really of several grandchildren. Most of these "nish…. seeds go to the state IDNR tree nursery and other nurseries to grow seedlings People in Forestry They have two children, Philip and planted on an estimated 1,000-1,200 Heather, and four grandchildren. They Truly a Family Forest acres in and out of state. This is actually also have an extremely enthusiastic Black Interview by Jake Hendee a slowdown from the early years of Lab named Knight. collecting seeds for direct seeding CRP projects, mostly to seed riparian areas Jake Hendee, Region 2 Director in eastern Illinois counties. At that time, it was twice those numbers. (Bev also helped Ray and others produce the Illinois Direct Seeding Handbook.)

Over the years, Bev has been a "rsthand witness to the adversity of cultivating an award-winning Tree Farm. She describes Ray’s many 2-½ hour drives down to the farm, only to turn around each day without overnight accommodations. She describes the many improvements over the years: a bridge to ford the creek, "nishing out the barn to stay at the farm overnight, and the many hours of sweat equity improving the timber. Jake has BS and MS degrees in forestry from the University of Illinois and is But you can’t help but sense the pride in her voice as she describes the currently the Agricultural Conservation This is Part 2 of 2 about the 2012 Illinois younger generations becoming Tree Programs Field Manager for the National Tree Farm of the Year—Herman, Herman, Farmers themselves. The grandkids, Great Rivers Research and Education and Sons Tree Farm. In this newsletter, we great nieces, and great nephews itch to Center. He is currently stationed at the interview Bev Herman about the family’s head out to the farm to hunt, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources passion for forestry. building in Spring"eld. He helps manage third generation of Tree Farmers each have their piece of mushroom hunting the "eld components of the Illinois “For many years, I thought ‘this is just territory staked out in anticipation of Conservation Reserve Enhancement crazy.’” says Bev Herman about their 1978 the next mushroom season. The second Program (CREP). decision to take out a second mortgage generation is coming around too, as on the family home to buy the Crawford she describes the new pride she sees in Jake also manages his family’s 80-acre County farm 2 ½ hours from home. Thirty son and nephews as they learn how to woodland in Missouri. He is a Certi"ed "ve years later, Bev shares in the honors improve the woods that will one day be Tree Farm™ Inspector, a registered USDA- of being named “Illinois Tree Farmer of theirs. NRCS Technical Service Provider, has the Year” by the American Tree Farm worked as a forestry consultant, and has System. experience with forest land easements In response to being selected Illinois Tree Farm of the Year, Bev says, “We have big and land trust work. A Master Gardener herself, Bev leaves shoes to "ll.” But the Hermans also leave most of the Tree Farming on the big shoes to "ll for the 2013 Tree Farm As an IFA director, Jake will be the next Crawford County Farm to her husband of the Year. The Hermans will host a "eld generation voice for Illinois forestry. Ray. However, the lines begin to blur day on their Crawford County Tree Farm He pledges to work tirelessly to help between Master Gardener and Tree on October 5.

4 feel free to contact me at lee.riFe@ more likely "nd it in the woods rather Opinions & Commentary comcast.net with thoughts or ideas for than in the streets. Street trees tend to Walnuts & Acorns future columns. be genetically “thin” because most are by Lee M. Rife cultivars. In the last newsletter, I talked about Lee Rife is retired from the Illinois climate change, and gave a few thoughts Department of Agriculture and the Foresters and timber owners should be about what needs to be done. It never Illinois Wood Products Association. He on the lookout for a living ash standing ceases to amaze me about how quickly lives in Spring"eld, Illinois, and owns in an area where EAB has run its course. some things can come about that will acreage in Union County, Illinois, which They should be made aware there may change a prospective. No, I’m not talking includes 35 acres of timber. He formerly be a “Million Dollar Tree” in their woods. about how we went from a mild winter served on the board of the Illinois to an old fashioned winter on March 1. It Forestry Association for several years, Does your woodland have a Million came at the time when we should have retiring from that position in 2011, but Dollar Tree? If it does, you should be transitioned into spring. On Palm Sunday, remains an active IFA member. aware of the process of patenting, Spring"eld was blessed with 18½ inches propagation and marketing that is of heavy, wet snow and we have had needed to achieve that return. several days of cold weather since. As I Opinions & Commentary write, we are expecting temperatures in How would you get someone to pay the low 30’s over the weekend. The Million Dollar Tree you a million dollars for a tree? When by Thomas L Green, Urban Forestry Professor, discussing trees growing in woodlands, That however, is not the thesis of this Emeritus large diameter select species trees may column. What I am concerned about is In Illinois woodlands where Emerald Ash be worth a few hundred dollars to an a proposed major reduction in money Borer (EAB) is approaching, some have owner because their value is in board for soil and water conservation in recommended a pre-emptive cutting of feet lumber. On rare occasions, a very the FY 2014 USDA budget submitted non-infested or “healthy” symptomless large diameter Black Walnut is sold for by President Obama. Many of the ash trees. This was the policy of the veneer processing. In 1985, Tri-State members of IFA are landowners who USDA Forest Service as Chestnut Blight Veneer of Borden, IN paid $20,000 for depend upon programs such as EQIP to spread south through the Appalachian a large diameter, veneer quality, Black make conservation practices feasible, Mountain states during the 1930’s with Walnut at the Joliet Army Ammunition otherwise timber stand would not be the mantra “Cut your chestnut trees Plant near Joliet, IL. Twenty thousand improved, and in some cases harvested, because they are going to die anyway”. is not close to a million dollars. Making stumps pushed out and the land put This policy made sure there were no large amounts of money on trees is done back into crops which might show a resistant survivors and it is the wrong little pro"t every three to "ve years. That policy. is not good for either the landowner or agriculture in general. Similarly, ash trees should not be removed in a TSI program where I am not an environmentalist. I am honeylocust and other non-select however, a conservationist. We all need species are girdled. Such a pre-emptive to utilize practices that keep our soil removal of healthy ash eliminates the intact and enable us to pass along land possibility that a tree removed could to our heirs that are in as good or better have been genetically resistant to EAB. productivity than when we received This view point comes from my training it. This includes having a forestry as a Plant Pathologist and Urban Forester. plan in place and carrying out the A genetically resistant ash (green and/ recommendations contained in it. Often, or American) would be a “Million Dollar these recommendations are very costly Tree” in the shade and street tree and we need all the help that we can get. industry. I suppose that now is the time to get in touch with our members of Congress The policy for urban environments may by "nding a tree with some unique, and impress upon them that cuts in be di#erent because of liability and highly desirable quality; propagating the USDA’s conservation programs are not danger to property and human life. In tree (e.g. grafting, cloning); patenting; acceptable. our woods, though, unless harvested trademarking; marketing; and selling. before the bark falls, our dead ash trees One last thought: I would enjoy hearing are most likely to harmlessly self-destruct Unique, Highly Desirable Quality: This from our readers about forestry subjects where they died. However, if there is is usually di#erent from the normal, that they might want to discuss. Please any genetic resistance in ash, we will average, ordinary example of its species. continued on page 6

5 Million Dollar Tree continued You have to know how to spot a plant royalty as long as the owner maintains that di#ers from the norm and has the TradeMark / Registration. Again, help Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) makes desirable features. will be needed by someone knowing the a useful street tree but has lots of process. undesirable features such as: multiple Propagating: Very few landscape trees trunks (trees with V crotches are more are grown from seed. If you planted Marketing: You can have the best shade subject to splitting apart, not a good seeds from a Golden Delicious apple, you tree or fruit tree on the planet, but trait for trees over streets, sidewalks and would not get a tree that produces an you cannot earn any money if no one houses), lacks good fall color, produces apple that we know as Golden knows about it. Generally, the best way copious amounts Delicious. This is because to make money on your discovery is to of messy seeds, of genetic recombination. sell all rights outright to an established and has roots that Therefore, almost all shade trees nursery or grower. They already have pitch sidewalks and fruit trees are propagated established clients and markets. They and clog sewers. from a plant selected for its have well-known websites and social However, it special characteristics. There media contacts. Many have the ability to tolerates tight are various ways the mother economically propagate and grow the spaces between plant is reproduced to obtain plants. When you sell out, you cannot the sidewalk and a genetically identical plant make money on any royalties and street, tolerates (e.g. cuttings, layering, division, grafting, generally will not make it to the million alkaline urban soils, tolerates poorly cloning, tissue culture, etc.). Each tree dollar threshold. drained urban soils, grows fast, and species has a method that works best for last for about 70 years. Red Maple it. Selling: Selling plants requires you or (A.rubrum) makes a useful street tree some nursery to propagate lots of plants but also has undesirable features such Patenting: To make money on a plant to be sold. Any nursery or garden center as: girdling roots, root graft failure, it must be patented. Without a patent selling your tree will pay you the royalty shorter life expectancy, and chlorotic in the plant can be propagated and for each tree sold. Earl Cully, Heritage alkaline urban soils. Its attributes include sold without any money going to the Trees Inc. of Jacksonville, IL has patented single main leader (excurrent), cultivars plant originator. ‘Prairi"re” ornamental several trees but has west coast nurseries with brilliant red and orange fall color, crabapple is an excellent, scab resistant, propagate and distribute the seedlings and minimal seed mess. Where both pink !owering crabapple and one of the and saplings. Other nurseries throughout species grow together, hybrids are found most widely sold. Its originator never the U.S. sell his plants, and he receives a (A. x freemanii). Hybrids selected by patented it. Had that been done with a royalty for every plant sold. nurserymen for introduction as street typical $.50 to $1.00 royalty per plant, its ‘Autumn Blaze’® Freeman Maple is a and shade trees combine the advantages originator would be earning hundreds true Million Dollar Tree. I used to teach of both species and minimize the of thousand dollars per year. There are Nursery Management with a "eld trip disadvantages. Freeman Maple cultivars very speci"c conditions for patenting to the Chicago Area including a stop being sold as street/ornamental trees a plant. It must be cultivated (growing at Poplar Farms Nursery (at that time tend to grow fast, have great fall color, in your yard or garden) and produced located in Batavia, IL). The Nursery tolerate poorly aerated and alkaline asexually. For more information on Owner, Bill Muetze, had purchased urban soils, have minimal seed mess, the patent rights of ‘Je#ersred’ Acer and a single main leader rather than patenting see: http://www.uspto.gov/ x freemanii. Bill told our class at that multiple stems. We now have Freeman web/o$ces/pac/plant/#2. Help will be time (about 1996-98) that this tree was Maple cultivars with di#erent attributes: needed to patent a plant, bringing in $200,000 ‘Autumn Blaze’ (drought resistant); such as hiring a plant patent to $250,000 per year. ‘Autumn Fantasy’ (red fall color in warmer attorney or consultant, In 1993, just before climates); Celebration® (storm resistant); which can include he purchased patent Firefall™ (deeply cut foliage); ‘Marmo’ considerable upfront cost rights, Mr. Muetze (seedless); Sienna Glen® (pyramidal (low thousands). purchased every form); and more. TradeMarking or Autumn Blaze® liner in the country. He did Trees grown for fruit, e.g. Pecans, Registering: Some cultivars this for marketing Walnuts, Butternuts, Chestnuts, etc. are have a small symbol for purposes. After selected for desirable fruit qualities, TradeMark™ or Registered®. patent purchase, (i.e. size, !avor, thin shells, ease to A plant patent lasts 20 years, he advertised this plant in break shells, disease resistance, insect thereafter; the plant can be propagated nursery magazines, like American resistance, etc.). A large size fruited and sold without royalty going to the Nurseryman. Within two years his northern Pecan or a Butternut resistant originator. TradeMarks and Registration purchase price for the patent was to Butternut Canker Disease would be of allows the owner to continue to receive great value. continued on page 7 6 Million Dollar Tree continued nectar to attract more recovered and within 4-5 he had a true pollinators. This led million dollar tree. As an instructor of to the great diversity Dendrology I have been looking for of hardwood species and teaching my students about the between 100 and 65 million dollar tree ever since. Check out million years ago. the Poplar Farm website (http://www. poplarfarms.com/index.htm) and see the But what if those “Home of the Autumn Blaze® Maple”. Bill events took a di#erent Muetze doesn’t have to sell any of these branch - maybe the trees in order to receive royalties. pollinating insects were not attracted to The Dunstan Hybrid Chestnut is an the precursor conifer’s example of a fruit/nut tree which also pollen, or the early earns a lot of income for its originator. angiosperm seeds were so delicious that none survived http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/ Trade routes could never have taken to germinate? What if trees and other has the story. advantage of rivers and oceans without woody plants had never evolved? How wood to build the boats, stunting would our lives be a#ected without The Million Dollar Trees are out there civilization by suppressing the free woody shrubs and trees? and likely growing in a woodland. You !ow of goods and information and have to recognize how it di#ers from knowledge. Native Americans would Our landscape would be much !atter; the norm and has better qualities than have had fewer visitors. the average species tree. What should our summers would be hotter; winds would blow much stronger. The you be looking for? Butternuts resistant While papyrus and silk were precursors world’s wildlife would be less diverse to Butternut Canker; Black Walnuts that to paper, they are more expensive to without forest habitat - fewer species survive Thousand Canker Disease (after it produce and their cost limited their of songbirds, mammals, reptiles, and runs its course in Illinois), Ash trees that use to the elites. Paper from wood "ber amphibians. are alive after Emerald Ash Borer has run allowed mass production of books and its course; large size nuts on northern newspapers. Further, letter blocks used No one would have invented the swing Pecan; Black Walnut fruit of large size in early printing presses were made from without a tree to hang it from. and larger amount of nutmeat compared wood. If mankind had to wait for letter to average. If you like "nding morels blocks made from metal smelted using No apples, peaches, pears, oranges, or in the spring, begin looking for the grasses, the printed word would have cherries. No walnuts, pecans, almonds, or abnormal tree in the fall. I think there is a been delayed a few centuries. Try paging pistachios. million dollar tree growing in our Illinois through a dictionary made of stone woodlands. tablets. The Grateful Dead would never have written “Sugar Magnolia”, nor the Beatles Thomas L. Green worked at the Morton Of course, the Rapa Nui discovered all of “Norwegian Wood”. And Doc Watson Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois, 1980-1993, this 300 hundred years ago. as their Research Plant Pathologist. He playing “Cannonball Rag” on a guitar made from bone wouldn’t have the same taught Forestry and Horticulture classes Thanks to that supposed pollinator, we timbre. For those into classical, think of at Western Illinois University, 1993-2011. do have trees and all of their bene"ts Joshua Bell on a bone violin. and products. Even in this digital age with electronics all around us, trees Our ancestors may have remained in Opinions & Commentary are still important for our shelter, our caves and used rocks instead of arrows food, our comfort, our landscape, our The Sahara Forest and spears for another millennia. Making recreation, our environment, and wildlife. by Dick Pouzar the leap to a Copper, Bronze, or Iron Age Which brings to mind the story about would have been more di$cult with only the who felled trees so fast More than 300 million years ago some grass or peat to burn in ancient smelters. that an observer asked him, “Where did evolutionary event changed the world And grass "res may not be hot enough you learn to use your so e$ciently?”. of plants. It may have been a specialized for pottery kilns, so forget about china, “In the Sahara Forest,” he shot back. The insect that began cross-pollinating ceramic, or porcelain dishes and cups. We observer replied, “Don’t you mean the the ferns; it altered the genome which would still have wool, but not the looms - Sahara Desert?” The lumberjack laughed, produced conifers. Then, around 120 our clothing would be hand-spun. million years ago, another genome- “Oh sure, now they call it a desert.” changing event occurred, possibly the Without wood, early undertakers could angiosperms developing !owers with not have developed the lucrative co$n business. 7 Opinions & Commentary River and organized it as the county of The History of Conservation Illinois. In 1779, Captain John Todd was in Illinois appointed commandant of the new (Installment # 4) county and organized a government By: Dave Gillespie, Secretary under the authority of Virginia. (Ill. Blue Book, 1903). Land grants to individuals This account of the history of were made by a court established by conservation in Illinois was written Colonel Todd in June 1799. Before by Joseph P. Schavilje in 1941. This 1783, about 26,000 acres of land were installment begins where the third granted by the court to every applicant. installment ended. (Davidson and Stuve, 1884). This Virginia MM: Which invasive species will you be government soon went to pieces, and targeting in your management e#ort? British Dominion in 1784 Virginia "nally surrendered HN: We propose to target Amur 1765 – 1778 her claim to the United States. Soon honeysuckle, Chinese yam, garlic afterwards, Massachusetts and mustard and Kudzu. Within natural At the close of the last French war in Connecticut ceded their claims covering areas and their surrounding treatments 1763, the Illinois country with the rest of territory in northern Illinois. (Ill. Blue zones, we plan on treating all invasive the northwest was ceded to Great Britain. Book, 1903). species. Owing, however, to the Indian troubles connected with Pontiac’s conspiracy, the (To be continued in the next issue of “The MM: Can you tell me speci"cally what British were not able to take possession IFA Newsletter”.) the Shawnee National Forest District will until 1765. (Ill. Blue Book, 1930) be doing over the next several months to address the invasive species you are By a proclamation of October 7, 1763, targeting? the king of England forbade his subjects Opinions & Commentary HN: Once the project is cleared “making any purchases or settlements Shawnee National Forest for implementation, we will begin whatever, or taking possession of any of Perspective implementation. The approval process the lands beyond the sources of any of allows for members of the public the rivers which !ow into the Atlantic In anticipation of Invasive Species to appeal this decision, whereby it Ocean from the west or northwest”, Awareness Month, IFA Region 4 Director would be reviewed. Assuming the the policy was to reserve this vast and Mike McMahan (MM) talked with the review !nds nothing inappropriate fertile region as a hunting ground for the land manager of one of the largest with the decision, we should be able Indians, and by means of the lakes place properties in Illinois, Hurston Nicholas to implement this decision by late within British control their enormous (HN), Forest Supervisor of over 275,000 May or early June. Work could be fur and peltry trade and to con"ne the acres within Shawnee National Forest accomplished by employees, partners English colonies to the seaboard within in southern Illinois. Their conversation and contractors. the reach of British shipping. (Davidson focuses on invasive plants which and Stuve, 1884). During the next 13 threaten the National Forest’s health, MM: How can property owners who have years, the colony was governed by diversity, and wild!owers. This is ground adjoining the Forest help? Is British o$cers, but there was very little especially timely since the Forest Service there anything they should know about English immigration. In 1778, George is “Celebrating Wild!owers” as part what you are doing? Rogers Clark, acting under a commission National Wild!ower Week, May 19 - 25. HN: The environmental assessment from Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia, (EA) is located on our website and captured Kaskaskia and the adjoining MM: Why is your o$ce concerned about can be found at the following link: villages. (Ill. Blue Book, 1903). invasive species in the "rst place? And, http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_ what has happened recently that has DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5407839.pdf. The Illinois Country of Virginia caused you to increase your level of The EA contains maps with areas we are 1778 – 1784 concern? proposing to treat. If a landowner has HN: Our primary concern is the land adjacent to these locations, and Clark in 1779 secured the conquest by potential impacts to unique or rare would like to discuss opportunities to the capture of Vincennes, and in 1783, plant communities. An additional treat invasives on their property, the the "nal treaty of peace with Great concern is the rates of spread we are potential for cooperative e#orts exists. Britain recognized the Illinois country as seeing in some of these species coupled Additionally, funding maybe available a part of the United States. Under the with their ability to signi!cantly occupy from other state or federal agencies to charter of 1609, supported by Clark’s a wide variety of upland and open !eld o#set some of the cost associated with conquest, Virginia laid claim to all the sites. treating their lands. country north and west of the Ohio continued on page 9

8 Shawnee National Forest continued News & Events the 60s. While consulting forester Kevin Oetken’s crew machine planted 3,000 MM: What help or advice can you o#er Regional Happenings seedlings, Kevin demonstrated planting to them? For example, which invasive an RPM (Root Production Method) should they tackle "rst? What is the best Region 1 - Northern Illinois seedling with wire cage and rodent way for them as private landowners to Directors: Dick Pouzar, Galena, IL, 815-777- 8157, [email protected] guard and compared that to planting approach this control measure? What Tom Vorac, Geneseo, IL, (309) 944-3678, a bare root seedling. Then, plantings commercially available chemicals do you [email protected] from 2011 and 2009 were inspected recommend? for growth and browse damage. Some HN: I would ask that landowners review On Saturday, June 22nd, Keith Griebel continued to the 2010 planting and then the EA to obtain an understanding and Brian Steines of Steines and to a 1990 oak/pine planting to discuss of the species we will treat and Griebel will be delivering a thinning and pruning. Landowner Dick the methods we propose. Should presentation on the felling and skidding Pouzar said, “With four professional landowners wish to discuss our of trees from your timber from the foresters here, it was a great opportunity proposal, we would be glad to sit loggers’ perspective. Steines and Griebel for everyone to learn something.” Given down and discuss the project with represent over "fty years of experience last year’s drought, Kevin indicated that them. Another great source of in the logging industry. This is a unique many nurseries were hard pressed, even information regarding invasives opportunity to meet and discuss with with irrigation, to produce the same species management is the River-to- loggers what to anticipate during the quality seedlings compared to previous River Cooperative Weed Management harvesting of your trees. They will cover years’ production. Association. Karla Gage is the point such subjects as: of contact for the group. She can be t5SFFTFMFDUJPOBOERVBMJUZ Plans for this year’s IFA Annual contacted at (618) 998-5920. t)BSWFTUDPOUSBDUTBOEUIFCJEEJOH Woodland Conference “Here Comes process. The Sun” are coming together. Field MM: On a broader scale, how can the t.JOJNJ[JOHEBNBHFUPUSFFTEVSJOH site visits in and around Starved Rock Illinois Forestry Association members the harvest. State Park, Friday dinner speaker, the statewide compliment your e#orts, if at t1SPQFSUSBJMTFMFDUJPO IFA annual business meeting Saturday all? t$SPTTJOHXBUFSXBZTXJUIFRVJQNFOU morning, and speakers both before and HN: I would o#er that information This 8:30 am event will be held at the after Saturday lunch are in the works. sharing is probably one of the biggest tree farm of Larry and Sally Priske near Details will be provided later via website, contributions members can make. Galena in Jo Daviess County where newsletter, and email. This two-day event Unfortunately, invasives have become Steines and Griebel completed a will be held in LaSalle County near the well established, and landowners who commercial thinning operation last year. intersection of Interstates 39 and 80 at are concerned about the potential For directions and to register for this free Illinois Valley Community College and impacts of these species on their event, see the Event Calendar on the IFA the State Park on Friday and Saturday, management goals will need to website. September 20th and 21st. Mark your own understand what species are involved, calendar now. their impacts and treatment options. On Saturday, July 20th, IFA members will join members of the Society of American Region 2 - West-Central Illinois MM: Last, is this e#ort limited to the Foresters to tour natural areas along the Directors: Carol Bryant, Mt. Olive, IL, Shawnee National Forest here in Mississippi River managed by the US (618) 444-3864, [email protected] Southern Illinois or are other similar Army Corps of Engineers. We will meet at Jake Hendee, Spring"eld, IL, (913) 547-2541, [email protected] initiatives being considered in other 10 am in Carroll County at the Thomson Jim Hynes, Pleasant Plains, IL, (217) 502-4528, parts of the state as well? Causeway, just south of Thomson, Illinois, HN: While our e#orts will focus on [email protected] and drive to the "rst site. Returning to Dan Schmoker, Spring"eld, IL 62443, federal land, as I mentioned previously, the Causeway pavilion, we’ll eat lunch. (217) 529-0061 – [email protected] there may be opportunities to work in Then, we’ll drive to afternoon sites at partnership with adjacent landowners. Eagles Landing, the former Savanna With the large Shawnee National The Illinois Department of Natural Army Depot, south of Savanna, IL. Forest at the southern end of our state, Resources has an invasive species Members will receive more information we sometimes forget that Illinois has program headed by Chris Evans, and about this event around the "rst of July. some signi"cant state forests as well. the River-to River Cooperative Weed One of those is Big River State Forest Management Area is also involved in If you missed the in Henderson County. Much of this the management of invasives. Other demonstration in Jo Daviess County forest has been converted to a vast red sources of information related to on April 13th, then you missed a very and white pine plantation, replacing invasives can be obtained by contacting chilly but informative morning. Typical the scrub hardwoods that were not the Natural Resources Conservation of this spring, Saturday the 13th saw productive in the sandy soils. This Service. temperatures in the 30s with a damp practice was so successful that local wind, while the next day it climbed into continued on page 10

9 Regional continued from page 9 Rayburn-Purcell Woods is part of the for their future career. Kirkland says “We landowners followed this method of land larger 900-acre Lake of the Woods Forest are always looking for new presenters management. With such a large expanse Preserve that follows the Sangamon and volunteers. Feel free to contact the of pines, forest "res are a danger, and the River corridor. This preserve contains Illinois Forest Resource Center (618- forest managers have established smaller the Museum of the Grand Prairie, the 695-3383) if you might be interested in manageable units separated by 60 miles Maberry Gelvin Botanical Garden, a golf helping out for next year’s event.” of "re breaks, along with a "re tower in course, a covered bridge (with bats at Small Town Tree Inventory Initiative: the HQ area. dusk and dawn), a six-story stairway tower that’s topped with an observation Two local forestry experts, Emily G. The facilities are available for picnicking, deck, and hiking and biking trails. Hanson/Urban & Community Forester/ camping, boating, "shing, hiking, IL Urban Forestry Volunteer Coordinator hunting, snowmobiling, or just driving If you are looking for a local day trip with and Roger Smith/IFA Region 4 Director through the 15 miles of scenic roads. outdoor experiences, this Woods and and owner of Smith Tree Farm in Marion, Forest Preserve o#er much of interest. are working hard to get a volunteer The IDNR provides demonstrations program started in the southern part of and talks on their forestry practices to Region 4 - Southern Illinois our state. They have been key players interested groups. If you would like Directors: Jim Kirkland, Stonefort, IL , in the on-going e#orts in Harrisburg to Region 2 Directors to arrange such a tour 618-695-3383 , [email protected] help restore the trees lost or damaged and demo, contact one of us. Mike McMahan, Vienna, IL, (618) 977-3415, in the tornado. They are also working on [email protected] setting up the Benton Tree Committee A Twig ID Workshop was held March Roger Smith, Benton, IL, (618) 927-2057, [email protected] to conduct a rough inventory of the 23rd in Macoupin County at Carol trees in town and present the "ndings to Bryant’s Tree Farm. Dan Schmoker The 24th Annual Stewardship Week is the potential tree committee members demonstrated the use of the key found an annual event held at Dixon Springs as a photo slideshow. We will keep you in “Forest Trees of Illinois” and took Agricultural Center in Simpson Illinois. posted on both of these e#orts as well the students to the woods to practice This event was a 4 day series of programs as any others that might spring up. If what they had learned. IFA members in that brought together a dedicated you are interested in what this program attendance were Dan, Lee Rife, Arnold group of natural resource professionals might o#er to your town, you may Huelsmann, Jake Hendee and Carol. who voluntarily took this opportunity contact Roger at smithtreefarmllc@ Two others attended from the Missouri to share their love of the woods, waters hotmail.com. Botanical Garden, Jennifer Kleeschulte and landscapes of Southern Illinois and Teresa Pa#ord. with school children Kindergarten Invasive Species and Forest thru 6th grade. Stations featured topics Management Field Day on June 1st: Region 3 - East-Central Illinois Topics include: Directors: John Edgington, Mans"eld, IL, such as Wood is Good (a woodworking (217) 489-9075, [email protected] station hosted by IFA Region 2 Director Anthony Kreke, E$ngham, IL, (217) 536-5601, Dan Schmoker), Tree Care (Hosted by tJOWBTJWFTQFDJFTFDPMPHZBOE [email protected] IFA Region 4 Director and Certi"ed identi"cation Stan Sipp, Mans"eld, IL, (217) 489-9003, Arborist Roger Smith), and Streams, tTQFDJöDBUJPOPGIFSCJDJEFBQQMJDBUJPO [email protected] Invasive Species, Weather, Wetlands and tNBOBHFNFOUUFDIOJRVFT Bob Wagoner, Charleston, IL, (217) 345-6628, You are Here (a station on mapping). tGPSFTUNBOBHFNFOU [email protected] Overall there were 35 separate learning t/3$4QSPHSBNT stations all of which were focused on Located just north of Mahomet, the getting these enthusiastic grade school Attend live demonstrations of Rayburn-Purnell Woods is an excellent children more informed and attracted appropriate control techniques for a example of an upland oak-hickory forest. to the outdoor world and the natural variety of invasive species and infestation Acquired in the 1960s from the Rayburn resources that sustain us. The event levels. This will be a rain or shine event, and Purcell families by the Champaign attracted approximately 1,850 students so dress appropriately for weather. Light County Forest Preserve District, the and their teachers and took place over refreshments and restroom facilities land had previously been subdivided 4 chilly and at times rainy days! Every will be provided. Free and open to the into woodlots in the early 1900s. These child and teacher received a free tree public, no pre-registration necessary. woodlots had provided lumber and and a handout with planting directions. Field day will be held at the Green Earth’s fuel for local families. Even with that Stewardship Week has been around Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve. harvesting, this is considered an old- long enough that we now have resource growth forest of native species with Sponsored by Jackson County NRCS, professionals who attended Stewardship some of the older trees estimated to be River to River Cooperative Weed Week as a child! Jim Kirkland, IFA Region over 175 years old. In addition, there is Management 4 Director and Interim Director of the a half-mile trail with an accompanying For more information, call 618-684-3064, Illinois Forest Resource Center, sees spring wild!ower guide for those Ext. 3 this event as a way to prepare the next inclined. generation of resource professionals

10 News & Events News CRP Signup will be open for 4 weeks The IDNR regional meeting moderators starting May 20th. Those that are directed the discussion to "ve broad “Practical Advice for Using Insect- accepted in the sign-up can receive topics - Killed Trees” is a new publication cost-share assistance to plant long- t4VTUBJOBCMFSFTPVSDFEFWFMPQNFOU available from the Forest Products term, resource-conserving covers and extraction - mining, water, Laboratory, providing an understanding (including trees) and receive an annual forestry of how emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, rental payment for the length of the t4VTUBJOBCMFSFTPVSDFIBSWFTU thousand canker disease, and Asian long- contract - from 10 to 15 years. For more outdoor recreation horned beetle are a#ecting hardwoods. information, visit your county’s USDA t4VTUBJOBCMFQSPWJTJPOPGPVUEPPS It also o#ers valuable insight into the Service Center, FSA o$ce. recreation - public access wide variety of products and markets t4VTUBJOBCMFSFTPVSDFQSPUFDUJPO that are available, and practical advice for Cicadas Are Coming! - NOT! Major media regulation and law enforcement considering the many options. While it outlets are reporting emergence of t#VJMEJOHCSJEHFTDPOTUJUVFODJFTBOE is aimed at the forestry professional, it is cicadas, but this is only happening on the partnerships available for anyone to download free at east coast where those egocentric media the Forest Products Laboratory website - outlets are headquartered. In Illinois, Tom reported that the moderators were www.fpl.fs.fed.us. there are two broods emerging in 2014 not knowledgeable about forestry’s and 2015 in small areas, but most of the role within the IDNR. As indicated in the The Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame state will not see them until 2020 or later. topics above, forestry was aggregated inducted IFA members Ken and Marcia with mining as an extractive resource, Polhamus of Jo Daviess County in Deer Harvest for the Illinois 2012-2013 with no mention of its environmental or January. They are active as coordinators seasons totaled 180,669 deer, down 1% recreational bene"ts. While there was of the JAKES youth program of the from the year before, and o# 10% from some discussion of IDNR’s new funding National Wild Turkey Federation; are the record 2005-2006 seasons. Harvests based on the increase of vehicle license committed to transferring the hunting were highest in these counties: Pike fees, the moderators were unaware of tradition by hosting many youth hunts; (7,239), Fulton (5,717), Adams (4,606), Jo the misappropriation of the 4% timber teach safe hunting practices and Daviess (4,383), Je#erson (4,266). harvest fees and were not aware if any conservation stewardship to hundreds of the new funding would support the of both adults and youth as volunteer Division of Forestry. instructors; and support the Illinois Conservation Police through their At Tom’s regional meeting, to increase donations. In 2012, they were recognized News & Events the availability of private land access by Field & Stream magazine as Heroes of IDNR’s Conservation Congress, for recreation, the IDNR pushed a Conservation "nalists. Congratulations to Step 1 recommendation for a law to help with Marcia and Ken! landowner liability. There was discussion In February and March, the IDNR held of resource development of gas, oil, coal, IDNR Funding will increase by about several regional meetings as a "rst step in and biomass, but no mention of timber. $20 million due to a $2 increase in state soliciting public input for the upcoming The other broad topics were covered, but vehicle registration fees. Most of that Conservation Congress that will occur in with little or no reference to forestry’s "t. funding will be directed to state parks’ September. The second step will be an infrastructure and sta$ng. There are also online survey, based on input from those The IFA will alert members when the increases to boat registration fees and meetings that allows the public a vote online survey is available so that we all stickers for dirt bikes and ATVs. It appears on actionable items they would like the can provide input to help the IDNR set its that none of these extra funds will help IDNR to pursue. The survey results will future goals. the Division of Forestry. inform delegates to the Conservation Congress in their developing work plans Drought? After this spring’s !ooding for the actionable items. throughout the state, it’s no surprise, but . . .the National Oceanic and Atmospheric A number of IFA board members had Administration (NOAA) issued their latest intended to participate in the regional national outlook and predict no drought meetings. Unfortunately, the extended for Illinois and surrounding states for May winter weather obstructed those plans. through July. To "nd out how last year’s IFA Region 1 Director Tom Vorac was drought will a#ect the outlook for forest the only one who could attend; he pests and diseases, join our webinar on participated in the March 4th meeting in June 4th with Dr. Fredric Miller - details the Quad Cities. on our website’s Event Calendar.

11 News & Events News & Events Comparing Illinois to Other A Brief History of Hardwood States Markets and Prices

Every year, the USDA Forest Service Every "ve years, this program issues an The following is excerpted from a 1998 (USFS) researchers inventory each update for each state. It takes some time Forest Service paper “Long Term Analysis state’s forest resources. They use satellite to gather and assimilate all of this data of Hardwood Lumber Prices” by Luppold, imagery to gauge fragmentation, and issue these reports, which, for the Prestemon, and Baumgras. It describes urbanization, and distances. Then, they years 2006 through 2011, were released several decades of hardwood lumber visit "eld sample locations, one for every at the end of last year. prices and associated market forces. 6,000 acres, to collect various forest It provides clues as to what a#ects ecosystem data. Lastly, they check forest Below is a comparison of Illinois and hardwood prices. This article ends with health indicators at one sample location four states at the same latitude, growing some observations about current market for every 96,000 acres. approximately the same species of trees. demand. Since these states have varying forested This is but part of the USFS Forest acreage, the chart below shows the cubic In the 1950’s and 1960’s walnut was the Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program feet per acre per year. most valuable species and other closed- whose objectives are: “As the Nation’s grained species (cherry, hard maple, continuous forest census, our program Note that Illinois has many more trees and soft maple) were priced higher than projects how forests are likely to appear dying in the woods than are harvested, open-grained species (oak and ash). 10 to 50 years from now. This enables whereas Ohio harvests exceed mortality. During this period, walnut was the most us to evaluate whether current forest All four states’ annual growth far exceeds commonly shown wood at the furniture management practices are sustainable total losses from harvest, mortality, or markets followed by maple (hard and in the long run and to assess whether other causes. soft) and black cherry. current policies will allow the next generation to enjoy America’s forests as Illinois is the only state of the four in Yellow-poplar was valued more than the we do today. FIA reports on status and which an oak species (white oak) is the oaks (red and white) and maple because trends in forest area and location; in the most populous species, and the only this species was used in combination species, size, and health of trees; in total state in which three oak species are in with walnut, cherry, and mahogany tree growth, mortality, and removals the top "ve most populous. However, veneers. Although furniture made from by harvest; in wood production and since 2006, Illinois’ white oak population white oak was exhibited at furniture utilization rates by various products; and experienced a 5% decline due to a lack of markets in the late 1940’s and early in forest land ownership.” oak planting and regeneration. 1950’s, oak furniture did not sell well.

In 1973, walnut was still the most expensive hardwood species while the oaks, the maples (hard and soft), and yellow-poplar traded at similar prices. The high price of walnut may have resulted from a low supply caused by previous over cutting rather than from strong demand because it was being used less by furniture manufacturers. The early 1970’s also was a period of turmoil for both the general economy and the hardwood lumber market. Wage and price controls imposed by the Nixon Administration caused shortages of nearly every species, resulting in sharp increases in prices after the controls were lifted. In addition, the adoption of !oating exchange rates during this time caused an increase in exports of oak and other species. The most signi"cant change during this period was the increase in red oak furniture showings.

continued on page 13

12 History of Hardwood continued

As the 1970’s progressed, red oak regeneration appears to be more of an EXPORTS: “U.S. hardwood lumber became a major species used in act of faith than a predictable outcome. exports during the "rst two months domestic markets while white oak was Still, the initial management premise of 2013 were 11% higher than during being exported to Europe in increasing we attempted to establish -- that forest those same months in 2012. Exports amounts. The maples became less managers should not concentrate on will continue to increase in the months important as furniture species while regenerating and managing for speci"c ahead.” - the Hardwood Review, 3/13 cherry maintained a continual presence species but expend resources on at the furniture market. In the 1980’s, maintaining stand quality for species EXISTING HOUSING SALES (which demand for oak continued to increase most suited for a speci"c site -- might has some bearing on hardwoods for while showings of maple and walnut be valid . . . previous research has shown remodeling): “Total existing-home sales furniture continued to drop. that high-quality timber has increased in are projected to increase 6.5 to 7 percent value faster than timber prices in general. over 2012 to nearly 5 million sales this In the 1980’s, prices of red and white oak year, while the national median existing- continued to increase in value while the (In a di#erent paper published one year home price is forecast to rise about maples sold at relatively low prices. Red earlier, these same authors compared 7.5 percent.” - National Association of oak continued to be used by domestic lumber prices to timber prices paid to Realtors, 4/29/13 manufacturers while white oak was landowners.) exported. The export of white oak caused NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION (which the price of high-quality white oak to Analysis of short-term relationships drives hardwood demand for cabinets, increase but the price of mid-quality between lumber price and stumpage !ooring, millwork and furniture): “Many white oak did not increase as fast as that price revealed that these series did not builders are expressing frustration of red oak. Yellow-poplar prices remained always move in the same direction, but over being unable to respond to the low during this period due to relatively tended to move in the same direction rising demand for new homes due to low demand and increasing sawtimber when there were large changes in di$culties in obtaining construction inventories. lumber prices. However, continual credit, overly restrictive mortgage declines in lumber prices did not always lending rules and construction costs In the early 1990’s, showings of maple result in continual declines in stumpage that are increasing at a faster pace (see and cherry at the High Point, North price because of apparent price below) than appraised values,” said Rick Carolina furniture market began to expectations of the stumpage owner. In Judson, National Association of Home increase. In addition, white hard maple the long run, the market margin between Builders (NAHB) Chairman and a home was being used with cherry veneer. Oak stumpage and lumber price has declined builder from Charlotte, N.C. “While sales showings hit nearly 30 percent in the in a discrete manner. These declines are conditions are generally improving, early 1990’s resulting in a noticeable related to periodic increases in lumber these challenges are holding back new spike in the price of red oak lumber. By production and price that occur at the building.” - 4/13 the end of the decade, black cherry was beginning of the hardwood production the highest value species followed by and price cycle. Theory stipulates that CONSTRUCTION (PINE) LUMBER: hard maple, mid-grade walnut traded during periods of declining prices, the “North American mills are sawing lumber at the same price as red oak while white less e$cient sawmills will be forced out at the fastest pace in six years after a oak traded at price levels comparable of the market. Following these periods, recovering U.S. housing market, a beetle to those of soft maple. The ebb and inventories usually are insu$cient to infestation in Canada and increasing !ow of lumber prices for individual satisfy any increase in lumber demand. Chinese demand drove the biggest price hardwood species over the last 50 years Therefore, when demand increases, surge in 2 decades . . . Lumber surged 44 can be attributed to style (preferences of lumber prices increase sharply causing percent in 2012, the most since 1993.” - consumers - ed.). surviving, e$cient mills to increase Bloomberg, 5/13 production and to bid up stumpage (In this paper, the authors try to establish prices to new, higher levels. This bidding whether there are relationships among transfers any short-term economic gains the lumber prices of various hardwood that result from increased production species. That analysis is not repeated or marketing e$ciency to the resource here, but their concluding remarks are of owners. interest.) And if you are wondering what will Illinois Forestry ...if relative hardwood lumber prices happen to demand for hardwood lumber Association are erratic over the next 50 years, as this year, here are some clues: they were over the past 50 years, then A non-pro!t, tax-exempt the selection of the best species for organization under IRS 501(c)3

13 News & Events Date Sent Main Topics Also, your local Extension o$ce can IFA Member Resources March 7th Tree Planting Best answer your questions or "nd someone Management Practices, who can. Expert Presentations Newsletter Feedback When you learn to identify these plants, Survey Results Every month, we add another expert understand that their seeds can attach presentation to our library of recordings. March 21st USFS Forest Health themselves to your clothing, boots, They vary from one to two hours in Report for Illinois, vehicles and ATVs, boats, dogs, and length, and feature an expert on a Indiana, Iowa, Missouri horses. If you vacation elsewhere or visit subject of interest to woodland owners. a park or other farm, before leaving go April 4th The Decline of Tree We get them by recording our webinars, through these steps - brush o# your Species Diversity in and our members can watch them as if clothing, brush your dog or horse, brush Illinois Forests they were watching a YouTube video. your boots, wash o# your boat, and Here is the current list - April 18th Bluebird Legacy check your vehicles and wash or vacuum if possible. As Chris Evans suggests in May 3rd How To Increase Acorn “Dealing with Forest Invasives during his article on garlic mustard, if you have Production Fall and Winter” contractors bringing equipment onto Presenter Chris Evans, Invasive Species your land, insist that they clean that These messages contain not only a main Coordinator of the Illinois Wildlife Action equipment and gear before they arrive. topic, but announcements of upcoming Plan events, webinars, local news, and Many of these plants, and others, are available publications. Just a reminder being carried by people to other parts “Not Timber, Not Non-Pro!t” to place “[email protected]” in your of the state. The evidence is that new About non-timber forest products email system contact list so that these infestations follow major interstates or in presenter Richard Straight, Technology messages are not trapped by a spam state and county parks. Don’t be a part Transfer Lead of the USDA National "lter. of the problem. It’s far easier to get rid Agroforestry Center of the seeds before you leave than it is to "ght the plant after it’s established on “Basic Winter Tree Identi!cation” your land. Presenter Jay Hayek, Extension Forestry Flora, Fauna, & Forestry Specialist University of Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month The third action that you can take is to Don’t Be Part of the Problem tell your neighbor and friends about “Black Walnut Management” the threat these plants pose. If your Presenter Lenny Farlee, Extension This past week, the Peoria Journal- neighbors get them, you will have them Forester Purdue University, Hardwood Standard had two suggestions for all soon. We are all in this together. Tree Improvement Center, Forest Service of us. One, know the most infamous Northern Research Station invasive plants by sight; and, two, do Flora, Fauna, & Forestry NOT spread them. Because of the threat Flooded Forests Are No Fun “Spring/Summer Invasives & their Impact that they represent to their land, every by Tom Vorac on Forest Health” woodland owner should be able to Presenter Dr. Karla Gage, Coordinator identify, at a minimum, the following - When the your nearby river comes out of River-to-River Cooperative Weed  tHBSMJDNVTUBSE her banks, the long term health of your Management Area  tKBQBOFTFTUJMUHSBTT trees may be low on your list of priorities,  tCVTIIPOFZTVDLMF but the !ooding can have serious Access to these recordings can be found  tDPNNPOCVDLUIPSO consequences that add up to more than in the “Members” section of the IFA  tHMPTTZCVDLUIPSO just a few lost limbs. Most trees can website under “Forestry Library > IFA  tPSJFOUBMCJUUFSTXFFU withstand a day or so of !ooding, but Recorded Webinars”. Access is free and  tHJBOUIPHXFFE repeated or prolonged time under water you can watch them whenever you like. These plants can dominate and damage can cause major injury or death. Most the forest - crowding out the native of the damage begins when oxygen Bi-weekly Member Messages understory, strangling or starving trees, is sealed out of the soil. Trees take in removing food palatable to wildlife, and carbon dioxide through their leaves, but Since the last newsletter in February, destroying the forest soil’s health. It’s not that’s only part of the story. Their roots we have sent the following messages to just that these plants are non-native and also need oxygen to function properly. members via email. If you missed any of aggressive; they can seriously impact When soil is covered with water, oxygen these and would like another copy sent, your trees and their ecosystem. can no longer move into the root zone. contact one of your regional directors. If the !ood leaves behind three inches The Midwest Invasive Plant Network at or more of sediment, the roots can still www.mipn.org has information and su#er from lack of oxygen even after the to help you learn about these plants. water recedes. continued on page 19 14 Flora, Fauna & Forestry Out in front on each tooth is the depth your is sharp or dull. The top Sharpening gauge. You will hear it called the ‘raker’, should disappear at the front edge with We asked IDNR forester, , and but its real purpose is to control the no bright spots or edge. Usually you will blogger David Johnson for some advice thickness of wood that the tooth can be able to "nd some bright edges after and tips on sharpening your chainsaw. bite. As you "le the tooth back the each tank of fuel, so a "ll-up is a chance He accommodated us in spectacular depth gauge must also be "led down to to keep your saw sharp. fashion with the text and pictures match it. You don’t have to "le the depth below with this entry from his blog gauges every time you sharpen, and I Point the teeth into the light, put on Truebluesam.blogspot.com with the title do them only on the workbench, not in your reading glasses, and the need to "le Chainsaw Sharpening Tips, January 13, the woods. The parts of your tooth that becomes obvious. 2010. Visit his blog for other advice, tips, you work with as you "le are the depth and techniques. gauge, the top plate, the side plate, the top angle, and the side angle. As you look at the teeth above, mentally draw a 90-degree line down from the front edge of the top plate. That line should evenly intersect the arc on the front of the side plate. If the arc is hooked forward the tooth will bite more aggressively, and if the arc is leaning back the tooth will not bite hard enough. When the side angle is correct, the angle of the edge under the Adjust the slack out of your chain, block front of the top plate will be very close to up the bar and look for the dullest tooth. 45 degrees. Check the gullet on the side-plate to see if you should press straight back, or slightly up or down, and push your "le through with a straight stroke at the 25 to 35 degree angle of the front edge of the top plate. Use a "le handle so you can make strokes the entire length of the "le, and count the strokes needed to remove all of the bright edges. Advance the This ad was in a little farm newspaper chain and repeat all of the way around that we get in our mail every week, and the chain; then turn your saw around and I think it is safe to assume that many do the other side. chainsaw owners believe the statement You can see that the third tooth in the that chains can be sharpened “4-5 times,” photo above is "led so the tooth will and that they are willing to pay $10.00 be lazy. This can be straightened out to have a chain sharpened for a twenty with a "ling jig or by providing a little inch bar. That is a pretty good gig if you downward pressure in the gullet as you can get it, but when you "gure that the "le freehand. saw owner is going to be paying $50 to sharpen a $15 dollar chain into oblivion, and will be cutting with a dull saw most of the time, it makes me cringe. When you buy a couple new chains for your The Carlton File-O-Plate is an easy jig saw, buy a box of "les, a sharpening jig to use to correct your angles if you use that will work on your saw, and take the Carlton or Woodland Pro chain. It keeps time to learn how to sharpen. It’s easy, your "le at the right depth, and shows and we will go over the basics for you. you the correct angle for the top plate.

I believe in "ling every time I "ll the fuel and oil tanks on my saw. These teeth have cut through one "lling, and you can see a little bright edge on both teeth, continued on page 16 plus an obvious bright spot on one tooth. This is how you know whether

15 Chainsaw Sharpening continued with two choices for the type of trees you The end of this is very useful for are cutting. This is an easy tool to use, cleaning sawdust and gunk out of the and most people who try it like it. rail on you saw’s bar, so whether you sharpen with this jig or not, you will want to have one in your kit.

This little tool is hard enough that "les barely mark it, and you can use one for years. I usually "le freehand in the woods I think this little stamped guide is sold because I am afraid of losing it, but I use in every saw shop in the country, and it at home to straighten things out. it’s not a bad tool to have in your kit. It shows you the correct angle for the Once you understand what the tooth front of the top plate, but it is not hard needs, you will be able to "le freehand metal, so you have to be mindful of at every "ll-up so you always have a your side angle, and aim your pressure sharp saw. If you tag a rock, or other appropriately. If you bear downward, you hard object, stop the saw right then and will soon have the slot deepened, and inspect every tooth. You may only have you will be "ling your gullets too low, one or two dull ones, and you can "x it making the teeth bite too aggressively. right then so you keep throwing chips instead of sawdust.

Look closely and you can see a depth gauge peeking up through the little slot. I like to "le the depth gauges after I have rehabbed the saw at the end of the day, and the File-O-Plate system seems to set them right for cutting oaks and hickories.

This "le guide has two slots for "ling your depth gauges; one is .030”, and the other is .035”. Use the right one for your chain and the type of wood you are cutting. I Flora, Fauna & Forestry tried the .035” slot on my saw with a .325 Invasive Plant Pro"le – Garlic chain, and it made the teeth too grabby Mustard to use in hickory. It still worked OK in by Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, oak, but that was a good lesson about Invasive Species Campaign pushing the limits. The .035” works "ne This little gizmo is common in lots of on my with .375 chains. May is Invasive Species Awareness Month chainsaw departments. I picked this one in Illinois. Events and programs are being up at Lowe’s in a Husqvarna blister pack, held across the state to educate and and the chains hanging nearby were inform Illinoisans about invasive species Oregon’s. I set it on my Carlton chain, and what they can do to help combat and it held the "le a bit high. The good this threat to our Natural Resources. To news here is that the slots can be "led a get involved in Awareness Month or to bit deeper so the rollers will hold the "le see a calendar of the events being held, in the sweet spot for you. This tool also check out www.illinoisinvasives.org. has a gauge for "ling your depth gauges, continued on page 17

16 Invasive Species continued For this year’s Invasive Species Awareness seed can live in the Garlic mustard pulls out of the ground Month, I would like to highlight the forest soil for around 5 years. easily and small infestations can easily invader – Garlic Mustard. Garlic Mustard, The small, hard seeds be hand-pulled. If !owers or seed pods Alliaria petiolata, is a species that every can be easily picked are present, the plants need to be forest landowner in the state needs up in mud and dirt and bagged and removed from the woods. to be familiar with and happens to be unknowingly spread by For larger infestations, the best control is most visible and easily detected in May! hikers, bikers, hunters, an application of glyphosate (Roundup Infestations can have drastic impacts on Garlic mustard horseback riders, and on or generics) or triclopyr (Garlon or the plant and animal life in forests and !owers are small tires of vehicles, ATVs, generics) before !owering. Typical timely control of new populations is the and white with and other equipment. recommendation would be a 2-3% best was of managing it. four petals each solution applied to the foliage of garlic Impacts mustard thoroughly but not to the point Identi"cation Garlic mustard can form very dense of run-o#, but be sure to read and follow Garlic mustard is patches that can crowd out and replace all label information of the herbicide a biennial plant, native species. Garlic mustard plants to be used. All meaning that it has can exude chemicals into the soil that applications should two life stages and hampers the growth of mycorrhizal be made before takes two years to fungi, which many plants, including !owering to prevent complete its life most hardwood trees, utilize to help seed set. If the plants cycle. The "rst year in collecting are in !ower, your garlic mustard will nutrients. best approach would grow as low rosettes This creates be to hand-pull and with light green conditions that remove the plants. 1st year plants are rounded leaves. favors garlic small rosettes Second year plants, mustard and It is important to Be sure to clean the early in spring, will inhibits native not spread this plant dirt and mud o# grow a 2-5 foot tall !ower stalk with species. around. If you travel of your boots after triangular, coarsely toothed leaves. The through an area with hiking in areas with !owers are small and white with four Because garlic mustard, be garlic mustard petals each. This plant is one of the "rst of its early sure to remove mud plants to !ower in the forest. The !owers growth, spring o# of your shoes, tires, and any part of give way to a long, thin, wild!owers equipment that came into contact with seed pod housing hard are particularly Fruit of garlic mustard the soil. If someone is working on your black seeds when ripe. at risk from are thin seed pods, called land, be sure to build into the contracts invasion. siliques requirements for equipment to be When crushed, the No wildlife feed upon garlic mustard cleaned before it arrives on your land. leaves of this plant so infestations that dominate the Garlic mustard is just one of the invasive smell strongly of garlic, understory of a forest can greatly reduce species a forest landowner should be especially when fresh. the wildlife value and usage of the area. concerned about in Illinois. Invasive After seed production, Species Awareness Month is a great the plant dies and turns 2nd year plants in Control opportunity to get involved and learn brown. This usually !ower, showing To prevent or reduce the damages from more about how to deal with this starts in early summer. the triangular this plant, control of existing infestations important management issue. The dead stalks often leaves along the is necessary. It is especially important stem continue standing and to control new infestations. Finding this can be seen well into fall. plant early and taking steps to eradicate the population is crucial to prevent garlic Do you have a passion for Ecology mustard from expanding and becoming trees and forestry? Garlic mustard grows in a variety of well established. If your land already has habitats but prefers moist soils and a large population of garlic mustard, Are you interested in partial shade. It is very common priority for control should be given serving on a regional throughout woodlands in most of Illinois, to isolated satellite populations, high particularly the northern half of the quality habitat with signi"cant natural committee? state. Typical habitats invaded include resources at stake, and the leading edge bottomland forests, mesic upland forests, of larger infestations. Control these areas Contact an IFA o$cer roadsides, riparian areas, ditches, and "rst and work your way towards the today to !nd out how you woodlots. Garlic mustard can produce up larger areas of the infestation. can help! to nearly 8,000 seeds per plant and those 17 Flora, Fauna, & Forestry this layer, taking advantage of the in our last webinar, certain invasives can Beneath Your Feet nutrient richness. Below the A-horizon seriously interfere with the mycorrhizae is the B-horizon layer, commonly called fungi, signi"cantly reducing the nutrient The forest !oor is critical to tree growth the “subsoil”, which has more mineral !ow to your trees. and health, yet many don’t give it a content and less organic material, and thought. This stu# below our feet feeds the C-horizon layer where unaltered To learn more about soil the nature and our trees in complex ways; its richness sur"cial material is broken down by composition of and the organisms that determines whether our trees are well- weathering. live within it, visit the NRCS website. Their fed and healthy, or starved and under section on Soil Biology is a great resource stress. The soil organisms active in the for learning about not only soils, but also O-horizon and A layers convert the its resident bacteria, fungi, nematodes, This forest !oor is composed of layers organic litter into nutrients in the form and arthropods. The above-ground forest created over centuries by weathering of of carbohydrates and mineral elements. that we can see is amazing, but just as glacial material and the underlying rock These nutrients are then absorbed by much is happening below ground as and decomposition of forest waste. The mycorrizal fungi that have colonized well. top layers constitute a living biomass of tree roots. The fungi and trees are in a micro-organisms, arthropods, and fungi. symbiotic or mutual relationship, each getting bene"ts. The fungi hyphae The surface layer is the herbaceous (threadlike "laments) are thinner than Flora, Fauna, & Forestry vegetation low to the ground; a measure the smallest root and extend the tree A Simple Way To Measure Basal of its health is its diversity - lots of roots reach by penetrating a larger Area surface area. The di#erent plants, by Dick Pouzar all contributing fungi can also access a di#erent mix of and provide some One of the things that I learned at the nutrients to the soil minerals that tree recent Tri-State Forest Stewardship when they die. roots are incapable Conference was how to estimate the of absorbing. The basal area of a stand of trees. Paul Tauke, This top vegetation tree provides sugars Iowa DNR state forester, presented “Crop is growing in the created through Tree Release” in which he discussed how litter and du# layer, photosynthesis in its to measure basal area as a means of which should be leaves and delivered determining the density of your forest thick, spongy, and to the fungi through and whether it needs thinning. "lled with forest its roots. biomass. This litter is Basal area is the cross-section of all trees shredded by insects, While some of the in a stand, including the trees’ bark, millipedes, and other higher level soil measured at breast height (4.5 feet arthropods so that organisms, the above ground). In other words, if you fungi and some arthropods, play a cut every tree at breast height and then bacteria can continue its breakdown. The role in decomposition by shredding the measured the surface area at the cut, resulting partially decomposed organic forest litter, others play just as important and added all surface areas together, you material builds the next layer down, the a role by preying on either bacteria or would have the basal area. It is normally O-horizon. fungi and keeping them in balance. expressed in square feet per acre. Larger predators, such as birds, keep the The herbaceous vegetation’s roots arthropods in balance. Without cutting every one of your trees extend down into the O-horizon down, there are easy ways to estimate (O for organic) where the partially This continually changing, living biomass this measurement. decomposed litter is acted upon by still that is the forest !oor can be impacted more invertebrates, fungi, algae, and negatively in several ways. Compaction Estimating the basal area can be done bacteria - some of them decomposers, from , livestock, or with one of several devices, including some of them predators. The resulting constant tra$c reduces the movement your thumb. You can use a prism gauge, decomposed organic material feeds the of organic material as well as the ability which costs from $40 to $75; or you can next lower layer. Fine tree roots appear to hold moisture. Drought can dry out use an angle-gauge which costs about in this O-horizon which can be 4 inches the upper layers reducing the rate at $40; or you use a “Cruz-All” which costs thick or more. which the litter decomposes. Flooding about $11; or you can use your thumb. diminishes the oxygen and nitrogen Since I’m not a professional forester and The A-horizon can be called the topsoil needed by organisms to survive. In only want a rough estimate of basal area, and is anywhere from 1 to 8 inches addition, as pointed out by Karla Gage and because I still have both thumbs, this thick. Still more tree roots appear in method appealed to me. continued on page 19 18 Measuring Basal continued

John Edgington educated me that Basal area, by itself, doesn’t tell you hydrogen sul"de, and manganese can you must "rst calibrate your thumb by whether your stand is over-stocked, or all rise to toxic levels. The e#ects of determining its Basal Area Factor (BAF). under-stocked, or fully stocked. For that manganese can last for many years. You Choose a location around your house you also need to know the average tree can test for high manganese by sending where the ground is fairly level for at diameter in the stand. That is a subject leaves to a lab for foliar analysis. The least 30 feet. Place an 8-inch piece of for the next edition. For now, calibrate best treatment is usually to add lime duct tape horizontally on the side of your thumb once, and then whenever in order to bring up the pH to around your house about 4.5 feet above the you are in your woods, practice 6.0. Any tree that’s already under stress ground. Holding your thumb vertical measuring basal area. from a problem like !ooding also and your arm straight out in front of becomes vulnerable to attack by pests you, back away from the house until and pathogens that target sick trees. the length of the tape is the same size Flooded Forests continued Several fungus species thrive in wet as the width of your thumb. Mark the On the other hand, !oods that wash conditions and may cause additional point on the ground directly below your away topsoil leave the underlying roots damage. Many symptoms are the same eyes. Measure the distance from the exposed. These roots dry up and lose as !ood symptoms, but may only appear house to the mark. Your thumb’s BAF productivity, and exposed roots are more in patches on the tree rather than across equals 4840 / D2, where D is the distance likely to get damaged by lawn mowers the whole crown uniformly. Some from your house to the mark in feet. and weed whackers. The tree will also fungi cause cankers, or spreading Now that you have your thumb’s BAF, any be less physically stable without the wounds on the trunk or branches. Boring time that you are in the woods, you can stabilizing layer of topsoil. insects also target weakened trees, estimate that stand’s basal area in this and can further damage their ability to Continued long term !ooding can way - recover. eventually lead to rot of the root In the middle of a stand of trees, tissue and further loss of stability and Flooded landscape trees should receive hold your arm horizontal, completely productivity. Symptoms of !ooding some extra attention in the three years extended and directly in front of you, include yellowing leaves, early fall following a major !ood. Practice good with your thumb pointing up. Compare color, dropped leaves, reduced leaf size sanitation by removing dead or dying the width of every tree that you can and shoot growth, new sprouts on the limbs at their base. Aerating the soil may see with the width of your thumb. If a trunk, and crown dieback. A#ected help, and evenly spreading 2 to 4 inches tree extends beyond both sides of your trees may produce a large seed crop of mulch up to the edge of the canopy thumb, count it as one. If a tree’s width is in the year after !ooding. These are will help the tree retain a good balance the same as your thumb, count it as half. common symptoms that can be caused of water and air in the soil. Water the tree Do not count trees that are thinner than by many other problems, so check your during drought with a slow trickle at the your thumb’s pro"le. While keeping your sick trees carefully for signs of pests dripline for 20 - 60 minutes, 2 or 3 times thumb in the same place, rotate yourself and pathogens, and examine their site a month. 360 degrees and compare every tree that for other possible issues. Most of these Don’t give up on a damaged tree right you can see to your thumb, counting. You reactions and symptoms will vary with away. Give it at least until the next Spring can use the walking stick that you made the circumstances and the tree. Trees are to recover before you make the decision using Stan Sipp’s instructions in this more sensitive to !ooding during their to remove it. edition to hold your hand in the same growing season, and mature, healthy place while you rotate around it. Make trees are more resilient than young, old sure that you’re comparing the tree width or sick trees. Flood tolerant species will at about breast height and not looking withstand submersion better or regrow at the base of the tree; this is especially roots quicker. Some examples are bald important on slopes. When you have cypress, eastern cottonwood, turned a full circle, you have your count. redbud, red maple, river birch, Multiply that count by your thumb’s BAF silver maple, swamp chestnut to get an estimate of the basal area of oak, and swamp white oak. that stand in square feet per acre. The tree will also have to John Groninger points out that natural contend with products of hardwood stands can be highly variable chemical reactions that happen from one part of the forest to the next. in !ooded soils. Alcohol, To accommodate this, you should take several basal area readings across the stand and average them. Photo by A. E. Crane, courtesy of National Scenic Byways Online (www.byways.org)

19 Flora, Fauna, & Forestry Making a Walking Stick - A a bolt or lag bolt that will properly "t the Handy tool in the Woods hole. Depending on the handle and the by Stan Sipp size of hole in the end, you may need to Over many years and many miles in the ream the hole as I did. woods, I almost never go out without my walking stick. Useful for many things, After reaming the hole (if necessary), but one of the most important is a screw the bolt (or lag bolt) into the hole third point of contact on the ground on in the handle until the bolt bottoms out. slippery slopes, tripping over sticks, logs, brush, rocks or whatever. The stick is also handy for moving aside prickly multi!ora rose branches, parting foliage to look for mushrooms, encouraging uncooperative snakes to move aside and other such tasks.

After the bolt has been inserted (screwed in) to the bottom of the hole in the end of the handle, mark the exposed end so that about 1 inch of the bolt is exposed beyond the reinforcing sleeve. Two items are necessary as parts for a The upper stick in this picture has a "ne walking stick: A straight wooden few miles on it; I made it up in the early handle with a metal reinforced end at the 1990’s. lower end to make the shaft of the stick, and a normal SAE (Coarse) thread bolt or lag bolt to create the point.

I made the one for the photos in this article from a 54 inch Ash wood handle and a 7/16 inch diameter by 4-inch long SAE thread bolt. This particular hoe handle had a 3/8 inch hole made for installing (driving in) a garden Cut the head and excess bolt o# with a hoe head. Because the hole would allow Your walking stick is now ready for use. hacksaw. a 3/8 inch bolt or lag bolt to slide in or Probably it’s most important use is as out freely, I had to bore the hole to 7/16 the reference point (plot center) when for about the outer two inches so that you are using your thumb (or prism) to the smooth barrel of the bolt would "t calculate basal area. Hold your thumb (or as the threads were screwed into the full the prism) over the top of the stick and depth. The remainder of the depth was walk around the stick as you count your drilled to 13/32 so that the threads to trees. seat into the wood. Replacement handles for garden rakes and cotton hoes are a little longer (usually 60 inches) and have a slightly larger hole in the end of the handle. The best plan is to select the Sharpen the point as you like. I generally handle you want to use, then go to the sharpen the point to a four sided hardware section of the store and choose pyramid shape. Over time the point will become more or less rounded anyway.

20 Flora, Fauna, & Forestry Recommended Application • non-selective herbicides kill all Effective Weed Control in Technique: Apply a 48-inch band of plants without discretion Young Tree Plantings herbicide—two feet on both sides of by Jay Hayek your planted rows of tree seedlings. Grass Herbicides Extension Forestry Specialist Direct spray, or angle, the herbicide The bane of many foresters and tree University of Illinois application towards the base of your farmers is perennial, sod forming, planted trees (i.e., away from the cool season grasses. Perennial The appropriate use of herbicides is trees’ central leader and foliage). grasses frequently outcompete young an extremely cost-effective way to This herbicide application technique tree seedlings for precious soil control grass and broadleaf weeds in should be utilized whenever possible moisture and soil nutrients. your young tree plantings. The vast in order to avoid herbicide contact, majority of herbicides applied during especially with broadleaf herbicides, Broadleaf Herbicides the initial stages of plantation with the foliage of your young trees. The vast majority of broadleaf weed development are banded utilizing herbicides must be direct- ATV-mounted boom or wand sprayed (i.e., not applied over sprayers. The timing of your the top) toward the base of herbicide application is critical to the your young trees in order to successful control of weeds since avoid contact with the tree’s weed germination, growth stage, foliage. For example, it is growing conditions, and soil moisture paramount to avoid over-the- all contribute to herbicide top applications of glyphosate effectiveness. to your leafed-out tree seedlings. Remember, the goal of effective weed control in young tree plantings is Listed in the table below are “temporary” weed control –- bare some of the most common ground treatment throughout the herbicides used in young tree entire growing season is completely plantings. unnecessary and is a complete waste of time and resources. Contact your Some definitions Neither the Illinois Forestry local IDNR district forester for site- • post-emergent herbicides attack Association nor the University of specific herbicide recommendations. plants that are already growing Illinois is responsible for the However, please make sure to scout • pre-emergent herbicides are applied misapplication of herbicides. It is the your tree planting in order to identify before weed seeds germinate and pesticide applicator’s sole your all your problem weeds before establish a chemical barrier to responsibility to adhere to the you contact your IDNR district prevent plants from growing. Pre- herbicide label and to follow all forester for an herbicide emergents generally do not affect manufacturers’ directions and recommendation. perennial grasses and weeds. recommendations. • selective herbicides kill only specific plants when applied correctly

TRADE NAME ACTIVE INGREDIENT EMERGENT? SELECTIVE CONTROLS

ROUNDUP glyphosphate POST- NO most grass and broadleaf weeds ENVOY PLUS clethodim POST- YES certain annual & perennial grasses POAST sethoxydim POST- YES certain annual & perennial grasses FUSILADE DX fluazifop POST- YES certain annual & perennial grasses PENDULUM pendimethalin PRE- YES most annual grass & certain broadleaf weeds SIMAZINE 4L simazine PRE- YES certain annual grass & broadleaf weeds

TRANSLINE clopyralid POST- YES certain broadleaf weeds, excellent control of thistle and legumes OUST XP sulfometuron methyl PRE- & POST- YES certain annual & perennial grass & broadleaf weeds Illinois Forestry Association P.O. 224 Chatham, IL 62629-0224

IFA - To act on issues that impact rural and community forests and to promote forestry in Illinois

EVENTS

Visit our website’s Event Calendar for more information - ilforestry.org/Events (Also, the Invasive Species Awareness Month Calendar is at www.invasive.org/illinois/)

June 1st Jackson County: Invasive Species & Forest Management Field Day

June 4th IFA Webinar: The 2012 Drought’s E#ects on Forest Pests and Diseases

June 12th DuPage County: Urban Forestry & Arboriculture Workshop

June 22nd Jo Daviess County: The Loggers’ Perspective

June 25th IFA Webinar: Temporary Woodland Ponds for Wildlife

July 20th Carroll County: Forestry and Wildlife - Corps of Engineers’ Management

Sept. 6th Pike County: Illinois Walnut Council Annual Meeting

Sept. 20-21 LaSalle County: Illinois Forestry Association Annual Woodland Conference

Oct. 5th Crawford County: Illinois Tree Farm Annual Meeting

Nov. 11th Piatt County: Illinois Walnut Council Field Day