Volume V Issue II Spring 2010 The Voice for Forests To act on issues that impact rural and community forests and to promote forestry in Illinois

President’s Message J. B. Gates, IFA President **IFA Officers** The Illinois Forestry Development Council has been reinstated. The first President meeting was held on April 30 and listened to a presentation of the “Statewide J. B. Gates Forestry Assessment and Strategy” paper, re-establishing the Council and its various [email protected] committees, and funding of the Council. This, as Martha Stewart would say, is a ‘good thing’. Vice President The council, when selections are completed, will be composed of 29 members. Dan Schmoker [email protected] Eighteen of those members are of the General Assembly, appointees of the Governor, or members of governmental agencies. The remaining members are academicians, or Secretary presidents of statewide associations working for the good of Forestry in Illinois. The Dave Gillespie purpose of the council is to study and evaluate the forest resources and forest industry [email protected] in Illinois. This has not been done in a very productive manner in the past. When one Treasurer looks at the statistical data of the state under ‘natural resources’, you find only grain Dick Little [email protected] production and coal as revenue producers. Of the 35 million acres in Illinois, 4.5 million acres are forested lands. The timber owner is not being heard from, until a tree Immediate Past is harvested and then heard very little. We must stand up for our investment in Illinois President and have our interests listened to and taken care of in a positive manner. If we do not Ray Herman stand up and take charge of our interests, the government will and it may not be to our [email protected] desires. This is what has happened today. The people have wanted, and government has been, more than willing to say they know what is best for the population and have moved forward, and in some cases, to the detriment of the people. Why, because we are unwilling to take charge of our destiny, let the other guy do it. Stand up - let your voice be heard! The Illinois Forestry Association, through your officers, is working to have the ‘Voice of Forestry’, your voice, heard by working with legislators to enact favorable legislation. The officers and directors along with our lobbyist are doing a great job, but **Inside this Issue** they need your assistance. Call your legislator and let them know your desires, pro and con. Thank them for voting for legislation you agree with. A “Thank You” goes a long President Message 1 way. Secretary Report 2 This past month we held Lobby Day and presented each legislator with a white Member News 3 oak bowl with the IFA logo embossed on the bottom. Thanks to our vice-president Regional News 4 and the Springfield Turners Club for the great job. I would encourage you to join us Resources and Assistance next year. When we talk to legislators and their staffs, they want to know how many Contacts 8 members we have. You can read the numbers in the secretary and memberships information reports. Remember, this is your association, be involved and be active. When we work together things can and will be accomplished. If you have a friend or know of a forest landowner who is not a member, ask them to join with you in promoting Illinois Forests. To use the words of the past president of IFA, Ray Herman, “We are growing together as we need to in order to make a difference”. In a couple of the regions, members have started meeting together at the county level. This is a good way to get to know those in your county who have similar IFA Web site interests in forestry. www.ilforestry.org continued on page 2

1 Upcoming Events Secretary Report PAST PRESIDENT’S Perspective Dave Gillespie, Secretary by Ray Herman June 12 Since my last report for the IFA Your board has asked for our Illinois Arborist Association Newsletter, our membership has grown to newsletter to change its look and Free tree clinic at the Barn in 729 members. This is a wonderful increase content. Our thrust in this issue is three- Vogelei Park, Hoffman Estates in numbers and I want to give a big thanks fold: to highlight regions; to kickoff a 9 am- 4 pm and a job well done to the Membership membership contest; and to provide an Chris Mest at 847-562-6215 Committee. They did a great job of array of financial and technical assistance http://www.illinoisarborist.org/ contacting members from past years who information and contacts you may need calendar.htm had not paid their dues for 2010. The to help you improve your forestland. response to their efforts is encouraging. With the exceptional help of NRCS's Jody June 12 There seems to be a little bit of Christiansen, the design and layout will confusion as to when dues should be sent Tour of Bader Custom Cabinets change in this issue. to IFA. Our year begins on January 1 and near Scales Mound Now, for future issues of our ends on December 31 of that year. Dues 1:00 pm newsletter, we need your help! Make a are due in January. Members who elect Northwestern Illinois Forestry difference in your woods and your region to renew their dues in November and Association by taking at least one positive action. Call December of the previous year, or those http://nifatrees.org/Site/Calendar. for help; spray or cut an invasive exotic; new members who pay their dues in those html get a neighbor or friend to join IFA; call months, get membership credit for the your director to thank him or her and offer entire next calendar year. For example, your help. June 18 current members and new members who Jody and I would love to have pictures U of I Extension Sustainable paid their dues in November or December of our members in their woods. Send Agriculture Tour: of 2009 get membership credit until pictures with a short caption to one of Jackson County December 31, 2010. Current members your directors any time. THANKS FOR Donna Cray at 217-241-4644 or new members who join and pay their TAKING ACTION!! http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ dues in January through October of 2010 smallfarm/ag_tours.cfm get membership credit until December 31, 2010. If you have any questions, please August 7 contact me. Tour Glen Peterson Saw Mill north Do not forget to mark your calendar of Morrison for our Annual Meeting. It will be held President Message on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the 10:00 – Noon continued from page 1 Northwestern Illinois Forestry Stoney Creek Inn, 101 Mariners Way, East Association Peoria, IL 61611. The telephone number Also, this past month your http://nifatrees.org/Site/Calendar. there is 309-694-1300 or 800-659-2220. association presented White Oak html More will be coming regarding the agenda awards to Senator John M. Sullivan and and program for the meeting. I hope to Representative Dan Reitz for being friends August 13 see many of you there at this important to forestry. We thanked them for their U of I Extension Sustainable meeting. efforts in promoting forestry in Illinois. Agriculture Tour: The IFA Annual Meeting is scheduled Jo Daviess & Stephenson Counties for September 25th in Peoria. The Donna Cray at 217-241-4644 nominating committee is looking for http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ good men and women to be officers smallfarm/ag_tours.cfm and directors. If you are willing and able to share some of your time by working with others in September 25 the advancement of forestry in IFA Annual Meeting Illinois, contact Mr. Kurt Bobsin at 2010 at the Stoney Creek Inn 217-935-6860. 101 Mariners Way Thought to remember: East Peoria, IL 61611 Of the total acres in Illinois, 12 (T) 309-694-1300 or 800-659-2220 IFA board presented White Oak percent of the land mass is covered with Awards to Senator John M. Sullivan trees. If you do not tell others they will not (not pictured) and Representative know. Dan Reitz (center).

2 Member Information Meeting with IL NRES IFA Needs YOU … Now! by Stan Sipp, Statewide Director at Large by Kurt Bobsin; Chairman, Nomination Committee Membership Drive Ray Herman, Kurt Bobsin and I I am humbled and thankful for Several places in this issue you will met with Dr. Jeff Brawn, head of the all those who have contributed by see comments about membership. The Department of Natural Resources and volunteering their time and energy Membership Committee has set several Environmental Sciences (NRES) on May towards building and growing IFA. IFA, goals that we believe are achievable for 4, 2010 to introduce ourselves and the since its inception in 2005, is now an 2010. Our statewide goal is 800 members Illinois Forestry Association. We discussed organization that has endured five years by the end of the year. (At least a 10 the IFA position paper on the Illinois Forest with a sustained membership of over percent increase in membership over 2009 Resource Center (IFRC) at Dixon Springs 700. Even the most ardent leaders and in each region.) And, at least one member Agricultural Research Center, as well as, supporters realize that even though they in all counties. the state of forestry in the Department in could, and would, continue on, it is for To help achieve this, the board is general. the benefit of IFA that they step aside and offering several incentives: afree 2011 Dr. Brawn and Dr. Kokini, of the allow new people, thoughts and ideas to membership for signing five (5) new University of Illinois Agricultural guide the direction and future of IFA. members; a free 2011 membership and Experiment Station, support the Won’t you step up and help because fees paid for the September Annual continuation of the IFRC. In spite of the your help is indeed needed? There are Meeting for 10 signed members. A dire budget situation, Dr. Brawn has numerous Board positions becoming Additionally, the top region of our recently employed Jim Kirkland as interim vacant as well as an entire slate of officers four (4) regions will be honored with director for the Resource Center. to be elected at this year’s annual meeting. appropriate awards at our annual meeting. The Forest Science program in NRES Many of you have indicated that you were Copy the registration form below has been severely impacted by faculty willing to serve in some capacity when for your use. Simply include your retirements over the last several years. you submitted your initial application or membership card number in the ‘ID No.___ With the current university budget your annual renewal information. Now space at the right bottom of the form to situation, recruitment of replacement is the time to volunteer. Give me a call get credit for the new member. Individual faculty is highly unlikely. Dr. Brawn is at 217/840-1527 or email at kdbobsin@ member cost is $25.00. hoping to be able to address this situation when finances improve. comcast.net to learn exactly what the commitment is and how you can get plugged in. Many thanks in advance from your IFA Board and fellow members for taking a leap of faith!

Illinois Forestry Association Membership Registration Form

Name:______Date:______Mailing Address:______City:______State:______Zip Code: ______County: ______Your contact information will remain E-mail Address:______confidential and will only be used for IFA membership purposes. Home Phone:______Cell Phone:______Other:______Best time to call: ____Days ____Evening Occupation:______Membership Category:______Total amount due: $______*Indicate name of representative here if different from above:______Would you be interested in serving on a committee? _____Yes _____No

Please return this form and your payment to: For IFA use only 11/15/2007 Illinois Forestry Association ID No. ______P.O. Box 224 Region ______Chatham, IL 62629 217-494-6982 IFA -- The Voice for Illinois Forests

3 Regional News Region 2 when it comes to “THE VOICE OF THE FOREST.” I urge all Region 2 members to Directors Lee Rife Susan Romano contact Susan or I about your ideas for Region Changes 124 Basswood Road 22760 N. 1300 Rd. field days, workshops, etc., or just tell us 217-529-9498 – Home Macomb, IL 61455 your concerns. We represent you on the At the last board meeting, it was 217-562-2634 – Cell 309-769-5475 – Home Board of Directors and we need and want voted to transfer two counties to other [email protected] 309-333-1568 – Cell your thinking to present it to the IFA state regions. Region 2 now includes Jersey [email protected] leadership. County and Region 3 now includes Contact us anytime with questions, On March 27, we started to bring Crawford County. Members note your suggestions and assistance needs. together a small group consisting of new directors. members from Morgan, Montgomery, Christian and Sangamon counties. While Members in Region 2 this meeting was not as well attended as we had hoped, it was a beginning. We Region 1 8 received several ideas for future events, 7 2 2 8 either as a small group or as a region, including trespass protection, hunting Directors 6 7 5 Jay Markuson Mark Duntemann 1 2 rights, insurance, species of trees to plant 2N 158 Saddlewood Dr. 1142 Ontario St. 1 on a given soil type, information on how 0 Maple park, IL 60151 Coach House 10 2 1 to use herbicides and fertilizers, etc., etc. 630-365-5392– Home Oak Park, IL 60302 17 I can’t believe that it is May already. 630-751-5780 -cell 773-699-7284 – Home 0 4 5 2 The mushrooming season is all but history. [email protected] [email protected] Trees have bloomed and, in many cases, 3 1 6 3 seeded. (The soft maples in my yard went 4 Director at Large into overdrive this year, as did the sweet 0 Paul Deizman gum.) It will soon be time for picnics, field 10410 Shabbona Grove Rd. days and our annual meeting. Region 2 membership is 107. The Waterman, IL 60556 See you there! 815-264-9051 – Home three top counties are Sangamon, Adams, 815-509-8367 – Cell Knox and Peoria (tie), with 17, 10, and 8 [email protected] members respectively as shown in the map above. We have about 1/7 of IFA’s Region 3 Contact us anytime with questions, members. We have 16 of our 26 counties suggestions and assistance needs. with less than 5 members. We have Directors three (3) counties with no members. The Mike Medley regional membership crown can be ours R.R. 3, Box 133C with your help. Pana, IL 62557 Members in Region 1 217-539-4266 – Home 24 19 9 18 11 217-823-1995 – Cell 1 [email protected] 9 11 7 12 12 6 3 25 Roy Bailey 6 Region Update 8479 E. 250th Ave. 8 2 24 Lee Rife, IFA Region 2 Director 13 4 7 7 Mason, IL 62443 1 1 6 8 First of all, WELCOME to Region 2 to 618-238-4863 – Home 5 217-343-3574 – Cell 8 those members residing in Jersey County. [email protected] Bringing Jersey County into the region squared our southern end, and cleared up Region 1 membership is 267. The three some confusion about regional lines. We Director at Large hope to meet with many of you in the near top counties are Cook, Jo Daviess and Will, Stan Sipp with 25, 24 and 24 members, respectively future. 211 E. Illinois, Box 111 as shown in the map above. Six counties I am glad to say that over 55% of the Mansfield, IL 61854 have less than five (5) members. We delinquent members from 2009 residing 217-489-9003 – Home have over 1/3 of the IFA members. Let’s in Region 2 have paid their dues since the 217-714-1855 – Cell add at least one member in each of membership committee sent out second [email protected] our 28 counties and we can exceed our notices in March. In addition, we have 10 percent goal. We are proud of our had several people who stepped away Contact us anytime with questions, membership numbers but we will do in 2007 and 2008, rejoin. Thank you, to suggestions and assistance needs. better. all who have renewed your membership in IFA. Each and every member counts

4 Members in Region 3 sky can be a very effective control. It is Some areas with rose infestations do common to ignore this kind of situation not have enough tree leaves and other 10 2 too long making control more difficult and fuels to carry a fire. Cutting the larger expensive. rose plants with a brush cutter (big weed 6 0 15 5 If the rose explosion has already whip with a circular saw) can substitute 4 6 blessed your woods with house sized for burning. Cutting works best in the late 0 0 0 13 groups of plants, consider a controlled fall when roses have dropped their leaves. 10 5 4 burn/foliar herbicide alternative. A Spring re-growth will develop earlier as detailed inventory of preferred tree compared to burned plants. Cutting is 7 16 7 14 species and target species is the first slow work, but weather is not as restrictive step. Get an experienced professional to as with burning. Another option after Region 3 membership is 124. The three help plan your burn. The focus must be cutting is to apply Tordon, or a comparable top counties are Effingham, Champaign, to minimize damage to the desired oaks product, on the rose stumps immediately and Crawford, with 16, 15, and 14 and other species while killing the above after cutting. A foliar application could members respectively as shown in the ground rose growth. Burn in the late fall or serve as a backup to the stump treatment above map. We have about 1/6 of IFA early spring while if resprouting occurs. members in 19 counties. While we only preferred species Foliar herbicide applications have 7 counties with less than 5 members, are dormant. can control roses without fire 4 of the 7 have 0 members. Watch us Typically, fall burns or cutting. The downside of this grow!! are hotter. Fall is a option is potential damage to better time to burn desirable seedlings, and the need areas with wetter for multiple treatments. Larger, KUDOS to Coles County SWCD soil conditions wide spreading rose bushes make and lower wind Photo: biocontrol.ento.vt.edu it more difficult to avoid spray Woodland invasive exotics. LOOK velocities. drift on to non-target species. OUT!! Your days are numbered!! The next step Foliar applications only work well The IFA Board sends congratulations in this war is to apply an herbicide to the in early spring. An intensive inventory of to the Coles County SWCD Board and RC new spring rose re-growth. Applications potential damage is critical. In areas with Nancy Pals for their innovative and well work best after about two weeks of rose only undesirable species, a broadcast thought through “Partnership for Healthy growth and prior to dormancy break foliar application is practical. Repeat Forests” program. For you other SWCD’s, a for preferred tree seedlings. Rose leaves applications are almost always needed. tough act to follow, but worth copying. should be free of dew and fully opened. Another alternative for these areas IFA members from Coles County Use a backpack sprayer to treat each would be to mow the area using a bush should be calling Nancy at 345-3901, ext. 3 clump of re-growth separately. The clumps hog or comparable implement. This to get involved. will be easy to spot. There is not much else should be done in the late growing season growing at this time, thanks to the fire and or during dormancy. Wait for active spring dormancy of desirable tree species. A two re-growth to apply the foliar herbicide. percent solution (2.56 oz. per gallon of Develop a detailed multiflora rose War of the Roses water) of a growth regulating herbicide, eradication plan that fits your situation. by Roy Bailey – Region 3 Director like Crossbow or Crossroad, will provide Check with USDA Natural Resources adequate control in most situations. Read Conservation Service about developing No, I am not talking about the battle and follow all herbicide label directions a plan under EQIP. There are cost share that took place in England during the 15th carefully. Keep spray pressure low to incentives to assist in getting the plan century. I am talking about the war that is reduce particle and vapor drift. Avoid implemented. To minimize damage, follow raging just outside the back door in your pre-storm conditions when the air is dead each step with diligence. woods! Your newly harvested woodland with no wind. Surfactant and dye can be Waiting for bigger roses is not a good can become a thorny jungle in a few short added to help leaves absorb herbicides alternative. Don’t forget your chain saw years if you ignore those little multiflora and for identifying where you have already chaps. roses lurking in the understory. Removing sprayed. Apply herbicides during a period Thorny roses are a curse, but trees by logging or timber stand of several warm days when plants are competition is worse! improvement allows the sun to stimulate actively growing. Apply materials only to plant growth at ground level. Tree seedling the point of runoff. Don’t pass up treating growth explodes, but these preferred a stray woody undesired seedling like species will not compete well with roses bush honeysuckle, box elder or locust. that also have been waiting for sun. Spot Spray results can usually be seen within 10 herbicide treatment of these rose bushes, days. Inspect the treated area then and be within a year or 2 after you open the prepared to use a follow-up application.

5 Region 4 IFA Chain saw Safety Class by Ray Herman Directors Tri-State Forestry Conference IFA, along with Walnut Council, John Gunter Joe L. Newcomb, IFA Region 4 Director sponsored 2 “Game of Logging” chain saw 4055 Fawn Dr. On behalf of IFA, I attended the Tri- Marion, IL 62959 use, maintenance and safety courses in State Forestry Conference at Sinsinawa, 618-751-0541 – Cell on March 13, 2010. I set up the late March and early April. John Torbert, [email protected] IFA and Walnut Council member from IFA display board with the poster and IFA Henry County, coordinated the Mercer Joe L. Newcomb pictures. Three hundred plus landowners County session that included seven (7) 585 County Rd. 1050E and others interested in forestry attended students. Ray Herman, IFA and Walnut Norris City, IL 62869 the conference at the Abby. IFA was one Council member from Champaign County, 618-265-3286 - Home among about 20 exhibitors. coordinated and hosted the Crawford 618-599-5067 0- Cell The program included 29 50-minute [email protected] County session for eight (8) students. sessions covering 28 facets of forestry. An Joe Glenn, certified instructor and unknown amount of orange membership professional logger from Piedmont, Contact us anytime with questions, application forms and Smokey Bear & suggestions and assistance needs. Missouri, taught the 4 day, 2 session IFA items were distributed. Thank you for courses. Joe is pictured (below) using giving me the opportunity to attend. a demonstration log to “show and tell” proper cuts to make to safely cut and Members in Region 4 directional fall a tree. The cutting of the “notch”, the “hinge” and the “back cut” are 31 13 3 3 3 practiced before he lets students actually 18 cut standing trees. 15 5 3 1 IFA Forestry Management Workshop 7 3 IFA members Tom and Wes Beyers 10 by Joe L. Newcomb and John Gunter, IFA Region from Marion County, Mark Herman from 4 1 7 7 4 Directors 8 Champaign County, and Tim Ward, a U 17 of I forestry student member from Kane 7 7 0 The IFA Management Workshop County, participated at Crawford County. ‘Money Does Grow on Tree$’ was held 3 4 3 3 March 23 near Enfield, Illinois. Presenting 1 0 0 participants included: Dr. Frank Barbre, landowner; Mike Karcher, consulting forester; David Johnson, IDNR district forester; Justin Hall, timber buyer for Hall’s Region 4 membership has 187 in our Sawmill; Nancy A. Winter, White County 29 counties. Our top three (3) counties are supervisor of assessments; and Rhonda Madison, Clinton and Jackson, with 31, 18 Cox, NRCS district conservationist in Joe Glenn, and 17 members respectively as shown Hamilton County. certified instructor in the above map. However, 16 of our Several landowners and others and professional counties have less than five (5) members, attended a forestry management logger from so we have plenty of opportunities to Piedmont, workshop in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church grow. We expect to be the regional Missouri parish hall near Enfield that same evening. growth champion announced at the The workshops were hosted by the annual meeting in September! Illinois Forestry Association and the White and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. David Johnson presentation focused on state programs available for forest Service Providers in Region 3 (not a complete listing) landowners. Rhonda Cox followed with Jonathon & Zel Adams Log Carving (winter) 618-843-5662 federal programs available for assistance Justin Adams Consulting Forester 618-553-6374 with forest management. Nancy A. Winter Roy Bailey TSI and Planting 217-821-9778 explained how land is taxed and how Ray Herman Forest seeds 217-687-2712 forest management plans can put forested Tony Kreke Mobile Saw 217-821-1649 land in a lower tax rate category. Craig Willenborg Timber Buyer 217-240-0129

6 IFA Recognizes a forestry A panel of experts was assembled County. Gunter is a member of the business that provide by Chris Mitchell, White County resource Southeastern Illinois Prescribed Burn conservationist. Dr. Barbre has a forest Association which reaches as far north as valuable services management plan and said his working Hamilton County. with a consulting forester was a good experience. After a timber sale on his Where is forestry going in Illinois? J+R Goods land, state cost share money helped him Johnson stated that several years plant several acres of trees along the Little ago there were 22 district foresters with Wabash River and perform several acres of support staff and 5 regional offices with from the timber stand improvement work. several technicians. Now there are only 13 Mike Karcher talked about how district foresters available to landowners Woods consulting forester helps landowners get and many are close to retirement. They the most out of their forest land. Trees are currently overburdened with work should be treated as a crop. A forest and lack support staff. Landowners J+R Goods from the Woods management plan informs the landowner have suffered by waiting up to a year for near Mason, Il is owned by about what’s there - board foot, not assistance. While consulting foresters have IFA Charter Member Joe bushels; the type of crop – oak or maple picked up some of the slack by writing Jansen. trees, not corn or beans. This helps the plans and assisting in timber sales, there landowner decide how to increase the is a great need to fill the district forester value of the ‘tree crop.’ The consulting positions. The better our forest land is J+R specializes in custom forester can suggest management managed, the more high value lumber is sawing of grade lumber and techniques to achieve these goals. In produced. That will increase the income specialty project materials. addition, when timberland is acquired, a from our forest land. Other services available consulting forester can appraise the value of the timber to help establish a timber Questions include drying in their 4000 cost basis which is very important for A question from the audience was board ft. kiln along with federal income tax purposes. See www. how you keep deer from eating recently planer work. illinoisforestconsultants.org planted trees. Johnson responded with Timber buyer, Justin Hall, a third ‘for one thing, don’t plant in fescue.’ Grass Joe and partner Brent Ready generation owner at Hall’s Sawmill in roots, already in place, will keep the McLeansboro, shared that while all wood young tree roots from getting needed soil can also provide straight- is good, their sawmill looks for high quality moisture. He advised to kill the grass and lining. timber like red and white oak for making get a good crop of weeds which will hide quality lumber. However, lower value the trees from the deer. Being passionate trees can be used for blocking and cane about chain saw safety, Johnson asked the J+R Goods from the Woods mats and those markets are pretty good. audience if they follow safety rules when th They can also use other tree species like using chain saws. There are 23 rules to 1819 N 1100 St. cottonwood. keep in mind when using a chain saw and Mason, IL 62443 Dr. John Gunter, retired forestry a violation of any one of them can cause 618-238-4554 professor, talked about a recent prescribed injury or death. To learn how to safely cut 217-821-4545 burn on his family farm in Hamilton down a tree, Google “TrueBlueSam” to see a video Johnson has prepared for his blog.

Illinois Forestry Association Panel from left to right: Dr. Frank Barbre, Mike Karcher, David Johnson, Justin Hall, Nancy A. Winter and Rhonda Cox. John Gunter not pictured. A non-profit, tax-exempt organization under IRS 501(c)3

7 Resources and Assistance Contacts

Introduction BUSINESS MEMBERS of the by Ray Herman ILLINOIS FORESTRY ASSOCIATION by Dave Gillespie, Secretary The Board has recognized that many of you need to know who and where to We thought we would highlight in this issue of the “IFA Newsletter” the members of turn for help. This section is our first step in our association that joined as Business Members. While the majority is in the forestry giving you contact information. We hope business in some way, some obviously are not, as you will see, in the list of Business to have a more comprehensive listing for Members below: service providers in our next newsletter or as a stand-alone publication at our Annual Bell Timber...... 4 Berger Ave...... Barron, WI 54812 meeting. Forest Keeling Nursery...... P.O. Box 135...... Elsberry, MO 63343 Let Ray Herman, or regional directors, Good Forest Timber Co...... 200 Darden Ave...... Washington, IL 61571 know if you want to be listed and provide Greenwood Consulting...... 815 Greenlee Ave...... Winnebago, IL 61088 some brief information about your Phillip Harris, MD...... 458 Beacon St...... Boston, MA 02115 business to include your name, service, Hites Forest Management...... 364 E. Old IL 250...... Noble, IL 62868 contact number and/or email. This service Kemp Farms, Inc...... P.O. Box 168...... Lexington, IL 61753 will be free to IFA members. Lamer Forestry...... 1018 W. Mulberry St...... Jerseyville, IL 62052 Please retain this portion of the Long Forestry Consultation...... 808 Illinois Ave...... Murphysboro, IL 62966 newsletter for future reference. New Page Corp...... P.O. Box 278...... Wickliffe, KY 52087 Patton Legacy Woods, Inc...... 6470 15th Street...... Mulkeytown, IL 62865 The Corner Tap...... 128 N. Main St...... Stockton, IL 61085 Wilke Family Trust...... 16450 Rock Grove Rd...... Durand, IL 61024 Xylem, LTD...... 18715 Rt. 84 North...... Cordova, IL 61242

We thank our Business Members for their support of the IFA and forestry in Illinois, and certainly encourage patronage of their business. Me, as an “old” forester, I do favor all things forestry, but the next time I am in Stockton I am going to go to The Corner Tap.

Contact information Jim Kirkland, Interim Director, Illinois Forest Resource Center, University of Illinois, R.R. 1, Box 255, Simpson, IL 62985 Phone: 618-695-3383 Email: [email protected]

Meet Jim Kirkland

Jim Kirkland joined the University and implementation, working as an Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) of Illinois, Illinois Forest Resource Center independent forestry consultant. (nadp.sws.uiuc.edu). (IFRC) this past December. He is a The Illinois Forest Resource Center The 21st Annual Stewardship Week graduate of University is an information/educational center event took place during the week of Arbor & Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) with to landowners, resource professionals, Day with over 3,200 students, grades a degree in Forest Management & Forest teachers, students and the general public. K-6th and teachers, attending the four day Technology. Mr. Kirkland previously The IFRC assists other resource agencies event. Students received stewardship held a teaching position at SIC, was by hosting workshops, seminars and information from resource professionals involved in the pulp & sawmill business training programs throughout the year on a variety of topics including forest as a plantation manager, logger and log and assists with forestry and wildlife and soil conservation, natural heritage, buyer and worked with the Forest Service research at the Dixon Springs Agricultural geology, non-native invasive species and engineering department in Southeast Center. The IFRC is also responsible for cave ecology. Each visitor, young and old, Alaska. Prior to joining the University collecting daily weather observations departed with a free tree (bald cypress this of Illinois at the IFRC, he was assisting for the National Weather Service and year) for Arbor Day. private landowners in forest planning weekly water collection for the National

8 Forest Landowners in Illinois get EQIP is a continuous sign-up process; 50% while removing the ability of tree Equipped! applicants can sign up anytime of the seedlings to get established. By slowing by Wade Conn, NRCS Forester year at their local NRCS field office. A the growth and limiting reproduction of continuous sign-up process allows a our forests, invasive plants, such as bush Through the efforts of Natural constant pool of ranked applicants who honeysuckle, are directly impacting the Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are able to be considered as additional economics of many of Illinois’ private District Conservationists, Illinois DNR funding becomes available. forest landowners. The problem is not District Foresters, Soil and Water As a forest landowner with a “growing” limited to forests. Wetlands, waterways, Conservation Districts, Resource interest in managing your forestland, prairies, and agricultural lands all share Conservation and Development Areas, you are encouraged to learn more about similar stories. Technical Service Providers and Forestry the opportunities the Environmental Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Consultants, Illinois landowners have Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). For Month was established because of these been increasingly taking advantage of the “matured” interest, keep up the good pressing issues. Raising awareness about the Environmental Quality Incentives work, take the next step in your forest plan invasive species to Illinois landowners Program (EQIP) for forestry planning and and share your knowledge and experience and the general public is a vital part of implementation practices. with another! stopping the spread of these species and Between 2002 and 2006, EQIP in For additional information contact helping our natural resources withstand Illinois included the occasional small your local USDA-NRCS Office and visit the this threat. Everyone in Illinois can play a acreage Forest Stand Improvement or Illinois NRCS web site: http://www.il.nrcs. role in fighting invasive species. Simple Confinement Windbreak. Illinois NRCS usda.gov/programs/eqip/index.html steps is all it takes, such as not planting recognized the increasing demand invasive species in your yards, cleaning for Forest Management Plans (FMP’s) equipment between sites to keep from and established a “Special Project” moving seeds or roots in soil, controlling that provided a $400 incentive to Illinois Invasive Species invasive species if they are on your land. landowners for assistance in developing Awareness Month – an I hope everyone will take advantage a Management Plan for their forested of Illinois Invasive Species Awareness acreage. The FMP incentive became very opportunity for forest Month to get involved in local events popular with existing and new forest landowners in Illinois and to learn more about this important landowners, resulting in continuation of By Chris Evans topic. To find out more about the the opportunity through 2007 and placing wealth of events planned for Awareness a new emphasis on forest management in The Illinois Invasive Plant Species Month or to learn about the invasive Illinois. Council has declared May to be Illinois species threatening Illinois, go to www. The 2008 Farm Bill placed additional Invasive Species Awareness Month. illilnoisinvasives.org. emphasis on forestry and specifically Many conservation organizations and recognized the Non Industrial Private agencies in Illinois are working together Forest Landowner or NIPF, you! It offers to promote awareness of the impact more assistance than ever before to of invasive species to Illinois’ diverse voluntarily conserve and manage forest landscape. The organizations also want natural resources. people to understand the economic and EQIP applications compete for environmental costs we all must bear due IFA for Improved Illinois Forests funding on a state-wide basis and to the spread of these species. Invasive The IFA was formed in 2006 because a ranking process is conducted to species are recognized as one of the of a great concern about the lack of determine which applications will be leading threats to biodiversity and impose support for the forest resources in Illinois. granted financial support. The Illinois enormous costs to agriculture, forestry, The Association is interested in many NRCS maintains several different EQIP fisheries, and other human enterprises, as forest issues in the state and strongly ranking criteria categories, developed well as to human health. believes that the 4 percent timber tax with input from the Illinois State Technical Invasive species are a very important collected at the time of a timber sale committee, to achieve the common EQIP issue in Illinois’ forests. Invasive species should remain available for its stated objective of optimizing environmental threaten the health and economic viability purpose of funding cost share programs benefits. Two designated ranking criteria of the forestry industry. Emerald ash to improve forests of Illinois. Anyone categories were established for Forest borer continues to spread across Illinois, interested in trees and forests can Management Plan Development and permanently changing the species become a member of the Illinois Forestry Forest Management Implementation. composition of our forests. Other invasive Association. For membership applications As of May 7th, ,175 EQIP applications insects, such as Asian longhorned beetle and more information about IFA, go totaling $70,240 for Forest Management and Gypsy moth, threaten to do the same. to www.ilforestry.org or contact Joe L. Conservation Activity Plans and 131 Invasive plants can also cause problems. Newcomb, IFA region 4 Director at 618- applications totaling $959,219 for Forest Bush honeysuckle has been shown to 265-3286. Implementation Practices have been reduce the growth rate of trees by over allocated.

9 RC&D Areas & Coordinators IDNR Information by Wade Conn, NRCS Forester by Kurt Bobsin Some RC&D’s have a forester on staff. The map depicts the current contact information for forestry Most have forestry related workshops. For assistance. Additional IDNR contact information: additional information go to: http://www. il.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/directory/index. Office Director – Office of Resource Conservation html James Herkert – 217/785-8547 Blackhawk Hills RC&D, Inc. State Forester Dave Dornbusch, RC&D Coordinator Mike Mason – 217/785-8774 Phone: 815.625.3854 Regional Foresters Email:[email protected] Northwest – Matt Siemert 815/625-2968, x-209 Web site: www.blackhawkhills.com Northeast – Tom Gargrave 815/476-0109 Central – Kurt Bobsin 217/935-6860 * Heartland of Illinois Southern – Gary Stratton 618/435-8138, x-126 Kathleen Judd, Acting RC&D Coordinator District Forester Offices Phone: 217.762.2571 ext. 3 Barrie McVey Email: [email protected] 640 Argyle Park Rd Colchester, IL 62326 Matt Peterson * Illinois Headwaters Shawnee RC&D, Inc. 309-776-5271 700 South 10th Applicant Area Stephanie Brown, RC&D Havana, IL 62644 Coordinator Bob Wagoner 309-543-3401 * Illini Valley RC&D Phone: 618.993.5396 ext. 6 Sheri Albright, Co-Chair 1660 West Polk Ave Email: [email protected] Charleston, IL 61920 Robert Church Phone: 217.854.7727 Web site: www.shawneercd.org Judd Casler, Co-Chair 217-348-0174 Route 106 West Pittsfield, IL 62363 Phone: 217.243.1203 Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc. 217-285-2221 Ed Weilbacher, RC&D Coordinator Dan Spivey Interstate RC&D Phone: 618-566-4451 Lake Murphysboro State Park Matt Seimert Mark Jackson, RC&D Coordinator Email: Southwestern IL RC&D 52 Cinder Hill Drive 2317 E. Linconway, Suite A Phone: 309.764.1486 ext. 4 Web site: www.swircd.org Murphysboro IL 62966 Email: [email protected] 618-687-2622 Sterling, IL 61081 Two Rivers RC&D, Inc. 815-625-2968 Lincoln Heritage RC&D Martha Sheppard, RC&D David Allen Bryan Kirwan, RC&D Coordinator Coordinator Dixon Springs State Park Randy Timmons Phone: 217.345.3901 ext. 4 Phone: 217.285.4114 R.R. #2 Box #177 P.O. Box 860 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]. Golconda, IL 62938 124 W. William Street gov 618-949-3729 Seneca, IL 61360 * Lower Sangamon River RC&D Web site: www.2riversrcd.org 815-357-8846 Jeff Fulgenzi, Chair David Griffith Phone: 217.741-3905 RC&D Chain O Lakes State Park Steve Felt Gary Zwilling, RC&D Coordinator 8916 Wilmot Rd 1510 46th Ave Post Oak Flats RC&D Phone: 618.392.7141 ext. 115 Spring Grove, IL 60081 Rock Island, IL 61201 John Schuler, RC&D Coordinator Email: [email protected] 815-675-2386 309-788-0419 Phone: 217.347.7107 ext. 6 Email: [email protected] David Johnson Shane McDearmon R.R. #3. Box # 979 Stephen Forbes State Park Prairie Hills RC&D, Inc. P.O. Box 206 6924 Omega Road David King, RC&D Coordinator Fairfield, Il 62837 Kinmundy, IL 62854 Phone: 309.833.4747 618-847-3781 618-547-3477 Email: [email protected]

Prairie Rivers RC&D, Inc. Mark Brown Tom Gargrave Kim St John, RC&D Coordinator One Main Event Dr. Suite 140 30550 Boathouse Rd Phone: 309.364.3979 Sparta, IL 62286 Wilmington, IL 60481 Email: [email protected] 618-295-2877 815-476-0109 Web site: http://www.prairieriversrcd. org Mark Koch Tom Wilson 20100 Hazlett Park Rd 604 E. Franklin NOTE: Areas marked with ( * ) are currently in the Carlyle, IL 62231 Jerseyville, IL 62052 formation process and are not yet Federally Authorized. 618-594-4475 618-498-1627

10 Illinois Consulting Foresters Services that consulting foresters typically • Timber Inventory and Association offer includes: Appraisals - Timber inventories assist Michael Karcher, consulting forester • Forest Management Plans - Foresters landowners in buying and selling land, establishing a basis for tax purposes, Illinois Consulting Foresters write plans that meet Illinois Forest Development Act and/or NRCS EQIP and as the basis for management Association members are full and part plans. Separate valuations for timber time professional foresters that provide standards that can make property eligible for lower property taxes, cost on timberland can save landowners services to forest landowners for a fee. thousands of dollars if and when Consulting foresters work with and share reimbursement for implementing approved practices, and recommend timber is sold - even in the distant for the forest landowner to achieve future. the landowner’s economic and non- forestry practices to meet the economic goals. The consulting forester’s landowner’s management goals. • Timber Stand Improvement - Often role is to assist the landowner in planning unmerchantable trees and grapevines and implementing forestry practices • Timber Sale Management. - Consultants can select trees ready need to be eliminated from woodlands based on scientific principles and practical to improve its productivity and experience. Illinois Consulting Foresters for harvest according to the Forest Management Plan, tally the number of concentrate growth on the most Association members have a Bachelors valuable species. Consultants can Degree from a Society of American trees and board feet for sale, advertise for bids from licensed timber buyers provide supervision and/or labor to Foresters accredited University or a complete this type of work. technical degree in forestry and four years and, in general, assist the landowner experience working with a Bachelors throughout the sale and harvest Degree forester. process.

Current Status of Code 1084: Timber Members of the Illinois Consulting Foresters Association include: Buyers or Growers Bob Blair 21885 East County Road 1300N, Ashmore IL 217 232-8688 Fund 0905: Illinois Forestry Development Bill Calvert 14419 Rod and Gun Road, Breese IL 62230 618 526-4251 by Jay Hayek, Extension Forester, University of Illinois Marty Calvert HC-1 Box 104 Leopold MO 63760 573 238-4945 Source: revenues Query, Illinois Comptroller web site Rob Clark 2421 East County Road 1800, Carthage IL 63231 217 357-0050 As of may 4, 2010, the mandatory four percent Timber Harvest Fee – via the Mike Karcher R.R. ! Box 149 Dahlgren IL 62828 618 736-2341 1983 IL Timber Buyers License Act – has Scott Lamar 1018 West Mulberry, Jerseyville IL 62052 618 498-1118 generated approximately $424,360 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (i.e., July 1, 2009 Ken Hoene R.R.1 Box 247A Shelbyville IL 62565 217 825-3253 through June 30, 2010). The $424,360 number does not Larry Owen 4120 Haythorne Ave. Terre Haute IN 47805 812 466-4445 account for the monies generated during May and June of 2010. If this trend Paul Roth 9588 Old Route 13, Murphysboro IL 62966 618 684-2105 continues over the next two months, Joe Newcomb 585 County Road 1050E, Norris City IL 62869 618 265-3286 FY’10 will be the worst revenue generating year for the four percent Timber Harvest Roger Webber 6743 State Route 153 Oakdale IL 62268 618 824-6261 Fee since 1987 when only $350,608 – unadjusted for inflation – was collected Mike Long 808 Illinois Ave. Murphysboro IL 62966 618 203-4248 and reported to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Hayek and Bobsin, Paul Deizman 10410 Shabborn Grove Rd. Waterman IL 60556 815 509-8367 unpublished data). Randy Stephens 11313 N. 725th St. Robinson IL 62454 618 544-2958 It is probably safe to say, even without additional data or analysis, that the global economic downswing and the affected hardwood industry sector negatively impacted FY’10 receipts (i.e., woodland owners sold less timber and/or received significantly lower stumpage values for their standing timber). Do you have a Are you interested in Contact an IFA officer passion for trees and serving on a regional today to find out how forestry? committee? you can help!

11 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

12