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To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 Llf)l— O-1096 APR 1 3 2001 AGRICULTURE LIBRARY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/illinoisforestma1533univ Cooperative Extension Service University of Illinois at Urtjana-Champaign _ ■Jrt/CULTUfiE LI8H« ILLINOIS ■ 'N'VCTSITV OF mnw FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Forestry and the Cooperative Extension Service. Our newsletter features timley tips to help you manage your woodland more effectively. We encourage your questions and comments whi-eh we will share with our readers as space permits. Direct your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, 110 M\imford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. This issue features a continuation of our article entitled "Alternative Income Opportunities From Private Woodlands" . SHIITAKE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION: GOOD FOOD COMBINES GOOD FORESTRY AND GOOD ECONOMICS Many new woodland management opportunities are emerging as landowners and foresters look beyond conventional sawtimber production. Among the most exciting new practices are a series of techniques for cultivating edible mushrooms on wood that has little or no value for lumber. Techniques for growing several species of mushrooms on various kinds of wood and wood wastes have recently been developed, but the most success to date has been with the shiitake (pronounced she-e-tah-kay) mushroom. This article will introduce you to the fundamentals of shiitake cultivation and explain the economic and environmental protentials of the delicious mushroom. Volume 2, 1988 No. 15 What Are Shiitake Mushrooms? Shiitake are highly prized edible mushrooms that are native to eastern Asia. They are also known as Chinese black mushrooms, and they are a key ingredient in many Oriental dishes. Dried shiitake from Japan have been available in health food stores for many years, but fresh, domestically-grown shiitake are now appearing in many supermarkets. Shiitake are good food not only because they are a good source of protein and some vitamins, but also because of their medicinal value. Studies indicate that shiitake have strong antitumor and antiviral properties, lower serum cholesterol and stimulate the immune system. Shiitake are best known, howerver, for their excellent taste and appealing texture. In Japan, where shiitake cultivation originated, shiitake cost twice as much as common button mushrooms, but outsell them manyfold. How Are Shiitake Grown? Shiitake production has six basic steps: (1) Acquisition of shiitake spawn, (2) Acquisition of suitable logs, (3) Inoculation of logs with spawn, (4) Incubation of inoculated logs, (5) Mushroom fruiting, and (6) Harvest, storage and marketing of the mushroom crop. (1) Acquisition of shiitake spawn. Shiitake is propagated vegetatively by "spawn", not by spores. Spawn comes either as wooden plugs or as sawdust in which the threadlike microscopic body of the fungus is actively growing. Many strains of State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment shiitake are available and they can be classified as cool-season fruiters, warm-season fruiters, or wide-range fruiters depending on when they typically produce mushrooms. Some growers with training in microbiology keep their own pure cultures of shiitake spawn going from year to year, but most people buy new spawn for each batch of logs they inoculated. A list of companies that sell spawn and other shiitake supplies can be obtained by writing the newsletter editor. (2) Acquisition of suitable logs. The ideal logs for shiitake cultivation are freshly cut, 4-6 inch diameter, 3-foot long oak (any species) . Other species may be suitable for shiitake cultivation, but beginners should stick with oak. Logs should be cut in late winter or early spring before the buds start to swell. Logs cut too soon tend to dry out and become infected with other wood decaying organisms. Smaller and larger diameter logs can be used, but smaller logs tend to dry out too quickly and larger logs are difficult to handle. Logs should be kept as clean as possible and those with decay in them should not be used. (3) Inoculation of logs with spawn. Inoculation is a 3-step process. First, holes about 3/8 inch in diameter and 1 inch deep are drilled in the log 6-12 inches apart in lengthwise rows, with rows about 1 inch apart around the circumference. This results in about fifty holes in a 5 inch diameter log. Second, spawn is immediately placed in the holes by hand or with a special tool if sawdust spawn is being used. Care must be taken not to expose the spawn to sunlight or let it become dry. Third, hot wax (paraffin or cheese wax) is immediately dripped over the spawn in the holes to seal in moisture and seal out contaminants . (4) Incubation of inoculated logs. Before logs will produce mushrooms, the shiitake fungus must completely colonize the log. This takes from six months to a couple of years, depending on the strain, the incoculation rate, and the incubation conditions. Incubation, or "laying", is generally divided into two phases, and many log stacking patterns can be used during each of these phases. In primary incubation, which consists of the first two months following inoculation, logs are usually stacked quite closely to help maintain a high log moisture content that will favor shiitake growth. In secondary incubation, which consists of all subsequent non-fruiting periods, logs are usually stacked more loosely to allow mushrooms to emerge and to be harvested. In both incubation periods, the logs must be kept well shaded and protected from drying winds. To maintain proper log moisture content the logs may need to be restacked more closely, covered with permeable cloth, or even sprinkled. However, the surfaces of the logs should not be allowed to remain moist for long as this will favor contanination. To monitor log moisture content, several logs of known dry weight should be included in the laying yard and occasionally weighed to calculate their moisture content. (5) Mushroom fruiting. After an adequate incubation period, mushroom fruiting is triggered by natural rainfall or it can be stimulated by soaking the logs in cool water for one to two days . Mushrooms then ' appear and grow to mature size within a few days. The best quality shiitake form when the weather during expansion of the mushrooms is cool and dry. Once logs begin to fruit, they will produce mushrooms one to several times per year for about three to six years without being re-inoculated. -2- (6) Harvest, storage and marketing of the mushroom crop. After rainfall or soaking, the logs should be checked daily so that the mushrooms may be harvested at peak condition - with caps about 1/3 to 2/3 open. Harvesting is done by hand and is best done in the afternoon when the mushrooms are dry. Like other mushrooms, shiitake should be kept refrigerated in paper or breathable plastic. The shelf- life of shiitake is about twice that of the common button mushrooms, so they may be kept for several weeks if properly stored. Marketing options vary with locale, but consumer interest in shiitake is rapidly growing, and farmer's markets, restaurants, food coops, and supermarkets are all good outlets. Shiitake dry easily and reconstitute very well, so marketing by mail is also possible. For most growers, direct, local marketing is probably the best choice, but many clientele's will require some education about the qualities of shiitake. How Can Logs For Shiitake Production Be Obtained or Produced? Because shiitake are best grown on small diameter logs, this affords a woodland owner an excellent opportunity to utilize trees that are thinned during timber stand improvement (TSl) work and from the tops of trees recently harvested for sawlogs. Thus, the production of shiitake logs can be integreated in to, and improve the profitability of, conventional timber management practices. Because conventional timber management proctices usuallly must take place on several acres at once to be economical, a lanowner would need a large acreage of timber to produce a sustained annual yield of shiitake logs. **EDITOR'S NOTE: Extension specialists in the Lake States report that some landowners growing shiitake mushrooms are harvesting their best young, pole-sized red oak stands for the the logs because the stems are straight and easy to work with. This type of practice, if expanded, can seriously affect the quality and supply of hardwood in the future. A forester should be consulted before trees are removed from your woodland.** A good alternative for Midwestern landowners with typically small woodland acreages or marginal agriculture land who want to develop ongoing shiitake operations would be to produce logs by coppicing or pollarding. In coppicing, trees would be cut off at ground level on a rotation of about 20 years and allowed to grow back from the stump sprouts. Pollarding is like coppicing, but the trees are cut off far enough above the ground to keep livestock and wildlife from browsing the tender sprouts. By dividing your woodland acreage or acreage planted to oak seedlings (e.g. 10 acres) by the rotation length (e.g. 20 years) , you get the number of acres per year that you can harvest on a sustained basis - in this example 1/2- acre per year. A 1/2- acre timber sale is usually not practical, but a 1/2-acre harvest of shiitake logs every year makes good sense. Can Shiitake Production Pay Its Way? Yes, some landowners and corporations are already doing a good business. However, shiitake production is a new enterprise so the assumptions behind economic projections are less certain than those used to predict the profitability of well-established practices. Although market prices for shiitake are currently quite high ($6-8 or more per fresh pound) , how soon and how far down prices will go is uncertain. On the -3- production side, shiitake cultivation in the U.S. is so new that very few yield studies have yet been completed here. Nevertheless, most attempts to analyze the economics of shiitake production to date are optimistic about the potential profits. Beyond optimistic predictions of net profit, shiitake is an attractive alternative because the initial costs are very low compared to most other food production enterprises. Many landowners already have most of the equipment needed to get started and costs for materials are minimal (about $1 per log, excluding the log itself) . Like all promising but untested alternatives, it is wise to start experimenting as soon as possible, but on a small scale. More Information . More printed information on shiitake production, including a bibliography of publications, can be obtained by writing the Editor of the newsletter. Please enclose $2.00 (checks payable to Dept . of Forestry) to cover printing and mailing costs. Prepared By: Dr. Christopher Burnett, Assistant Wildlife Ecologist, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign. YOUR WOODLAND'S SITE QUALITY - WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? What makes your neighbor's woodland better than yours, or yours better than the woodland of other owners in the area? The most obvious answer is the land it's growing on, however, the management your neighbor gives his or her woodland may be superior to yours, too. But for the sake of argument, let's assume that neither of you are doing any woodland management (that's a safe assumption since only a small percentage of Illinois woodland owners practice good woodland management on their property) . Rainfall can also be ignored since over the woodland's lifetime one assumes that both woodlands receive an equal amount of rain. If a forester has visited your woodland or you've attended field tours led by a forester, you may have heard statements similar to this made... "this is a good site for growing upland hardwoods", or "this site is better suited to bottomland species." The forester uses the term "site" as an expression of the land's capability to grow woody vegetation; in most cases timber. In his or her discussion, the term site index may have been used. Woodlands are quite varied in the volume of timber they can produce, just as are agricultural fields. Your woodland may be made up of many different smaller sites as well. A quick walk through your woodland observing the change in species and their relative size (assuming there has been no recent harvesting activity) will give you a hint about good and poor growing sites. Soil type is an important factor in determining the site's suitability for tree growth, especially where no trees currently exist. For new tree plantings on abandoned agricultural land, this may be the only information on which to base an assessment. In Illinois, extensive soil surveys have been done and include detailed information about soil characteristics important to tree growth and development, such as structure, horizon thickness, texture, soil moisture availability. -4- position of the water table, or impenetrable hardpan formations. A general guide to the productivity of Illinois soil types for agricultural crops and timber (both hardwoods and conifers) is given in Circular 1156, Soil Productivity in Illinois (cost $1.25) available from the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service. Detailed information about soil-site relationships can be obtained from your county Soil Conservation Service office or Department of Conservation District Forester. Soil characteristics are important to foresters in assessing site quality, however, one indicator commonly used is the height growth of dominant and co-dominant trees in the woodland canopy. Extensive studies have shown that height growth of trees in the upper canopy is very sensitive to changes in site quality. Better sites will produce trees of greater height. Site quality does not have a strong influence on the diameter growth of trees. Diameter growth is influenced more by the availability of growing space, or by competition from nearby trees. In a dense woodland where trees are crowded most tend to be tall and spindly reaching for the sunlight in order to survive. This enables foresters to compare the growth potential of two sites for a particular species, such as red or white oak. Assuming the base age is the same, the larger the site index number, the better the site quality. Refer to Figure 1 for the following example. 55 o 120 110 100 90 BO 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 - I I ' 1 1 - ^ '' - / <" ""'_ - / ^ - — - / "i^ ^^ 1 - M' -'' ■ - X X ^, .-- '-' : - / X ^T- -- = //,* //.' ^;; - i / - / - / 1? - • 1 1 - BO Ui u. «0 tc Ui X o 60 t K 50 ij Q 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 SO 90 100 TOTAL AGE (YEARS) iV/f //k/.'.v curves fitr upland oak (Sihinir l')37). Figure 1. Site index values are based on the total height and age of the dominant trees in the woodland. For central hardwoods, a 50-year base is used. Site index is expressed as a number. A range of numbers is known as a site class. A site index of 55 means that the dominant trees will average 55 feet in height at 50 years of age. Age is determined by using an increment borer which extracts a small wood core from the trunk thus exposing the annual rings. Site index curves have been developed for most species in the central hardwood region (Figure 1) . Suppose the total average height of the dominant trees in an upland oak stand was 80 feet and their age was determined to be 70 years. These measurements indicate a site index of 67. A younger oak woodland nearby has 30 year old dominant trees that measure 35 feet in height. The site index for this woodland IS Therefore, the first woodland is a better site for growing oaks. Generally for oak production, a site with an index of 75+ is classified as good, while an index of 55-74 is average, and an -5- index below 55 is considered poor. Red oak predominates on good sites and does not reproduce or grow well on poor sites. White oak will tolerate a broader range of site qualities, but produces the best timber on medium to good sites. On good sites managing strictly for oak may be difficult since the productivity of the soil favors the regeneration of a larger number of tree species as well as more rigourous growth of weedy undergrowth that competes with desirable oak species. On average sites, oak management should be less difficult provided measures are taken to ensure that adequate oak reproduction is present in the woodland prior to harvest. Poor sites will be occupied predominately by species such as black, post, blackjack, and shingle oak (Sander, 1977) . So, what does this discussion have to do with the importance of knowing the site quality of your woodland? Obviously, not all woodlands are created equal, and therefore, what you would like to accomplish in your woodland may be limited by the site. There are ways of improving site quality, such as fertilization or tile draining wet areas to lower the water table, but these can be costly and should be weighed against the expected gain in timber value. Woodland values are probably quite different, too. Your woodland may have been in familiy as long as you can remember, but in Illinois that's a rare occurrence. On the average, woodland ownership changes every 25- 30 years. If you're considering a sale of your property, it would pay to have a professional forester look at your woodland and make a qualified appraisal of its value. Remember, the value is contained not only in the timber that is currently growing on the property, but in the productive potential of the land to produce future crops of timber. If your woodland has excellent potential for growing high quality timber, it should be worth more than the average price you hear quoted for many timber property sales. Contact the Illinois Consulting Foresters Association, 2612 S. Glenwood, Springfield, IL 62704 for the name of a consulting forester in your area who can make this appraisal for you. (Sources: Sanders, Ivan. Oaks in the North Central States. GTR NC- 37; USDA Forest Service, 1977. Roach, B.A. and S.F. Gingrich. Even- aged Silviculture for Upland Central Hardwoods . Ag Handbook 355; USDA Forest Service, 1968.*** WOOD 'N NICKELS WOOD 'n NICKELS features articles related to the economics of owning a woodlot. This issue features an article by Joe Garvey and Edward Brown, Missouri Conservation Department foresters, entitled "Rx for a Successful Timber Sale." The article appeared in the August, 1988 issue of Missouri Conservationist and is reprinted with permission. References will be made throughout the article to Missouri, but same information applies to Illinois. We will reference any specific differences in a short paragraph at the end of the article. Rx FOR A SUCCESSFUL TIMBER SALE A timber sale has the potential of being an agonizing or rewarding experience for a landowner. While a bad experience makes a good teacher. -6- it also can dampen enthusiasm for future forest management. Because many timber sales are conducted without either buyer or seller consulting a professional forester, it may help to discuss some guidelines to assist forest landowners in setting up a successful timber sale. All too often the parties to a timber sale fail to specify their goals. It is vital for the owner to formulate a clear idea of exactly what he wants to accomplish with a timber harvest. Once the goals are listed, a logging plan can be developed, building communication into every stage so both seller and buyer have a clear picture of the outcome . Determine Need For Harvest. The first step in making a logging plan is to identify which, if any, trees need cutting. Waiting until trees are mature for harvesting is not always desirable. Young stands require thinning. Harvests in middle-aged stands cure past abuses and help prepare for future cuttings. Harvesting prematurely reduces the return because of unrealized growth, but deferring harvests in some stands results in slow growth and increased mortality which also reduces income. Any intermediate harvest should improve both growth and quality. If the owner's goal were not thought out before, they should be considered now. How and what is sold is influenced by those objectives. Is wildlife improvement more important than commercial returns? If so, modify the logging plan to ensure diverse habitat after the harvest is completed. Are portions of the woodlot on steep slopes, lake watersheds or stream borders? If these considerations are important, write in protective provisions and resolve timber, wildlife and aesthetic goals before cutting. Which Trees Are For Sale? The wrong trees get harvested when the logger and landowner haven't agreed on which to take and which to leave. Trees are generally designated for cutting by one of two methods. The most common method - and the least desirable from a management standpoint - is the diameter limit. This refers to tree stem diameter at stump height (measured a foot above the ground) . All trees larger than the specified stump diameter are harvested. Many loggers prefer a small diameter limit (12-16 inches) , which allows more flexibility and efficiency by providing more harvestable timber in a single woodlot. But a tree that is 16 inches at stump height, due to natural taper from butt to crown, is only 13-14 inches DBH (diameter at breast height - 4.5 feet above ground). That's usually an immature tree, which represents future timber and wildlife values on most sites in Missouri . While diameter limit sales are easy to administer, they commonly result in overcutting or undercutting. They do not consider the seller's multiple goals or objectives very well. Diameter cuts also harvest vigorous crop trees that represent future value growth, and retain poor quality trees below the specified diameter limit. This method cuts the best and leaves the rest. Another way to select trees for harvest is by marking with paint. This is more time consuming, but it is the best management system to use to incorporate all the owner's goals and concerns. Trees are marked with -7- a highly visible paint at eye level and at ground level. Possible misunderstandings between logger and landowner are thus eliminated. Timber is sold by volume expressed in board feet. A board foot is a 12-inch by 12-inch board, one-inch thick. To sell timber and receive a fair price, a landowner must know how many board feet he has to sell. This figure is usually expressed in thousand board feet amounts, and may be further defined by stating the volume that might be available for the different products that are found in any woodlot such as pallet logs, stave bolts (logs) , grade or veneer logs. Volume figures are acquired by measuring each tree as it is marked. In the case of diameter limit sales, each tree above the limit must be measured. The next step involves a trip to a nearby sawmill. Prices quoted at a mill usually reflect prices paid for logs delivered to the mill. The landowner' s share is called stumpage which is the mill price less the logger's costs and profit. Stumpage varies considerably - market location, logging difficulty, logger competition, economic conditions, log quality and contract restrictions all play a role in what is paid for standing timber or stumpage. One owner cannot accurately compare his stumpage to his neighbor' s anymore than he can compare apples and oranges. There are simply too many variables. While at the mill, the landowner might ask the mill owner for a list of loggers or buyers. If the mill owner does his own logging, he is also a prospective buyer. Last, the existence and accuracy of boundary lines or fences should be determined. Neighbors next to sale areas should be consulted to be certain any questionable lines are satisfactory. In this day of civil lawsuits, it is better to be safe than sued. Bidding. To get the best price for his trees, the owner needs to ask for bids. These can be written and mailed to prospective buyers - or simple verbal offers from interested buyers. The amount and quality of trees for sale determines the best route to take on acquiring bids. A written bid request packet should include a fact sheet listing the following: ** Owner's name and address. ** Location of woodlot ** Amount or volume of timber for sale. ** How trees are marked. ** Deadline for bidding. It also includes the type of bid the seller desires, a lump sum or share bid. A lump sum offer is simply the total value the logger is willing to pay in advance for all the designated trees. Payment is made when both parties sign a contract. A share bid is an amount offered per thousand board feet, or in some cases a percentage of the mill delivered price. With share bids the mill does the measuring and furnishes the logger with volume tickets along with the payment. The logger then sends copies of the volume tickets along with a check to the seller on a periodic basis as spelled out in the contract. Prospective bidders normally are give three to four weeks to view the timber for sale. Bids, unless -8- otherwise stated, confidential . should remain The bid packet also contains a rough sketch or map of the timber for sale. This map includes a legal description of the property (from deed or tax bill) with sufficient road detail to permit a prospective buyer to locate the woodlot. The third item of a formal bid packet is a sample of the timber sale contract. Potential buyers must know of any special provisions before making an offer. The type of restrictions placed on the logging operation will affect the bid price. Standard timber sale contracts are available from most Department forestry offices. If possible, the landowner should show his woodlot to each potential buyer. Because communication is vital to a good timber sale, this is a good place to start. A personal meeting will help in selecting the best buyer. The highest bidder may not be the most dependable, so personal judgement is crucial. Timber is worth what the highest bidder is willing to pay to get it. The more bids that are obtained, the greater the likelihood of obtaining a fair price. Timber bids will vary considerably. Different loggers have different costs, markets and methods of estimating timber. Remember, too, that timber tax laws changed considerably in 1986, and can have an important bearing on how you sell your timber and treat management and administrative expenses. Be sure to consult a tax expert before preparing bids. Contracting. A written timber sale contract is a must for any landowner selling his trees. While not an ironclad agreement, the timber sale contract is the best insurance policy available to both buyer and seller. It doesn't need to cover every eventuality, but should be comprehensible, performable and enforceable by both parties. Some items to include in a timber sale agreement are: 1. Trees for harvest: stipulate which trees are available. For example, "All trees marked twice with yellow paint are available for harvest." Or, for diameter limit sales, "All trees over 16 inches on the stump (measured 12 inches above ground on high side) are available for harvest." 2. Payment: lump sum or share. Spell out in the contract the payment method; if by shares, when or how often payments are to be made. If by lump sum, then payable upon contract signing. 3. Skidding, Loading and Hauling: permit work in weather that will not cause excessive rutting. Minor rutting will occur and should not cause disagreements. The contract should spell out that all roads and trails must be maintained near the pre-harvest condition and loading sites bladed smooth with logging debris pushed to the side. This will permit establishment of wildlife food plots. For this reason log loading sites are best pre-selected and agreed to by both seller and buyer prior to contract signing. 4. Termination date: a deadline for completion, agreeable to both parties . 5. Miscellaneous: There are other items to consider. The logger should dipose of all trash brought onto the seller's property by the buyer and his employees. Require -9- that all tops from cut trees be pulled into the woods line from open fields that are cropped or pastured. The contract should require that tree tops be removed from stream beds. If permanent streams are crossed by the logger, designate one or two specific crossing sites. Or, if a diameter limit is used to designate trees for sale, specify a buffer area on both sides of permanent streams where no trees are cut. Require the logger to spare good wildlife den trees. Again, communication is the common thread in successful timber sales. Another important provision is liability. While most timber sale situations do not create additional liability for the owner, it is best to disclaim it anyway. Be certain to include equipment damage as well as personal injury in a disclaimer. Standard contract forms contain additional provisions for such items as care in use of fires, repair of broken fences, etc. If a standard form is not used, then these items should be included as well. A contract should protect both the landowner and the logger. The more restraints placed on the logger, the less he can pay for standing timber. Timber harvests should provide both seller and buyer a reasonable profit . Supervision. Logging is a tough, competitive business. When checking a sale's progress, look at the overall condition - beyond the superficial mess that accompanies even a good operation. Inspect for signs of consistent carelessness, not minor mistakes. While that sounds contradictory, there are tell-tale signs of a sloppy operator: 1. Numerous crop trees bent or broken (destroyed) by falling of marked trees. 2. Numerous crop trees overrun or scraped by the skidder. 3. Deep ruts, especially on slopes caused by skidding in wet weather. 4. Sloppy haul roads with numerous mud holes. hazardous 5. Trash lying around. 6. Warming fires in places. 7. Unmarked trees cut. In theory, the logger is responsible for conducting his operation in accordance with the spirit and letter of the contract. In reality, a landowner should monitor the logging operation closely to ensure compliance with his objectives. But he must be careful not to take over. Supervising a timber sale is like being a good football coach. If the landowner shows a genuine concern, chances are the logger will too. The easiest, most direct path to a successful timber sale is to contact your local Conservation Department forester. ******** "Copyright 1988 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri; reprinted with permission." EDITOR'S NOTE: We'd like to comment on a couple points raised by Garvey and Brown in their article. First, verbal contracts are frequently used, but we do not recommend them. Always have a written contract so both parties have documented evidence as to what was agreed upon. Second, we recommend only lump sum -10- sales. The seller should receive all of his money at the time the contract is signed. Share bid or selling by scale relies on a third party to determine the volume of timber hauled to the mill. On occasion,- not all the logs make it to the mill. Third, we must remind you that any landowner who sells timber in Illinois is required by state law to pay a harvest fee to the Department of Conservation which amounts to 4 percent of the total contact price for the timber. The timber buyer is responsible for collecting this fee and sending it to the DOC in Springfield. Official report forms are provided and timber can only be sold legally to timber buyers who are licensed in Illinois. And finally, we suggest you employ a professional forester to administer the complete timber sale on your behalf. A trained professional, who knows the markets, can get the best price for your timber, information on hiring a forestry consultant Illinois Counsulting Association, 2612 S Springfield, IL 62704, For more professional contact : Foresters Glenwood, or your local Department of Conservation district forester. If you don't know who that is, write to: State Forester, Division of Forest Resources, Department of Conservation, Lincoln Tower Plaza, 524 S. Second, Springfield, IL 62706. TRACKS features related articles and timely tips on small game and nongame management for woodland owners. If you have a particular question you would like addressed, please write the newsletter editor. We will incorporate them into TRACKS as space permits. ATTRACTING CAVITY-NESTING BIRDS TO YOUR WOODLAND. The advantage of owning a woodlot is that with a little care it can produce many desirable things for you - shade, firewood, spring flowers, timber, solitude, and animals-including birds. Many of the birds that like forests do so because holes in trees offer them nesting places in summer, shelter in winter, and food. In fact, about 45 different species of cavity-nesting birds live in the forest of eastern North America. Ten representative birds, their size, habitats, and the size trees or boxes they use are shown in Table 1. Insect Eaters . The surface of trees in which these birds feed provides all sort of nooks and crannies for spiders, ants, moths, and other small creatures. And as a tree dies, it is invaded by still other kinds of insects like bark beetles, carpenter ants, and termites. So it's natural that most hole-nesting birds eat insects; some may even help to control insect outbreaks that sometimes damage timber trees. Many Potential Homes . Normally there are more than enough dead and dying trees in an undisturbed forest to shelter a good population of hole-nesters . In fact, about 90 percent of the trees in a 20-year old upland hardwood stand will die in the next 60 years, and many of these will provide holes for birds. Virtually all will provide feeding areas for birds and other animals. Even if your prime objective is growing timber, you can attract cavity-nesters if you leave some dead and dying trees for them. -11- 7 £ r - e 1 Cpt;.-jm Bex S:ie Heicr.t Seccrcary cic-eter '~c:i ascve Spec:6s Ler.ct.-i I>Ccvctcr jser fcr sr.ag c;c.-c-ter li-qin v;;ctr. Heigr.t cicjnd -critit :ric.-es ;r,cr.es Ir.chcS :^.c^.es Ftct P3ect.ec Woodpecker 15 X 20 < -- -- -- -- 01c cic.t-.; larce t:e€s; enters: ve forests Screech cwl 8 X 12 3 8 8 12 lv-30 C?en fc:est; -eeccw ec:es; crc^eics Cowr.cn Flicker 30 X 12 2 3, < 7 7 16 e-iO Lcice trees; cpen •ccclarcs; fctest ecces; rec-belliee Koocpec-ier 8 X 12 2 1/4 -- -- -- -- Fcrest ;r,ter:ct; wccced £>::>iis to a lesser exter.t Sec-heaceo Woodpecker 7 X 20 2 6 6 12 t-20 Fcrest ecces, Cir t jcular 1 y where sr.acs are tz-r.ctr.x Great Crested Flycatcher 7 X 12 2 6 6 10 6-^0 Fciest ;r.ter;cr; ecces to a lesser e>. ter.t Eastern =3oebird 5 X 8 1 1/2 5 5 8 J-10 Fcrest-fielc edje cr Sc\ 6r.r,£-l : c.e ha:;: tats Dcwny Woodpecker 6 X 12 1 1/4 4 4 10 6-:0 rerse ycur.g fcrests Tufted Titmouse 5 X 12 1 1/4 4 4 10 £-20 2ecicoc;s fcrests; E,;3u:cia Black-capped and Carclir.a Chickscee 4 X 4 1 1, 4 4 4 10 £-20 Alxest any kind of fcrest Culls and Snags are for the Birds. Generally, the bigger the snag (standing dead tree) , the greater its value to birds. Large snags provide more area for excavating and feeding, often providing holes for several species. The best ones - large old den trees - are often over 100 years old, rotten in the center, with sound sapwood on the outside, and a few limbs or live branches still hanging on. Also high in demand are living trees with holes, because they are particularly resistant to predators and weather. There are several ways to tell if a snag might have potential nest sites. Look for rotting branch stubs, conks or fruiting bodies of fungi, and old wounds and scars. All indicate that cavities probably exist. If woodpecker holes are already present, other sites are probably suitable for holes, too. nesters. They drill or hollow out space for nesting and roosting. The rest of the cavity nesters move into surplus holes made by woodpeckers, or into holes made by the natural processes of decay, insects, fire, or breakage. Steps to Take. 1. Save old, large trees, especially those with old wounds and broken limbs. These are most valuable to cavity nesters. 2. Do not remove all dead, dying, and decayed trees for timber and firewood. 3. Over the years, try to achieve the following optimum number of snags per each 20 acres of woodlot: 4 to 5 snags over 18 inches DBH 30 to 40 snags over 14 inches DBH 50 to 60 snags over 6 inches DBH Woodpeckers do the heavy construction for most cavity 4. Create cavities in trees by selecting a limb at least 3 inches •12- in diameter and pruning it off about 6 inches from the trunk. Over the years, this will form a natural cavity. Elm, ash, sycamore, mulberry, and basswood are especially prone to forming natural cavities . 5. Create snags by girdling and thus killing a few trees over 12 inches in diameter annually. Girdle by removing a 3-to 4-inch-wide belt of outer bark and inner bark (cambium) around the tree. Select crooked or scarred trees or species of low value if timber production is also a management objective. 6. Provide artificial nest boxes of various dimensions (see table) for various cavity nesters. 7. Bore holes at least 2 inches in diameter to the center of living trees of appropriate sizes (see table) for various cavity nesters. Try to drill the holes just under a limb 3 inches or larger in diameter. The holes will eventually enlarge by rotting and provide cavities. (Source: Pennsylvania Woodland News. Vol.2, No. 4 July/August, 1988.) third among the twenty northeastern states. The average rental payment in Illinois has been $70.54 per acre per year. The range of contract payments were $40 to $90 per acre. The next sign-up period is tentatively scheduled for January, 1989. When combined with the Illinois Forestry Development Act (FDA) , the advantages of tree planting over other cover crops are significant. CRP land planted to trees can qualify for a guaranteed one-sixth of its current equalized assessed value. The cost share payments of both the CRP and FDA can be used together to develop a no-cost establishment of the land to trees. New changes in CRP have been made to encourage more tree and shrub planting, as well. First, qualifications for tree planting have been relaxed. In previous sign-ups, for a field to qualify for CRP, two-thirds of the field must have been classified "as highly erodible land. Now, only one-third of the field must be classified as highly erodible if the landowner agrees to plant trees. CRP - THE ADVANTAGES OF TREE PLANTING The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) encourages land owners to plant trees and other protective cover crops on highly erodible cropland. The USDA periodically accepts bids for 10 year contracts to assist with this conservation practice on private land. In Illinois, 8463 acres of trees have been successfully bid and contracted for during the first six CRP sign-up periods. Nationwide, Illinois ranks fourteenth among all states in CRP tree planting and Also, cropland eroding at 2T is eligible for tree Previously, all land must an annual erosion rate of is a number determined by Conservation Service to the "tolerable loss" of the land. 2T is twice the loss. ) a rate of planting, have had 3T. ("T" the Soil represent soil from tolerable Tree planting projects are the only ones that qualify for these reduced erosion values. These changes mean that a field could be eligible for CRP tree planting but not eligible for CRP grass planting. Additional changes will allow counties to exceed 25 percent of the total cropland in CRP if the -13- additional acres are planted to trees. Also, land not meeting highly erodible criteria can be eligible if it is used as a filter strip to reduce sedimentation. To be eligible as a filter strip, the area must be located adjacent to a stream, pond or lake, and be 66 to 99 feet in width. (privately plantations payments . funded) original will qualify for (Source: Woodland Report, Vol.5, No. 9 September 1, 1988; National Woodland Owners Association, Washington, D.C.) To apply for CRP benefits, you need to contact the USDA Agricultural Stablilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office in the county where your property is located. They can advise you of the sign-up periods and assist with details. For further information on how to qualify for FDA cost-share payments, you must contact your local Illinois Department of Conservation district forester. (Source: T.W. Curtin, Extension Forester, University of Illinois, Urbana and Pennsylvania Woodlands News, Vol.2, No. 4 July/August, 1988) CONGRESS INCLUDES DAMAGED TREE PLANTATIONS IN DROUGHT RELIEF PACKAGE The recently passed drought relief law includes a provision that will help woodland owners who have sustained losses to new tree plantations in 1987 and 1988. The Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) is drafting regulations now with a goal of accepting requests for assistance as early as October 1. There are several eligibility requirements to be met before a landowner can receive up to 42 percent of the costs of replanting. Losses must exceed 35 percent of the seedlings planted and trees must have been set for commercial purposes. Plantings for timber, Christmas trees and orchards are included. Both cost- shared and non-cost-shared ILLINOIS' OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER NAMED Illinois' Outstanding Tree Farmer Award for 1988 goes to Mr. and Mrs. John Regan. Mr. Regan, a retired attorney, and his wife, Evelyn, own a 450 acre tree farm in Brown County near Mt . Sterling. This small, but heavily forested, county in west- central Illinois affords many opportunities for woodland management . Like many tree farmers, the Regans have accomplished many cultural activities over the years with the guidance and direction of several state foresters. Currently, Bob Church, a district forester with the Illinois Department of Conservation, provides the Regans with technical assistnce, and was responsible for nominating them for this recognition. Some of the Regans accomplishments include the establishment of pine, walnut and pecan plantations on 140 acres, and the thinning and weeding on all of their native timber to improve its health, vigor and species composition. The Regans work tirelessly in their tree plantations experimenting with mulches, fertilizers and pruning techniques. Perhaps what sets the Regans apart from the average tree farmer is their dedication to the land, their sense of land stewardship, and their willingness to share these values and accomplishments with others. This is illustrated not only in -14- their forestry accomplishments, but in their conservation approach toward farming practices on their agricultural land, as well. Both the Illinois Department of Conservation and U.S. Soil Conservation Service have used the Regans' property to showcase good conservation and management techniques. Similarly, the U.S. Forest Service has used the Regans walnut plantation to provide training to personnel with the state's Division of Forest Resources on walnut management techniques. The Forest Service also highlighted the plantations in their Black Walnut Advisory Sheet, a newsletter providing information on managing walnut, as one of the best in the midwest. The Regans are also members of the American Forestry Association, Northern Nut Growers Association, the Walnut Council, the American Chestnut Foundation, and the Farm Bureau. As the state winner of the award, the Regans will be awarded a handsome plaque from the American Forest Council, the sponsor of the American Tree Farm program, and a chainsaw from the McCulloch .Corporation. If you would like information on how you can join the American Tree Farm program contact: Matt Siemert, Secretary, Illinois Tree Farm Committee, 2612 Locust, Sterling, IL 61801. TREEmendous TREEmendous features articles related to urban forestry and shade tree maintenance. If you suspect your tree has a disease or insect- related problem which you cannot indentify, we suggest you take a fresh branch specimen showing symptoms of the problem to your county Cooperative Extension Service office for assistance. A CES adviser will help you identify the problem, or will have the sample sent to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic for further investigation. There is a minimal charge for laboratory services performed. DROUGHT CAN MEAN DEATH TO TREES The effects of this summer's drought on shade and ornamental trees are being observed throughout Illinois communities. Symptoms of extreme and prolonged water stress coupled with high temperatures are being exhibited on both urban and forest trees. In addition to noticeable damage, trees will be weakened and attacked by pathogens, insects, and injury by severe winter temperatures, perhaps for years to come. The most obvious damage observed on drought-affected trees occurs on the foliage. On conifers, young, succulent, current-year's foliage may have drooped, yellowed and died. The oldest needles may also yellow and be prematurely shed. Hardwoods will exhibit various symptoms of leaf droop, curl and yellowing or browning. In species such as ash, basswood, hickory and honeylocust, leaf yellowing followed by premature leaf drop is especially common. Other species, especially maples and lindens, develop moderate leaf browning known as "leaf scorch", especially on the sides of the crowns of urban trees growing over pavement on streets and parking lots. The long-term effects of drought on tree growth and health are variable -15- and difficult to predict. Smaller trees with root systems that are shallow and less developed than those of large trees with well- established root systems suffer earlier and more severely. Trees on south and southwest exposures, on shallow soil and droughty ridges, or urban trees surrounded by pavement or in compacted soils, will suffer more damage than others. Shoot and diameter growth reductions this year and next year are likely. Some trees will also exhibit partial dieback (death of twigs and branches from the top down and outside in) . Epicormic shoots (sprouts arising abnormally along the trunk or limb) may develop in succeeding years on trunks of severely damaged trees. Total death of the crown may also occur; in some cases all above- ground parts of the tree may die even when the root system remains alive. The subsequent attacks on trees by opportunistic tree pests are just as important as the immediate and obvious visual damage. Normal defense and wound-closure mechanisms are inhibited in trees under drought stress. Thus, the effects of the drought of 1988 will be observed in increased pest activity and associated losses for several years to come. What can you do for your trees? Watering is essential to minimize drought damage. Stop fertilizing drought-stressed trees. Use sprinklers, soaker hoses or drip irrigation to apply supplemental water. Remember, 1-1 1/2 inches of water must enter the soil each week during the spring, summer and early fall for normal tree function. If the required amount of water does not occur as natural precipitation, you must supplement it yourself. Water the area under the tree branches and a little beyond the drip line. A good rule of thumb is to water the area 1 1/2 times the diameter from the drip line to the trunk. This will help 80 to 90 percent of the active roots which supply water to the tree. Do not water at the tree base. There are few active roots present in that area and you may cause other pest problems . The best times to water are from 4 to 7 p.m. This is also the time many watering restrictions are in place, so check for local restrictions in your area. Alternative watering times could be up to 10 a.m. and late at night. Night time watering, however, can lead to pest problems on some ground covers . Never spray water on the leaves of a tree. Sunshine on the water droplets can lead to leaf damage. Water on the leaves at night can lead to problems with fungal pathogens. Always water the soil surface directly. Mulching is an excellent way of minimizing water loss from the soil and it can eliminate competing vegetation without having to resort to weed control chemicals. The farther away from the tree you can keep ground covers, the better for the tree. Pine straw, aged woodchips, pine bark or gravel or rock are good mulches if used wisely and in moderation. Mulches 2 to 4 inches deep are usually enough to provide benefits to your trees. Remember, in the current drought situation, help to save valuable shade and ornamental trees by watering. For mor information about trees, contact your local county extension adviser or urban/community forester. Prepared by: Dr. P.J. Weicherding, Area Extension Adviser-Forestry, -16- University of Illinois, CES Regional Office, Benton, IL CUTTING UP CUTTING UP features articles related to the properties of wood for product manufacturing and consumer use. The care of wood products will be addressed periodically. NEW WOOD PRODUCTS HAVE A DIFFERENT LOOK There are many new wood products on the market today. Most of the innovations are coming in the area of wood composites. This market used to be dominated by plywood and particleboard, but within the last 15 years many other products have become available. Among these are f iberboard, laminated- veneer- lumber, f lakeboard-OSB-waferboard, and glued -laminated beams. The advent of the flake or wafer products was the result of the increasing cost of veneer-quality logs to make plywood. A concerted effort by industry and the USDA- Forest Service ironed out the technical problems associated with making strong, stiff panels from many small wood particles. Flakes are wood particles with the general geometry of 3 inches in length, one- half inch wide, and 20 thousandths of an inch thick. Flakes are manufactured from southern pine, Douglas-fir, and a number of hardwoods. Wafers tend to be more square in shape, 2-3 inches, and one -sixteenth to one-eighth inch thick. Wafers are manufactured exclusively from aspen. A further refinement is OSB (Oriented Strand Board) . In these panels, the particles have been aligned in layers to approximate the orientations found in plywood. These panels are much stiffer in the 8-foot direction than the 4-foot direction. A few general observations about flake-type panels; they are not as stiff nor as strong as plywood in a given size, they are substantially cheaper, houses and structures can be designed safely to use flakeboards, and they pick up water and swell very quickly so they must be protected. Finally, if it seems that flakeboards are taking over the market, it is only an illusion; 80 percent of the twenty-five billion square foot panel market is still plywood. Another replacement-type product is fiberboard. Fiberboard is bonded wood fibers (much like the fibers found in paper) , and it is used almost exclusively in the furniture market. It has largely replaced particleboard in the office and home furniture industry. This has occurred because fiberboard has a smooth surface which can be laminated with plastics and nailed or screwed into the edge. The potential for increased fiberboard use is tremendous. It can be manufactured from a variety of fiber sources including harvesting and sawmilling residues, urban wood wastes, and possibly some agricultural wastes. Laminated-veneer-lumber is simply plywood with all the veneers arranged in the same direction. This lumber is sometimes seen as headers for garages, but more typically is found in flat trusses and wood I-beams. This material is used in the top and bottom portions with steel, aluminum, plywood or flakeboard in the middle. LVL is a significant advancement in the wise use of wood for structural purposes. It allows the use of low grade -17- veneer in the center of the lumber where stresses tend to be low and high grade veneer in the outer portion to resist higher stresses. Glued-laminated beams have long been popular for churches because of their beauty. However, very large structures can be built using these beams. Examples are the domed stadiums at Northern Arizona University, the University of Idaho, and the TacomaDome. It is the intent of current wood design researchers to encourage the use of glued-laminated beams in a large portion of the warehouse and light industrial buildings being built today. In addition to using a renewable resource with low environmental costs, these buildings are actually more safe in fires than comparable metal structures. Increasingly in the future, our forest resource will be used for wood composites. More complete use of each tree is possible and the composites themselves can be manufactured for very specific end- products. However, more care must be taken when using composites as they are not as forgiving as solid wood. Wood is, and will continue to be, a significant construction material, but in new and more useful forms . Prepared by: Dr. A.D. Pugel, Assistant Professor of Forest Products, Department of Forestry, University of Illinois, Urbana. ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES SURVEY H ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE P O Boa 192*3. SlKifigfiahl. IL 62794-9283 : 1217)492-4295 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Illinois Department of Conservation life and land logelher @ DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield. Illinois 62706 Phsne (217)782-2361 PRICE REPORTING ZONES June :i, 1988 PRICES PAin ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODOCERS NOVEMBER 1987 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1968 Winter sflwtlmber prices paid Illinoi.*; timber crowers for stumpage and F.O.B. mill were mostly higher than a year earlier. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of their 1987 operations, 48/! Indicated their volume was SOO thousand board feet or higher. This was down from 372 reported a year earlier on their 1986 operations. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting 7ones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. lone 1 is the Southern Unit, 7.one 2 the Claypan Unit and Zone 3 the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service with the assistance of the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey is gratefully appreciated. Tbis report can be used only as a guide for determining the market value of timber. fieneral market and economic conditions arc the major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and t n-e size and quality also affect the price received. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 North Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. -18- AWKAHF. SAWTIHRKR IRICF.K IN t PFK M BD. FT., STIIMPACF AMD K.O.B. SEl.F.CTEn PERIODS SrF.filKS A.sl7 Hanswood I'.recli (^ot t Oltwnod r.wppt rum Flm 6 ll.-ickherry lllclrrv Soft Maple SiiK-ir M.nplc Hlack n.ik rln n.ik Hetl 0,1k Wlilt,- (l,ik Ye 1 1 ctw Pop 1 n r SvrnimTP r.l.ick W.I hint Woods Klin liotlomla Woods Run Upland No,.Prrhpr 1 9ah-Fol>riin rj- 1987 M.i • 1987-Aiigiist 1987 Novemhcr 1 98 /-Fehriui rv 198,8 ! St'imp.Tgp F.n.",. Stiimpage F.O.B. St.imrage F.O.B. 95 2)4 4 5 123 55 112 35 106 45 116 4(1 113 46 llfl 48 129 54 125 7? 127 4 1 114 92 17/ 94 1 75 64 ! 34 36 113 M7 486 nd 51 119 7 1 13) 103 224 51 121 47 119 38 HI 45 118 42 106 44 117 47 120 52 112 75 125 48 114 114 194 106 191 66 138 38 114 273 539 49 120 83 151 118 50 40 36 42 40 44 48 5 7 8 5 48 141 127 7 3 36 292 4 9 88 250 126 124 110 121 114 128 128 137 158 1.'2 201 221 159 117 546 110 170 FACE VENEfR PRICES $ PER M BD. FT. Med Oak Utilte O.nk U'.nlniit 271 524 35(1 6't5 764 1.098 815 1,342 1,248 1.86/ 1.085 1,943 304 803 1,231 726 1.324 2,04 7 IINPKEI.Fn Plll.ruOOn PRICES, * PF.R TON, SEI.F.CTED PERIODS Ton Novpmtipr 1 9H(,-leliriinrv 1987 M.iy 1987-AuBiisl 1987 November I'fST-F ehru.Try 1988 Stimp.igc F.n.n. Stump.Tge F.O.B. St nmp.Tgp r.o.R. 2.00 13.33 2.00 13.90 1 .90 1 2 . 00 1 CnOPF.RACE PRICES, t PER M RD. FT., .STUMl'AGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS Stimji.igc K.O.n. Stiimpage F.O.R. Sliimpapc l.li.ll. White 0.1 k 135 300 112 143 288 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS, NOVEMBER 19R7 -FEBRUARY 198B PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 7.one 2 7,on ^' - 1 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B.Htli Stumpage F.O.B. Hill Dollars 1. Snvtimber Ash H hd.fr.. 100-150 125- 387 50 -200 120-360 50 -200 112- 400 Hasswond M bd.ft. 50 12 5- 130 ■30 - 70 110-140 30 -100 90 - 150 Reech M bd.ft. 35 - 50 120- 130 30-50 110-130 30 - Cottonwood H bd.ft. 30 110- 125 22 - 50 100-130 20 - 80 80 - 130 Sweet r.iim M bd.ft. 30 - 50 80 - 130 30-50 110-140 - - Elm 6 llackberry M bd.ft. 40 - 50 80 - 130 22 - 60 100-140 20 - 80 80 - 130 Hickory M bd.ft. 35 - BO 12 5- 200 20-80 1 10-200 20 -100 80 - 150 Soft M.iple M bd.ft. 40 - 50 120- 135 30 - 70 110-140 30 - 70 100- 150 Sugar Maple H bd.ft. 40 - 50 80 - 135 40 -100 120-200 30 - 80 110- 225 Black Oak M bd.ft. SO -150 125- 250 30-150 110-170 3S -150 lor- 225 rin Oak M bd . f t . 40 - 50 125- 150 25 -120 110-140 20 -115 80 - 130 Red Oak M bd.ft. 60 -250 125- 300 60 -250 120-300 75 -250 120- 275 White Oak M bd.ft. 125-200 125- 450 50 -200 120-350 7C -250 100- 400 Yel low Poplar M bd.ft. 50 -100 125- 200 40 -100 110-200 - 100 Svcamore M bd.ft. 40 - 50 125- 130 20 - 50 110-140 20 - 65 80 - 130 Black Walnut M bd.ft. 200-300 400-1000 100-450 250-550 150-500 225-1000 Woods Run Bottomland M bd.ft. 50 - 70 125 40 - 70 120-140 3" - 80 140 Woods Run Upland M bd.ft. 50 -171. 125- 250 50 -150 120-220 40 -120 200- 250 2. Fare Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B. Red Oak M bd.ft. 130 - BOO 300 -1,C00 Wlilte Oak M bd.ft. 400 -1,500 700 -2.000 Walnut M bd.ft. 400 -2.500 1,200-4,000 3 . Pit I puood Unpee led Ton 1.50- 2.00 12.00 4. Cooperage White Oak H bd.ft. 75 - 250 250 - 300 l.OC SCALES USED «Y REPORTING BUYERS Scale Percent Using Poylp 95 Scrlbnpr 3 Intern.Tilonal 2 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reporting Rates Reported $7m b.l .ft. Tione 1 31 100-150 Zone 2 39 80 -200 7.onp 3 45 100-300 ILLINOIS 40 80 -300 VOLUME OF 1987 OPERATIONS Sire In (OOO)hd .ft Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 All Z :; /• 2 1 - 100 - 26 Z2 20 100 - 500 15 35 33 32 500 -1000 39 13 19 20 1000-3000 23 13 15 15 3000+ 23 13 11 13 Cooperage is the maniifartnre of barrcl.s. Face veneer: Logs cut into rliin sheets or "veneer" iiseil mostlv hy furniture builders. t'u Ipwood is used in making paper, flherhoard, and similar products. H bd.ft. ricTus thousand board feet. S.iwt Imber refers to logs that arc cut Into lumber or timbers. MARKED TIMBER SALES - NOVEMBER 1987- FF.BRUAKY 198R STATEWIDL STUMPAGE* Wo. ids Run Upland $96 - J244/M bd.ft. Woods Klin Bottom! and In SI fflclent data ♦Prices supplied to DIs Crlct Foresters .^-y. sell ei", m.TV inc ludp Stimp veneer . Kreil S. B.nrretl State Statistician Dean Hasenmver, (Jarrv 11. Keplev, Agricultural Statisticians 'PriiKc.l by aiithorltv of the St-ite of Illinois." 6/21/88, 1,800, 1499 -19- Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL 61801 NONPtOFTT MC I. 1 rOSTAGE PAID CNAMPAICK, I. I1S20 fOtm #75 Cooperative Extension Service University of Illinois at Urtiana-Ctiampaign ILLINOIS sfP 2 , 198 FOREST MAJSTAHSEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for lUinois Landowners Volume 1,1 989 No. 16 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Deportment of Forestry and the Cooperative Extension Service. Our newsletter features timely tips to help you manage your woodland more effectively. We encourage your questions and comments which we will shore with our readers as space permits. Direct your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, 110 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. This issue features a continuation of our article entitled "Alternative Income Opportunities From Private Woodlands". BLACK WALNUT PLANTATION MANAGEMENT FOR PROFIT AND PLEASURE Mention income from timber and the first thing that comes to mind is black walnut. This species has been one of the mainstays of the furniture and veneer industries, and brings a handsome return for high quality trees. If you have idle acres or are considering removing land from crop production, block walnut may prove to be just the opportunity you're looking for. There ore cost-share programs available which will help you offset the cost of establishing and maintaining the plantation. This introductory article will help you determine if a walnut plantation con turn your idle acres into a profitable opportunity. Selecting the Right Site Many tree planting projects get started with the right intentions, but soon foil because the tree species selected was not compatible with the site (sometimes even the climate). Block walnut is a species that will tolerate a wide range of overage site conditions, but to maximize its growth potential in Illinois, here are a few site characteristics you need to keep in mind: * Not all idle ground is suited to growing block walnut. Often you hear that good agricultural ground is ideal for walnut... maybe not. Agricultural crops ore shallow- rooted relative to many tree species. Block walnut develops a extensive taproot which requires deep soil with no obstructions such as a gravel or hordpon layer. Moke sure the site you're considering has these soil characteristics: • Medium texture - the best soils for walnut have topsoils of sandy loam, loom, or silt loom over subsoils of the some textures, or sandy cloy loom or cloy loom. Limestone derived loom to cloy loom soils are also good. Avoid heavy cloy soils. • Deep soil profile and good internal drainage - the soil depth should extend down at 3 feet before encountering bedrock or a hordpon layer. Avoid sites which exhibit poor internal drainage. Walnut will not tolerate "wet feet". A mottled subsoil (streaks of gray, red or yellow) is a good indication of internal drainage problems. Heavily compacted soils will present on aeration problem as well. * Avoid stony soils. * Good fertility - naturally fertile soils are desirable, but fertilizer can be used to supplement deficient soils. Generally speaking, if the soil is deficient in nutrients for growing agricultural crops, it will be deficient for walnut as well. Bringing fertility up to a level required by agricultural crops will be suitable for walnut. Soils with a pH range of 5 to 8 usually provide the nutrients needed by walnut. Avoid soils with an acid clayey subsoils. State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment * Proper aspect - walnut is a cove hardwood and is found growing in bottomland areas and lower slopes of hilly terrain. Select north- or east-facing lower slopes for best growth. Avoid steep or south- ond west-facing 'slopes or narrow ridgetops. Pay particular attention to potential internal drainage and compaction problems. * Avoid droughty soils. * Avoid planting sites that may be potential frost pockets. Selecting Suitable Planting Stock You've heard the expression "putting all your eggs in one basket". Pay particular attention to this phrase when considering a tree planting project. Avoid monocultures or in the case of a walnut plantation avoid planting all of the same cultivar. If an insect or disease problem gets started in the plantation, chances of getting wiped out ore for less if you use planting stock from two or three different sources. Here are some options to consider: * Using seed - walnut plantations con be established by using seed. Collect the seed from areas 100 to 200 miles south of your planting site. This will improve growth rates up to 7 percent. Southern-grown trees tend to grow faster than local or northern- grown stock. Do not move seed (or seedlings) more than 200 miles north. You will likely encounter a frost damage problem if you do. Collect seed from as many different trees as possible to ensure a wide variety of genetic background, Weed out those seedlings which seem to fall behind the rest. Keep records detailing where you collected your seed for future plantings. * Using seedlings - many nurseries sell black walnut seedlings. Some deal in grafted stock and others grow their material from seed. Some nurseries develop their own cultivars known for fast growth and excellent form, others sell seedlings grown from seed they have purchased from individuals or collected themselves. Expect to pay more for proven, "genetically superior" planting stock. We con supply you with a directory of walnut seedling suppliers if you write us. Again pay particular attention to the 200 mile rule-of-thumb. Order 10 to 20 percent more seedlings than you need to allow for culling out the "dogs or runts". There's no need to fool with these, they won't produce good trees. Generally, "superior" stock does not need to be graded. You ore paying for quality. Planting and Maintenance * You must prepare the site prior to planting to eliminate competition from grasses, weeds, or brush. This should be done in the late summer or fall prior to planting the following spring. Planting rows con be cultivated or treated with on appropriate herbicide to control the plant material growing on the site. Check with your District Forester for herbicide recommendations appropriate for your site. * The spacing between trees and between rows of trees will be dictated by the equipment you hove available to maintain the plantation. Generally, spocings of 10 x 10 feet or 12 X 12 feet are recommended for timber production. Variation of spacing within rows or between rows is possible, but you should shoot for planting 436 or 302 trees per acre. Moke sure you allow sufficient space between the rows of trees so that you will not damage them with your mowing equipment. * Spring planting is recommended after any threat of frost-heaving has past. Before planting, soak the seedlings in water for 1 to 2 hours. Keep the entire root system moist during planting by carrying the seedlings in a bucket of water. Dig the hole just prior to planting the seedling and make it big enough to accommodate the root system. Avoid bending the root system back on itself, commonly called "J-roots". This will cause extremely poor growth and even death of tree. * Weed control is imperative for the first 3 to 4 years of your plantation's development. You need to maintain a weed-free band or circle around each tree approximately 4 feet in width. This can be done with -2- chemicals or mechanically. Roundup applied as a directed spray at a rate of 1 1/2-2 quarts/acre can be used to control competing vegetation, but again, it must be kept off of the trees. Mowing is also important between the rows of trees. * Fertilizing will improve the growth rote of your trees, but it will also increase the need for weed control. Fertilizing in a young plantation is not suggested. Pole-size stands seem to respond best to fertilization and make the most economical sense. The best suggestion is to choose a plantation site with good fertility levels. * To maintain good growth rates within the plantation, the trees will need period thinning. It's important to start identifying your crop trees early and manipulate the trees around them to favor their growth. As the trees grow in size, their crowns will begin to fill in and touch. If left in this condition, all of the trees will experience suppressed growth rates. It is important to recognize that not all the trees you originally planted will make it to harvest time. Most will serve as "trainers" for the crop trees you select. Expect to do periodic thinnings every 10 to 15 years depending on the site conditions. * Your crop trees will need special attention, too. They may need corrective pruning to eliminate forks and promote straight boles, and they certainly will need to be pruned periodically to produce knot-free lumber and veneer that brings top dollar for your efforts. Pruning is labor intensive, but pays for itself in the long-run. We recommended that you prune your crop trees up to 17 feet in height. Lateral pruning is done over a period of years to minimize any affect on the growth rote of the trees. * You'll need to keep a watchful eye for signs of insect and disease problems as well. Walnuts are particularly susceptible to anthracnose, walnut caterpillar, leaf spot, canker, and twig and stem borers. Expected Returns? Obviously, making a "wholesale" statement about economic returns is impossible because everyone's situation is different. However, Dr. Gene Campbell, University of Illinois Forest Economist, recently completed a study which revealed some interesting economics figures for black walnut. Dr. Campbell's study looked at two different management strategies; production of timber only, and combining timber and nut production. Recommended management techniques were followed in the study and the site was assumed to be average to good for black walnut. Dr. Campbell's study netted a return of $12,655 per acre for timber only, and $21,122 per acre for the timber and nut strategy. It should be understood that this is a net return over a 70 year period. Your property and specific situation may or may not reflect the conditions set forth in Dr. Campbell's study. In any case, the figures are benchmarks to show what is possible. If you would like a copy of Dr. Campbell's report entitled Timber Income Opportunities - Illinois Forest Landowners, 1989, please send a $3.00 check payable to Department of Forestry to: Department of Forestry, 110 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. You also may wish to purchase a copy of the recently published Walnut Notes. This is an excellent compilation of articles written by walnut research experts. It available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Request: Walnut Notes, USDA Forest Service - North Central Forest Experiment Station Source: Walnut Notes, USDA Forest Service; 1989. HOW TO RELEASE CROP TREES IN PRECOMMERCIAL HARDWOOD STANDS -3- What is crop tree release? Crop tree release is the selection and release of desirable trees by removing adjacent competing trees. Why should crop trees precommercial stands? be released in Precommercial crop tree release increases tree diameter and helps ensure survival. Released trees become mature sooner and/or attain a larger size at maturity. What is a crop tree? A crop tree can be any tree that you want to retain. For sawlog production, timber crop trees in precommercial stands should be high value species, dominant or codominant in canopy position, straight, free of main stem forks in the lower 1 7 feet of the bole, and vigorous with no sign of top dieback or insect or disease damage. Figure 1.— Dominant/codominant (D/C): Trees with crowns forming the general level of tfie crown cover and receiving full light from above, but little from the sides. Intennediate (I): Generally shorter than dominant/codominant, with crowns extending into the crown cover, but receiving little direct light from above and none from the sides. Overtopped (0): Trees with crowns entirely below the general level of the crown cover, and receiving no direct light. Wildlife crop trees can be den trees and mast producers such as oaks, hickories, or beech. In areas where there are only a few dominant or codominant mast producers, some wildlife crop trees can be intermediate crown class (See Figure 1 .) When should crop trees be released? Dominant or codominant crop trees can be released any time after they have reached a height of about 25 feet. This usually occurs between the ages of 1 0 and 1 5 years. How many crop trees should be released? In most cases 50 to 75 crop trees per acre ore released. It is of little value to release timber crop trees that will be removed in future intermediate cuttings. Therefore, never release more than 100 crop trees per acre in precommercial stands. How should crop trees be released? Apply a crown-touching crop tree release by cutting all trees (except other crop trees) whose crowns touch the crop tree crown. Normally, it is not necessary to cut overtopped trees (See Figure 2) CROWN TOUCHING RELEASE Before Treatment ^''^^. '^\ U'i ^^ "^^'p CT f •jf' ' ' rY~W- ^-\J^ ^^ -rC i/ ^^5^ '^■'Ir - ' -~ V V' "^XS^i^^ \y " ■'c ;;3sJ^p.'CT^ ■/^i ■ -« ni; >#^- "^^^\ r-.V-' t^jCT'jy^ H £ VIEW FROM ABOVE VIEW FROM SIDE After Treatment VIEW FROM ABOVE VIEW FROM SIDE Figure 2.— Aerial and side views of stand prior to and after application of crown touching release to crop trees (CT). In areas within stands where no suitable crop trees are found, do not cut any trees. Remember, crop tree release is cutting only trees that are competing with crop trees, It is not selecting crop trees and cutting all other trees in the stand! -4- Try to pick crop trees about 25 feet opart (See Figure 3). OccosionoIIy, i^/o crop trees may be left close to each other. Treat their crowns as a single crown and apply a crown-touching release. Do not leave groups of more than two crop trees close to each other. connection rather than those having a V- connection (See Figure 4). Figure 3— Try to space crop trees (CT) 25 feet apart and you will end up with a sufficient number of trees per acre. Some crop trees can be spaced 15 feet apart, and others 35 feet apart. Generally speaking, using a chainsaw to release crop trees is cheaper than using herbicides (basal spraying or injecting). It takes about three minutes to release a crop tree using a chainsaw. When competing trees are being felled, it is easy to see which trees still need to be cut. Also, herbicides cannot be used to release sprout-origin crop trees. What about stump sprouts? Stump sprouts are fast-growing and will respond to release. However, stump sprout crop trees must originate at or near groundline so that as the parent stump decays the crop tree will not break off or develop butt rot. Release one or two widely spaced crop trees per clump. Select trees with a U- Figure 4.— Stump sprouts connected in a "U' shape as shown by the two outside stems are acceptable choices for crop trees; but "V connection sprouts (center) generally should not be considered. For additional information about crop tree release contact: USDA Forest Service Northeastern Forest Experiment Station Timber and Watershed Laboratory P.O. Box 404 Parsons, WV 26287 USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry Morgantown, WV 26505 -or- Your Illinois Division of Forest Resources District Forester. His or her name and address con be obtained by writing the Illinois Division of Forest Resources, 600 N. Grand Ave., West, Springfield, IL 62706. Source: USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, NE-INF-80-88. -5- WOOD 'N NICKELS CONSERVATION EASEMENT CAN REDUCE YOUR DEBT What is a Conservation Easement? A conservation easement is an agreement that a landowner makes with an outside party to restrict the type and extent of development that may take place on his or her property. With an easement ,the outside party holds certain property rights while the landowner still owns the land. Wtiat are FmHA Conservation Easements? The FmHA Conservation Easement Program was created by the 1985 Food Security Act to assist FmHA borrowers under financial stress. Starting in November 1988, eligible farmers may request debt relief in exchange for a conservation easement that must last at least 50 years and can be perpetual in some cases. Wtiat are ttie Benefits? The main benefit of conservation easements is that it allows you to writedown some of your debt so that you can continue farming. In addition, you can negotiate with the easement holder to earn income from the easement land and to be reimbursed for any management expenses. Conservation easements provided many indirect benefits as well. For example, they may improve water quality ,help control soil erosion, and provide flood protection. Easements are also valuable for protecting fish and wildlife for conservation and recreation purposes. There ore several cost associated with a conservation easement. One cost is the restrictions placed on the use of the land in the easement. Another cost is the income lost from crop production from land in the easement which was previously cropped. Finally, there may be some income and property tax implications which you should have evaluated by a tax advisor. Which Lands Qualify? Conservation easements may be established on land that is wetland, upland, highly erodible land or wildlife habitat; for conservation, recreation, and wildlife purposes. The land must have been either row-cropped or set aside for a row-cropping system each year in 1983, 1984, and 1985, except for wetland or wildlife habitat. Which Farmers Qualify? A farmer may be eligible for debt relief if he or she is at least 30 days late on a poym.ent to FmHA. Only farmers that received FmHA loans before December 23, 1985, qualify. Debt writedowns, which includes both nonrecourse writedowns and conservation easements, can be employed only after other attempts have been made by FmHA to service delinquent form debt. These options include, rescheduling and reamortizing loans, and adjusting interest rates and loan payments. The selection of a conservation easement for debt relief, in combination with all other methods, will give you the best chance to continue farming and to meet your financial needs. The conservation easement option allows farmers to reduce their loan amount further than other options. This option may make it possible for farmers to maintain a reasonable cash flow and to remain solvent where other servicing options fail. Who Holds the Easement? An easement holder may be any federal, state or local government agency, or any non-profit organization. The holder is responsible for monitoring the easement and ensuring that the terms of the easement -6- agreement are met. The U.S. Fish ar^d Wildlife Service may assist in monitoring and enforcement as well. Any management needed on the easement may be carried out by the easement holder or delegated to another party, including you. An easement holder may assume responsibility for managing conservation values, while the farmer continues his or her farm management activities. What Restrictions Apply? Generally, the terms of a conservation easement will specify those restrictions that are necessary to protect the conservation, recreation, and wildlife values of the property. You and the easement holder can negotiate which restrictions will be placed on the easement, together, you can decide who may enter the property, which uses are appropriate, and whether access fees should be charged. What You Can Do Contact your local FmHA agent to discuss how conservation easements can help you. It may be that public interest groups or natural resource agencies may have already expressed an interest to FmHA about special natural resources in your area. Your farmland could be eligible and therefore could satisfy several mutual benefits. Through the FmHA conservation easement program, not only can you continue farming, you can also be proud of protecting important resources affecting your family and community. Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Conservation Easement Can Reduce Your Debt, December 1988. For complete details, see Federal Register, Vol, 53, #178, Wednesday, September 14, 1988. pp. 35638-35798. j^^^SaSiSf ^ Bugs 'n Blights HOW TO IDENTIFY AND CONTROL RHIZOSPHAERA NEEDLECAST Rhizosphaera needlecast, caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii, seriously damages blue spruce trees in nurseries and Christmas tree plantations in the north- central States. Although some trees are killed, the primary damage has been premature needlecast, rendering the tree unmerchantable. Symptoms Current-year needles are infected in May and June. Symptoms appear in late fall or the following spring, when fruiting bodies of the Rhizosphaera fungus appear in the stomota of infected needles. When magnified, these stomota appear as fuzzy black dots instead of the usual white color. The infected 2-year-old needles turn yellow in July and purplish-brown in late August. Most needles are cast in late summer, although some adhere overwinter and produce spores the following spring. The disease usually attacks the lower branches first and then spreads upward through the tree's crown. Spread Tiny spores called hyaline conidia ore released from the fruiting bodies during wet weather in late spring. Rain-splash disseminates them to infect other needles. Ironically, spores may also be spread from tree to tree on the tools used to shear Christmas tree plantations, especially if shearing is done when foliage is wet. However, most infections in plantations result from infected planting stock. -7- Control Cultural * Use healthy planting stock. * Identify disease early to minimize losses. * Discard seedlings that have fruiting bodies in the stomata. * Shear trees in healthy plantations first. * Sterilize tools by dipping in denatured alcohol for 3 minutes. * Avoid shearing infected trees when foliage is wet. Chemical Trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 8-8-100 (hydrated lime-copper sulfate- water) early in June and again in July. Chlorothalonil is also effective in controlling this disease. Source: How To Identify and Control Rhizosphaera Needlecast, USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station bulletin EDITOR'S NOTE: A blue spruce growing in your yard can also be affected by this disease. Your county Cooperative Extension Service office can help identify tree and shrub insect and disease problems and recommend corrective treatment. Samples may need to be sent to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic for examination and culture. Contact your county Cooperative Extension office for more details. CUTTING UP that the annual cost from termite damage and control efforts probably exceeds $750 million. Much of the heavy damage occurs in the warmer climate of the southeastern U.S., but in Illinois moderate to heavy damage does occur. Most of the damage to homes and other wood structures such as utility pole sheds and fence posts is done by subterranean termites. It should be noted that termites in their natural habitat are considered beneficial insects because they help to break down natural plant materials, but when they attack wood structures, they become insect pests. Subterranean termites live in the soil and feed on wood above or below ground. Generally, they are dependant on on external supply of moisture and must maintain a moist environment in order to survive. In situations where leaky pipes or gutters keeps wood in a moist condition, termites can survive without having to return to the soil. How To Tell Termites From Ants Most home owners never see the signs of termites until a swarm of reproductive adults appears or the colony's feeding damage causes structural failure. Often these "flying termites" turn out to be winged ants... here's how to tell the difference. Ants have two pairs of transparent wings of unequal size. Termites have four, translucent wings of equal size. Pay particular attention to region of the body behind the wings called the abdomen. Ants hove a pinched or constricted body between the thorax and the abdomen sections. Termites have a more or less uniform body without a constriction. The antennae of ants are "elbowed" or jointed. Termite antennae ore straight and take on the appearance of tiny beads joined together (see illustration on next page). TERMITES AND ANTS How To Tell The Difference The thought of termites strikes fear into the heart of most home owners. It's estimated -8- eared in the September. 1989 issue of Practical Forestry and is reprinted with permission. Dollars and Sense - Tax Planning for Timberland Owners Taxable Income Where Tax Rate Changes from 15% to 28% Filing Status Taxable Income Over Single $18,550 Married Filing Jointly 30,950 Head of Household 24,850 Married Filing Separately 15,475 The current tax laws are not as favorable as they once were for the sale of timber because capital gain treatment is no longer available. However, individual timberland owners must operate within the current laws. The purpose of this article is to point out certain basic tax provisions that can be used to minimize the tax liability of timberland owners. The current tax rates, or brackets, are 1 5 percent and 28 percent with a 5 percent surtax for high income individuals, making a 33 percent bracket for particular ranges of income (Hoffman. Willis and Smith. 1989. p. A-9). There is a major difference between "gross income" and "taxable income." Gross income is defined in Sec. 61(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as follows: "Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle gross Income mear>s all income from whatever source derived: (Prentice-Hall Federal Tax Service. Par. 7012). A variety of deductions is made available by the law which reduces the taxpayer's gross income to taxable income, the amount on which the tax is figured. The following table indicates the level which taxable income must reach before the extra taxable income for the sale of timber would be taxed at 28 percent. Since individual timberland owners would be cash basis taxpayers, spreading the payments for the timber over more than one year might yield two possible benefits. An example of this would involve the sale of SIO.OCX) of timber with the timberland owner receiving $5.CXD0 down on December 15. 1989, and the remaining $5,000 later, say on February 15, A second possible benefit would be obtained If the splitting of the income could lower the tax bracket. For illustration purposes, assume a single individual with taxable income of $13,550 after all deductions are taken, but before including any income from the sale of the timber. If the timberland owner sold $10,000 worth of timber, his taxable income would increase to $23,550. By referring to the taxable income table, it can be determined that $5.(XX) of the increase would be taxed at 28 percent. By splitting the sale of the timberland between two years and assuming the same taxable income before the sale of the timber, the taxable Income would increase to $18,550 each year. This would result in the $5,000 being taxed at 15 percent each year, saving approximately $650 in taxes ($5,000 x .13 (old rate of 28 percent minus new rate of 15 percent)). To further illustrate, assume a married couple with no children filing a joint tax return. The standard deduction automatically available to them for 1989 is $5,200. Individuals would want to itemize if their deductions were greater than the standard deduction. For illustration purposes, we will assume in all cases the standard deducfion is larger. The couple would also have available a personal exemption of $2,000 each for a total of $4,000. These two deductions would reduce their taxable income by $9,200 ($5,000 + $4,000) and save the tax on that amount. The tax laws also allow an extra $600 in standard deduction if the individual is 65 or older and married, or an extra $750 in standard deduction if the individual is 65 or older and single. If the married couple were both 65 or older the two deductions would reduce their taxable income by $10,400 ($6,400 + $4,000) (Commerce Clearing House. 1989. pp. 81-84). These automatic deductions can provide excellent tax planning opportunities for the retired or semi- retired timberland owner. For illustration purposes, we will assume a retired couple, age 65. receiving Social Security benefits totaling $8,000 and a monthly pension of $200 ($2,400 annually). It is further assumed that the couple has 300 acres of timberland ready for a selection cut. with a value of $200 per acre for the timber to be removed. The tax results of three possible situations will be shown, although these do not represent all of the options. In Situation 1 . the timber from all 300 acres is sold and the money is received in the current year. Situation 1- Gross Income Sale of Timber $60,000 (300 acres @ $200 per acre) Pensior\ 2,400 Social Security Benefits* 4,000 66,400 Standard Deduction (6,400) Personal Exemption (4,000) Taxable Income $56,000 Tax Liability on $56,000 @ 15% $4,642.50 @28% 7,014.00 Total Tax Due $11,656.50 'Income would be large enough to make 50% of the Social Security benefits subject to tax. In Situation 2, the timber from all 300 acres is sold and half of the money is received in the current year and half after completion of the cutting in the following year. Assuming the same tax rate for both 1989 and 1990. the following tax liability would result. Situation 2- 1989 1990 Cross Income Sale of Timber $30,000 $30,000 Pension 2,400 2,400 Social Security Benefits 2,200 2,200 34,600 34,600 Standard Deduction (6,400) (6,400) Personal Exemption (4,000) (4,000) Taxable Income $24,200 $24,200 @15% $3,630 $3,630 Total Tax Due $7,260 The tax savings of Situation 2 over Srtuation 1 would be $4,396.50. This is the result of no income being taxed at the 28 percent rate and the fact that with the lower gross income in each of the years not as much of the Social Security benefits would be subject to tax. We now move the Situation 3, which may provide even greater tax savings. Situation 3- 1989 1990 Gross Income Sale of Timber Pension Social Security Benefits 510,000 2,400 -0- 510,000 2,400 -0- 12,400 12,400 Standard Deduction ( 6,400 ) ( 6,400 ) Personal Exemption Taxable Income ( 4,000 ) ( 4,000 ) 52,000 52,000 Tax Liability on 52,000 ®15% 5 300 5 300 In Situation 3. the timber from 50 acres was sold during the current year with 50 acres to be sold during 1990. Again, assuming the same tax rate for both 1989 and 1990, the following tax consequences would result. The sale of only 50 acres each year would result in tax of only $300 per year (3 percent of $10,000 sale price). By spreading the sale of the remaining timber over four more years, it might be possible (assuming minimum changes in the tax laws) to pay less than $2,000 (6 years x $300 = $1,800) in taxes. The disadvantage is delayed receipt of income, but it might be possible to save over $5,000 in taxes compared to Situation 2 ($7,260 - $2,000 estimated). An individual's tax planning should be done considering his personal circumstances, but both Situation 2 and 3 illustrate the benefits of tax planning. It is important to note that tax planning must be done before year end. Remember that once the year is over, tax planning for that year is over and the individual must work with the existing facts, with certain limited exceptions such as an IRA contribution. In Situation 3. if the sale were spread out over six years, the parents could sell the timber for $10.0CO per year, pay the $300 tax. give $3,000 to each child, and keep $700 for themselves. In this case, the $3,000 received by the children would not be subject to any further tax. This option would allow the parents to determine annually whether they need the money to meet their own needs or whether they want to pass the money on to their children. Another tax planning option might be available to the tree farmer who has other farming interests. If the other farming interests are generating a loss, the tree farmer could sell some of his timber near the end of the year and as a cash basis individual collect the money. This timber income would offset the farming loss, leaving the farmer with no tax liability. An appraisal by a forester-appraiser would again be called for. Before any decision about selling the timber is made, the timberiand owner needs to know the value. An appraisal by a forester-appraiser would provide the basis for making a knowledgeable decision (Sizemore. 1989. pp. 8-9). The retired or semi-retired couple in our illustration may not desire to sell the timber for themselves, but may wish to use It to benefit their children. Again, we will make certain assumptiorjs for illustration purposes. In this case we will assume three grown children, all married. The couple could give the timber rights to the children in one year with no tax consequences from the gift. This is possible because there Is an annual $10,000 exclusion for gifts for each donee or recipient. Only taxable gifts are subject to the gift tax. Since the gift would only be subject to the gift tax if the fair martearance during the years immediately after cutting. Attempts to minimize slash and soil disturbance and limits on size of openings and their proximity to older ones help reduce visual impacts; even so, these cuts remain unsightly to many people. As a consequer>ce. clearcutting and shelterwood cutting are the least -14- suitable in areas where recreation or visual goals are primary. There is no universal "best" regeneration method. Each method meets specific requirements and ovy/ners v^ill have different objectives and different levels of resources available to meet those objectives. Since most landowners have varying objectives, several or all methods are often appropriate for the same property. Intermediate Stand Management Intermediate cuttings may be necessary to enhance the development of existing stands to meet the overall goals for the property. Some trees are cut or killed to ensure survival and grov^/th of more desirable trees. Intermediate harvests may be commercial but often on investment is required because of tree size or value, or local market constraints. In central hardwood forests, stands ore often harvested through some form of "high grading" or cutting only the most valuable trees. When timber production is a management goal, intermediate cuttings must be considered for high graded stands. In these stands high value species and large diameter trees have been cut, leaving low value species and poor quality trees to occupy growing space, and to regenerate the next stand. This is still the most prevalent harvesting method on nonindustrial private forest lands. Abundant reproduction usually develops beneath relatively open canopies of high graded stands, followed by suppression of the reproduction as the overstory expands. As a result of the suppression, the reproduction slows in growth and begins dying. The less tolerant species die first and many remaining stems develop poor form from bending toward crown openings. Ideally, the undesirable overstory should be cut or killed before it begins to suppress the desirable reproduction. Such release cuttings are effective if applied within 5 to 15 years, depending on overstory density. Usually all overstory trees should be cut or killed in one operation, but some trees might be left for longer periods. For example, trees that are undesirable for timber production may be highly desirable for wildlife habitat if they contain nesting cavities, perch sites, and produce mast or fruit. There are millions of acres of older high graded stands in the eastern United States that have not had release cuttings. Invariably, undesirable growing stock greatly outnumbers desirable growing stock. But there are sufficient good growing stock trees in most of these stands to provide the base for a productive future harvest. You can start rehabilitation of such stands by on improvement cut. Cut of kill undesirable trees to favor better ones. Always encourage the development of the best trees. You want to accelerate the growth of the best trees, not merely harvest or kill the poor ones. There is considerable confusion outside of the forestry profession about selection silviculture. To many, the removal of scattered large diameter trees is an effective application of the selection method. However, without improvement cuttings throughout all diameter classes to regulate diameter distribution and release good growing stock, such cuttings are ■ high grade harvests which lead to quality and value decline. Intermediate cuttings can hove both adverse and beneficial effects on nontimber values, so take care to enhance and protect all values. For example, you con improve scenic values by releasing understory flowering trees and shrubs. You can reduce safety hazards in recreation areas by felling live and dead trees, pruning branches, and thinning to maintain vigorous, healthy trees. Thinning and improvement cuts in young even-aged stands con be used to improve vertical diversity and ground vegetation for many animal and bird species. Summary Forests should be managed to meet specific landowner gools-usually a combination of goals. The goals ore reached by applying silviculturol practices in on ordered sequence to individual stands. Prescriptions ore developed to move each particular stand toward the overall goal for the property. Stand management practices ore aimed at establishing regeneration; controlling species composition and density; reducing losses to insects, diseases, and fires; and enhancing nontimber values. These goals are achieved by applying regeneration and intermediate cutting methods. SOURCE: Marquis, David A. and Rodney Jacobs, 1989. "Principles Of Managing Stands"; Central Hardwood Notes. USDA - Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. -16- Timber Prices November 1989-February 1990 May 25, 1990 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS | NOVEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990 PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimbcr Dollars Ash M bd. ft. 50-250 125-380 80-250 120-500 60-200 150-500 Basswood M bd. ft. 50- 70 125 - 170 30-100 100-200 40-100 125-200 Beech M bd. ft. 30- 50 100- 140 30 100-120 .. CoUonwood M bd. ft. 25- 50 90- 140 20-60 90-140 20-50 110 - 150 Swecl Gum M bd. ft. 30- 60 100- 140 20 - 55 110 - 140 .. Elm & Hackbcrry M bd. ft. 30- 80 100- 140 20-60 100-150 20 - 100 110 - 150 Hickory M bd. ft. 30-100 110- 200 30 - 100 110 - 200 30-90 120-200 Sofl Maple M bd. ft. 40-100 100- 160 30-100 110-200 30-100 110-200 Sugar Maple M bd. ft. 40-100 120- 250 30-100 114-200 50 - 100 150 - 250 Black Oak M bd. ft. 50-200 125-300 50-200 110-300 40-150 100-300 Pin Oak M bd. ft. 30-120 100- 150 20-80 100-140 25 - 120 150 Red Oak M bd. ft. 100-300 250- 500 50-300 110-500 100-300 120-500 White Oak M bd. ft. 50-250 240- 400 50-300 110-600 100-300 120-450 Yellow Poplar M bd. ft. 50-150 120- 260 50-70 120 - 170 100 220 Sycamore M bd. ft. 20- 60 100- 140 20-60 100-140 20-60 110-130 Black Walnut M bd. ft. 150-500 350- 700 100-600 300-900 250-600 400-800 Woods Run Bottomland M bd. ft. 35-100 120 - 150 30 - 110 120 - 180 40-75 Woods Run Upland M bd. ft. 40-225 120- 200 40-150 120-220 50-200 2. Face Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B. Red Oak M bd. ft. 200-1,000 450 -1,250 White Oak M bd. ft. 500-2,000 800-2,000 Walnut M bd. ft. 400-4,000 900 -3,500 3. Pulpwood Unpecled Ton 1.50- 2.00 12.90 -13.00 4. Cooperage While Oak M bd. ft. 150- 300 300- 500 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Percent Using Doyle 98 Scribner 2 International CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reporting Rates Reported $/M bd. ft. Zone 1 33 100-200 Zone 2 33 80-200 Zone 3 33 100 - 250 ILLINOIS 33 80-250 VOLUME OF 1989 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. ft. Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 All % % % % 1 - 100 14 20 37 25 100- 500 34 37 31 34 500 -1,000 14 13 6 11 1,000 -3,000 14 17 13 16 3,000 + 24 13 13 14 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer: Logs cut into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used in making paper, fiberboard, and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into lumber or timbers. MARKED TIMBER SALES - NOVEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* Woods Run Upland $108 - $217/M bd. ft. Woods Run Bottomland Insufficient Data * Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Fred S. Barrett State Statistician Dean Hasenmyer, Garry D. Kepley, Agricultural Statisticians "Printed by authority of the State of Illinois," 5/25/90, 1,800, 1499 -15- f^^l ILLINOIS I ^^AGRICULTURAL ^^H STATISTICS SERVICE ffl. Box 19283. Springfield. IL 62794-9283 Phone:(217)492-4295 U.S. DEPARTMEhfT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION life and land together DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield. Illinois 62706 Phone: (217)782-2361 PRICE REPORTING ZONES May 25, 1990 PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1989 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1990 Winter sawtimbcr prices paid Illinois timber growers for stumpagc and F.O.B. mill were mostly higher than a year earlier. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of their 1989 operations, 41% indicated their volume was SCO thousand board feet or more. This was up from 36% reported a year earlier on their 1988 operations. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service with the assistance of the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey is gratefully appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit, Zone 2 the Claypan Unit and Zone 3 the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a guide for determining the market value of timber. General market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size and quality also affect the price received. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 North Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE SAWTIMBER PRICES IN $ PER M BD. FT., STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS SPECIES November 1988 -February 1989 May 1989 -August 1989 November 1989-February 1990 Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. Ash Basswood Beech Cottonwood 118 63 44 41 271 145 124 118 136 54 46 41 268 146 119 118 138 298 67 150 44 119 37 119 Sweet Gum Elm & Hackberry Hickory Soft Maple 47 47 52 54 125 127 136 135 42 45 49 53 122 122 147 146 44 122 48 124 54 140 55 142 Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak 58 101 49 156 150 159 124 314 64 96 48 169 142 176 128 343 66 170 106 192 53 125 180 325 While ();ik Yellow Poplar Sycamore Black Walnut 137 74 40 326 2«<.) I(i6 127 512 164 90 40 288 335 179 124 515 173 284 84 188 42 119 322 542 Woods Run Bottomland Woods Run Upland 57 99 125 140 64 109 130 163 56 136 106 157 FACE VENEER PRICES $ PER M BD. FT. Red Oak While Oak Walnut 440 851 1,443 840 1.525 2,092 455 819 1,439 705 1,321 2,180 579 977 1,529 876 U50 1,943 UNPEELED PULPWOOD PRICES, $ PER TON, SELECTED PERIODS Ton November 1988-February 1989 May 1989-August 1989 November 1989-Fcbruary 1990 Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpagc F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. 1.88 1.63 16.50 1.90 12.95 COOPERAGE PRICES, $ PER M BD. FT., STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS While Oak Stumpage 198 F.O.B. 440 Stumpage 178 F.O.B. 350 Stumpage 205 F.O.B. 405 Cooperative Extension Sen^ice United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urtxina.lL 61801 4g Library - Seriais Clerk l^Gl l^sst Gregory Drive emus mi (^~-^W.9;:ia9V73 \ Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners L I ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT Volume \, 1991 No. 20 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Forestry and the Cooperative Extension Service. Our newsletter features timely tips to help you manage your woodland more effectively. We encourage your questions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Direct you inquiries to Editor, IFM Newsletter, 110 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. In n^xs Issue Pagel Page 5 Page 6 Page 11 Page 15 Page 15 Wetlands - How They Affect Land Use Oxi Your Property Logger's Choice Isn't The Be&t Answer In Timber Sales How To Measure Trees To Determine Their Volume and Value Managing Private Woodlands For Eastern Wild Turkey A Turkey Feeder That Works! Chemical Repellents For Reducing Animal Damage By Deer, Rabbits, and Mice.wAre Consumers Being Ripped Off? Dogwood Disease Caused By A New Fungus more In n^kis Issue Deer Tick Incidence In Hlinois Illinois Timber Prices iiiiiiiiiliiii |||||;:|i|Pi||:^ WETLANDS - HOW THEY AFFECT LAND USE ON YOUR PROPERTY -Lresident Bush has called for "no further loss of America's wetland resource" and this issue has become an important part of his "America The Beautiful" program. Adding teeth to this proclamation are The Sw-^mpbuster provisions of the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills ag^ection 404 of the Clean Water Act. (C^^^ -.NV^^ If you farm and participate in USDA Farm programs (ASCS benefits, any multi-peril crop insurance, FmHA loans), you should have received an aerial photo of your property which identifies different types of wetland areas, prior converted cropland, and nonwetland areas. How you've treated wetland areas on your property in the past State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment and your future plans for these areas are key to the compliance requirements for government programs and your eligibility for future programs. Most farmers participating in USDA programs are well aware of what they can and can't do with wetland areas on their property. Of equal concern are those farmers who do not participate in government programs and landowners who may or may not live on the property and do not farm, but hold the property for some other use such as timber income, wildlife habitat, personal recreation, hunting, etc. The wetlands regulations apply to YOU as well even though you do not participate in any government programs. The wetland regulations may apply to you when you perform drainage work, construct levees, install culverts, fill wet areas, or carry out other construction-type activities such as building dams or other structures. Most of the activities you are likely to perform on your property that may impact wetland areas are covered under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Failure to obtain required permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers and /or the State of Illinois (IL EPA and the XL Division of Water Resources) can result in severe penalties. It is very important to know if you have wetlands on your property. These regulations apply to urban as well as rural properties. What Is A Wetland? The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly define wetlands as follows: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands are areas covered by water or that have waterlogged soils for long periods during the growing season. Plants growing in wetlands are capable of living in soils lacking oxygen for at least part of the growing season. Wetlands such as swamps and marshes are often obvious, but some wetlands are not easily recognized, often because they are dry during part of the year or "they just don't look very wet" from the roadside. Some of these wetland types include, but are not limited to, many bottomland forests, swamps, p>ocosins, pine savannahs, bogs, marshes, wet meadows, potholes, and wet tundra. The information presented here usually will enable you to determine whether you might have a wetland. If you intend to place dredge or fill material in a wetland or in an area that might be a wetland, contact the local Corps of Engineers District Office identified at the end of this article for assistance in determining if a permit is required. Why All The Fuss? Wetlands are a natural resource that have been particularly abused by the activities of p>eople. Nearly 90 percent of lllinois's wetlands have been drained or filled. So, as wetlands become more rare, they become more valuable. Just as rich topsoil or favorable climate provides us with benefits, so do wetlands. Wetlands: * help keep surface water and groundwater clean; * store floodwater; * trap sediment and attached nutrients; * function as greenspace and recreation areas; * contribute to groundwater recharge; * provide habitat for fish and wildlife (including many endangered species); * may be important to reduce global warming. Not all wetlands do all things, nor do all wetlands benefit us to the same degree. A healthy environment, however, hinges on a landscape containing various kinds of wetlands functioning together efficiently. Why Is It Necessary To Consider Whether An Area Is A Wetland? Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires that anyone interested in depositing dredged or fill material into "waters of the United States, including wetlands," must apply for and receive a permit for such activities. The Corps of Engineers has been assigned responsibility for administering the Section 404 permitting process. Activities in wetlands for which permits may be required include, but are not limited to: * Placement of fill material; * Ditching activities when the excavated material is side- cast; * Levee and dike construction; * Land clearing involving re- location of soil material; * Land leveling; Illinois Forest Management * Most road construction; * Dam construction. The final determination of whether an area is a wetland and whether the activity requires a permit must be made by the appropriate Corps District Office. How Can Wetlands Be Recognized? The Corps of Engineers uses three characteristics of wetlands when making wetland determinations - vegetation, soil, and hydrology. Unless an area has been altered or is a very rare natural situation, wetland indicators of all three characteristics must be present for an area to be a wetland. Each characteristic is discussed below. However, there are some general situations in which an area has a strong probability of being a wetland. If any of the following situations occurs, you should ask the local Corps office to determine whether the area is a wetland: Area occurs in a floodplain or otherwise has low spots in which water stands at or above the soil surface for more than 7 consecutive days during the growing season. Caution: Most wetlands lack both standing water and waterlogged soils during at least part of the growing season; Area has plant communities that commonly occur in areas having standing water for part of the growing season (e.g., water tolerant trees, cordgrass marshes, cattail marshes, bulrush and tule marshes, and sphagnum bogs); Area has soils that are called peats or mucks. These are referred to as hydric soils. A list of the hydric soils of Illinois is available at your local Soil Conservation Service (SCS) office; Area is periodically flooded by fides, even if only by strong, wind-driven, or spring tides. Many wetlands may be readily identified by the above general situations, but there are numerous wetlands in which it is unclear whether the above occur. In such cases, it is necessary to carefully examine the area for wetland indicators of the three major characteristics of wetlands - vegetation, soil, and hydrology. Although "typical" wetlands may suggest images of a cattail marsh or the shallow portions of lakes, the most common wetland types in Illinois are forested wetlands and small temporarily flooded wetlands in farmed fields. The following are wetiand indicators of the above mentioned characteristics. Vegetation Indicators Nearly 5,000 plant types in the United States may occur in wetlands. A list of the types that occur in your area can be obtained from the local Soil Conservation Service office, the local Corps office, the US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Athi: CEWES-EP-D, PO Box 631, Vicksburg, MS 39180-0631, or from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, 9720 Executive Center Drive, Suite 101, Monroe Bldg., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. You can usually determine if wetland vegetation is present by knowing a relatively few plant types that connmonly occur in your area. For example, cattails, bulrushes, cordgrass, sphagnum moss, baldcypress, willows, mangroves, sedges, rushes, arrowheads, and water plantains usually occur in wetlands. Other indicators of wetland plants can exist as trees having shallow root systems, swollen trunk butts (e.g., baldcypress, tupelo gum), or roots found growing from the plant stem or trunk above the soil surface. Several Corps offices have published pictorial guides of representative wetland plant types. If you cannot determine whether the plant types in your areas are those that commonly occur in wetlands, ask the local Corps of Engineers or Soil Conservation Service office, or a local botanist for assistance. Soil Indicators There are approximately 2,000 named soils in the United States that occur in wetlands. Such soils, called hydric soils, have characteristics that indicate they were developed in conditions where soil oxygen is limited by the presence of saturated soil for long periods of the growing season. The US Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has published a list of hydric soils. This list is available from the local SCS office, WES, or the local Corps office. If the soil in your areas is listed as hydric, the area might be a wetland. If the name of the soil in your area is not known, there are several indicators of hydric soils that may be determined by examining the soil, including: Soil consists predominantiy of decomposed plant material (peats or mucks) Soil has a thick layer (8 inches or more) of decomposing plant material on the surface; Soil has a bluish gray or gray color at 10 to 12 inches below the surface, or the major color of the soil at this depth is dark (brownish black or black) and dull; Illinois Forest Management * Soil has the odor of rotten eggs; Soil is sandy and has a layer of 3 inches or more of decomposing plant material at the soil surface; * Soil is sandy and has dark stains or dark streaks of organic rnaterial in the upp)er layer 3 to 12 inches below the soil surface. These streaks are decompxjsed plant material attached to the soil particles. When soil from these streaks is rubbed between the fingers, a dark stain is left on the fingers. Hydrology Indicators Wetland hydrology refers to the presence of water either above the soil surface or within the soil for a sufficient period of the year to significantly influence the plant types and soils that occur in the area. The most reliable evidence of wetland hydrology is provided by gaging station or ground water well data. However, such information is limited for most areas and, when available, requires analysis by trained individuals. Thus most hydrologic indicators are those that can be observed during field inspection. Most do not reveal either the frequency, timing, or duration of flooding or the soil saturation. However, the following indicators provide evidence of the periodic presence of flooding or soil saturation: Standing or flowing water is observed on the area for 7 or more consecutive days during the growing season; Soil is water-logged. This can be determined by digging a hole to a depth of 12 inches and examining the soil. If water stands in the hole, if the soil glistens with water at any depth to 12 inches, or if water can be squeezed from the soil, the soil is waterlogged; Water marks are present on trees or other erect objects. Such marks indicate that water periodically covers the area to the depth shown on the objects; Drift lines, which are small piles of debris oriented in the directions of water movement through an area, are present. These often occur along contours and represent the approximate extent of flooding in an area; Debris is lodged in trees or piled against other objects by water; Thin layers of sediments are deposited on leaves or other objects. Sometimes, these become consolidated with small plant parts to form discernible crusts on the soil surface. Wetland Determination One or more indicators of wetland vegetation, hydric soil, and wetland hydrology must be present for an area to be a wetland. If you observe definite indicators of one or two, but not all three characteristics, you should seek assistance from either the local Corps District Office, your local SCS office, or someone who is an expert at making wetland determinations. What To Do If Your Area Has Wetlands That You Propose To Fill Contact the Corps District Office that has responsibility for the Section 404 permitting process in your area. The address and telephone number of this office are provided below. This office will accurately define the boundary of any wetlands on your property, and will provide instructions for applying for a dredge and fill permit, if necessary. It is very important for you to know if you have wetlands on your property. Landowners face numerous regulations as they conduct their business in the 1990's. Although often frustrating, these rules reflect a growing concern for our environment in which wetlands play a crucial role. None of the regulations specifically prohibits work in wetlands. A wetland does not have to be "wasted space", but can become a valuable part of your property. REPRINTED FROM: Recognizing Wetlands. US Army Corps of Engineers, October, 1987. Miller, Brian W. and Forest Clark, Wetlands, Regulations, and You, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, 1991. SELECTED ILLUSTRATIONS by Ned Smith; In: Woodlands and Wildlife, Hassinger, J., et al. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1979. EDITOR'S NOTE: If you do not participate in USD A farm programs, you can receive a wetland determination for your property by completing a 1026 Form at your County Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS) office. Look in the white pages of the phone book under United States Government, Agriculture Dept Of- for their office address. If you would like to receive additional printed information on wetlands, the US EPA has a toll fee number, 1-800-832-7828, you can call. This wetlands information number serves as a Illinois Forest Management clearinghouse for most printed wetlands information available to the public. If you have a specific publication in mind, they can refer you to the appropriate agency for information on its availability and distribution. Corps of Engineers District Offices 1 3 John Rogncr Coips of Engineers Chicago District 111 N. Canal St. Chicago, IL 606O6 312/353-5428 Mike Cullcn Corps of Engineers St. Louis District 210 Tucker Blvd. Nonh St. Louis, MO 63101 314/263-5703 2 4 Steve Vandcrhom Corps of Engineers Rock Island District P. O. Box 2004 Rock Island, IL 61204-2004 309/788-6361 Rick Morgan Corps of Engineers Louisville District P.O. Bo« 59 Louisville, KY 40201-0059 502/582-6461 5 Jerald Davis Corps of Engineers Memphis District B-202 Clifford Davis Federal Building Memphis, TN 38103-1894 901/521-3471 LOGGER'S CHOICE ISN'T THE BEST ANSWER IN TIMBER SALES by Bruce Bennett, State Staff Forester, Soil Conservation Service, Champaign, IL Jt. study conducted in Illinois by Dwight McCurdy and Carl Budelsky, professors of forestry at Southern Illinois University, produced some interesting conclusions. The study was conducted within the 11 southern-most counties of Illinois. This area is dominated by the Upland Central Hardwood Forest type consisting of oak and hickory species as the major overstory component. For purposes of the study, a forester-assisted timber sale was defined as one in which trees were marked by an Illinois Division of Forest Resources District Forester. Sales marked by consulting foresters were not considered in this study. Non-assisted timber sales had no markings made by District Foresters or consulting foresters and were considered "logger's choice" sales. Twenty-acre sample areas were established within comparable assisted and non-assisted stands in terms of general location, aspect, slof)e position, soil series, estimated site index, date of sale, and minimum sale size. The average acreage size of the sale was 50 percent larger for non-assisted versus assisted sales, yet the average assisted sale yielded an actual sale revenue per acre that was more than double that of the comparable non-assisted sale. This held true even though the non-assisted sales involved 20 percent more merchantable volume in board feet per acre (3,030 b.f.m. versus 2,540 b.f.m. respectively). It also is interesting to note that 73 percent of the forester- assisted sales involved an up-front lump sum payment to the seller before harvesting began as compared to a "pay- as-you-cut" method for 75 percent of the non-assisted sales. Comp)etitive bidding procedures were used on forester-assisted sales which usually resulted in higher returns per thousand board feet (MBF). The timber left standing after logging is referred to as the "residual stand" and represents the stand's p)otential future harvests. The merchantable volume of the residual stand is based on those trees having a diameter of 16 inches or greater measured at 4.5 feet above the ground (DBH). This merchantable volume was twice as great for forester- assisted sales as compared to non-assisted sales. Illinois Forest Management The value p>er acre of the residual stand projected to the year 2017 was 1.5 times greater for the forester-assisted sales. The conclusior\s from this study are quite obvious. Besides gaining the benefits of free woodland management assistance provided by the lEXXI District Forester, those woodland owners marketing timber through forester-assisted sales may receive higher dollar returns per acre now and in the future than those who utilize the "loggers choice" approach. SOURCE: Forestry News, April, 1991; Two Rivers RC&D Project, Pittsfield, IL. WOOD 'N NICKELS HOW TO MEASURE TREES TO DETERMINE THEIR VOLUME AND VALUE In the last issue of our newsletter, we discussed the purpose of a woodland cruise, the type of information that is collected, and the various products which can be processed from harvested logs. If income from periodic timber harvesting is one of the objectives you've set for your woodland, how do you know when it's time to actually begin harvesting trees? Similarly, which trees are ready for harvest and which trees should be left to grow? To make these determinations, there are basic tree measurements which the forester must take. These include a diameter and height measurement, and an occasional boring of the trunk with an increment bore to assess the tree's past growth performance. Big trees are not necessarily big because they're old. The quality of the site on which they grow has a lot to do with their size. Not all woodland sites have the same productivity just as all farm fields do not produce the same the yields. If you were to examine two different white oaks growing on two different sites, it would be difficult to make an assessment of the site's ability to grow trees rapidly just on the basis of their size. If one was noticeably larger, you'd probably assume that this particular site was far superior. This is a common mistake made by landowners. To determine the quality of the site, the forester must bore a couple dominant trees in the stand to determine their age. He/she then determines the total height of the trees. These two measurements are compared to established tree growth curves which enable the forester to make a quick evaluation of the site's potential for tree growth. This is referred to as the site index. For central hardwoods, site index is a reflection of the total height a Sf)ecific tree species would achieve over 50 years of growth. There are numerous site index curves which have been developed for the major species growing in the Midwest. For white oak, a site index of 45 (SI45) means it will attain a height of 45 feet in a 50 year period. The larger the site index for a specific species, the better the site is suited to growing that species. One should not attempt to compare the site index values of two different species to each other. What might be a good site for growing white oak may only be an average site for walnut and so forth. Once site index is determined, the forester has a good idea of the growth potential of the stand. With this information at hand, he/she can decide what species to favor and begin to develop a harvest schedule for trees in the woodland. If the woodland has been there for quite some time and the site is poor, chances are good the larger trees have reached maturity and should be harvested. On the other hand, if the site is good, the larger trees may still be putting on good growth, and some of the largest veterans should be considered for harvest. Remember too that the smaller, genetically inferior trees may be the oldest and should be removed to make room for the more thrifty species. To determine a tree's board-foot volume, the forester must measure its diameter and its height. The diameter measurement is always taken at 4.5 feet above the ground or commonly referred to as Diameter Breast Height (D.B.H.). In instances where sloping ground is encountered, this measurement is always taken on the uphill side of the tree. To determine where D.B.H. hits you, stand erect and have someone measure up your side to a point 4.5 feet above the floor. Remember where this hits you. For the average-height person, this point should be at or near chest level. Tall folks might find it's at belt level, and short folks might find it's at eye level. The device used by most landowners to measure diameter is called a scale stick or Biltmore stick. Foresters use these devices for quick measurements, but often rely on a diameter tape when more accurate measurements are needed. The scale stick looks much like a yard stick except Illinois Forest Management ^ the gradations are smaller. Most scale sticks are calibrated to read the diameter of the tree directly from the stick when it is held 25 inches from the eye. Have someone help you determine a twenty-five inch reach. Hold a yardstick next to your eye. Hold the scale stick in your hand and extend your reach 25 inches away from your eye. Most folks with average-length arms will have a slight bend at the elbow. Become familiar with the "feel" of this reach. Here's how use the scale stick to determine the tree's diameter (refer to Figures 1 and 2): Figure 1 . ZERO END READ DIAMETER HERE TO THE NEAREST INCH Figure 2. 1. Face the tree and center yourself on its trunk. Move up against the tree to determine where the 4.5 foot mark is on the tree's trunk. Hold the scale stick horizontally against the tree on the 4.5 foot mark, and extend yourself 25 inches away from the trunk. 2. Look directly at the center of the trunk. Now, without moving your head, shift your eyes to the left side of the tree trunk and line the zero end of the stick up with the left edge of the tree. 3. Without moving your head, shift your eyes to the right side of the tree and observe where the right side intercepts the stick. This is the diameter measurement. 4. Because trees are not round, it is good practice to take another diameter measurement one-fourth of the way around the trunk (90 degrees to your first measurement). Average the two measurements. The volume of a cylinder (in essence a log) is equal to the area of the circular end times the length of the cylinder. So to figure out the board-feet volume of a tree, the second measurement you'll need to take is the height measurement. In this instance, we are not concerned with the total height of the tree, but rather its merchantable height. Merchantable implies the ability to be used. There are numerous factors which make a log unusable for lumber or veneer. One is the size of the log. For economic reasons, mills that harvest sawtimber for lumber generally will not accept logs smaller than 10 inches in diameter (inside the bark) at the small end of the log. The major factor which influences merchantable height is tree form. The first major fork in the tree is a good example. The diameter of the trunk (log) just below the fork may well exceed 10 inches, but the log(s) above the fork generally becomes quite limby and produce very low quality lumber. Large crooks, bends, or sweep in the trunk also make the log a cull. Noticeable swellings or decayed limbs or holes are also tell-tale signs that the inside of the trunk is rotten and would not produce sound lumber. These factors are known as defect. In summary, merchantable height is controlled by a diameter limit in the upp)er part of the tree or by some defect occurring on the trunk which renders the wood above unsuitable for lumber production. Making this determination sounds difficult, but with a little practice Illinois Forest Management you can quickly assess where the merchantable height is on each tree. The scale stick is used to determine merchantable height in 16-foot logs. Half-logs are 8 feet in length. Here's how to determine merchantable height (refer to Figures 3 and 4): :/;.r<>-;'^^.c :','■ f..-^^''-X^.:^'y, ,■> ' --. . , •? Merchantable height -■ -'A - \ \ \ \ Line o< sight \ 1 Stump height I 5 66' Figure 3. MERCHANTABLE HEIGHT READ LOG HEIGHT HERE TO THE NEAREST HALF-LOG Figure 4. The scale stick is calibrated to read log heights when you stand 66 feet away from the base of the tree. To do this you'll need a 100 foot tape or know how to pace the distance accurately. 1. Begin by observing the tree on all sides for outward signs of defect. Decide where merchantable height will be measured. 2. Move 66 feet away from the tree in a direction that will give you an unobstructed view of the merchantable height p)oint and the base of the tree. This may be difficult in a woodland with dense undergrowth. You should pay particular attention to pacing or measuring the 66 foot distance on the contour. Flat ground poses no problem, but hilly ground does. Standing above or below the tree on a hill rather than along the contour can lead to wrong height measurements. 3. Prior to moving away from the tree, lean a clipboard with an attached white sheet of notebook paper up against the base of the tree. The white paper will help give you a target when sighting the base from 66 feet. 4. Once you reach 66 feet, turn and face the tree. The scale stick will have graduated markings on its face or the side which represent log and half-log measurements. Hold the stick vertical with the base or zero end lined up with the top of the clipboard. Height measurements are always made with a one-foot stump height allowance. Loggers will not cut the tree flush with the ground and normally leave a stump approximately one foot high. Your arm should be extended 25 inches from your eye. Be sure to hold the stick as vertical as possible. Allowing it to lean toward or away from you can cause major measurement errors. 5. Without moving your head, shift your eyes up to the point where you've determined merchantable height will be measured. Observe where this point intercepts the stick. Read the number of 16-foot logs directly from the stick. Merchantable height should be measured to the nearest half-log. With these two measurements, diameter and log height, you can determine the board foot volume of the tree using the volume table included in this newsletter. Read along the left side of the volume table to find the correct diameter and across the top to find the number of 16-foot logs. The number where the column and row intersect is the board -foot volume of the tree. In Illinois, both timber buyers and foresters use the Doyle Rule for determining volume. Illinois Forest Management The board-foot volume you have determine for the tree is an estimate of lumber the logs would yield assuming they were 100 percent sound. You must make an allowance for the defect you have in your woodland. It is unlikely for a young, vigorous woodland to have much rot and decay in the trees, whereas an over-mature woodland may have many large trees with hollow centers. Through a quick visual inspection, a forester can give you a rough idea of the percent defect you might exp)ect to encounter in your woodland. Once you have adjusted your board-foot volume figure for defect, you can begin to make a determination of what the tree might be worth. You will need to know whether the tree (logs) is veneer or sawtimber grade. There is a dramatic difference in the price per board foot between the two. Again, when you meet with your forester, he/she can point out the characteristics that distinguish a veneer- quality tree (log) from one that will be harvested for lumber. With practice, you will be able to make this determination on the trees on your property. In most cases, the majority of your timber will be harvested for sawtimber. It is a rare case where most of the timber is veneer-quality. Knowing how to distinguish the difference, however, will result in higher profits for you. Let's assume you have measured a white oak tree and determined it has a volume of 340 board-feet (22 inch diameter and 2 1/2, 16-foot logs with no defect). Turn to the last page of this newsletter where you will find the most recent Illinois Timber Price reporting sheet. Notice the state is divided up into three zones. Find the zone appropriate for your woodland. The individual species prices quoted on the first page are state-wide average sawtimber prices per thousand board-feet of lumber. On the reverse side are price ranges paid for sawtimber by species within each zone. Stumpage price is the amount paid for standing timber, normally what you would receive. F.O.B. price is what you would receive for the log delivered to the mill. In our example, the 340 board-foot white oak would be worth $55.40 (stumpage) based on state-wide averages for sawtimber. This figure should be used only as a guide. As pointed out in the reporting sheet, general market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factor. If you have only one tree to sell, it is highly unlikely you would attract any interest from timber buyers, particularly if the tree is growing in or near a residence. Notice the increase in price paid for veneer (both state- wide and by zone). If you're planning to sell timber in the near future, it would be wise to have a professional forester assist you. For those of you who would like to try your hand at measuring trees on your property, we have a paper scale stick which can be mounted on a yardstick or piece of lath. It has a self-adhesive back and sells for $1.00. If you would like to order one, please make your check payable to Department of Forestry and send it to the newsletter editor's attention. SELECTED ILLUSTRATIONS from Timber Management For Small Woodlands, Goff, Gary R., et al. Information Bulletin 180. Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Ithaca, NY. TRACKS features related articles on small game and non- game management for woodland owners. If you have particular questions you would like addressed, please write the newsletter editor. We will incorporate them into TRACKS as space permits. In 1985, we featured an article on managing woodlands for wild turkey. For our new readers, we feel it is appropriate to reprint this article written by Stephen Brady. Steve is a biologist for the USDA Soil Conservation Service stationed in Fort Collins, Colorado, and formerly state biologist for SCS in Illinois. MANAGING PRIVATE WOODLANDS FOR EASTERN WILD TURKEY *ihe Illinois Department of Conservation should be given full credit for making eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) management a true wildlife management success story in our state. Although turkeys were common in Illinois at the time of settlement, they were literally "hunted out" and vanished from the state around 1903. Efforts to restock turkeys were unsuccessful as game farm raised birds failed to survive whert released into the wild. However, wild-trapped turkeys from Mississippi, West Virginia and Arkansas prospered when relocated to Illinois Forest Management southern Illinois forests in the early 1960's. Successive releases of wild turkeys to other parts of the state have all been made from additional imports from other states or from trapping and relocating birds from the rapidly expanding population in southern Illinois. Contrary to the reputation turkeys may have for not being very bright, the v^^ild turkey is a very alert, wary bird that is difficult to approach and to call in close enough to get a bead on. Only those sportsmen who are "smart like a fox" (or should we say turkey?) are likely to put a wild gobbler on the dining room table. The eastern wild turkey is a bird of mature hardwood and mixed hardwood and pine forests. Land use patterns have a strong influence on population levels and survival rates. Population densities are highly variable but average habitat might have one turkey per 160 acres and good habitat might have one per 40 acres. Much high population densities have been reported from some regions. Although flocks of 10 to 20 birds are common, the typical home range of these birds may be 2,000 to 4,000 acres. They may spend several days in one portion of the range and then move to a different location for several days or weeks. Turkeys spend the night roosting in large trees and will typically have several different roosting sites within their home range. Optimum habitat contains a wide variety of cover types with a large percentage in hardwood forests. Perhaps 50-75 percent of the land in hardwood forest and 12-25 percent in herbaceous openings such as pastures and old fields would be a good mix. Spring nest sites are usually selected in mixed herbaceous, low brushy cover types such as forest openings and old fields or in areas such as utility line rights-of-way. Nests are usually found near herbaceous openings and near a source of water. It will take the hen about 3 weeks to lay a dozen eggs. Incubation takes 28 days. The hen then leads the young poults into a grassy area where they can feed on insects. During spring, summer and early fall, the preferred habitat includes semi-open areas such as old fields and timbered pastures. The turkey diet during this period is principally insects and other invertebrates, greens, grass seeds, tubers, bulbs and rhizomes. Habitat preferences shift to the forest interior when mast crops drop in the fall where the principle foods include fruits, nuts, and seeds such as acorns, beechnuts, dogwood, sassafras, hazelnut, viburnums, cherry, hawthorn and other soft mast. Habitat selection during winter apparentiy is governed by food resources. Turkeys will utilize waste grains from nearby crop fields if mast crops are not abundant on the forest floor. How can habitat be improved on farms? First, be sure wild turkeys occur in your area. Subsequently habitat management consists of managing vegetation to improve conditions for turkeys. Improve mast production by girdling or removing trees that shade oak and beech trees. By allowing additional sunlight to reach the trees, mast crop yields will increase. Preserve all understory shrubs as they don't provide any significant competition to mast producing trees and the shrubs all provide valuable food for turkeys and many other wildlife. Two very valuable foods for turkeys are flowering dogwood and hazelnut. Gray or silky dogwood may be useful substitutes for flowering dogwood in northern Illinois since it doesn't occur naturally in this part of the state. Hazelnut and dogwoods can be planted in clumps of 25-50 shrubs (6' x 6' spacing) along woodland edges. Other food-producing, woody plants such as sassafras and hawthorn can also be encouraged along woodland edges by making release cuttings (removing shade sources) or by planting. M?^ Illinois Forest Management Old fields and openings provide important habitat elements needed by turkeys. Most Illinois woodland are fragmented so creation of additional openings is usually not necessary. Further fragmentation could have negative impacts on several other species of wildlife. However, management of the forest edge and existing openings can greatly improve conditions for turkeys. Two vegetative types are needed in these areas-shrubby thickets and grassy areas. The term "old field" accurately describes the condition you want to create. An old field retired from agriculture will naturally go back to native weeds, shrubs and brush. Good turkey nesting cover occurs in these areas where blackberry, greenbriar, hardwood sprouts and shrubs invade. These old fields can be maintained by brush-hogging them about once every three years in late summer. The second condition for open areas is grassy fields such as permanent pasture or other areas devoted to grasses. What you really want from these areas is to grow desirable turkey foods such as grasshoppers and crickets. Most any grass or grass-legume mixture will be suitable here. Grass seed heads are also good turkey food. Winter food plots of wheat or corn can be valuable additions to the habitat and will be especially valuable in years when mast crops are sparse or when heavy snows make foraging difficult. Be sure to plant large enough areas so the deer don't eat all of the turkey food. Four to ten acre food plots would be a good size to plan for. Drinking water should be available on every 160 acres of turkey range. Springs can be developed into watering facilities and small ponds can be constructed in the woods. Remember that turkeys are wide ranging and unless you own a very large tract of land it's very likely turkey flocks will be moving on and off your property. The more you adapt your land to meet their tastes, the more likely you will find turkeys there. SELECTED ILLUSTRATIONS by Ned Smith; In: Woodlands and Wildlife, Hassinger, J., et al. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1979 and by Donna Curtin; In: Wildlife Notebook; Sketches of Selected Wildlife in New York State, Decker, Daniel. Information Bulletin 210. Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Ithaca, NY, 1988. .^"•ijiji^'-. A TURKEY FEEDER THAT WORKS by Gordon Long, Multiple Use Managers, Inc., West Point, CA xurkeys are among the easiest game animals to supplemental feed. The intelligence of a turkey is often hotly discussed, but anyone who has ever tried hunting them can likely tell stories about being outsmarted by the critters. The point is, turkeys readily accept a feeding program. They're smart enough to realize the benefits of a free, dependable meal. Turkeys have also been known to domesticate rather easily. Here again, maybe they appreciate the virtues of the "good life". Start harassing them with throwing little lead pellets at them and find how quickly they revert to the wild. All I'm trying to say is that turkeys are wonderful animals to work with. They are probably the best example of a species in which to prove how management can really aid that species. If you make a concerted effort to improve a wild turkey population, your efforts will likely be realized. Notice that I was careful to say "wild" turkeys. There are huge differences between wild turkeys and pen-raised birds that look like wild birds. The pen-raised bird is the culprit for the stupidity characteristic often associated with turkeys. Illinois Forest Management For many years state wildlife departments tried to re- establish turkeys in the wild with pen birds. In almost every case, such a program was a resounding failure. But once trapping of wild birds was established to accomplish the same goal, turkey transplants have been highly successful. The revival of turkeys across the nation has been one of our brightest success stories in the wildlife management field. Wait a minute, I've gotten off my topic. With all the background information now done, let's get back to the job at hand— describing a working turkey feeder. Once decided that a bigger turkey population is wanted, the next decision is whether it's worthwhile to buy a prefabricated turkey feeder. These manufactured feeders do work well, but may not be necessary. On a couple ranches that we've worked on, a simple do-it-yourself feeder works really well. All tiiat is needed is a 55-gallon drum, a platform such as a pallet with a larger plywood cover, some additional wood to elevate the feeder, some narrow slats or pipe to serve as a walkway for the turkeys to reach the platform, and some feed. Simple as it may seem, it's been proven to work. It goes without saying the feeder should be placed where turkeys are known to frequent such as near roosting sites, feeding grounds, or water. A couple other things may not be so obvious. First being the reasoning behind putting the feeder up five or six feet in the air. Not only will that keep the cattle away from disturbing the feeder, but by putting it up, it allows the turkeys a line of defense for them to fly off it if a predator happens to show up. As for the ramps, it is advisable to have them since turkeys would rather not fly if they don't have to. And yes, turkeys can walk up metal pipe if it's at least five inches in diameter. The small slats and /or pipe will also deter other animals that you may not want eating up the feed. Cracked corn is typically used as feed since it is a good nutritional source and is too large for a majority of the songbirds that are around. Large diameter foods are mandatory because small undesirable birds would eat you out of house and home if they could. TURKEY FEEDER PLATFORM APPROXIMATELY 8' X 8' & 5' ABOVE GROUND CUT TRIANGULAR OPENING APPROXIMATELY 1 V2" - 2" CONSTRUCT 3"Xr SEED BASIN OUT OF 1" X 1" WOOD STRINGERS TO STOP SEED FROM SPREADING OVER THE PLATFORM Illinois Forest Management By cutting a couple rectangular holes in the bottom of the drum to serve as a feed reservoir, gravity will allow the feed to spread out a bit onto the platform. You may want to nail a frame around the hole to control the flow, but normally isn't required if the holes aren't too large. An advantage of some manufactured outfits is that they typically have some sort of dispersal technique. Whether it's battery or solar powered, it is a handy feature. However, these feeders don't have a reservoir as large as a 55 gallon drum, so you'll have to replenish it more frequently. You need to read your state's particular regulations on how close you can legally shoot near a feeder. The feeder will invariably concentrate the birds more. Turkey hunting has to be one of the fastest growing gun sports there is today. If you don't already have turkeys on your property and you think the proper habitat is there, contact your state wildlife agency. They are usually open to discuss a possible transplant. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION from: The Game Manager, Volume 6, No. 10, Multiple Use Managers Inc., April, 1991. EDITOR'S NOTE: THE GAME MANAGER newsletter is written by Multiple Use Managers, Inc., a private consulting firm, and is intended to provide private landowners and game managers with innovations and information on game management which includes harvesting (hunting). By Illinois law, all feeders and any remnants of feed would have to be removed from the property 10 days prior to any hunting on the property. If you do not hunt and do not allow hunting on your property, there is no reason to remove the feeder during turkey season(s). If you want more information on supplemental feeding and its relationship to hunting regulations please contact your local IL Conservation Police officer or IL Department of Conservation office. CHEMICAL REPELLENTS FOR REDUCING ANIMAL DAMAGE BY DEER, RABBITS, AND MICE: ARE CONSUMERS BEING RIPPED OFF? by Tom Barnes, Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Note: Trade names are used for simplicity. No endorsement is intended, nor criticism implied of similar products not named. J' on planted a beautiful apple orchard in the backyard and suddenly you discover the trees are being browsed on! What do you do? You call your local county agriculture adviser, horticulture specialist, conservation officer, wildlife biologist, or local agricultural farm supply store and they advise you to use a chemical repellent to stop deer rabbits, and rodents from chewing on those precious trees. You search through every hardware, garden, nursery, or farm supply store to find only one repellent is available. So you buy it and apply the chemical according to directions on the label. After several agonizing days you insp)ect your trees again only to find the damage has not stopped. Assuming you applied the repellent according to the directions, did you get bad advice or were you ripped off? The answer is probably no to both questions. Current research is shedding light on the subject of chemical repellents. Repellents are usually placed into two categories: Area and Contact. Area repellents are applied next to plants and usually repel by smell alone. Examples of area repellents used by homeowners and professionals include: Magic Circle (bone tar oil). Hinder (ammonia soaps of higher fatty adds), human hair, bar soap, blood meal, cat/dog feces, or putrefied meat scraps. Contact repellents are applied directly to plants and repel by creating an unpleasant taste for the animal. Examples of contact repellents include: Big Game Repellent (BGR), Deer- Away (putrescent egg solids), Ro-Pel (Benzyldiethyl ammonium saccharide). Miller Hot Sauce (capsaicin, and extract of hot peppers), Gustafson 42-S, Chaperone and Chew-Not (Thiram). The effectiveness of repellents depends on a number of factors. Many rep)ellents do not weather well and must be reapplied after a rain, heavy dew, or growth of new plants to be effective. The amount of preferred food available to the animals also affects a repellent's effectiveness. If the deer, rabbit, or rodent population is high and under food stress, repellents will probably be less effective. Not every repellent will be effective in every situation. In some cases an area repellent may be most effective, whereas in other Illinois Forest Management situations a contact repellent may be the chemical of choice. Always follow the manufacturer's directions and label instructions before applying the chemical. Never apply repellents to any portion of a plant likely to be eaten by humans unless the label permits it. During the dormant season apply contact repellents when temperatures are above freezing. Be sure to treat young trees completely and older trees to height of 6 feet if deer are causing the damage. If you are having problems during the growing season, apply a contact repellent at about half the recommended concentration. Repellents will not eliminate all damage. The success of repellents is measured by how much the damage is reduced. A variety of laboratory and field trials have been conducted during the past decade to find out which chemical repellents are the most effective. The following discussion is a summary of the seven most current research studies published between 1983 and 1990. Most studies were conducted in the northeastern United States using deer or mice as experimental animals. Several early studies done in 1983 evaluated as many as 14 different repellents and concluded the following showed promise in reducing deer damage: Hinder, BGR, Miller Hot Sauce, Feather Meal, and Thiram. Another study conducted the same year using four of the above compounds concluded that BGR was consistent in reducing damage. They also observed daily differences in chemical effectiveness. The following year another study indicated BGR, Hinder, and Thiram reduced damage 46, 43, 43 percent respectively over a three year period. Other compxjunds tested (hunnan hair. Magic Circle, and Miller Hot Sauce) reduced damage from 15 to 34 percent. A cost analysis revealed BGR cost $990.00/ha ($2445.30/acre) to apply, Thiram $555.98/ha ($1373.27/acre). Hinder $75.98/ha ($187.67/acre). Magic Circle $74.50/ha ($184.02/acre), and Miller Hot Sauce $26.20/ha ($64.71 /acre). The same authors published several papers in 1987 and results from one study indicated there was no difference in damage reduction between human hair and BGR. Both substances reduced damage less than 50 percent. A similar study revealed BGR and Hinder both reduced damage by approximately 50 percent. However, the author concluded that it was much cheap)er to build an electric fence (by approximately $500.00/ha or $1235 /acre) than it was to apply BGR to the orchard trees. The last study conducted in 1990 showed a 78 percent reduction in the amount of damage when Thiram was applied. Because of the expense of using manufactured chemicals, many homeowners use novel ideas to reduce animal browsing. (Dne of the ideas commonly used in many mid western states is to hang bars of soap on wire around sensitive areas. A new study just recently published indicated soap reduced damage by 37.6 j^ercent and was only effective when placed within three feet of the actual site of damage. In addition, the authors tested eight different brands of soap and found no difference between brands. Surprisingly, browsing within three feet was reduced by 70 p)ercent when just the soap wrappers were used. This indicates soap may be more of a visual repellent. The results from this study also indicated that BGR was the best of commercial repellents tested whereas Ro:Pel did not reduce damage at all. A cost analysis, including labor, indicated soap was just as expensive to apply as was BGR. What does all of this mean and is the consumer getting ripped off when a repellent is recommended. A quick summary would indicate that repellents will not eliminate the damage completely. A homeowner must decide if 50 to 75 percent reduction in damage is acceptable. Additionally, contact repellents are more effective than area repellents. Not every repellent will work in every situation. Results from these research data show wide variability in the effectiveness of chemical repellents. It appears, however, that commercial repellents are more effective than home remedies (human hair, soap). Finally, a cost/benefit analysis of all possible solutions should be considered. If you are having continual problems, it may be cheaper to build a fence. Consumers should consider the nature of rep>ellents and understand all the variables affecting the efficacy of a repellent before investing time and money in them. REPRINTED from: Natural Resources Newsletter, Volume 10, No. 3, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Fall 1990. 7. V Illinois Forest Management Bugs 'n Blights DOGWOOD DISEASE CAUSED BY A NEW FUNGUS WASHINGTON— Ihe cause of the mysterious disease that has been killing dogwood trees in the northeast has been found by a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist. "A new parasitic fungus has been identified as the cause of the disease, known as dogwood anthracnose, " said Scott C. Redlin of USD A 's Agricultural Research Service. Redlin said the newly identified fungus, in the genus Discula, has been attacking the flowering dogwood; Comus florida. Details of the fungus will be reported in the journal Mycologia later this year. Another species of dogwood native to North America called Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) is vulnerable to the disease. Japanese dogwood (Comus kousa) is a host to the fungus, but is resistant to the disease. "Identifying the organism was the first step in solving the dogwood dilemma. No^v that we know which fungus is causing the disease, the next step is to develop methods to control it," said Redlin. "Disease symptoms include leaf spots and twig dieback on dogwoods. It attacks the flowers first and then the bracts--the four ^petals ' we see when the tree is in bloom. " Often lethal, the disease forms cankers as it girdles the tree's trunk. "Any plant parts it attacks die rapidly, " Redlin said. Dogwood anthracnose first appeared simultaneously in the mid-1970's in Seattle, Washington, and Long Island, New York. It has devastated native dogwood stands in the northeastern U.S. and is spreading into the southern states. Outbreaks of the fungus disease depend on the geographic distribution of the dogwood tree. Redlin believes the fungus was introduced to the United States from nursery stock. Ornamental dogwoods are imported from other continents. With its picturesque white or pink blossoms, the dogwood is one of the nation's most highly prized landscap>e ornamentals and fosters a multimillion dollar tourist industry in the southeast. Dogwood fruits and twigs are also an important food source for wildlife. Redlin, a plant pathologist at the Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, has been studying dogwood anthracnose since 1988. His goal: to differentiate this fungus from others found on dogwoods. "Most of the year the fungus is hidden within the trees. As the dogwoods leaf out in spring, the fungus also emerges," said Redlin. "It is then we see the fungus as it develops on infected plants. " To identify the fungus, Redlin needed to examine it under the n\icroscope. He studied the tiny raised bumps called fruiting bodies that produce spores— which is how the fungus reproduces. He then grew the fungus on different culture media in the laboratory, including oatmeal, commeal, malt and potato dextrose agar. "The fungus reproduced best on oatmeal," Redlin said. "But it's easiest to identify on potato dextrose agar." The millions of infectious spores are believed to be dispersed by splashing rain. Under dry conditions, the spores form threads (cirrhi), which may be dispersed by the wand. SOURCE: USDA News Feature, April 22, 1991. DEER TICK INCIDENCE IN ILLINOIS ^ntdult deer ticks have been found on people in northern Illinois this spring. They are about one-eighth inch in diameter and usually reddish in color. Both this stage and the nymph stage can transmit Lyme disease to humans. Nymphs started appearing in May and will be present most of the summer. They are much smaller than the adults, being the size of a pinhead. As with all ticks, deer ticks are most likely to attach to the skin on the lower body. The nymph tends to attach in the groin area. Illinois Forest Management Deer ticks are most likely to be picked up in the northwestern and northcentral portions of Illinois, although occasional ticks have been found in other parts of the state, particularly in the northern half. There is some evidence to suggest that other species of ticks can occasionally transmit Lyme disease, although this is very rare. To be on the safe side, precautions should be taken against ticks whenever one is out in natural areas, particularly wooded areas. Protect yourself from deer ticks and other ticks by wearing long pants and tucking your pantlegs into your socks so that the ticks cannot reach you skin easily. Wear light- colored clothing so that the ticks can be seen more easily. Apply an insect rep)ellent containing DEET to your skin, particularly you lower legs and ankles. Some commercial repellents which contain DEET are (% concentration in parenthesis): Regular Formula OFF! (15%), Deep Woods OFF! (20%), Muskol (25%), Cutter (18%, 21%, 27%, 31%, 95% and 100%), Repel (52% and 100%), Tecnu (100%), Ticks OFF! (38%). Clothing can be sprayed with Permanone, an insecticide that will kill any ticks that get on the clothing. Do not spray the Permanone on your skin and take care to avoid inhalation of the insecticide or contact with your eyes. Permanone is not readily available in stores, but you may be able to find it in some sporting goods or farm supply stores. One source is Forestry Suppliers, Inc. in Jackson, MS. Their phone number is 1- 800-647-5368. The product stock number is 25221 and is called Permanone Tick Repellent. The appearance of the erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) rash is unique to Lyme disease - and can be a major indicator of the disease to you and your doctor, It usually appears as a Qat or raised, red area, with a ring-like border around a pale center. The size of the rash may be from three quarters of an inch to 26 inches in diameter. Every few hours, check yourself for ticks, particularly at the end of the day. Ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. If ticks are found, grasp the head where it enters the skin with tweezers and pull it out slowly and steadily. Apply an antiseptic to the bite. If tweezers are not available, pull the tick out with your fingers. Protect the skin of your fingers from any tick secretions by using a tissue. Other methods of removing ticks usually kill the tick, resulting in part of it remaining in the wound. You may wish to save the tick for identification by putting it in rubbing alcohol. If you would like more information on deer ticks and Lyme disease, please write the newsletter editor. We have factsheets produced by the Entomology Extension and the IL Department of Health which we will send you. You also can write for an excellent Lyme disease brochure produced by Lederle Laboratories. Their address is Lederle Laboratories, Public Affairs Department, 1 Cyanamid Plaza, Wayne, NJ 07470. Indicate you would like a copy of their Lyme disease publication. SOURCE: Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter, No. 5, May 1, 1991; Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Urbana. SELECTED ILLUSTRATION from: Lyme Disease...Be Aware - Knowledge is Your Best Defense. Lederle Laboratories, Wayne, New Jersey, 1989, Page 8. The listing of manufactured repellents (or their omission) or companies selling these products does not imply endorsement or rejection of the product by this newsletter or the IL Cooperative Extension Service. The information provided is merely a service to our readers. Illinois Forest Management DOYLE TREE SCALE DBH Number of 16-foot Logs 1/2 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 3 1/2 Contents in Board Feet 12 20 30 40 50 60 14 30 50 70 80 90 100 16 40 70 100 120 140 160 180 18 60 100 130 160 200 220 240 20 80 130 180 220 260 300 320 22 100 170 230 280 340 380 420 24 130 220 290 360 430 490 540 26 160 260 360 440 520 590 660 28 190 320 430 520 620 710 800 30 230 380 510 630 740 840 940 32 270 440 590 730 860 990 1120 34 300 510 680 850 1000 1140 1300 36 350 580 780 970 1140 1310 1480 38 390 660 880 1100 1290 1480 1680 40 430 740 990 1230 1450 1660 1880 42 470 830 1100 1370 1620 1860 2100 Illinois Forest Management HI ILLINOIS GRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES P.O. Box 19283, Springfield, IL 62794-9283 Phone: (217) 492-4295 US. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION life and land together DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, Illinois 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 Julys, 1991 PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1990 THROUGH FEBRUAJ^Y 1991 Winter sawtimber prices paid Illinois timber growers were generally lower than a year earlier for both stumpage and FOB. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of their 1990 operations, 45% indicated their volume was 500 thousand board feet or higher. This was up from the 1989 percentage of 41%. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey is gratefully appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit, Zone 2 the Claypan Unit and 2Lone 3 the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a guide for determining the market value of timber. General market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size and quality also affect the price received. For technical, marketing or PRICE \7~icS\\ management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division REPORTING \if^^ of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 North ZONES Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE SAWTIMBER PRICES IN $ PER M BD. FT.. STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS SPECIES Ash November 1989 ■February 1990 May 1990 ■August 1990 November 1990 February 1991 Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage FOB. Stumpage F.O.B. 138 298 148 286 129 245 Basswood 67 150 72 139 61 165 Beech 44 119 47 122 47 120 Cottonwood 37 119 43 122 40 113 Sweet Gum 44 122 48 128 49 125 Elm & Hackberry 48 124 52 130 47 123 Hickory 54 140 56 136 46 131 Soft Maple 55 142 58 139 53 137 Sugar Maple 66 170 71 160 57 136 Black Oak 106 192 103 170 92 174 Pin Oak 53 125 53 130 51 125 ; Red Oak 180 325 167 289 153 276 White Oak 173 284 167 282 163 271 Yellow Poplar 84 188 95 202 72 179 Sycamore 42 119 48 127 43 120 Black Walnut 322 542 307 508 302 531 Woods Run Bottomland 56 136 63 136 59 135 Woods Run Upland 106 157 112 169 94 177 Illinois Forest Management FACE VENEER PRICES $ PER M BD. FT. Red Oak While Oak Walnut 579 977 1,529 876 1,350 1,943 426 853 1,171 737 1,351 1,886 371 744 1,709 629 1,400 1,890 UNPEELED PULPWOOD PRICES $ PER TON, SELECTED PERIODS Ton November 1989- February 1990 May 1990-Augusl 1990 November 1990-February 1991 Stumpage F.O.B. Slumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. 1.90 12.95 1.59 13.00 1.90 D.OO COOPERAGE PRICES, $ PER M BD. FT., STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS While Oak Slumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. 205 405 194 401 178 330 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS November 1990-February 1991 PRODUCT Sawtimhcr A.sh Bas.swm)d Beech CollonwiK)d Swcel (jum Elm & Hackberry Hickory Soft Maple Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak White Oak Yellow Poplar Sycamore Black Walnut Woods Run Bottomland Wood.s Run Upland 2. Face Veneer Red Oak White Oak Walnut 3. Pulpwood Unpeeled 4. Cooperage White Oak UNIT M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. M bd. ft. Ton M bd. ft. Zone 1 Slumpage F.O.B. Mill 50 -200 30 - 40 .30 - 50 20 - 70 20 - 60 30 - 100 30 - 75 30- 75 30 -180 30 ■ 120 60-250 60 -275 50 - 150 20 - 60 100 -400 30 -100 70 • 150 120 - 350 150 100 - 125 100 - 135 100 - 140 100 - 140 100 - 200 100 - 160 100 - 160 130 - 300 100 - 135 200 • 400 200 - 400 120 - 235 100 - 135 300 - 600 120 - 170 120 - 225 Stumpage 100-1,000 500-2,000 1,000-3,500 1.50- 2.00 100- 300 Zone 2 Stumpage Dc) 60 - 250 30 - 80 40 ■ 60 20 - 60 40 - 60 25 - 60 20 - 60 30 - 80 30 - 80 50 - 200 20 -100 55 - 220 50-300 40 -100 25- 70 100 - 550 40 -120 40-200 F.O.B. Mill lars 150 - 500 110 - 200 100 - 140 90 ■ 130 100 - 140 90 - 150 110 - 150 120 - 160 120 - 180 120 - 220 100 - 160 120 - 400 150 - 400 140 - 200 90 - 150 230 -1000 110 - 160 120 - 215 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 50 -200 30-100 20 - 60 20-100 20 -100 30 -100 30-100 40 -100 30-100 80 - 350 90 -250 20 - 60 100-500 30 - 75 80 -160 115 - 300 110 - 280 150 100 - 150 150 100 - 150 100 - 150 150 ■ 160 110 - 150 140 • 160 100 - 150 115 - 500 115 - 500 150 - 240 100 - 150 200 - 800 125 - 150 150 - 250 STATEWIDE F.O.B. 200 - 950 900 -1,800 2,000 -2.500 13.00 200 - 400 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS " Scale Percent U.sing Doyle Scribner 97 3 International CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Zone 1 Percent Reporting 21 1 Rates Reported 1 $/M bd. ft. 100 - 250 Zone 2 33 100 - 175 Zone 3 46 130 - 250 ILLINOIS 24 100 -250 VOLUME OF 1990 OPERATIONS I Size in (0(KJ) bd. ft. Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 All ! % % % % i 1 - 100 19 43 42 37 , 100 - 500 19 19 17 18 500 -1,000 38 19 17 23 1,000 -3,000 19 11 14 14 3,000 + 5 8 10 8 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer: Logs cul into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders Pulpwood is used in making paper, fibcrboard, and similar products. M bd. fl. means thousand board feet. Sawiimber refers lo logs that are cul into lumber or timbers. Gerald L. Clampet State Statistician Kevin Barnes, Garry D. Keplcy, Agricultural Statisticians "Printed by authority of the Slate of Illinois," 7/2/91. 1,800. 1,499 Illinois Forest Management Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Ctiampaign Urbona, IL 61801 I. 1 POHAGC PAID CiUMPJUGX, I. I1S20 fomn #75 Ag. Library Serials Clerk 22b Huisford Hall 1391 k'est Gregory Drive oAMPi'-s HAIL Cooperative Extension Service University ot Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT \ Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners Volume 1, 1991 No. 21 llinois Forest Management Newsletteris produced >y the Univeristy of Illinois Department of Forestry and the Cooperative Extension Service. Our newsletter features imely tips to help you manage your woodland more effec- iviely. We encourage your questions and comments which ^e will share with our readers as space permits. Direct your iquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter. 110 Mumford Hall. 301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. Page 1 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 9 Page 10 Page 10 Page 14 Page 20 Page 23 In *l7ttending on the practice. This program is administered by ASCS and technical assistance is available from SCS and the IL Division of Forest Resources. Contact your county ASCS office for more information. IL Forestry Development Act Program FDA is a state cost-share program available to landowners with at least 5 acres of contiguous woodland without a building, and a forest management plan approved by the IL Division of Forest Resources. This program provides pay- ments for forestry practices to increase wood production, to improve the quality of existing timber, and to establish new forests. Landowners qualifying for the FDA program are also guaranteed a reduction in their tax assessment on the woodland acreage and land planted to trees. The tax assess- ment rate for forested acreage is reduced to one-sixth of the assessment rate of comparable crop ground. This program is administered by the IL Division of Forest Resources. For more information contact your local IL Department of Con- servation or county ASCS office. Forestry and conservation practices can be expensive. These cost-share programs offer great opportunities to help land- owners recover certain costs which otherwise might have to Illinois Forest Management be absorbed or carried until timber is harvested. Another interesting feature of these programs is that you may qualify for cost-sharing under more than one program. In Illinois, you can combine one federal program (ACP, FTP, SIP, and CRP) with the Illinois Forestry Development Act Program. This makes the combined cost-share percentage very attrac- tive and can leave you with very little out-of-pocket expense. Obviously, as more landowners become aware of these in- centive programs, the demand for professional forestry as- sistance will increase. Many DOC foresters are experiencing backlogs because of the heavy demand for their services. Private consultants are available to help you develop a management plan for your woodland. Cost-sharing is avail- able through the SIP and FDA programs to help defray the cost of having a plan developed by a private consultant. For a printed list of these individuals, contact the IFM Newslet- ter editor. Above all, we encourage you to remain patient and exercise caution if you're planning changes in your woodland in the near future. Poor decisions can have a marked affect on your woodland's future health and productivity. New Stewardship Magazine Available The Illinois State Stewardship Committee would like to announce their new quarterly magazine entitled The Illinois Steward. This magazine focuses on the stewardship asp>ects of natural resources management through articles on forest management, wildlife, aesthetics, recreation, Illinois natural history, threatened and endangered species, agriculture, soil and water conservation, wetlands, and urban forestry. Steward A complimentary copy of this full-color magazine is avail- able upon request. We encourage you to write for a copy. The subscription rate is $10.00 per year. It would make an excellent gift for someone you know who's dedicated to caring for the land. To request your complimentary copy, please fill out the enclosed order form and return it today. SILVASCENE features articles related to the art and science of growing trees. With all the tree planting efforts that are going on around the country, many landowners who want to plant trees are finding the supply is very limited. This col- umn features an article on how to grow your own seedlings from seed. This article is edited and reprinted from IL Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1219, "Growing Illinois Trees From Seed", 1983 by Celia Hooper and Ted Curtin. Growing Your Own Tree Seedlings From Seed Growing your own trees from seed can be enjoyable and rewarding. Watching trees grow from the seeds you have planted will give you a sense of pride as well as a practical lesson in natural history. By carefully selecting the seeds you plant, you will have control over the quality of your future trees. You will also be able to produce trees that are particu- larly well adapted to your local growing conditions, have especially high growth rates, resist disease, produce abun- dant fruit crops, or have sentimental value. Remember, hcnv- ever, that not all children resemble their parents; likewise, not all seedlings will have all the desirable traits of their parents trees. Choosing Seeds to Collect The tree species or variety you choose to grow will depend on your personal preferences and on the types of trees that will grow well on your site. You should be careful in selecting the Illinois Forest Management trees from which you take seeds and in choosing the particu- lar seeds to collect. Take seeds only from the tallest, straight- est, healthiest, most fruitful trees. Be sure to look farther than your own property. Trees within a 200-mile radius of your site will generally tolerate the climate. Trees from natural populations 200 miles north of your site will be especially cold hardy. Trees from natural populations to the south may have faster growth rates. Seeds from trees that have been introduced into the area will probably grow well, but these trees do not have the long-selected, proven {performance of trees from natural p)opulations. Ask p>ermission if you wish to pick seeds from someone else's trees, and be careful not to damage parent trees as you collect the seeds. Check the seeds to be sure that they are sound and free of insects. Watch for telltale holes or spots on the seeds that could indicate insect damage. Cut op)en a few sample seeds. If insects are present inside, avoid the seeds from that tree. When and How to Collect Seeds Trees produce seeds in a variety of "packages". Cones, pods, berries, nuts, samaras, acorns, and capsules are all examples of different types of seed packages. You need not remove the seeds from their packages at the time you collect them; processing the seeds will be discussed later. Collecting seeds at the right time is very important. Overripe and underripe seeds may not grow at all. Underripe seeds will not gernninate, whereas overripe seeds may be rotten or may have been damaged by insects or weather. If you wait too long for seeds to ripen, animals or the wind may remove them before you have a chance to collect them. The best time to collect seeds is when they just begin to rip)en. Unfortunately, this time varies with individual trees, sea- sons, and locations. Approximate times are shown in Table 1, but rely on your own judgment. Here are some of the signs that indicate when seeds are ready for harvest: * Color and texture- As seeds ripen, their package changes in color and texture. The seed cones, capsules, or pods usually turn from green to tan, brown, grey, or yellow. Ripe cones will be greenish but will have brown-edged scales. Fruits, such as apple (pome) or cherry (drupe), and berries take on their showy ripe colors: red, orange, yellow, purple or blue. Many seeds or seed packages also change in texture or density. Seed capsules, pods, and cones may lose moisture and weight and become dry and light. Fruits and berries become juicy and soft. * Animal activity - Squirrels, birds, and other animals will begin cutting cones or picking fruit just as the seeds are ripening. Harvest seeds at once - there may be none left later. * Dropping, splitting, and opening - When seeds are ripe, their packages may fall of the tree, split or crack open, or shoot out seeds. In the case of cones, the spaces between the scales that enclose the seeds will widen. Although it will be impossible to find many of the seeds that have dropped out of the packages, the fact that some seeds have dispersed is a good sign that those remaining in their packages are ripe and ready to harvest. As a very general rule, tree seeds should be harvested on dry days between late August and late October. There are exceptions, however. Some trees produce seeds that ripen at other times of the year. Seeds of birch, cottonwood, elm, poplar, willow, and red and silver maple rip)en in the spring. Serviceberries, mulberries, and cherries ripen in late spring or summer. Kentucky coffeetree beans should be harvested in late winter. The method used to collect seeds depends on the type of seed package and tree. Often the biggest problem is reaching the seeds. Although seeds from young trees are easier to pick, seeds from fruitful, tall, older trees are better because these trees have proven themselves in growth and form. You may be able to reach the seeds (fruit) with a good ladder. Another way to gather seeds from tall trees is to spread a tarp or old sheet on the ground beneath the branches and then shake or flail the tree branches with a long pole to knock down the seeds. Cones can be gathered with a "cone hook" which consists of a 3/4-inch diameter metal hook on the end of a long bamboo pole. A cone hook can be made from a length of stiff wire, electrical tape, and a pole. If these methods do not bring the seeds within reach, your only option is to wait for the seeds to come to you. Leaving a tarp or ground cloth spread out beneath the tree may make it easier to collect seeds that fall. Wind, water, gravity, or animals may assist you by concentrating seeds in pockets. Look for piles of wind-blown cottonwood, elm, or poplar seeds in the spring - in the city, you may be able to pick up thousands of seeds from curbs or gutters. If you are lucky, you may come upon a squirrel's seed cache. The many seeds that squirrels harvest are usually of good quality and have high germination rates. Of course, you will not be able to identify the particular trees from which the seeds have come. This will limit your ability to predict whether the trees that grow from the seeds will have the exceptional traits of the parent tree. Illinois Forest Management If possible, keep the seeds from every tree separate and label each collection. Record the species of tree from which the seeds were taken and the date and place you collected them. If you later want to gather more of the same seeds or to sell exceptionally fine seeds, this information will be essential. How to Process Your Seeds Specific directions for gathering, processing, and preparing seeds from more than 40 varieties of trees are given in Table 1. The first step in preparing seeds is to remove the seed from its package. Some types of packages contain numerous seeds. The seeds must be separated from one another and from all of the packaging material. Cones should be picked when the scales are tan but before they open and release the seeds. Spread the cones in pans and dry them in the sunshine for several days or at very low heat (about 110 degrees Fahrenheit) for several hours. This proc- ess will cause the scales to spread. You can then shake the thin, winged seeds out of the cones. The wings will come off with gentle rubbing or sifting of the seeds. The wings and other chaff can then be winnowed out (blown away) by a strong wind or by using a fan or hair dryer on a cool setting. Individual berries and other fleshy fruits usually do not contain more than a few seeds. Pick the fruits when they look and smell ripe. If the flesh of the fruit gets moldy, it can rot the seed. If the flesh is soft, you can process the seeds right away, but if it is hard, it should be softened and fermented by placing the fruits in water at room temperature for two days. You can remove the soft pulp of fruits and berries by mashing the fruits, grinding them in a food mill, or rubbing them on wire screen or hardware cloth. Then carefully wash the pulp away with water and press the seeds through an appropri- ately-sized screen. The seeds should then be air dried, rubbed, and winnowed to remove any remaining pulp. Nuts should be processed by removing the husks befor they dry and harden. You can loosen the husks with a mallet or by placing the nuts in a cloth bag and stomping or stepping on it. Other pods and seed heads should be air dried for two or three days and then broken apart to release the seeds. Seeds with little packaging, such as acorns, samaras (winged seeds), and the light seeds of cotton wood, elm, birch, poplar, and willow require no special handling. Spread them and air dry them for a day if they are damp. After they have been processed and cleaned, seeds may be stored, planted, or prepared for planting. Although some seeds lose vitality with time, others store quite well. Seeds to be stored should generally be air dried for one day and then placed in airtight jars or plastic bags. Keep these containers in a refrigerator at a temperature between 33 and 36 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Prepare Seeds for Planting Although different seeds vary in their readiness for planting, most IlHnois tree seeds that are shed in the fall are in a dormant state, much like that of a hibernating animal. Their dormancy prevents them from germinating in autumn or winter. In some seeds, dormancy is the result of a very thick, tough seed coat. This type of dormancy can be broken by abrading the seed coat with a metal file or coarse sandpaper. More commonly, tree seeds are physiologically dormant and require cool temperatures to cue the chemical changes that will cause the seed to germinate and grow. The cue can be provided naturally by planting the seeds in the fall. The cold temperatures and the soil moisture will gradually release the seeds from dormancy, and they will germinate in the spring. Alternatively, the seeds can be "fooled" by a process called stratification. This technique artificially provides the cues that break dormancy. To stratify seeds, mix them with an equal volume of moist sand or vermiculite and store them loosely in plastic bags or flats at 33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit for two to four months or until early spring. The seeds can then be sown outdoors and should germinate promptly. Do not allow the seeds to dry between stratification and plant- ing. Spring-ripening seeds are generally not dormant and should be planted immediately. How to Select and Prepare a Seedbed The greatest problem for young trees is moisture. When the soil contains too little moisture, seeds will not germinate and seedlings will die. Too much moisture will encourage damping off, a common fungal disease that can kill young seedlings. Carefully choosing, preparing, and maintaining a seedbed will help prevent moisture problems. Location, Shape, and Size - The seedbed should be in an open area, well away from the shade (and diseases and pests) of larger trees. Some protection from wind is important in very windy areas. If drouth is common in the spring and summer or if you will be growing trees that require a lot of moisture, the seedbed should be near a water supply. The area must be protected from animals, 4x)th rodents and livestock. Illinois Forest Management Seedbed size and shape depend on the number of trees you intend to plant. A bed that is 4 feet wide can be weeded easily (Figure 1.) A 12-square-foot bed can be used to grow 500 conifers but fewer broadleaf seedlings. Only 100 black walnut seedlings, for example, could be grown in that area. Soil Texture - A major factor affecting moisture and thus the likelihood of damping off is the texture of the soil. A sandy loam or loamy sand soil will have good drainage and will allow for rapid root growth. A porous, well-drained soil is also less likely to exhibit frost heaving in winter. If your soil is heavy or waterlogged, the addition of weed-free organic matter and sand will help. Soil pH - The acidity of alkalinity of the soil also affects the chance that damping off will occur. Unfortunately, the pH range that is favorable for most deciduous broadleaf species (plus arborvitae and juniper), 6.0 to 8.0, also promotes the growth of fungi. Pines, firs, spruces, and evergreen broadleaf species, such as holly, tolerate more acidic soils (pH from 5.0- 5.5) that are less conducive to damping off. Adding peat will lower the pH and improve the soil texture. Figure 1 . Raised seedling beds may be formed by pulverizing soil removed from the pathways and spreading it on top of the bed area. Fertility - Work fetilizer into the soil as the bed is being prepared. If soil fertility is low, the ideal choice would be to add 1 -2 bushels of weed-free compost p)er 40 square feet. This material releases nutrients slowly and improves the struc- ture of the soil. For slow-growing trees in naturally rich soils, you may not need to add fertilizer in the first year. For poor soils, apply an additional top dressing of 1 /4 pound of 10-10- 10 fertilizer p)er 40 square feet. Apply half in early May and half in mid-July. Soil amendments should be added as the bed is worked (spaded) to a depth of 12 inches. Remove rocks and trash. Soil from a 2-foot-wide path area along the sides of the bed should be pulverized and added to the bed to increase the bed's elevation (Figure 1). A raised bed provides improved air circulation and drainage and is easier to cover with snow fencing or hardware cloth if shade or protection from rodents becomes necessary. How to Plant Your Seeds Seeds may be broadcast or planted in rows 6 inches apart for conifers and 8-12 inches apart for broadleaf species. Plant the seeds at a depth equal to two or three times the seed's diameter. If you plant in the fall, cover the seedbed with a mulch of weed-free straw or sawdust to reduce sudden changes in soil temperature. The mulch and the seeds or nuts can be protected over winter from weather and animals with a layer of hardware cloth. Remove the mulch early in the spring. The number of seeds to sow depends on the type of seed, its size, its germination rate, the growth rate of the seedlings, and their size when they will be transplanted. Roughly 2 to 3 teasf)oons of spruce or pine seed (0.13-0.40 ounces) is sufficient for a 12-square-foot area, whereas about 220 wal- nuts could be sown in the same area. How to Care for Your Seedlings After removing the hardware cloth and mulch in early spring, keep the seedbed moist until the seeds begin to germinate. To help prevent damping off, water the trees sparingly after germination. Despite this precaution, fungicides may be needed to control the disease. Follow the label instructions on the fungicide container. Seedlings of some species, especially trees native to wood- land habitats, may require shade when they are small. You can partially shade them by suspending a segment of snow fence several inches above them. The slats of the fence should run north and south so the seedlings will be exposed to alternating sun and shade as the sun moves from east to west. Remove the fence during periods of humid, foggy, and over- cast weather when damping off is especially likely. Water the seedlings sparingly during the first growing sea- son. Pull weeds as soon as they appear; pulling them after they have grown large will disrupt the root systems of the tree seedlings. Large weeds should be clipp>ed. Beginning in the late summer, thin the seedlings by selecting and very carefully pulling out the weakest plants. By the following spring you should be left with only stout, vigorous seedlings at the recommended density. Mulch the seedlings in the fall. Illinois Forest Management Seedlings can be lifted and moved to a p>ermanent planting site or a transplant bed in the spring after one to three years in the seedbed. The seedlings should be large enough to survive transplanting but not so old that their roots are deeply meshed in the seedbed . You can gauge the amount of root growth when you thin the seedlings in the first year. Choose and prepare the planting site carefully, and do not allow the seedling roots to dry even slightly during trans- planting. EDITOR'S NOTE: Table 1 can be found at the end of the newsletter. It lists the procedures for gathering, processing, stor- ing, and planting Illinois tree seeds. Adapted and Reprinted from: Hooper, C. A. and T.W. Curtin. Growing Illinois Trees From Seed. Circular 1219. University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, 1983. WOOD 'N NICKELS Research on Taxol extractives from Pacific Yew Anticancer Drug Taxol Availability of the anticancer drug taxol may be increased as a result of work started last week at the USD A Forest Service- Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin. FPL scientists received a Pacific yew log from the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon to begin research aimed at extract- ing taxol from the wood as well as the bark of Pacific yew. Taxol has shown promise as a treatment for ovarian cancer, and may also be useful in treating breast, lung, and colon cancer. Currently, taxol is derived from Pacific yew bark, which comprises less than 1 /8-inch of the outer layer of the tree, the extremely small quantity available from each tree limits the amount available for clinical trials. FPL chemical engineer Raj Atalla and chemist John Obst will explore better ways of extracting taxol from the tree's heart- wood. The taxol concentration in the heartwood appears to be less than that in the bark, but a Pacific yew contains 50 to 100 times more heartwood than bark. "Pacific yew may contain a minimum often times and as much as 1 00 times more taxol than is currently obtained from a tree", Atalla said. "FPL researchers are likely to achieve this improved yield because of their knowledge of wood chemistry and fiber structure", he said. Initial studies will verify the taxol concentrations in the heartwood. Tests will be performed on narrow slices from the 8-inch diameter, 180 year old log. This information will serve as the baseline for assessing the effectiveness of various extraction technologies. Atalla and Obst propose to examine three extraction tech- nologies. The first will reduce the size of the wood particle used with conventional extraction methods, which may improve yield. The second method will attempt to improve the solubility of the taxol molecule by adding various chemi- cal couplers. The third method will improve access to the taxol molecule by swelling the wood fiber to make it more porous. The first year of this research program will cost $450,000. The research at FPL contributes to a larger Forest Service effort to protect Pacific yew populations while supporting taxol pro- duction and testing. In June, Secretary of Agriculture Ed- ward Madigan signed a cooperative agreement with Bristol- Myers Squibb Company to increase the production of taxol from the bark of Pacific yew trees harvested from National Forest System lands. The agreement pemnits collection of Pacific yew bark while protecting forest ecosystems and the long-term viability of the species. Current inventories estimate a population of 23 million yew scattered across 11.5 million acres of National Forest land in western Oregon and Washington, and 6.5 million yew on 2.1 million acres of Bureau of Land Management land in the Pacific Northwest. For additional infomnation contact: Rajae H. Atalla, Supervisory Chemical Engineer Forest Products Laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2398 (608) 231-9443 Source: Extend - Wood Products Technology Transfer, Volume 4, October 1991. Illinois Forest Management Wood Treated With Herbicides - Is It Safe For Firewood? How safe is firewood cut from hardwood trees treated with herbicides? This question was asked recently by a homeowner who wanted to bum wood in a fireplace that had been cut from a tree which was treated with a common forest herbicide, but was unsure if it was safe to bum inside the home. We suspect this may be a common occurance on many properties and offer this summary of a study which ad- dresses this concern. The research report and abstract en- titled "Suitability of Hardwoods Treated with Phenoxyand Pyri- dine Herbicides for Use as Firewood" by P. B. Bush, D.G. Neary, C.K. McMahon and J.W. Taylor, Jr. appeared in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Volume 16, 333-341 (1987). EDITOR'S NOTE: The herbicide names used in the follow- ing abstract are the common names used in the agriculture and forestry industries. Trade names for the herbicides listed below are as follows: 2,4-D - Dacamine, Weedone, Esteron; dicamba - Dicamba, Banvel, Trooper; dichloroprop - Weedone 2,4-DP, Weedone 170, Weedone CB, Super Brush Killer, Super Brush Killer 32, Envert 171; picloram - Tordon; triclopyr - Garlon. ABSTRACT. "Potential exposure to pesticide residues re- sulting from burning wood treated with phenoxy and pyri- dine herbicides was assessed. Wood samples from trees treated with2,4-D [2,4-dichlorophenoxyl acetic acid, dicamba [3,6-dichloro-o -anisic acid], dichlorprop [2-(2,4-dichlorphe- noxy) propionic acid], picloram [4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropi- cohnic acid], and triclopyr [(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid contained variable amounts of parent compound residues at 4, 8, and 12 months after application. At the time of the latter sampling, residues of 2,4-D, dicamba, and piclo- ram were <2.1 mg/kg on a fresh weight basis. Mean residue concentrations of triclopyr and dichlorprop were somewhat higher at 3.5 and 13.0 mg/kg, respectively. In a laboratory experiment, samples with known amounts of herbicide resi- due were subjected to either slow or rapidly burning condi- tions in a tube furnace. During slow combustion, relatively stable compounds such as 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop were released in significant amounts. Rapid combustion greatly enhanced decomposition of 2,4-D, dicamba, di- chlorprop, picloram, and triclopyr. A well-developed fire in a wood stove or fireplace, with active flaming combustion. where temperatures commonly reach 800-1000 degree Centi- grade, should result in greater than 95 percent thermal decomposition of the herbicides examined in this study. Burning of herbicide-treated wood under smoldering condi- tions could result in very low levels of herbicide residue in ambient indoor air. However, the exp>osure levels are less than 0.3 percent of the threshold limit value for 2,4-D and triclopyr. The exposure is also more than 3 orders of magiu- tude lower than the established acceptable daily intakes for these products." EDITOR 'S NOTE: Chemical manufacturer representatives indicate there should be no problem burning firewood treated with these herbicides in a fireplace or woodstove provided a vigorous-buring fire is maintained. TRACKS features related articles on small game and non- game management for woodland owners. If you have par- ticular questions you would like addressed, please write the newsletter editor. We will incorporate them into TRACKS as space permits. Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Ringneck pheasants, native to Asia, were brought to Europe about the 10th century and were abundant in Greece nearly 1000 years ago. The first successful establishment of pheasants in the United States was the Chinese ringneck in the Willamette Valley in Oregon in 1881. The birds multiplied rapidly from this planting and 50,000 were reported killed the first day of an open season in 1892. As a result of this experience, pheasants have been propagated and released until they have become established in almost every suitable location in the United States and Canada. Illinois Forest Management ^11 Description Cock pheasants are large, gaudy birds weighing from 21/2 to 3 pounds that measure up to 30 inches, including tails 18 to 20 inches long. The combination of large size, bluish-green head, red cheek patch, and usually white neck ring make it impossible to mistake a cock ringneck pheasant for any other lUinoisbird. Ault male pheasants wear reddish-brown feath- ers that fade out to a bluish-green on the lower back and copper or maroon feathers on the breast. Feathers on the base of the wing are reddish-brown, but toward the end of the wing, they are a lighter brown. The adult hen is smaller than the cock, weighing about two pounds. Feathers on the female are generally tan with brown and cream markings. Distribution and Abundance Pheasants are found in parts of the northern states from the East Coast west into Montana and the province of Sas- katchewan and south into the Oklahoma panhandle. They thrive in parts of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Utah. The first recorded release of pheasants in Illinois was made near Macomb in 1890 by Dr. W.O. Blaisdell. The Illinois Game Commission (now the Department of Conservation) first released pheasants in 1906. Pheasants have been released in every county of the state but have established self-maintained populations in northern, east- central and southeast Illinois. Peak pheasant numbers in Illinois were reached in the early 1960's. Land use changes since then have resulted in a sharp decline in numbers in the original range. Habitat Pheasants are birds of open country. They like farming country with small woodlots, brushy fencero ws, ditches, and swales. Pheasants are associated with cropland, especially where corn, soybeans, and small grain are grown. In fact, within its range, the better the agricultural land, the better the conditions for the pheasant. A favorable land use pattern for pheasants consists of: (1) 65 to 80 percent of the farm in cultivated crops such as com, soybeans and wheat; (2) 15 to 30 percent in hay and rotation pastures; (3) 5 to 10 percent in brush and woods; and (4) 3 percent or more of the total area in brushy fence rows, odd areas, and permanently protected herbaceous cover. The birds need cover for roosting, crowing, nesting, feeding, loafing, and escape. They are most numerous where all cover requirements are close together. Cattail swamps, clumps of willow, weed patches, and dense brushy fencerows are preferred winter protection cover. Pheasants prefer to nest in hayfield types, either tame hay or native prairie vegetation. Some nesting also occurs in small grain fields. Roadsides of alfalfa-brome have been substituted successfully as farmers' hayfields turn to row crops. Early mowing of hayfields interferes seriously with successful nesting. Habits Pheasants have short, rounded wings that are good for short bursts of speed, but not for long flights. Therefore, they will alternately beat their wings and then glide with their wings held rigid on long flights. As ground-loving birds, they often avoid trouble by running. Pheasants fend to move into heavier cover and form flocks in winter. Sometimes flocks Illinois Forest Management are segregated by sex and many people think that the flocks composed primarily of hens indicate that the cock popula- tion has been over-hunted . Pheasants generally tend to reach their peak weight in January, maintaining it until spring, and lose weight during the breeding season. Generally the daily range does not exceed one-half mile. The seasonal range does not usually exceed one mile. Food and cover must be within the daily range. In the winter, pheas- ants seldom go more than one-fourth of a mile from the cover that they are using to find food. Foods More than half of the diet of pheasants chicks is insects for the first few months of their lives. Mature pheasants eat insects in summer and fall, but not in the amounts eaten by the chicks. Corn is the most important single food item for pheasants in Illinois. Studies indicate that mature birds will eat 11/2 pounds of com per week. Pheasants eat small grains; wild fruits and berries are not important. They also eat garden fruits and vegetables. Ragweed seed is the most important wild seed in the pheasant's diet. Smartweed, foxtail, pigweed and jewelweed seeds are significant items. Pheasants eat the green leaves of dandelions, clover, blue grass, dock, and other wild plants, probably to obtain vitamins. Early morn- ing and late evening are favored feeding times. \ r.. HwrOl-xiu Reproduction In spring, cock pheasants establish and defend territories, "crow" to attract hens and intimidate rival cocks, and try to fight off interlopers. Fights between the males are violent, but they are seldom fatal. The size of the flock of hens, or harem, per cock may vary from 1 to 22 hens, although harems average from 5 to 7 hens in Illinois. Some cocks, called "rogue" cocks, do not establish territories or maintain har- ems. There is little or no interchange of hens among harems, once the harem has been firmly established. The cock pheas- ant will strut, partially spread his tail, and fluff out his feathers to impress hens. They always display toward a hen. Since the males are polygamous, most of them are surplus and are not needed for successful reproduction. Harvest by hunting roosters only does not affect the spring breeding population in Illinois. Hens build their nests on the ground in grass, alfalfa, un- mowed roadsides and other low vegetation. A few hens will begin nesting prior to mid-April, but the peak of nest estab- lishment occurs during May. Hens lay a clutch of about 1 1 eggs in a period of two weeks. The hen will desert the nest if she is disturbed early in the nesting cycle, but after she has incubated the eggs for several days, she is reluctant to leave. Many hens abandon their first nest voluntarily for unknown reasons. In years when farm- ing activities are delayed until mid-May by adverse spring weather, some early nests and hens may be destroyed by plowing and /or discing operations. Mowing of hay, road- sides and waterways will destroy about 20 percent of the nests each year. Pheasant eggs hatch in 22 to 23 days and about 9 out of 10 eggs produce chicks. In normal agricultural years, peak hatching occurs in late June and early July. Hens that have not succeeded in bringing off broods will continue to try into August or September. Delay of mowing until August 1 or later will assure safe pheasant nesting. The hen and her family leave the nest as soon as the chicks have dried off and can walk. A chick will weigh less than an ounce when it is hatched; in 14 weeks after hatching, hens will weigh about 2 p)ounds and cocks over 2 1/2 pounds. Chicks can fly in short hops when they are 10 days old, but prefer to avoid danger by running and hiding. In 40 days, they have replaced their "down" feathers with juvenileplum- age. Sexes can be distinguished 8 weeks after they have hatched when the cock becomes larger than the hen and shows a crimson tinge in the cheek. In 16 to 17 weeks, pheasants are in their "adult" plumage. It takes about 3 1 /2 to 4 months for a hen to establish a nest. Illinois Forest Management lay and incubate the eggs, and raise the chicks. Generally, the hen "weans" chicks 9 to 10 weeks after hatching. A hen will raise only 1 brood a year. Nearly 1 out of 3 chicks dies before it is 16 weeks old. About as many cocks are hatched as hens, but a "cocks-only" hunting season changes the percentages in favor of the hens. Mortality Facts Ground squirrels, skunks, opossums, house cats, free run- ning dogs, snakes, foxes, and other predators will eat pheas- ant eggs and chicks. The two worst in Illinois are skunks and farm pets. Predation is not an important controlling factor of pheasant abundance. Automobiles probably kill more pheas- ants than predators. Pheasants are hosts to lice, tapeworms, threadworms, and other external and internal parasites, but ordinarily parasities have no severe ill effect on pheasant populations. In Illinois, 8 to 9 pheasant chicks out of 10 and 4 to 6 adults out of 10 alive in spring will be dead before the following spring. The fall hunting season takes advantage of game populations at their highest peak for the year and utilizes surplus birds that would disappear before the winter is over, hunted or not. mm Management In the prime Illinois pheasant range, fertile soils, intensive cultivation, cash grain farming, and high pheasant popula- tions go hand in hand. The most important reason why there are not more pheasants in Illinois is because they lack undis- turbed nesting cover. Farmers can increase pheasant popu- lations on their land by following a few simple steps: * Delay mowing of grassy roadsides and hay field edges until August. * Sow odd areas,, ditch banks, and waterways to brome, orchard grass, or timothy and delay mowing these areas until August * Plant rows of shrubs next to crop fields and leave brushy areas and marshlands for winter cover. * Use chisel plowing in fall rather than moldboard plowing, or leave one-fourth of the cornfield umplo wed imtil spring. In east-central Illinois, the Department of Conservation's Roadside Seeding Program is available to farmers and road districts to provide needed pheas- ant nest cover. Importance Known as one of the world's great game birds, the pheasant has adapted to the Illinois farm scene as well as any native game bird. Peak numbers of pheasant abundance in years past saw an average of 228,000 hunters harvesting 793,000 cock pheasants over the period 1956-1969. Pheasant hunting demand in Illinois exceeds the supply by as much as 40 percent. Severe habitat losses will probably continue to keep the supply at a low level. Source: Reprinted from "Ringneck Pheasant" - Illinois Wildlife Factsheet, Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Wildlife Resources, 1981; and More Wildlife for Recreation, "Land Management for Ringnecked Pheasant", USD A Soil Conservation Service, 1972. Selected Illustrations by Kent Olson; In: Increasing Wild- life On Farms and Ranches. Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Resources Committee and Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University - Manhattan; April 1988 and by Ned Smith; In: Woodlands and Wildlife, Hassinger, J., et al. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1979. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting Illinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed collection dates in italics Gathering and processing Storing Pretreatment method or tinne to sow Planting and seedling care Arborvitae August-September Remove seeds from ripe, closed cones by heating to 110° F. in oven for 4 hours. Shake out seed from open cones. Re- move scales and empty seed by winnowing (sift- ing in a strong wind or in airstream from fan or cool hair dryer). Store in closed container at 32° to 38° F. Sow in fall. Sow V* to Ve inch deep. Half shade seed- lings. Thin to 50 seed- lings per square foot. Ash black July-September blue yu/y-Oct ofaer red September-October white October-November Dry samaras at room temperature. Separate clusters. Winnow off any trash. Store dry seed in closed con- tainers at 41° F. Sow in fall im- mediately after harvest before end of October. Sow Va to Vi inch deep. Mulch seed bed, but remove mulch when germination starts. Thin to 10 seed- lings per square foot. Transplant after 1 year in seedbed. Aspen, bigtooth May-June Beech After first frost Birch river May-June paper August-September Buckeye September-October Pick straw-colored cat- kins from trees and dry on pans at room temper- ature for 1 to 3 days. Capsules will open. Re- move cotton by rubbing seed through 20- and 40-mesh screens. Shake nuts from trees after frost opens the burs. Pick slightly green cat- kins (strobiles) before they fall and shatter. Place in bags immedi- ately to prevent seed loss. Dry in pans at room temperature for several weeks. Collect buckeyes when capsules split open. Dry at room temperature for a day and remove any remaining capsule parts. Keep very dry in airtight vials at 36° to 41° F. Store dry nuts in sealed con- tainers at 41° F. Store very dry seed at room temperature. Store in plastic bags at 34° F. Sow in spring after harvest. Seeds are non- dormant. Sow in fall and protect from squirrels or stratify^ for 3 months and sow in spring. Sow in late sum- mer or fall, or stratify^ and sow in spring. Sow in fall or store over win- ter and plant in early spring. Soak seedbed; it must be saturated when seeds are sown. Keep moist continuously for the first month. Sprin- kle seed on soil surface. Do not press in or cover. Protect from wind and from rain splash. Soak or mist bed to avoid dislodging seeds. Cover nuts with V: inch of soil. Give seed- lings half shade until late summer of first year. Thin to 25 seed- lings per square foot in second year. Broadcast seed and cover with a very light layer of soil (1/16 to 3/16 inch). Shade lightly early in the first summer. Thin to 30 seedlings per square foot. Transplant after 2 years. Cover with Vi inch of soil. Do not overwater seedbed. Transplant after one year. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting Illinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed collection dates in italics Gathering and processing Storing Pretreatment method or time to sow Planting and seedling care Butternut September-October See Walnut. Catalpa After October Collect "lady cigars" (pods) when brown and dry. Air dry and break apart to obtain flat, long, tattered seed. Store dry in closed con- tainers in cold location. No special treat- ment required. Sow in spring. Sow Vs inch deep. Transplant after 1 year. Cherry choke yu/y-Octofaer black August-September Collect purple or black fruit. Macerate and float off or screen out pulp by rubbing over a screen or using a food mill. Seed may be sown wet or air dried for a few hours. Air dry and store in plastic bags at 33° to 41° F. Sow in fall and protect from ro- dents or stratify^ in moist peat or vermiculite at 37° to 41° F. for 4 months. Sow V2 inch deep. Fall- sown seeds need 3 inches of straw for mulch. Stratified seed should be sown as early in spring as soil can be worked. Transplant after 1 year. Cottonwood May-June See Aspen. Crabapple September-October Harvest yellowish green apples. Remove pulp as for cherry. Store very dry in airtight con- tainers at 36° to 50° F. Sow in late fall. Sow V2 to 1 inch deep in loose soil. If soil is crusty, apply a thin saw- dust mulch. Use fungi- cide to control pow- dery mildew. Dogwood September Choose seed from trees in a grove rather than a solitary tree. Fruit pulp need not be removed. To store, re- move pulp as for cherry. Air dry stones and keep in airtight containers at 38° to 41° F. Sow fruits in fall directly after harvest. Sow y* to V2 inch deep. Mulch with saw- dust. Elm American March-June slippery April-June Sweep up seeds when they fall. Air dry for 2 to 3 days. Store very dry seeds in sealed containers at 25° F. Sow in spring just after har- vest. Many seeds will not germi- nate until the following spring. Sow seed V2 to V* inch deep. Keep bed moist until seeds germinate. Transplant after 1 year. Hackberry September-October Pick fruit after leaves drop in fall. Removal of pulp is not necessary but may increase germination rate. To remove, see in- structions for cherry. Store dried fruits in airtight containers at 41° F. Sow in fall or stratify^ in moist sand at 41° F. for 2 to 3 months and sow in spring. Sow V2 inch deep. Pro- tect seed from birds until germination. Hickory bitternut - September-October shagbark September-October mockernut September-October Collect nuts as they fall. Remove husks by hand or by trampling. Store nuts in plastic bags at 41° F. Sow in fall and mulch heavily or stratify^ for 3 months and plant in spring. Plant nuts V* to IV2 inches deep, six to eight nuts per foot. Protect from rodents. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting lUinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed Pretreatment collection dates Gathering and method or Planting and in italics processing Storing time to sow seedling care Holly Remove pulp as for Store dry seed Sow in fall im- Cover seed with Ve to October cherry. Dry seeds if they at 33° to 40° F. mediately after Vz inch of soil. Mulch are to be stored. in closed con- collection. Seed well. Propagation by tainers. will not germi- nate for 2 to 3 years. cuttings is faster. Horsechestnut September-October See Buckeye. Juniper November Pick mature, waxy blue berries in the late fall. Soak for 1 day in a weak lye solution. Rinse thor- oughly on screens and remove pulp as for cherry. Air dry for a day and winnow off trash. Store dry in airtight con- tainers at 20° to 40° F. Sow in fall. Cover with V* inch of firmed soil or sand. Mulch. Keep seedbed moist. Remove mulch when seeds germinate. Shade seedlings with snow fencing. Trans- plant after 1 to 2 years. Kentucky Coffee Tree After October Pick pods from tree or ground. Remove seeds from pods by hand. Dry seed and store at 33° to 41° F. in closed containers. File through outer seedcoats or soak seeds in water for 24 hours and in vinegar for 4 hours. Rinse thoroughly. Sow in spring 1 inch deep, 12 to 18 seeds per foot in rows 6 inches apart. Transplant after 1 year. Larch September Locust black September-October honey October Maple Norway October-November red April-July silver April-June sugar October-December Pick cones as soon as they ripen (turn brown). Place in pans and heat for 8 hours at 120° F. to open cones. Shake out seeds. Rub seeds or place them in a grain sack and tread on them to remove wings. Win- now off trash and wings. Pick pods when they are ripe but before they open. Air dry Flail pods in a bag or run through a grain separator to re- move seeds from pods. Remove chaff and empty seeds by winnowing or floating off in water. Air dry samaras (winged seeds). It is not necessary to remove wings. Store dry seed in airtight con- tainers at 10° to 22° F. Sow in fall. Store dry seed in closed con- tainers at 32° to 40° F. Store seed in sealed con- tainers at 35° to 41° F. Same as for Kentucky coffee tree. Plant in March to May. Seeds should be treated with an inoculant to has- ten nodulation (N2 fixation). Sow red and sil- ver maple in late spring. Sow other maples in fall in well- mulched beds. Cover with Vt inch of soil. Cover beds with burlap or mulch, which should be removed be- fore germination in spring. Thin to 25 seed- lings per square foot. Transplant after 2 years. Black locust seeds should be covered with y< inch of soil or sand. Sow 20 to 30 seeds per foot in rows 6 to 8 inches apart. Plant hon- eylocust seeds twice as deep at half the den- sity. Transplant after 1 year. Sow V* to 1 inch deep.. Protect seedbeds from mice and birds. Thin seedlings to 25 per square foot. Shade seedlings, but watch for damping off. Transplant after 2 years. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting Illinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed collection dates in italics Gathering and processing Storing Pretreatment method or time to sow Planting and seedling care Mountain-Ash /August Pick ripe fruits before the birds do. Macerate fruit from seeds as for cherry. Dry and winnow off trash. Store dry seed in airtight con- tainers at 34° to 38° F. Sow in fall or early winter. Cover with 1/16 inch of soil. Protect seed- lings from deer and rabbits. Transplant after 1 year. Mulberry yune-Augusf Spread ripe fruits on a clean surface and allow to soften for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. Rub through a no. 16 screen and float off pulp. Air dry seeds and win- now off any remaining trash. Dry seed may be stored in a freezer. Soak seeds in cold water for 4 days and sow in fall or stratify^ in moist sand at 33° to 41° F. for 1 to 3 months and sow in spring. Barely cover seeds. Plant in rows 8 to 12 inches apart, 50 seeds per foot. Cover with mulch until germina- tion, then half shade for 2 weeks. Oak August-December Cull out bad acorns by floating them out. Sound nuts will sink. Remove any nuts that are moldy or have holes. Storage is not advised. Sow immedi- ately. White oaks will germinate in fall, red oaks in spring. Plant Vi to 1 inch deep in rows 8 to 12 inches apart. Firm soil. Mulch and cover with hard- ware cloth to discour- age rodents. Thin to 10 to 35 seedlings per square foot. Transplant after 1 year. Olive September-December Air-dried fruits or clean stones may be used. To clean stones, see instruc- tions for cherry. Store dry in airtight con- tainers at 34° to 50° F. Sow in fall. Where mice are a problem, use clean stones rather than dry fruits. Sow V2 to 1 inch deep. Mulch seedlings to pre- vent mud splash. Thin to 12 to 30 seedlings per square foot. Trans- plant after 1 to 2 years. Osage Orange October Gather hedge apples when they drop. Store them outdoors in a pile over winter. Fruits will ferment and can be macerated easily in spring. Clean as for cherry. Air dry seeds and store in airtight con- tainers at 41° F. Sow in spring. Plant V* to Vi inch deep in rows 8 to 12 inches apart. Pawpaw August-September Pick fruits when they first soften (before opos- sums get them). Macer- ate in water and float off pulp or sow entire fruit. Unknown. Sow in fall. Plant seed Vi inch deep. Germination is slow and poor. Pecan September-October See Hickory. Persimmon September-November Pick soft, ripe fruit from tree or ground. Macer- ate to remove seed (see instructions for cherry). Air dry for 2 days. Store dry seed Sow in fall. Plant seed 2 inches in airtight con- deep. Mulch. Trans- tainers at 41° F. plant in late summer of first year. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting Illinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed Pretreatment collection dates Gathering and method or Planting and in italics processing Storing time to sow seedling care Pine white August-September Scotch September-October Harvest tawny yellow or tan but unopened cones. Open and dry cones on trays in the oven at 120° F. for 12 hours. Clean seeds as for larch. Store dry seed at 0° to 5° F. Soak seeds in water for 2 days. Place in moist sand or a plastic bag at 33° to 41° F. for 2 months. Sow in spring. Press seeds firmly into soil. Cover with V* inch of sand. Thin to 40 seedlings per square foot. Watch for fungal diseases. Transplant after 2 years. Plum lune-October Collect soft fruit. Clean as for cherry. See instruc- tions for cherry. See instructions for cherry. Sow 1 to 2 inches deep. See instructions for cherry. Poplar May-june See Aspen. Redbud /August-September Air dry pods and remove seeds as for locust. Air dry seeds; store in closed containers at 35° to 41° F. Cover a volume of seeds with four times that volume of water. Let seeds stand overnight. Sow seeds immedi- ately, while still moist, in fall. Firm V* inch of soil over seeds. Sassafras August-September Serviceberry yune-August Spruce September Sweetgum September-November Sycamore November Harvest dark blue fruits. Remove pulp as for cherry. Air dry seeds. Pick ripe fruit promptly or birds will get it. Re- move pulp as for cherry. Seeds may be ripe be- fore cones are brown. Harvest cones promptly. Place in pans in oven at 110° F. for 10 hours or air dry for several weeks to remove seeds. Clean as for pine. Pick yellow-green seed heads before all seeds drop out. Air dry heads on pans for 5 to 10 days until seeds drop out. Shake and winnow as for arborvitae. Harvest greenish brown heads. Air dry. Crush heads. Rub seeds through hardware cloth and winnow off hair. Store in air- Sow very late in tight containers fall, at 35° to 41° F. Store dry seed in airtight con- tainers at 41° F. Store dry seed at 33° to 38° F. Store dry seed in sealed bags at 35° to 40° F. Store in cool, well-ventilated area in open mesh bags. Sow in fall. Mix seeds with moist sand and let them sit at 34° to 41° F. for 8 hours. Sow in spring. Mix seeds with wet sand and store at 30° F. for 30 days. Sow in spring after last frost. No special treat- ment is re- quired. Sow in spring. Firm Vi inch of soil over seeds. Mulch seedbed and cover with bird or shade screening until after last spring frost. Plant 25 seeds per foot of row and cover with ■"/< inch of soil. Keep bed mulched until ger- mination starts. Plant Vi inch deep. Mulch with sawdust or pine needles. Thin to 40 seedlings per square foot. Transplant after 2 years. Sow seeds on soil sur- face and press into soil with roller. Mulch with Va inch of sand. Thin to 20 to 25 seedlings per square foot. Cover seeds with V* inch of soil or mulch. Keep seedbed moist until germination. Thin to 10 seedlings per square foot. Illinois Forest Management Table 1. Procedures for Gathering, Processing, Storing, and Planting Illinois Tree Seeds Tree Approximate seed collection dates in italics Gathering and processing Storing Pretreatment method or time to sow Planting and seedling care Tulip Tree August-September Walnut black October-November white September-October Willow April -May Witch Hazel August-September Pick tan cones or shake seeds out of cones onto a cloth on a dry day. Dry cones for 7 to 20 days and break apart to re- lease seeds (samaras). Collect nuts from the ground. Remove husks when they are firm but slightly soft. Follow pro- cedure for hickory. Pick capsules as they turn from green to yel- low. Watch closely! Sow capsules immediately. Pick closed fruits in early autumn before they split and discharge seeds. Ripe fruits are dull or- ange. Air dry fruits in pans for several days. Screen out seeds. Store in plastic bags at 36° to 40° F. See instruc- tions for hick- ory. Sow in fall. Does not store well. Store dry seed in airtight con- tainers at 41° F. Sow in fall. Sow immediately after harvest. Sow in early Oc- tober. Cover seeds with '/< inch of soil. Thin to 25 to 30 seedlings per square foot. Cover with 1 to 2 inches of soil and 1 inch of sawdust mulch. Plant 15 seeds per foot. Cover mulch with screen to protect from rodents. Thin to 5 seedlings per sq. ft. Transplant after 1 year. Broadcast seed, then press into soil with a roller. Soil must be kept moist until seedlings are well established. Sow in rows 8 to 12 inches apart. Mulch over winter but remove mulch in spring. = Illinois Forest Management N LUNOIS GRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES P O Box 19283. Sprinofleld. IL 62794-9283 Phone (217) 492-4295 US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION life and land together DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield. Illinois 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 December 5, 1991 PRICES PAID ILUNOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS MAY 1991 THROUGH AUGUST 1991 Summer sawtimbcr prices paid Ulicois timber growers were generally lower than a year earlier for both stumpage and FOB. Of the limber buyers reporting volume of their 1991 operations, 41% indicated ihcir volume was 500 thousand board feet or higher. This is dovm from the 1990 percentage of 48%. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Illinois Division of Forest Resou/ccs. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participaied in the survey is gratefully appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on limber resources, similariry, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit, Zone 2 the Claypan Unit and Zone 3 the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone arc shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a guide for determining the market value of timber. General market and economic conditions arc the major price-determining factors. Certain local coruidcrations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size ^^ and quality also affect the price received. For technical, marketing or PRICE ^/ /jT^C management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division REPORTING ^J*^^^ of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 North ZONES Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE SAWTIMBER PRICES IN $ PER M BD. FT., STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS 5PECIES May 1990-August 1990 November 1990-February 1991 May 1991-A ugusl 1991 Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. Ash Basswood Beech Cottonwood 148 286 72 139 47 122 43 122 129 245 61 165 47 120 40 113 114 69 49 40 223 196 139 116 Sweet Gum Elm & Hackbcrry Hickory Soft Maple 48 128 52 130 56 136 58 139 49 125 47 123 46 131 53 137 43 45 47 53 118 121 133 139 Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak 71 160 103 170 53 130 167 289 57 136 92 174 51 125 153 276 58 83 55 130 L53 150 126 247 While Oak Yellow Poplar Sycamore Black Wahiut 167 282 95 202 48 127 307 508 163 271 72 179 43 120 302 531 143 70 43 319 261 175 121 569 Woods Run Bottomland Woods Run Upland 63 136 112 169 59 135 94 177 65 95 132 180 FACE VENEER PRICES J PER M BD. FT. Red Oak While Oak Walnut 426 737 371 629 853 1,351 744 1.400 1,171 1.886 1,709 1,890 458 1,200 663 1,317 1,817 UNPtELbU FULPWOOU PRICES, S PER TUN, ShLbCl ED PERIODS Ton May 1990-August 1990 November 1990-February 1991 May 1991-August 1991 Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.03. Stumpage F.O.B. 1J9 13.00 1.90 13.00 1.75 COOPERAGE PRICES, $ PER M BD. FT., STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. SELECTED PERIODS White Oak Stumpage F.03. Stumpage F.O.B. Stumpage F.O.B. 194 401 178 330 217 343 -OVER- Illinois Forest Management Timber Prices May 1991-August 1991 December 5, 1991 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS | May 1991 - August 1991 PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. MiU Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash Mbd. ft. 50-200 100- 400 50-200 120- 500 50-150 100-320 Bass wood Mbd. ft. 50 140- 150 40-100 120- 300 30-130 130-350 Beech Mbd. ft. 30- 50 80- 140 50- 80 100-300 .. Cottonwood M bd. ft. 30- 50 80- 140 20- 60 100- 130 20-50 L30 Sweet Gum Mbd. ft. 25- 50 80- 140 20- 60 100- 130 45 Elm & Hackberry Mbd. ft. 25- 50 80- 140 20- 60 100- 140 20-100 Hickory Mbd. ft. 30-100 80- 175 20- 80 100- 200 20-60 120-130 Soft Maple Mbd. ft. 40-100 120- 150 30- 80 100- 160 40-100 100-200 Sugar Maple Mbd. ft. 40- 75 120 - 195 30-100 100- 220 50-100 100-250 Black Oak M bd. ft. 30-200 115-250 50-100 120- 200 30-120 100 Pin Oak M bd. ft. 30- 55 115- 140 15- 80 100- 160 15-100 100 - 135 Red Oak Mbd. ft. 50-220 115-500 60-200 120- 450 50-200 100-380 White Oak Mbd. ft. 50-300 125-350 60-200 120- 600 75-300 100-400 Yellow Poplar M bd. ft. 40-100 80-250 40-100 140- 200 30-65 Sycamore M bd. ft. 25- 50 80- 140 20- 80 100 - 150 20-60 140 Black Walnut M bd. ft. 250-500 250-700 100-500 250-1000 85-500 320-1000 Woods Run Bottomland Mbd. ft. 40-150 100- 160 35-150 120- 160 30-130 Woods Run Upland M bd. ft. 55-150 110-250 35-150 120- 250 80 - 175 2. Face Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B. Red Oak M bd. ft. 200-1,110 250-1,250 White Oak M bd. ft. 200-1,500 500-2,000 Walnut Mbd. ft. 200-3,000 850-3,500 3. Pulpwood Unpeeled Ton 1.00- 2.00 - 4. Cooperage White Oak Mbd. ft. 100- 300 200- 420 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Doyle Scribncr International Percent Using 96 1 3 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reporting Zone 1 Zone 2 2^nc 3 ILLINOIS 24 48 28 25 Rates Reported $/M bd. ft. 100 -200 80 -200 140 -200 80 -200 VOLUME OF 1991 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. ft. Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 All % % % % 1- 100 48 21 35 33 100- 500 14 28 35 26 500- 1000 5 24 11 15 1,000- 3,000 24 10 8 13 3,000 -1- 9 17 11 13 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer is logs cut into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used in making paper, fiberboard, and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into lumber or limbers. F.O.B. refers to the price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES - MAY 1991 - AUGUST 1991 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* Woods Run Upland $102 - $389/M bd. ft. Woods Run Bottomland InsufTicient Data •Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Gerald L. Clampct State Statistician Jay Wells, Garry D. Kepley, Agricultural Statisticians "Printed by authority of the State of Illinois," 12/5/91, 1,800, 1,499 Illinois Forest Management THE ILLINOIS STEWARD Volume 1, No. 1 1992 Illinois Forest Management THE ILLINOIS Steward VOLUME 1, No, 1 1992 Please send me a complimentary issue of ^e UCinois StezVard magazine Name Address City state Zip Don't Miss An Issue! Subscribe Now! I I Yes. please accept my subscription to The IRinois Steward Name _^__ Mailing Address City State Zip I I Enclosed is a $10.00 check payable to Department of Forestry. MAIL this subscription form and check to: The [Rinois Steward, Circulation Department, 110 Mumford Hall. 1301 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801 Please send a gift subscription of The Illinois Steward to: Name Mailing Address City State Zip Your name D Enclosed is a $10.00 check payable to Department of Forestry. MAIL this subscription form and check to: The Illinois Stewatxi, Circulation Department. 110 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801 Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Dlinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL 61801 hQ. Library - Ser ials Ci9r ■k 22t. Hugford Hall '39' [ yest Gf 'egory Bri' t'9 CAHPUS Mil Cooperative Extension Service University of llilnois at Urtiana-Champaign ILLINOIS m ^ 5 ^^^^ FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners Volume 1. 1993 No. 24 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 The Carbon Connection Page 4 An Ek^oSystem Management Question: What's Happening To The Wild Flowers In Our Oak-Hickory Forests? Page 5 SilvaScene: White Ash Page 7 TRACKS: River Otter Page 9 Bugs and Blights: Trunk Decays Page 12 Cutting Up: The Causes of Wood Deterioration Page 14 Illinois Timber Prices Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Forestry and the Cooperative Extension Service. Our newsletter features timely tips to help you manage your woodland more effectively. We encourage your ques- tions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Direct your inquiries to: Editor. IFM Newsletter. W-503 Turner Hall. 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.. Urbana. IL 61801. The following article appeared in the July, 1 992 issue of Missouri Conservationist. It is reprinted withpermis- s ion and fyis been edited to reflect Illtnoisfores t resource data. The Carbon Connection by Bruce Palmer The rise of atmospheric greenhouse gasses and global warming are regarded as two of the biggest environ- mental concerns of the 1990s. These two issues are usually linked, although there is still debate about whether the temperature of the planet is gradually warming. However, the rise in atmospheric trace gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons has been widely documented. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment Is now about 350 parts per million (ppm) . From a study of carbon in tree rings and gas bubbles in polar ice. it is estimated that the concentration of C02 in the mid- 1 800s. was 270 ppm. there has been a rise of about 75 ppm over the past 150 years due to extensive land clearing, intensification of agricultural, and the burn- ing of fossil fuels. Atmospheric carbon is estimated to be increasing world- wide by about 1 .9 billion tons annually in an environ- ment where between 4.8 and 5.8 billion tons of carbon are released each year. About 80 percent of the net increase is from burning fossil fuels. The United States, with its energy-intensive society, contributes about 22 percent of the total. The remain- der may be from terrestrial ecosystems and land use changes, such as tropical deforestation. It is believed forests contain 90 percent of the carbon in land plants, and oceans absorb between 26 and 44 percent of the C02. With most scientists predicting atmospheric C02 to double by the mid-2 1st century, this poses several questions about the future interac- tion of increased C02 and our forests. Most of the rise in C02 is from burning fossil fuels, particularly in the United States. There are many social, political and economic obstacles to reducing our use of fossil fuels. But biological concerns over the increase in C02 and any corresponding rise in global temperatures are finally receiving the attention they merit. Biological results could include the change or migra- tion of land plants, and the related change in wildlife, rainfall patterns and disturbances such as fire. Forests play a major role in the debate over rising levels of C02. both in how their growth will be affected, and what impact forests might have mitigating the effects of higher amounts of C02 in the atmosphere. Does C02 Help Trees? Carbon compounds are the basic building blocks, the energy sources and the chemical regulators of all plants. Carbon dioxide is used in photosynthesis to make carbohydrates, the food for the plant. Inadequate C02 is often a limiting factor for plants. Experiments show that when the C02 content of air is raised, plants are able to use the extra C02 and, as a result, they grow faster. Commercial greenhouse grow- ers use this knowledge to their advantage. By raising the concentration of C02 in the greenhouse, the growth of vegetables can be increased. Researchers have found the same response in tree seedlings. When grown under elevated C02 condi- tions, tree seedlings grow faster, have more roots and larger leaves. However, experiments have been rela- tively short-term and with young trees under green- house conditions. Besides the obvious physical limitations of placing a mature tree under controlled conditions, time con- straints hamper germinating a tree seed in increased C02 and observing the responses over the tree's life- time. So, at this time we are not quite sure what the long-term effect of increased C02 will be on the health of our forests. " Each gallon of gasoline a car bums pumps about Jive pounds of carbon into the atmosphere." WorldWatch, March-April 1992 Do Trees Reduce C02? Forests accumulate carbon in their branches, stems, and in the leaf litter on the ground. Approximately 45 percent of total dry weight of a tree's biomass is carbon. An oak-hickory forest typically stores 16 pounds of carbon per cubic foot of merchantable wood. Forests act as carbon storage areas, or carbon sinks. Old forests that experience little growth hold carbon, but sequester little additional atmospheric carbon. Declining forests that are losing biomass due to mortal- ity and decay become sources of carbon. Because young, fast-growing trees store the greatest amount of carbon over their lifetime, establishing forest plantations as carbon sinks to offset the annual in- crease in atmospheric C02 has been suggested. Sev- eral scientists have explored the economics of storing carbon in forest plantations. One report estimated that a tree planting and manage- ment program limited to marginal farm land and forest Illinois Forest Management land could achieve a 1.4 billion ton (56 percent) de- crease in the United States' carbon emissions. This program involved tree planting on marginal farm land and active management of currently forested areas. The projected cost of this program would be about $19.5 billion per year. A formula has also been developed to estimate the carbon storage of a community's urban forest. It also provides an estimate of the number of trees necessary for an individual or corporation to plant to compensate for their carbon production. Using a per capita carbon emission rate of 2.3 tons per year, a newborn baby needs 45 seedlings to store all the carbon he/she would produce during his/her lifetime. The sooner one gets started, the fewer trees are re- quired. For example, a 40-year old needs to plant and care for 210 trees and a 50-year old needs 550 trees. Last year was the second warmest ever, (tfter 1990. Eight of the past twelve years have been the wannest on record." Goddard Institute for Space Studies, in World Watch, Marcli-April 1992 One scientist reported that to store the annual carbon increase of 2.9 billion tons would require 1 . 148 billion acres of tree plantations at a cost of $372 billion. This is about 75 percent of the non-forested land in the United States, or 1 .5 times the currently forested area. This project did not take into account the loss of farm land for forest plantations. Obviously a tree planting program to reforest over a billion acres is not a practical solution to the increase in carbon emissions. Even though additional forest land would provide many wildlife, recreational and water quality benefits, the extreme cost makes it unac- ceptable. The billions of dollars needed could be much better used finding a way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels or curb their emissions. There are practical applications of these suggestions that may help us buy some time until a more perma- nent solution is found to the increasing amount of C02 in the atmosphere. These include a combination of active forest management and tree planting for energy conservation. To use Illinois as an example, the state has 4.26 million acres of forest land. The volume of merchantable wood is about 2.2 billion cubic feet with a net annual state- wide growth of 54.6 million cubic feet. Using the factor of 16 pounds of carbon per cubic foot of wood, Illinois' forests currently contain about 17.6 million tons of carbon and are adding about 437,000 tons to that total each year. If every acre of forest land in Illinois could be placed under active management, this growth rate could be increased 3.3 times. Proper harvesting methods, plant- ing of some areas and thinning of overcrowded stands would increase forest growth to 1 80 million cubic feet per year, storing 1.45 million tons of carbon. Although managing every acre of forest land is not possible, the example shows the potential in this state to increase carbon storage. Re-growth of mature stands is also important in storing additional carbon. Young, fast growing trees fix more Ccirbon than a mature tree. A mature tree which is harvested and processed into wood products stores the carbon in its wood until it decays or is burned. A tree left to die and decay in the forest releases hundreds of pounds of carbon back into the atmosphere. Energy conservation measures can also help reduce fossil fuel emissions. Tree planting for windbreaks has been used for many years. Windbreaks around homes and farmsteads can reduce heating costs up to 40 percent. Livestock which are sheltered by windbreaks make better weight gains than those not sheltered. Trees help prevent soil erosion, which can lower the amount of fertilizer and petroleum used. Trees can also affect snow drifts to reduce snow plowing. Urban residents can reduce energy requirements with trees, too. Planting as few as three well-placed trees around a house can reduce annual cooling needs by 30 percent. Trees can also reduce winter heating costs by as much as 22 percent. Properly located and managed trees can reduce energy needs in office buildings. Healthy Forests Help Us All At the current rate of annuaJ C02 emissions, most scientists agree that the concentration of atmospheric Illinois Forest Management C02 will double by the mid-2 1st century. Forests do have the potential too influence the level of C02 in the atmosphere. Forests store great quantities of carbon in the wood of trees as well as the leaf litter and organic soil. Although establishing tree planta- tions for the sole purpose of sequestering carbon is not feasible, wise use of forests could help reduce C02 build-up until a more permanent solution is found. Active management of forests to maintain healthy, growing trees and the use of trees for energy conserva- tion are two of the most practical ways forests can be used to reduce atmospheric C02. Bruce Palmeris a forestry information specialist with the Conservation Department Reprinted from the July, 1992 Missouri Conserva- tionist. Copyright 1992 by the Conservation Com- mission of the State of Missouri. Reprinted by permission. An Ecosystem Management Question: What's Happening To The Wild Flowers In Our Oak-Hickory Forests? Much of the forest land in the central hardwood region is covered by oak-hickory forests, which have gone through periodic fire, harvesting, and grazing. Now that these forests are relatively free of disturbance, we are seeing significant invasion of sugar maple seedlings on the more moist sites. As older oak trees are harvested or die. maple saplings quickly take over the site, leading to a maple forest type. Conversion of oak-hickory forests to maple forests has also led to a significant decrease in the type and abundance of wild flowers and other forest forbs. These plants are important constituents of the oak-hickory ecosystem, but most have been little studied by forest- ers. Research has shown that sugar maple can interfere with the growth of other plants through both competi- tion (removing the essential resources from the envi- ronment) and "allelopathy" (the release of chemicals that can alter growth of adj acent plants) . However, we have little evidence to say what role, if any, do alle- lochemicals produced by sugar maple and other shade producing shrubs play in the decline of wild flower populations. Scientists from North Central's Carbondale Laboratory and Southern Illinois University are trying to determine if sugar maple and several other common understory shrubs produce sufficient allelochemicals to alter the growth and flowering behavior of dittany (Cunila origanoides{h) . Britton). Why does dittany drop out as sugar maple moves in? This seldom studied, but common perennial forb of the mint family produces small, light purple flowers in late summer. It is found in most upland oak-hickory forests and rapidly declines when a middle-level canopy of sugar maple is present. To mimic the natural ecosystem as nearly as possible, researchers tested the sensitivity of dittany in the greenhouse to allelochemicals produced by hardwood Illinois Forest Management seedlings. Would sugar maple, flowering dogwood, pawpaw, or white oak seedlings produce sufficient allelochemicals to reduce growth of dittany plants? Soil leachates (water that has soaked through the soil around the roots) were recycled twice a week between the donors, sugar maples, and the targets, dittany). The foliage of the donor and target plants was periodi- cally sprayed with water to collect allelochemicals produced by leaf and stem tissues. Dead leaves were added for litter. When the dittany plants were dug up, a ball of soil was kept around each plant to make sure any microorganisms that might destroy allelochemi- cals were present. The scientists found that none of the hardwood seed- lings altered the height, stem dry weight, or date of first flowers on the dittany plants. Leachates from white oak did reduce the total number of flowers produced com- pared to the number of flowers on dittany plants exposed to pawpaw and flowering dogwood leachates. The response to sugar maple leachates was intermedi- ate even though these leachates had the highest chemi- cal content at the end of the growing season. The first-year's research indicates that the absence of dittany under a sugar maple canopy probably results from competition — most likely for light — and not from allelopathy. The experiment is being repeated to con- firm first-year results. Field studies are also being planned to evaluate the relationship between increas- ing shade and production of allelochemicals by hard- woods. As with most ecological studies scientists are finding that simple solutions do not exist and that interdisci- plinary teams will be needed to address the complex interactions we face under ecosystem management. (If you would like more information about this study, contact: Jerry Van Sambeek at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Southern Illinois University. Carbondale. Illinois 62901: tel (618) 453-2318: FAX (618) 453- 2911). Source: JVorth Central NEWS, February, 1993. North Central Forest Experiment Station, USFS, St. Paul, MN SILVASCENE features articles related to the art and science of growing trees. This information is presented to better acquaint you with the species that grow in your woodland and how you might manipulate your woodland to favor their growth. White Ash White ash (Fraxinus americana) is the most common and useful native ash, but is never a dominant species in the forest. It is an upland species with native range (Figure 1) that includes every county in Illinois. Large trees commonly associated with white ash in Illinois forests include northern red oak, white oak, sugar maple, red maple, black cherry, American basswood, American elm, and yellow-poplar; smaller understoiy trees include pawpaw, American hornbeam, flowering dogwood, and eastern hophombeam. Soils and Topography White ash has demanding soil fertility and soil moisture requirements. It grows most commonly on fertile soils Illinois Forest Management Figure 1 . The Native Range of White Ash, with a high nitrogen content and a moderate to high calcium content, and its pH tolerance varies from 5.0 to 7.5. Soil moisture is an important factor affecting local distribution. Best growth occurs on moderately well drained soils, including areas underlain by compacted glacial till; light textured, well drained, glacial drift; and sandy to clay loam soils in which roots can penetrate to a depth of 16 inches or more. While it can be found in various topographic situations throughout its native range, in the Central States it is common on slopes along major streams and various upland situations, and rarely found in the flat bottoms of major streams or in depressions. However, it is intermediately tolerant of temporary flooding. Life History White ash produces male and female flowers on sepa- rate trees (dioecious), and they appear with or just before the leaves in April and May. Female flowers remain receptive for about 1 week after they appear. Pollen from male flowers can be carried by the wind from ash trees up to 328 feet (100 meters) away. Good seed crops normally are produced about every three years. About half of the flowering trees will produce abundant seed crops. Generally, white ash is 8 to 10 inches d.b.h. (diameter breast height) before it flowers abundantly, but can flower on vigorous trees as small as 3 to 4 inches d.b.h. The minimum seed-bearing age is 20 years. Seedfall occurs from September to December. The fruit is a winged samara that can be carried by the wind up to 460 feet (140 meters). The seed exhibits strong dormancy and must undergo 2 to 3 months of moist stratification before it will germinate. Laboratory ger- mination tests indicate approximately half of the seeds produced will be viable and will germinate the following spring if the soil or freshly disturbed litter layer is moist. During the growing season, height growth is completed in the first sixty days, while diameter growth generally continues until August. Stumps of freshly cut seed- lings and sapling white ash sprout readily. Usually only one or two stems are produced. White ash is a pioneer species that will establish itself on fertile abandoned fields and is considered an inter- mediate to intolerant species. Seedlings prefer partial to full sunlight for good growth, but will survive in fairly dense shade for 8 to 10 years. As white ash increases in age. it becomes less tolerant of shade and must receive adequate sunlight in order to grow into the overstory. On good sites, white ash grows faster than white oak and hickory, but slower than yellow-poplar Following an improvement cut or harvest cut where openings left in the canopy are at least three-fourths the height of the overstoiy trees, white ash seedlings with an established root system can grow 10 to 20 feet in 10 years. Throughout its range white ash is a minor but constant component of both the understory and overstoiy of mature forests on suitable soils. It owes its position in the final overstory to its ability to persist for a few years in moderately dense shade and to respond quickly to openings in the canopy created by death or other causes. A dominant and codominant white ash tree responds readily to thinning and within a few years will increase its crown area to take full advantage of any reasonable release. Little or no epicormic branching (sucker-like sprouts that grow from suppressed buds in the bark) occurs on the boles of released trees. White ash is considered to be a rapid self-pruner with most shade-killed branches dropping in 1 to 5 years. Mature white ash trees can reach 80 to 100 feet in height on good sites in Illinois. When a tree becomes financially mature is dictated by the landowner's finan- cial situation and the rate of return he or she is willing to accept. Based on a 4 percent rate of return, white ash trees growing on an average to good site in Illinois reach economic maturity as sawtimber when their diameters reach 16-22 inches. These figures are approximate Illinois Forest Management guides and allow for vairiation in site quality. Damaging Agents The most serious disease affecting white ash is ash decline or dieback. Various other diseases associated with it include ash yellows, anthracnose, leaf spots, nectria canker, and heartwood rots. Of the insect pests known to damage white ash, oyster- shell scale is the most important. Severe infestations cause yellowing of the leaves, and if prolonged, may kill some trees. The forest tent caterpillar, ash borer, and leaf rollers are also contributing pests to forest trees. Sources: USDA-Forest Service. Silvics of North America - Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654, Volume 2. 1990: and Recommended Sliviculture and Management Practices for Illinois Hardwood Forest Types. Illinois Technical Forestry Association. 1972. TRACKS features related articles on small game and non-game management for woodland owners. If you have particular questions you would like addressed, please write the newsletter editor. We will incorporate them into TRACKS as space permits. River Otter {Lutra canadensis) The river otter belongs to a group of mammals known as the carnivores (Order Camivora) or flesh eaters. Most of the members of this order are known as predators because they kill and eat other animals. The teeth of carnivores are especially well adapted for securing and feeding on flesh. The canine teeth are large and pointed; they serve to seize and hold prey. As a further adaptation to this meat-feeding habit, spe- cialized flesh-cutting teeth, the camassials. are usually developed from the fourth upper premolar and first lower molar teeth. As a whole, the group exhibits a fairly high level of intelligence. Other animals in the Order Camivora are foxes, wea- sels, skunks, the mink, badger, and coyote. The river otter is further segregated within the order and placed inthefamilyMustelidae which includes weasels, skunks, martens, and the mink. The common name has two sources "river" denotes the habitat of the animal, while "otter" comes from the Anglo-Saxon words oter or otor. Description The river otter is a large, elongated mammal about the size of a fox but built like a weasel. Its head is broad and flattened with a conspicuous nosepad, prominent whiskers, moderately sized eyes, and small ears. The solidly built body is almost cylindrical with a stout neck and long, heavy tail which is flat on the bottom, thick at the base, and tapers from the body toward the tip. The legs are short and have five fully webbed toes on each foot. The weight of the body is supported on the toes. Except for the pads on the toes and soles, the undersurfaces of the feet are furred. The body fur is a rich brown color, lighter on the underparts. The dense, oily underfur is overlain by glossy guard hairs that are usually straight but in some individuals may be curly. Total length ranges from 900 to 1.350 mm (35.5 to 53 in);weightvariesfrom4.5to 1 1.4 kg (10 to 25 lb). Males are larger than females. Distribution and Abundance The river otter was once fairly common along the large streams in Illinois, but apparently by the early 1800's it was scarce in most parts of the state. Since 1900 it has been seen or taken in approximately 25 counties. = Illinois Forest Management Today otters are still rare but some live along the upper Mississippi River particularly from Rock Island north to the Wisconsin border. An occasional otter report from a different area, usually from along the Illinois River or lower Mississippi, is also received. Habitat River otter habitat consists of streams, rivers, and lakes, which are frequently but not always bordered with timber. Water of good quality appears to be essential. The home is a burrow in a bank, under the roots of large trees, beneath rocky ledges, under fallen trees, or even in tickets of vegetation. These burrows are rarely built by the otter but represent former homes of muskrats, beavers, or woodchucks. Dens on the water's edge have an opening above water in summer, but in winter this is closed and the only entrance is below water. The nest chamber may have a bare floor or a slight accumulation of leaves and grass. Habits River otters are usually nocturnal but may occasionally be observed during the day. They are active all year and are not inhibited by changes in temperature or weather. Otters have a large annual home range which may include between 80 and 160 km (50 and 100 mi) of shoreline. However, during any single season a family may confine its activities to only a small section of streamtotaling4.8to 16 km (3 to 10 mi). While tending to follow water courses, otters sometimes cut across land between two parts of a stream or from one body of water to another. Occasionally these crossings are used so often they become trails. Otters are graceful and powerful swimmers. They may swim with just the head and shoulders showing above the surface, or completely under water, or in an undu- lating pattern alternately going above and below the surface. Otters can swim 0.4 km (0.25 mi) under open water or ice and can remain submerged for 3 to 4 minutes. On the surface they can swim at least 9.6 km (6 mi) per hour. Along the shore, otters have regular landing places. Upon emerging from the water, they dry and dress their coats by shaking briskly and sometimes by rolling in the grass, leaves, or snow. Sometimes they also take dust baths or wallow in mud. In addition to the scent posts where they leave their droppings, latrines are made about 1 m (3.3 ft) from the den entrance. Their large, coarse droppings contain fish scales, crayfish skeletal parts, and other indigestible foods. Otters commonly travel on land with a loping gait, but on snow or ice they alternate this with a series of slides. After a few steps forward, they sUde on their bellies for 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 ft.) while holding all their feet backward. By running and sliding they can traverse 24 to 29 km (15 to 18 mi.) in an hour. One outstanding trait of otters is their apparent zest for sliding down steep slopes. These shdes may be on clay banks made slippery by their wet bodies or on slopes covered by snow or ice. The slide may terminate in a snow drift or a deep pool of water. Sliding is probably indulged in as a social sport. In contrast to their relatives, the weasel and the mink, which are mostly solitary, otters generally live together all year in family groups and are extremely sociable animals. Foods The river otter feeds mainly on animal foods. It catches and kills most of its food but occasionally carrion is consumed. Fish and crayfish are favorite items but sometimes frogs, salamanders, snails, clams, snakes, turtles, muskrats, birds, or earthworms are added to the diet. Captive animals do not fare well on an exclusive diet offish. Otters usually eat the head of their prey first. In the case of fish they discard the tail fin. After eating, an otter cleans its face and whiskers by rubbing them on grass or snow. Reproduction The river otter's breeding habits are not well known. Most of the available information is based upon obser- vations of a few captive animals. The gestation period is uncertain; estimates vary from 9 to 12 months with a period of dormancy for the embryos, similar to the pattern of reproduction in the weasel and the mink. In captivity, females do not appear pregnant externally until about a month before the young are bom. The single litter is generally bom from January to May and usually contains from 2 to 4 young with extremes of 1 to 5. Adults remate immediately following birth of the young. Illinois Forest Management The young are bom over a period of 3 to 8 hours after which the female curls tightly around them in a "dough- nut" shape and may put her head over the "hole" above them. They can thus nurse unmolested and be pro- tected from the outside air. At birth, the cubs, or kits, are blind, toothless, and dark brown. The eyes open around 35 days of age but the kits do not come out of the den much before they are 10 to 12 weeks old. Weaning occurs about 4 months after birth. The male may assist in caring for the young after they leave the nest, but the female takes the major share of this responsibility. Captive but free-roaming otters do not introduce their young to water until they are about 14 weeks old, and then the young have to be coaxed to swim. Before the young swim by themselves, the adults often carry them on their backs in the water. The kits stay with their parents during the first winter but disperse in the spring. Otters are capable of breeding at one year of age, but many fail to breed before they are two. Management Predation by man and the declining productivity of streams have brought about the reduction of otters in Illinois. Improvement of stream conditions, especially water quality, is the recommended management meas- ure. The population of otters in Illinois is too low to permit any harvest and they hav^e been protected by a continuous closed season since 1929. The river otter is presently classified as a "threatened" species in Illinois. Importance Otter fur is one of the most beautiful as well as durable of North American furs; consequently, otter pelts command a high price. The hunting of otters with dogs wasformerly considered great sport, but because of the present low population, is not practiced today. While the fishing habits of otters do not endear them to fishermen, it must be realized that otters eat rough as well as game fish and take many other kinds of foods besides fish. In addition, since otters require a consid- erable range, the density in any given stretch of water is low. Therefore the otter's harvest of fish could not cause a serious drain on any stream in good condition. Source: Illinois Wildlife Factsheet. Illinois Depart- ment of Conservation, Division of Wildlife Resources. Bugs 'n Blights Trunk Decays Trunk decays are major causes of low quality wood — wood with little or no economic value. As a forest practitioner you should be able to recognize trees at high risk for decay and remove them if timber produc- tion is your primary objective. Remember, however, that decayed trees often develop into den trees or nesting sites and provide essential habitat for wildlife. Wounds and dead branches and roots start the proc- esses that can lead to trunk decays. Even though decay is a natural process, much can be done to prevent, assess, regulate, predict, and detect trunk decays in trees that re not overmature. Start by preventing wounds, pruning properly and detecting and assessing internal defects accurately. Preventing Wounds You should try to prevent wounds by minimizing log- ging and fire damage, keeping increment borers out of trees, and developing and managing recreation sites carefully. When you construct roads and trails or manage wildlife and grazing areas, avoid inj uring trunks and roots as much as possible. Prune Properly Remove living, dying, and dead branches in such a way that the "collar" at the branch base is not injured or removed. The collars should not be removed to make a cut flush with the trunk or joining stem. Flush cuts are major causes of serious defects: discolored wood. Illinois Forest Management decayed wood, wetwood, resin-soaked wood in coni- fers, shakes and radial cracks, cankers, and areas of weakened wood above and below the wound that may be easily infested by insects. Also, do not leave stubs! Do not paint the cuts! How Trees Resist the Spread of Pathogens Unlike animals, which restore injured and infected cells through a process called healing, trees can only "compartmentalize" infected wood by forming new wood cells in new spatial positions. The tree surv^ival system depends upon forming protective boundaries to resist the spread of pathogens. The boundaries also defend the liquid transport, energy storage, and mechanical support systems of the tree. The boundaries are made up of protective chemicals, and in some cases after wounding, the cell arrangements are altered to form protective boundaries. s-r-f-.^r5k-5r ?<.••:• ■ - .^JP\^^3--:- The root and butt injuries on this black walunt have mined the most valuable part of the trunk. Logging wounds must be reduced Which Defective or Decayed Trees Should You Remove? Here are some general guidelines for detecting and assessing decays and other internal defects in trunks: 1. Wounds at groundline and below living branches are associated with less defect than wounds at 1 to 3 meters above ground. 2. Wounds that are deep or wide, or both, are associated with more defect than wounds that are shallow, or long in a vertical plane. 3. Wounds directly above or below other wounds or old branch stubs are associated with more defect than wounds elsewhere on the trunk. 4. Wounds with hard, bleached surfaces are associated with less defect than wounds with dark, soft surfaces. m ? - s # ;•: V .• -s -: .- t^-^^H' ^-fe S-. « tS ¥ fc 1 g .'^ The 9-year-old wound in this northern red oak was well compartnwntalized. The decayed wood was surrounded by a protective boundary ofdiscolored wood. The wood thatformed after the wound was injlicted was not injected by the wood- inhabiting pathogens. 5. Wounds inflicted during leaf formation and leaf shedding will lead to more defects than similar type wounds inflicted at other times. 6. Wounds inflicted in the spring during the onset of growth will have larger callus "ribs" than Illinois Forest Management wounds inflicted at other times. But, callus formation is not associated with development of decay. When callus formation is too rapid, the callus ribs turn inward and form a "ram's horn." When this occurs, the wound never closes, creating conditions perfect for wood-inhabiting pathogens. The wound on this northern red oak not only led to a large coliunn of decayed wood, but the calliLS turned inward and caused the wood tocrack in vertical planes. When such vertical cracks break outward to the bark, frost will be blamed. Frost does not start frost cracks," wounds do. 7. Wounds treated with wound dressing often form large callus ribs that turn inward to form "ram's horns. " There are not data to show that wound dressings stop decay. 8. Wounds oozing fluids indicate internal wet- wood, a disease caused by bacteria. Wetwood is difficult to dry for products. 9. Wounds with fungi fruiting bodies — conks or sporophores — are associated with advanced decay. When many conks are present the entire trunk will be decayed. Conks on wounds from 1 to 4 meters above ground are associated with large columns of decay. Conks at groundline indicate decay in roots and in the trunk to at least 2 meters height. Conks on a swollen butt indicate decay to at least 3 meters height. Conks on a swollen butt with cracks indicate decay, wetwood. and cracks to at least 4 meters height. Conks near large hollows indicate decay and wetwood to at least 5 meters height. Removing conks will not stop or stall decay. Be alert for conks or sporophores that grow for only a short time on the wound surface. Often the dried remains of the sporophores will be on the wound surface or on the ground near the tree base. 10. Wounds on roots indicate decay in the base of the trunk. Be alert for the fresh or old mushrooms of the shoestring root rot or "honey" mushroom. Other Indicators are wet spots or water-soaked areas at the tree base. Basal decay may spread to 2 meters above ground on old trees. 1 1 . Wounds with vertical cracks above and below them indicate internal decay and rink shakes. Ring shakes are circumferential cracks or separations. 12. Vertical cracks on the trunk indicate ring shakes, star shake, heartshake, and wetwood. Trees with many internal cracks cannot be used for valuable wood products. 1 3. Sapsucker (birds) wounds cause streaks of discolored wood and ring shakes. 14. Cankers with hard, bleached surfaces indicate very little defect above and below. Cankers with sunken surfaces and margins indicate long col- umns of advanced decay. Such cankers are called canker rots. To check for Ccinker rots, cut into the surface of the canker. If compact fungus material is present, the defect is a canker rot. Often old conks from the canker can be found on the ground. Canker rots may also be centered about old branch stubs. The stubs may be swollen to form a round structure, or the canker may be long vertically to form a spindle-like canker. Trees with canker rots should be cut as soon as possible. 15. Broken tops or trunk leaders leave a stem stub. Decay associated with stem stubs will develop downward, and the diameter of the column of decayed wood will be the diameter of the stem when it died. 16. Trees with many decayed branch stubs will have many internal columns of discolored and decayed wood. Wetwood and ring shgikes may also be associ- ated with old branch stubs. Stubs between the 2 and 4 meter portion of the trunk are associated with the Illinois Forest Management largest columns of defect. 17. Basal cracks or collar cracks indicate root and butt decay that may spread to 2 meters or more above ground. Trees with many basal cracks should be cut as soon as possible. 18. Old fire wounds are often associated with swollen butts, internal cracks, and advanced decay to 3 or more meters above ground. 19. Increment borer wounds are associated with long streaks of discolored and decayed wood. Source: Shigo, Alex. Central Hardwood Notes. USD A- Forest Service. North Central Forest Experi- ment Station. St. Paul. MN. 1989. CUTTING UP The Causes of Wood Deterioration Wood deterioration is the degrading or damaging of wood by outside agents, making the wood unsuitable for its intended use. The major causes of wood deterio- ration are fungi, insects, marine borers, and chemicals. Deterioration may occur prior to. during, and after the manufacture of lumber, as well as after the wood is in use. Therefore, deterioration is as much a problem for the lumber manufacturer as it is for the user or consumer. This article examines the problems of wood deterioration by fungi and methods of control and prevention. Wood is commonly attacked by lower forms of plant life known as fungi. Unlike green plants, fungi are unable to make their own food; they feed on organic material stored in wood cells or on the wood substance itself. Three main types of fungi inhabit wood: wood-destroy- ing or decay fungi, wood-staining fungi, and molds. Wood- destroying fungi are probably the most impor- tant single cause of wood deterioration. They are capable of disintegrating the wood cell wall, thus chang- ing the physical and chemical properties of the wood. This destruction of the wood substance is called decay or rot. Wood-staining fungi, however, feed on the organic material stored in the wood cells. Their activity has little effect on wood properties. However, their presence in large concentrations and their dark color imparts a discoloration to the wood known as stain. Blue stain is probably the most prevalent degrade caused by wood- staining fungi. The staining or discoloration has a degrading effect on wood for certain applications since it detracts from the overall appearance of the material. True molds similar to the type that grow on damp bread can also develop on wood, producing a fluffy, cotton- like growth. Unlike staining fungi, molds are usually superficial growths that can be easily brushed or dressed off the wood. Their discoloration is usually shallow and has little effect on wood properties. All fungi have four basic requirements for survival and growth: food, air (oxygen), favorable temperature, water (moisture). By excluding or limiting any one of these, fungal growth can be prevented or restricted. The food required by decay fungi comes mainly from the wood substance (cell walls) — a complex combination of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, these materials are not directly usable by fungi as food. However, by secreting certain chemical substances called enzymes, fungi can break down these complex chemicals into simple nutritive compounds that they can use. Based on their preference for certain cell wall chemicals and the resulting color change of the wood, decay fungi can be divided into two groups. White rot fungi attack all three major cell wall chemicals, but many species of white rots prefer or start with the lignin. Wood decayed by white rot is soft and has a whitish or bleached appearance. Brown rot fungi attack the cellulose and hemicellulose, leaving the wood with a brown, crumbly appearance. Stain fungi and mold, on the other hand, do not attack the cell wall, but feed on the starch and sugars stored in the wood cells. For optimum fungal growth, wood must be at a mois- ture content above the fiber saturation point, about 30 Illinois Forest Management percent. Below this moisture content, fungal activity is greatly reduced: below 20 percent moisture content, it is completely stopped. Consequently, sound wood that has been dried to below 20 percent will not decay unless it is subjected to wetting or dampness sufficient to raise its moisture content above the minimum required for fungal activity. Furthermore, if wood which has decay already estab- lished is then dried to below 20 percent, the decay growth will be stopped. However, some species of fungi can remain dormant in dry wood for years and then reactivate and grow if sufficient moisture is supplied to the wood. This alternate wetting and drying can result in intermittent decay activity progressing, growing during the wet periods and becoming dormant during the dry periods. The term dry rot is an unfortunate misnomer because it implies that wood can decay without being wet, which it cannot. The notion of rot in dry wood most likely comes from the appearance of wood that is severely decayed by brown rot. The wood looks unusually dry, brown, and cracked. However, while the fungi were actively growing in the wood, they required the level of moisture described previously. Another use of the term dry rot applies to the water-conducting species of decay fungi. These fungi attack "dry" wood by their ability to transport moisture to the wood from some source of supply such as the soil. This water conduction takes place in specialized tubes called rhizomorphs, which permit the fungi to move water from a wet or moist area to the dry wood. All fungi that attack wood need air as a source of oxygen. Generally, this air is in the range of 70-90 degrees F. Decay activity slows at temperatures below 40 degrees F and above 90 degrees F and virtually stops at temperatures below 32 degrees F and above 100 degrees F. Naturally occurring subzero temperatures merely cause fungi to become dormant, but high temperatures kill them. However, the internal temperature of the wood (not the surface temperature) must be at least 130-140 degrees F and the heat applied for at least 75 minutes after the wood reaches that internal temperature. The temperatures and times in most commercial dry kiln operations reach the lethal temperature formost fungi. Article by: Fred M. Lamb, Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. Source: Forestry Extension Notes, Volume 8, No. 1. Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Winter, 1993. — Illinois Forest Management LLINUIb GRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE P.O. Box 19283, Springfield, IL 62794-9283 Phone: (217) 492-4295 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION life and land together DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, Illinois 62706 Phone; (217) 782-2361 ZONC 3 \Id4H / 'X June 7, 1993 PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1992 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1993 Winter .sawtimbcr prices paid to Illinois timber growers were generally up for F.O.B. Mill and mixed for slumpagc compared to both the previous summer and winter. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of their 1992 operations, 45% indicated their volume was 500 thousand board feel or more. This is up from 39% in 1991. \ -L Jl" T/ / y L^ ">°l m-m - 7-^ 1 1 -— ZONE 2 C— . Jj,2 iW/ ... ^^ /" '"/ REPORTING ZONES s^ ^ - 1 V V -« ZONE t This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shovra in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey is greatly appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit; Zone 2, the Claypan Unit; and Zone 3, the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a general guide for determining market value of timber. General market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size and quality also affect the price paid. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 North Grand Avenue, V/est, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE PRICES FOR STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. IN SELECTED PERIODS SAWTIMBER - $ PER M BD. FT. SPECIES November 1991-February 1992 May 1992 -August 1992 November 1992-February 1993 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Ash 133 249 140 255 131 271 Basswood 95 203 84 166 76 177 Beech 46 119 47 127 50 133 Cottonwood 40 119 45 118 43 127 Swccl Gum 55 130 54 131 51 135 Elm it Hackbcrry 52 134 54 132 52 135 Hickory 52 139 58 134 58 144 Soft Maple 62 148 56 140 61 148 Sugar Maple 87 184 86 177 102 224 Black Oak 105 216 115 192 122 215 I Pin Oak 62 128 57 129 55 134 Red Oak 183 312 179 283 189 321 White Oak 183 304 167 272 183 326 Yellow Poplar 104 198 87 161 97 254 Sycamore 47 128 50 124 49 132 Black Walnut 350 506 329 497 334 544 Woods Run Bottomland 62 148 61 131 66 144 Woods Run Upland 113 213 115 181 127 1 185 COOPERAGE - $ PER M BD. FT. White Oak 196 333 250 425 196 317 UNPEELED PULPWOOD - $ PER TON Ton 14.63 1.95 13.50 2.00 14.67 Illinois Forest Management Timber Prices November 1992-February 1993 June 7, 1993 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS | November 1992 - February 1993 PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. MiU Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash M bd. ft. 50-200 120 - 400 50-200 110- 400 80 - 220 120 - 350 Basswood M bd. ft. 50- 75 - 40-100 110 - 200 50 - 100 120 - 250 Beech M bd. ft. 30- 70 110 - 150 50- 60 110 - 150 - Cottonwood M bd. ft. 30- 70 100 - 150 20- 70 100 - 160 20- 50 110- 150 Sweet Gum M bd. ft. 30- 75 110 - 150 25- 80 110 - 160 - Elm & Hackberry M bd. ft. 30- 75 110 - 150 30- 80 110 - 160 20- 80 HiciV^>?:T;!>--r.^.-V.V-Os,.<->V->t-y,'-r:tf:-.;f!c>. 4. Pull handle of dibble toward planter firming soil at bottom of roots. 7. Push forward then pull backward filling hole. 2. Remove dibble and place seedling at correct depth. ^r.^^■l^•^/■^l'^^'-,^V^^V^.^l^-•^/■r■■^^\^;V^^^V,yr1f?-.^^T^:^^ •■^V.t^-r^i^^ 5. Push handle of dibble fOHA^ard from planter firming soil at top of roots. 8. Fill in last hole by stamping with heel. 3. Insert dibble 2 inches toward planter from seedling. ■-•-■M-.iy-.tf!>:<-^V ■::T;«jr.^.V>^.-VM-.f>v^v>v--»;CT;-v< 6. Insert dibble 2 inches from last hole. 9. Firm soil around seedling with feet. Planting a bare-rooted seedling with a planting bar (from USDA Handbook 247 and Ohio CES Publication 4H614). Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^^2f«|^ PARTIAL LIST OF PRIVATE SEEDLING NURSERIES PROVIDING STOCK SUITABLE FOR CONSERVATION PLANTING IN ILLINOIS This listing is provided as a public service by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and this newsletter, and is not to be construed as an endorsement, approval or guarantee of the services provided by company listed. Armintrout's Evergreen Nursery 1156 Lincoln Road Allegan, MI 49010 616/673-6627 Boyd Nursery Company P. O. Box 71, Hwy 55 McMinnville, TN 37110 615/668-9898 615/668-7646 FAX Carino Nurseries P.O. Box 538 Indiana, PA 15701 412/463-3350 412/463-3050 FAX Cascade Forestry Nursery 22033 Fillmore Road Cascade, lA 52033 319/852-3042 319/852-3042 FAX Forrest Keeling Nursery Hwy 79 S, Box 135 Elsberry MO 63343 800/356-2401 314/898-5803 FAX Forest Nursery Company Route 2, Box 118A McMinnville, TN 37110 615/473-4740 615/473-2133 FAX Hensler Nursery 5715 N. 750E Hamlet, IN 46532 800/847-4192 Illinois Forest Products R.R. 1, Box 312 Beardstown, IL 62618 217/323-4540 Lawyer Nursery, Inc. 950 Hwy 200 West Plains, MT 59859 406/826-3881 406/826-5700 FAX Mellingers, Inc. 2310 W. South Range Road North Lima, OH 44452 216/549-9861 216/549-3716 FAX Miller Nurseries RO. Box 66 Germantown, WI 53022 414/255-4360 Mt. Arbor Nurseries 400 North Center Shenandoah, lA 51601 800/831-4125 712/246-1841 FAX Musser Forests, Inc. PO. Box 340, Route 199 North Indiana, PA 15701 412/465-5686 412/465-9893 FAX Smith Nursery Company Box 515 Charles City, lA 50616 515/228-3239 Vans Pines, Inc. 7550 144th Ave. West Olive, MI 49460 616/399-1620 616/399-1652 FAX Warren County Nursery Rt. 2, Box 204 McMinnville, TN 37110 615/668-8941 615/668-2245 FAX Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Recommended sites for planting various tree species in Illinois. ^ Planting Site Upland I Bottomland Poor Site/Thin Dry Soil Good Site/Deep WeU-Drained Soil Poorly Drained Species Level N&E s&w Level N&E S&W WeU Drained Poorly Drained Comments Conifers Baldcypress Douglas-fir S S s s S S Adapted to poorly drained soils. Will grow well on better drained soils. Chlorotic co Requires good site; avoid frost pockets; primarily Christmas tree or windbreak; soutl nd iw on )r( Pine, Austrian S Pine, Red S S s S S S S s s Tolerates highest pH of pines, about 8.0; will grow on limestone soils. Requires acid soil for good growth; will grow on shallow dry soils; does not do well Pine, Scotch S Pine, White S S s s s S S S S s s L S S Will tolerate wettest sites of any pine; will tolerate pH up to about 8.0; mostly used fc nematode after age 15. Will outgrow all other pines on upland soils in Illinois except on driest sites. Redcedar, Eastern S Spruce, Blue s s S S S S s s L S S L Will grow on very dry infetile sites and on soils with high pH; primarily used for fence Primarily Christmas tree or ornamental. Spruce, Norway White-cedar, Northern s S S s s s s L S s s L S Primarily windbreak planting or ornamental.. ^ Primarily for windbreaks and fence posts. < 1 Broadleaves / Ash, Green Ash, White S S s s s S s s L Adapted to a wide variety of moisture conditions. Prefers deep, well-drained soils. Cottonwood Locust, Black S s s S S s s s s s S S Adapted to variety of soil moisture conditions, but poor choice for very dry sites; wi Will gTDW well on moist soils except wet; tolerates wide range of soil pH; borers can lit be Maple, Red S Maple, Silver s s s S S s s s s s s s s S s Adapted to a wide variety of sites; rapid growing. Very rapid growing; will survive in very wet soils. Maple, Sugar Oak, Black S s s S S s s s s Requires fertile, well-drained soil; will not do well on hot, dry, windy sites. Will grow on relatively dry slopes and ridges. Oak, Red Oak, White s S S s s s s L s s Requires sites of moderate fertility and moisture; one of the most rapid growing native Adapted to wide variety of conditions; will probably tolerate driest sites of any commc Sweetgum Sycamore S S s s S s s s Tolerates poorly drained soil conditions; best suited to southern third of the state; w Tolerates poorly drained soil conditions. int lee on Tuliptree (Yellow-poplar) Walnut, Black S S s s s s Requires fertile, well-drained soil; will not do well on hot, dry, windy sites; timber ti northern two-thirds of Illinois. Requires deep, fertile, well-drained soil; will not do well on hot, dry, windy sites; sti before hardpan or bedrock- Willow s s s S s s Will tolerate very wet sites, even frequent flooding. 1 An "S" indicates the species is well probably not the best choice Most" suited tot L" desigaa he site am dons are c i should do >n poorly dr well if pla ained soil nted on that site No letter indites the speae is not suited to the site and nomiaUy should not be planted on that site An "L" mdKates the species is limited in iB smtaMity fc^ tl^ site - and are included to provide some species choice. Expect T." spedes on poorly drained soils to grow more slowly and have poorer foUage color (Table adapted from Ohio Ctb f ublica Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ILLINOIS VALLEY WOODLAND EXPO r pH soils, source prefered. s; severely infested by pine wood ml screening. --vJ^ looding. if age 10. lee seedlings. rthem third of Illinois. ird of the state; ornamental tree in ies that needs 30-36 inches of soil depth nd grow on the site under most circumstances, but is Mark your calendar for the Illinois Valley Woodland Expo on Saturday, August 28,1995 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Expo will be held at the Marshall-Putnam Counties Fairground in Henry, Illinois. The theme of the Expo is "The Pleasure, Profit, and Products of Good Woodland Stewarrdship". There will be a multitude of activities for you to enjoy. Scheduled seminars include: Recreation Opportunities, Alternative Forest Products, Agro-Forestry: Helping to Pay the Bills While the Trees Grow, Wildlife Management, Riparian Management to Protect Your Property, Growing Blue Ribbon Trees, Restoration of Native Plants and Animals, Urban Forestry: Construction in Natural Settings, and Federal Income Tax as it Relates to Forest Production. Live demonstrations will include woodworking, sawmilling, chainsaw safety, wood carving, and many others. Ther will be a Wood/Natural Crafts Marketplace with crafters and artisans displaying, demonstrat- ing, and selling their work. Featured attractions include: Scheer's Lumberjack Show, chainsaw carving. University of Illinois Conclave Team demonstration, and musical entertainment. For the younger generation, there will be a Birdhouse Building Workshop, and special activities with a storyteller and frontiersmen from the 1600s. Marty Travis, internationally known re-creator of Shaker furniture and boxes, will be a featured crafter at the Expo. Travis, of rural Fairbury, is a "complete woodsman". He utilizes cherry, pine and maple from the woods of his 1830s family farm for much of his work. Marty is a woodland steward who has replanted over 10,000 trees from seed on his property to ensure trees for future generations. Travis has earned acclaim for his historically correct shaker pieces because of his demand for absolute accuracy in reproduction. His work has been fea- tured in the New York Times, Country Living Magazine, and Early American Life Magazine. His work in included in several Eastern museums, and U.S. and British shops. Dick Sing, a professional woodturnerr will be on hand turning and answering questions. He plans to turn some of the less common and underutilized species such as redbud, mulberry, and buckthorn. There will even be a burl or two cut into turning material on one of the sawmills and turned into something special. The American Academy of Woodworking will be building a traditional cedar strip canoe. Their jigs, special clamps, and gluing techniques will be invaluable to woodworkers of all types. Several sawmillers will be demonstrating regular as well as spe- cialty sawing techniques to get you the product you want from your own logs. A wide range of central hardwood species will be cut. This will be the perfect opportunity to see the differences in color, texture, and grain pattern. Many of the sawn logs will be auctioned or given as door prizes at the Expo. The Illinois Valley Woodland Expo will be a chance for people to learn about good woodland stewardship through traditional and non-traditional management methods. The public will be able to see that even though logs for lumber are part of many "working forests", there are a wide range of other "forest entities" that can bring pleasure and profit without cutting down entire forests. Admission is only $1.00. If you are a natural crafter or woodworker and would like to demonstrate, display or sell or would like more information, call Prairie Rivers RC&D at 309- 364-3979. The Illinois Valley Woodland Expo is being coordinated by Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, area Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Illinois Forestry Consulting, and the Illinois Council on For- estry Development. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter .:rr^ <■ '~V Uj^i^y^ 10 The Consulting Forester The category is "a thing." You want to buy a vowel — an A. Vanna turns over two. The board now reads TIP CRP ACP WRP FDA SIP. Can you solve the puzzle? If you're a "Wheel of Fortune" fan, don't belabor over this puzzle for long be- cause another consonant or vowel won't solve it. This al- phabet soup represents federal and state cost-share progran\s that have many Illinois landowners thinking, talking, and practicing forest management on their property. Many more are eagerly waiting to get started. Because there are so many landowners requesting assistance from the Department of Natural Resources's (DNR) district foresters, it's no wonder the wait for service has raised land- owners' frustration level to the point that some are letting their representative and senator know their dissatisfaction. But to be fair to these hard-working professionals, 22 dis- trict foresters can only begin to make a dent in the service requests generated annually by Illinois' 160,000 private woodland owners. If you are or may soon be one of these frustrated landown- ers, take heart — there is light at the end of the tunnel. Why not consider the services of a consulting forester? I frequently make this suggestion to landowners who are tired of wait- ing and are anxious to move ahead with their forestry goals. Their response usually is, "I didn't know there were such people. What can they do to help me?" Independent Business Professionals Consulting foresters are independent professionals who charge fees based on the services they provide for their cli- ents. Landowners who have grown up with no-cost service provided by various federal and state agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS formerly SCS) or the DNR may not like the thought of paying for ser- vice that was free (if you're willing to discount the taxes we pay to support these services) in the past. Fortunately, there are cost-share programs available that can help defray part of the cost involved in meeting the goals you have set for the land. Because consulting foresters are independent professionals, they can do as little or as much as you desire without being constrained by the possible conflicts of interest that can quickly confront government employees. For example, in the case of a timber sale, the consulting forester serves as liaison between you and the timber industry, an entity most land owners know very little about. If you're interested in selling timber from your property, a consulting forester can: do an inventory and mark the timber in accordance with your goals and the physical attributes of the resource locate and mark all property boundaries determine the timber's value merchandise the timber based on the types of prod- ucts that could be cut from it advise you on the track record of timber buyers bid- ding on the sale administer the actual sale for you negotiate a written contract with the buyer who has been approved by your legal counsel frequently monitor the harvesting operation for com- pliance with the terms of the contract testify in your behalf in court if there are any dis- putes resulting from the timber sale assist you with the preparation of federal and state income taxes resulting from the sale recommend any postharvest prescriptions that will be necessary to ensure a healthy, vigorous future forest The DNR district forester could handle the first and last items above for you, but the rest go beyond the services he or she can provide as a goverriment employee. Similarly, the dis- trict forester will provide you with a list of the most recent timber prices, which will allow you to make gross calcula- tions as to the value of your timber, and he or she can pro- vide copies of sample contracts to review and consider, but the district forester cannot serve as your business agent or counsel. You and your attorney should review the sample contracts care fully. You may need to make changes in the contract to reflect your personal needs and any unusual con- ditions that might exist in your woodland. Consulting foresters can perform a broad range of services for you: • develop your land-management plan • inventory and appraise timber Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 11 mark timber for sale and /or timber stand improve- ment (TSI) assist with or conduct your timber sale manage your timber in accordance with your goals conduct periodic TSI practices plant trees and maintain a weed-control regime provide other services, which might include Christ- mas tree management; wildlife management; recre- ation management for increased biodiversity and threatened and endangered species; timber income tax preparation; estate planning; surveying, includ- ing locating property boundaries; land appraisal for sale or purchase; and serving as an expert witness in court Not all consulting foresters will perform all the above ser- vices for you. Some specialize in only one or more of the services. Some are in the business on a part-time basis, oth- ers make consulting their sole livelihood. A consulting for- ester may belong to the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF), a voluntary national organization that maintains very strict membership guidelines and a code of ethics. Others may not join ACF but may belong to their own state affilia- tion of consulting foresters. State organizations maintain membership guidelines and have definite organization ob- jectives. Some may elect to belong to both organizations. Still other consultants may operate independent of any organi- zation. Illinois does not require a consulting forester to be licensed to work in the state, so you are advised to ask for a list of references prior to any agreement on work to be done. Satisfy yourself that this is an individual you want to work with and who will do a good job helping you to manage your land. Then enter into a signed, written contract with the consultant, so you both know what was agreed to. Forester Fees Eventually, any discussion of consultants focuses on the fee they charge for their services. These fees can be grouped into three basic categories: time and expenses; lump sum or flat fee; and commission or percentage basis. Time and expenses means the consultant will charge an agreed-upon rate for his or her time spent completing the job, in addition to compensation for travel expenses incurred such as mileage, overnight lodging, or meals. Lump sum or flat fee means the landowner agrees to pay a certain dollar amount for a job. For example, if a landowner asks a consultant to inventory woodland and determine the timber's value, but the owner handles the rest of the timber sale, the consultant would likely charge a specific rate (hourly or daily) or a lump sum amount for his or her service. Nor- mally, the fee will not change even if it takes the consultant more or less time to do the job than anticipated. A commission or percentage basis normally involves ser- vices associated with a timber sale. If a landowner hires a consultant to handle the entire sale, it is normal practice to enter into a commission or percentage of the sale agreement. The consultant receives an agreed-upon percentage of the gross sale receipts. This commission is negotiable and will fluctuate depending on the amount and grade of timber avail- able for sale. Commissions might run from 20 percent for small-volume sales or poor-quality timber to between 8 and 12 percent for large- volume sales or high- value timber, which might include walnut and red or white oak veneer. Of the above fee types, flat fee and commission are the most common. There is a wide range in hourly and daily rates charged by consultants. This range is based on numerous factors that might include the nature of the work or job to be done; the distance the consultant must travel; the equipment and as- sociated supplies and/or chemicals needed; the number of employees the consultant maintains (if any); etc. Many of the services listed above are contracted on a doUar-per-acre basis. Usually, the more acreage that is involved, the lower the per acre rate charge. Each consultant's fee will be different because it is based on his or her own circumstances. However, as independent pro- fessionals, they have a good handle on the rate their compe- tition charges and what the market will bear, so you can ex- pect their fees to be competitive. Landowners considering the services of a consulting forester should establish the fee before entering into any written contract or approving the start of any work. One real attraction of consultants is that most can get to your job fairly quickly, and if you take part in one or more of the cost-share programs, there is money available for many of the services they provide. This means less out-of pocket ex- pense for you! A few key points to remember about cost- Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 12 share assistance: • you must have a DNR-approved management plan for your property to qualify for most of the forestry cost-share assistance programs • the cost of preparing your management plan can be cost-shared, but only if you obtain DNR approval prior to beginning work on the plan • you should not begin any of this work prior to for- mal sign-up for the specific cost-share program and approval of your management plan by the DNR. On the following page is a list of both in-state and out-of- state consulting foresters practicing in Illinois. This list is maintained by the DNR's Division of Forest Resources and is by no means inclusive and does not imply endorsement of the consultants by the state,this newsletter, or this author. There are many exciting opportunities out there for forest landowners. If you're ready to push ahead with your for- estry goals, give a consulting forester a call today! By the way, here's how to decipher the alphabet soup puzzle: FIP Forest Incentives Program, CRP-Conservation Reserve Pro- gram (currently imder consideration for reauthorization), ACP-Agricultural Conservation Program, WRP-Wetlands Reserve Program, FDA-(lllinois) Forestry Development Act (Program), SlP-Stewardship Incentives Program. Your local CFSA office, DNR district forester, or consulting forester can give you more details on how these programs might help you accomplish your forestry goals and how you might qualify for them. Michael Bolin is an Extension forestry specialist with the University of Illinois Department of Forestry in Urbana and a managing editor of The Illinois Steward magazine. Reprinted with permission from The Illinois Steward magazine. Volume 3, No. 3, 1994. CaU 1-800-327-5557 to order uith VISA or MasterCard. or send check for $23.55 («24. 60 plus $3.75S&H)to Sagamore Publishing. P.O. Box 647. Champaign, IL 61824-0647. ^■SAGAMORE PUBUSHING 3rt:affifg Champaign, lllfnofs BLACK NA/ALNUT The History, Use, and Unrealized Potential of a Unique American Renewable Natural Resource by Bob Chenoweth BLACK WALNUT provides important reference information and interesting reading zboui Juglans nigra (the Eastern black walnut) for woodland owners, foresters, forestry students, timber buyers, woodworkers, naturalists, conservationists, environmentalists, protectionists, botanists, gardeners, squirrel lovers, deer hunters, walnut lovers, and anyone who simply enjoys a good book. Chenoweth, a black walnut farmer and lover, has spent three years researching and writing this book. Includes more than 300 pages and an 8-page color photo section! Read and learn: Native American use and unintentional culture of walnuts Tlje role of tvhite-tail deer in walnut history The importance of black walnut lumber in young America How to manage your woodlands for more and better walnut trees Tlje production and value of walnut veneer and nutmeats Why quality black ivalnut trees are more rare now than ever And much, much more! Illinois Forest Management Newsletter List of Consulting Foresters List provided by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources. Rebecca Arkebauer R.R. 1, Box 139 Irving, IL 62501 1 (800) 332-5090 John Benner Jackpine Forestry Consulting Service 1715 Chicago St. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 224-3313 Richard Burgeson Forest and Land Managers, Inc. P.O. Box 352 Petersburg, IN 47567 (812) 354-8483, (812) 683-3222 William Calvert *** Rural Route 1 Box 139N Breese, IL 62230 (6X8) 526-4251 Tony Colvin 619 Columbia Rd. Washburn, IL61570 (309) 246-3348 John Dickson Rural Route 1 Jones Lake Road Equality, IL 62934 (618) 216^631 Jay Donnelly 719 W. Adams St. Jackson, MO 63755 (314) 243-6380 Leo Frueh Cascade Forestry Service Rural Route 1 Cascade, L\ 52033 (319) 852-3042 Don Goodwin 1313 N. Roseway Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 357-6909 Mark Goeke Forest Resource Cons., Inc. 2407 Banlas Creek Rd. Eaton, OH 45320 (51 3) 456-6976 Norman Hansen Rural Route 1 DrakesvUle, L^ 52552 (515) 722-3337 Ken Hoene *** Timber Service Rural Route I Box 247A Shelbyville, IL 62565 (217) 774-561 1 Jeff Hudgens Prairie HUls RC&D 1020 E. Jackson St. Macomb, IL 61445 (309) 833-4747 Mike Janes R.R. 3, Box 16 Cisne, IL 62823 (618) 673-2794 Jack Kagy *" Tri-State Forestry 400 S. Franklin Salem, IL 62881 (618) 548-6568 Leland Kessler Illinois Forest Products Co., Inc. Rural Route 1 Box 312 Beardstown, IL 62618 (217) 323-4540 L & G Forestry, Inc. 1029 N. Fifth St. Burlington, lA 52601 (31 9) 754-8839 Donovan Larson 1640 N. 20th St. Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 528-6913 Glen Massie *** Illinois Forest Products Co., Inc. Rural Route 1, Box 312 Beardstown, IL 62618 (217) 323-3540 Kevin McSherry 2121S. ImbodinCt. Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 422-8825 Frank J. and Frank W. Meyers Missouri Forest Management Co. PC. Box 187 Potosi, MO 62644 (314) 438-1216 Mark Mittelstadt *** Blue Ox Forestry Services 110 E. Division St. Box 46 Dodgeville, Wl 53533 (608) 935-3241 Larry Owen and David Mercker " Forest Management Services, Inc. 4120 Haythome Ave. Terre Haute, IN 47805-9492 (812) 466-4445 Rick Moore Rural Route 1 Fairfield, IL 62837 (618) 897-2673 Michael & Candy Morin R.R. 1, Box 288 Petersburg, IL 62675 (217) 632-7483 Joe Newcomb R.R. 1, Box 249 A Norris City, IL 62869 (618) 265-3286 Kevin Oetken Woodland Forestry Consulting 10571 18th Ave. Monmouth, lA 52309 (319) 673-2146 Clint Patterson R.R. l,Boxl4-D Hidalgo, IL 62432 (618) 793-2556 Matt Pelligrene 190 Liberty Ct. Pittsfield, IL 62363 (217) 285^018 Mark Rathman "* Illinois Forestry Consulting 3710 W. Creighton Terr. Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 693-2913 Susan Romano Wildland Research & Mgt. 22760 N. 1300th Rd. Macomb, IL 61455 (309) 769-5416 Paul Roth Rural Route 7 Box 202B Carbondale, IL 62901 (618) 549-1370 Charles Rush Consulting Forester Rural Route 1 Box 239 Evanston, IN 47531 (812) 547-8153 or 5142 Kurt Sauerman Sauerman Forestry Service 270 Jamestown Rd. Macomb, IL 61445 (309) 833^910 Randy Stephens *** Rural Route 2 Box 222B Robinson, IL 62454 (61 8) 544-2958 Chuck Stewart Urban Forestry Mgt., Inc. 960 Route 22, Suite 207 Fox River Grove, IL 60021 (708) 516-9708; FAX (708) 516-9716 Timber Tech Don VanOrmer Mark Holmgren 508 Riegel Dr Harrisburg, IL 62946 (618) 252-8240 (618) 252-4647 Richard Thom *** 2612 S. Glenwood Springfield, IL 62704 (217) 528-9774 Walt Townsend *" Rural Route 1, Box 77 Geff, IL 62842 (618) 897-2560 Two Rivers RC&D Area 110 E. Fayette Pittsfield, IL 62363 (217) 285-2403; FAX (217) 285-5121 Amber Urban 642 W. Adams Pittsfield, IL 62363 (217) 285-6938 Brad Virden 330 Pleasant Ridge Rd. Fairview Heights, IL 62208 (618) 398^005 Greg Wagner L & G Forestry, Inc. 1214 Agency St. Box 59 Burlington, lA 52601 (319) 754-8839 E. Patrick Walker Professional Forester Rural Route 1 Box 353 Jasonville, IN 47438 (812) 665-3907 Roger Weber Rural Route 1 Box 60 Oakdale, IL 62268 (618) 824-6261 *** indicates members of Illinois Consulting Foresters, Inc.) Illinois Forest Management Newsletter a ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES P.O. Box 19283, Springfield, IL 62794-9283 Phone: (217) 492-4295 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION life and land together DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, Illinois 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 ZONE 1 June 15. 1995 PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1994 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1995 Winter sawiimber prices paid to Illinois timber growers were generally unchanged or slightly lower for F.O.B. Mill and stumpage compared to boUi the previous summer and winter. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of tlieir 1994 operations, 44% indicated ilieir volume was 500 thousand board feet or more. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of diose timber buyers who participated in the survey is greatly appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit; Zone 2, the Claypan Unit; and Zone 3, the Prniric Unit. R.-uigcs of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a general guide for determining market value of timber. Genera] market and economic conditions are llie major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size and quality also affect Uie price paid. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local Stale Forester, or the Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, 600 Norlli Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE PRICES FOR STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. IN SELECTED PERIODS SAWTIMBER - $ PER M BD. FT. SPECIES November 1993-February 1994 May 1994 -August 1994 November 1994-February 1995 ] Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Ash Basswood Beech Cottonwood 178 296 112 193 65 164 47 134 170 130 50 50 315 240 170 155 160 100 70 45 280 220 160 140 Sweet Gum Elm & Hackberry Hickory Soft Maple 66 160 67 155 73 166 80 168 60 60 70 80 165 165 185 175 75 75 70 85 155 160 175 195 Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak 125 257 147 273 76 154 230 378 120 145 75 215 255 250 160 365 110 130 75 245 225 265 165 400 White Oak Yellow Poplar Sycamore Black Walnut 207 319 130 238 62 148 379 560 200 140 60 345 310 285 155 545 195 100 60 300 335 240 175 545 Woods Run Bottomland Woods Run Upland 84 176 161 265 80 120 170 200 75 120 160 200 FACE VENEER - $ PER M BD. FT. Red Oak While Oak Walnut 584 1.036 1,580 1,075 1.734 2,270 610 980 1.700 1.100 1.800 2,300 700 920 1,600 870 1,680 2,090 COOPERAGE - $ PER M BD. FT. While Oak 279 400 220 400 190 400 UNPEELED PULPWOOD - $ PER TON Ton 2.25 15.00 2.60 16.50 1.60 15.00 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Timber Prices November 1994-February 1995 June 15, 1995 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS November 1994 - February 1995 PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash M bd. ft. 100-290 150 - 450 100-300 160-400 130-200 190 - 300 Basswood M bd. ft. 50-100 200 - 230 50-200 180 - 220 50-200 150 - 300 Beech M bd. ft. 30-100 140 - 200 50-100 140 - 200 50-100 100 - 180 Cottonwood M bd. ft. 20- 50 100 - 150 50- 80 120 - 180 20- 50 120 - 150 Sweet Gum M bd. ft. 50-100 100-200 80-100 100- 190 50-100 100 - 180 Elm & Hackberry M bd. ft. 30 - 120 140 - 200 60-100 130- 190 30 - 150 150 - 190 Hickory M bd. ft. 30-110 150 - 200 60-100 160 - 180 30- 50 150- 190 Soft Maple M bd. ft. 30-120 140 - 200 60 - 120 160 - 200 40-130 280 - 300 Sugar Maple M M. ft. 50 - 150 150 - 300 60-130 150 - 320 80-200 190 - 350 Black Oak M bd. ft. 50-200 200 - 450 80-200 140 - 450 80-200 190 - 250 Pin Oak M bd. ft. 40 - 120 140 - 200 50-100 150 - 200 50 - 120 180 - 200 Red Oak M bd. ft. 70-300 250 - 450 200-400 400 - 450 100-400 320 - 500 White Oak M bd. ft. 70-300 250 - 450 60-300 350 - 400 110-300 250 - 300 Yellow Poplar M bd. ft. 30-150 120 - 300 70 - 150 190 - 250 NA NA Sycamore M bd. ft. 30-100 150 - 200 50-100 100 - 220 30- 70 200 - 210 Black Walnut M bd. ft. 200-400 400 - 650 250-400 500 - 650 250 -400 450 - 550 Woods Run Bottomland M bd. ft. 45 -100 125 - 180 60-150 120 - 250 55-100 NA Woods Run Upland M bd. ft. 50-200 150 - 350 60-250 120 - 350 110-180 NA 2. Face Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B . Mill Red Oak M bd. ft. 300-1,000 800- 1,400 White Oak M bd. ft. 350-2.000 800- 2,400 Walnut M bd. ft. 400-3,000 1,050- 3,000 3. Cooperage While Oak M bd. ft. 150- 220 NA 1 4. Pulpwood Unpeeled Ton 1.00- 2.00 NA 1 NA: No Reports LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Doyle Scribner International Percent Using 100 0 0 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reporting Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 ILLINOIS 8 14 4 25 Rates Reported $/M bd. ft. 100 -200 100 - 180 150 - 200 100 -200 VOLUME OF 1993 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. JL Zone 1 % Zone 2 % Zone 3 % All % 1 - 100 25 25 57 30 100 -500 25 31 15 26 500 - 1,000 25 19 14 21 1,000 - 3,000 10 19 14 14 3,000 + 15 6 0 9 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer is logs cut into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used in making paper, fiberboard, and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into lumber or timbers. F.O.B. refers to the price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES Woods Run Upland Woods Run Bottomland NOVEMBER 1994 - FEBRUARY 1995 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* $119-$461/Mbd. ft. Insufficient Data *Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Jerry Clampet, State Statistician Steve Peterson, Garry D. Kepley, Agricultural Statisticians "Printed by authority of the Stale of Illinois," 6/9/95, 1,700, 1,499 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 AG. LIBRfiRY - SERIftLS CLKRK 226 NUMFORD HfiLL 1301 WEST GREGORY DRIVE CfiflPUS HhIL EDITORIAL OFFICE: W-503 TURNER HALL, 1102 S. GOODWIN AVE., URBANA, IL 61801 VJlCe Cooperative Extension Service University of iliinols at Urbana-Ctiampaign IAN 2 9 \m ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners Volume 2, 1995, No. 29 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 Page 4 Page? Pages Page 11 Page 11 Page 14 A Touch of Garlic Forestry Community Covers Country with Seedlings — Reforestation is the Lifeblood of Commercial Timberlands How to Manage Oak Forests For Acorn Production Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 1995 Tax Year New Tax Publication Available for Forest Landowners What's Ailing Your Ash Trees? Illinois Timber Prices Illustration: Totem Graphics, Inc.. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Ser- vice. The newsletter features information from many sources to help you make informed decisions concerning your wood- land resources. We encourage your questions and conaments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Di- rect your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801. A Touch of Garlic by Susan L. Post On April 30, 1983, during our usual spring photography and botanizing in Lodge Park, Piatt County, my husband and 1 encountered a new plant. Along our favorite wildflower slope, amid the bluebells, trilliums, and bellwort, was some type of mustard. After consulting a well-thumbed plant key, we identified the plant as garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata, a species origi- nally from Europe. We didn't think much of our encounter except that we had seen a plant to add to our list. In subsequent years, however, garlic mustard started ap- pearing, not as a few isolated plants, but as whole colonies displacing our favorite blooms. A sea of Virginia bluebells was now only small islands in waves of garlic mustard, and the large expanses of blue-eyed Mary's at the county's Allerton Park were slowly diminishing. Realization soon struck. Garlic mustard was taking over our favorite spring woodland wildflower sites! To the uninitiated, garlic mustard sounds like a delicious herb. Its common name refers to the plant's strong garlic fragrance when crushed. Even while searching the Univer- sity of Illinois library, the name garlic mustard referenced not deciduous forest pests or alien weeds but seasoning in such magazines as Bon Appetit and Gourmet. To veterans of State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment ^v^ ■'^ the outdoors, though, garlic mustard has a very different meaning. In the words of John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey botanist, garlic mustard is the "plant from hell." The first collection of garlic mustard in the United States was made on Long Island, New York, in 1868. It is speculated that well-intentioned European settlers brought the plant with them for food or medicine when they came to America. Europeans used the leaves on bread to make sandwiches called "sauce alone." The leaves were also added to lettuce, mutton, and pork to give them flavor. Leaf juices were taken alone or boiled into a syrup with honey as a treatment for dropsy. By 1918, the plant was collected in Illinois' Lake County, the first known occurrence west of central Kentucky. Twenty-five Illinois field botanists did not even include it as one of the most problematic exotic plants in the state in a 1986 survey; nor was it listed as one of the 27 most serious exotic weeds during a 1988 survey. Like a well-camouflaged army, garlic mustard invaded our woods and natural areas. By 1991 it was in 31 percent of Illinois state parks, 30 percent of Illinois nature preserves, and 44 lUinois counties. »' ^ Garlic mustard is known to occur in shaded counties as of 1995. Biennial or Winter Annual? Like the control of garlic mustard, the classification of the plant is difficult. Is it a biennial or a winter annual? (A win- ter annual is a plant that germinates and establishes itself in the summer of one year, overwinters, flowers, and dies the following year.) In Illinois, the life span of an individual gar- lic mustard plant is from spring of one year to fall of the next year. Seed germination coincides with the emergence of spring beauty (Claytonia Virginia). During the first summer through the winter, all that is visible of the pest is a cluster of rounded to heart-shaped leaves (called a rosette) with course, round, irregular teeth on the margins. The leaves are approxi- mately 2 to 8 inches long. (This past summer's drought may have been a blessing as far as garlic mustard is concerned because first-year rosettes are sensitive to drought.) In the spring, plants that survived the winter send up a flowering stalk 1 to 2 feet tall. The leaves on the stalk are alternate and gradually become smaller and narrower. Flowers are small, four-petaled, and white, much like those of a radish gone to seed, and the flowers cluster at the top of the stem. The seeds develop in slender capsules called siliques. The siliques are 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and contain a single row of oblong black seeds. Garlic mustard spreads exclusively by seed. The plants pro- duce an average of 350 seeds, with some plants producing nearly 8,000 seeds! Each seed has an impermeable seed coat and grooves on the outside that trap air, enabling the seed to float for short periods. The seeds ripen and disperse between mid-June and late September. Seeds are expelled from the siUques by falling from the plant or by being expelled when the plant is brushed. Once on the ground, the seeds may be picked up on the fur and feet of mammals, on the boots or in the pant cuffs and pockets of hikers, by mud-encrusted ve- hicle tires, or by flowing water. Seeds remain dormant in the soil for an eight- to 20-month period, depending on the lo- cality. After this dormant period, most seeds will germinate within two years, but some may remain viable for up to five years. Thus, population levels are never constant due to the biennial nature of the plant and the variable seed germina- tion. An Opportunistic Plant Garlic mustard is an extremely aggressive species that has invaded our northern and central woodland communities — dry-mesic upland forests, wet-mesic floodplain forests, and Illinois Forest Management Newsletter X '-^J forested roadsides — showing a preference for disturbed, shaded habitats that are unoccupied by other alien herbs. Invading first along trails, streams, and edges of woods, if unchecked it will develop dense beds that completely domi- nate the forest floor. Garlic mustard has several strategies for success. It germi- nates and grows in early spring, the rosettes remain green during the fall and winter months, and only a small portion of its life span is spent during the summer months when light under the tree canopy is reduced. The plant is also able to self-pollinate; that's how a single plant can populate an entire site. The large number of seeds produced result in dense stands of rosettes and, later, flowering plants that re- tard the growth of other herbaceous species. These dense stands are also a seed source for new populations. Flower Garlic mustard identification characteristics; flowering plant, silique (fruit) and seed, flower, and first-year rosette (winter plant). Seed Illustration courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources :[ Flowering plant Winter plant Like other opportunistic plants, garUc mustard is able to grow or reproduce before and after most other plants. It grows during early spring and late fall, when native species are dormant. Early seed germination of garlic mustard occurs when spring leaf expansion is just beginning and no other herbaceous species have germinated or begun spring growth. Although this strategy may result in its exposure to freezing temperatures and snow cover, mortality doesn't appear to increase. Within 10 years after invasion by garlic mustard, a site's na- tive species richness declines. The native mustard, toothwort, is one of the early casualties. When they compete with garlic mustard, toothwort plants are stunted and yellowed and eventually disappear. Throughout Illinois, the total area suitable for garlic mus- tard invasion and growth will certainly expand with increas- ing human development and disturbance of the landscape. To Sweat or Not to Sweat? The goal of any garlic mustard control program is to pre- vent seed production until the seed bank is exhausted, usu- ally a two to five-year period. The green, overwintering ro- settes make it possible to check for the pest's presence all year long. The most effective method of control, with mini- mal or no side effects to the habitat, is to cut the flowering stems at or within a few inches of the soil surface just as flowering begins. If possible, remove the cut stems from the site. Sounds easy — until you begin. A "few" garlic mustard plants have a way of multiplying before your eyes as sweat courses down your back and the music of mosquitoes rings in your ears. In nearly pure garlic mustard stands, scything is an option. Scything allows you to cover large areas quickly with mini- mal soil disturbance. For very large infestations, there are two other methods: burning and herbicides. Fall or early spring burning effectively kills the first-year evergreen plants, provided the fire is of sufficient intensity. Conduct follow- up bums for the next several years to eliminate plants from the seed bank. Conduct spring bums early to minimize dam- age to native spring wildflowers. Another effective treatment in the spring and fall is to apply 2 percent Round-up to the foliage of individual plants. Round-up is a contact herbicide that will kill any plant it touches, so follow label directions carefully. You can then hand-pull or cut remnant popula- Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ~ «r- :r ~jr tions. Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions, and suc- cessful control requires a lot of labor and sweat. Once garlic mustard is under control, you can maintain sites by vigilant monitoring and continued hand removal of new plants. Friend or Foe? Additional control methods for garlic mustard are being in- vestigated. Biological control agents (either insects or patho- gens), different fire regimes, and a summer herbicide treat- ment are all possibilities. It is ironic that as new methods of extermination are emerg- ing, the National Cancer Institute is also studying garlic mustard, but for a very different purpose. Garlic mustard contains isothiocyanates, a cancer preventive found in some members of the mustard family, and allyl sulfides, a cancer preventive of the garlic family. In addition, present-day herb- als still list garlic mustard as a potherb — an edible fresh green available in the winter and useful as a substitute for garlic or onions in a recipe. In the long term, garlic mustard may prove to be a boon to humanity, perhaps as a new miracle drug or an important food stuff. For the present, though, it remains a major threat to Illinois woodlands and to the overall plant and animal diversity that resides there. Susan L. Post is a staff writer for The Illinois Steward Maga- zine. This article was reprinted from The Illinois Steward Magazine, Volume 4, No. 4, Winter, 1996. Forestry Community Covers Country with Seedlings — Reforestation is the Lifeblood of Commercial Timberlands. In 1993 the forestry community planted about 1.4 billion seed- lings on U.S. forestland (Fig. 1). More than 1 miUion acres — or 43 percent of the total U.S. forestland replanted in 1993 — were replanted by the forest products industry. Non-indus- trial private forest landowners make up the second most active group in reforestation efforts, also replanting more than 1 million acres of new trees in 1993. A forested area is classified as "forestland" if it is at least 1 acre in size and contains about 10 percent tree cover. In the United States forestlands can be found in every region and state. These forests are extremely diverse, and include spe- cies ranging from chaparral to scrub oak to towering Dou- glas-firs. .8% Other Figure 1. Who Plants America's Trees? Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^'\M? 5 Two-thirds of our forestlands — or some 490 million acres — are classified as "timberland." Timberlands are forests ca- pable of growing 20 cubic feet of commercial wood per year, and are not reserved from harvesting. Some 36 million acres of these forests capable of growing commercial wood are reserved or "set aside" for non-timber uses by specific legis- lation. These lands are managed by public agencies as parks or wilderness areas. Currently 57 percent of the growing stock volume on U.S. timberlands is softwoods, the remaining 43 percent is hard- woods (Figs. 3&4). Throughout the years foresters and wood craftspeople have studied the characteristics of these vari- ous tree species. From modem research we've learned that location and growth conditions significantly affect the prop- erties of wood. These variations are carefully considered by those who use wood commercially, especially in the construction industry. Wood from softwood trees is typically used for scaffolding, house framing, sheathing, and paneling. Product Thousands of Acres Percentage Publicly Owned 131,493 27% Federal 96,655 20% States and Counties 34,840 7% Privately Owned 358,061 73% Forest Industry 70,455 14% Non-industrial 287.606 59% Total U.S. 489,555 100% Hardwoods are mainly used for furniture, flooring, archi- tectural woodwork, trim, paneling, and cabinets. Wood has the following advantages over other building products: • Trees are a renewable resource. Forest products are also recyclable and biodegradable; • Most alternative materials come from non-renewable re- sources— petrochemicals used in plastics and ores used for aluminum and iron; • The average single-family home (2,000 square feet) can contain 16,900 board feet of lumber and up to 10,000 square feet of panel products; • Comparing the total energy costs to aquire the raw mate- rial, transport, process, and use it — wood far out shines its competitors; • Aluminum framing uses 126 times as much energy to pro- duce as do wooden wall studs; steel studs require almost nine times more energy. Who Manages the Woods The forestry commu- nity and federal, state, and local govern- ments must continu- ally work to balance the many competing demands placed on our forestlands. These include timber har- vesting, recreation, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat. Altogether, federal, state, and local gov- ernments own 131 million of the 490 mil- lion acres of commer- cial timberland in the United States (Fig. 2). A variety of federal and state laws and ad- Figure 2. Who Owns America's Productive Timberland? Illinois forest Management Newsletter «C!:^ t^f Other Western Types Ponderosa Pine Douglas-fir Western Hardwoods Juniper Fir-Spruce Other Softwoods Elm-Ash-Cottonwood Aspen-Birch Fir-Spruce Oak-Gum-Cypress Oak-Pine Maple-Beech-Birch Oak-Hickory Figure 3. Tree Species on Unreserved Western Forestland, 1992 j Source: Douglas S. Powell, et al. S u C o CO X> 1500 3 1000 u c o 500 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 Figure 4. Tree Species on Unreserved Eastern Forestland, 1992 1 Source: Douglas S. Powell, et al. 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 Figure 5. Worldwide Wood Consumption 2000 □ Pulpwood ^ Construction Wood Fuelwood 1991 2010 Figure 6. Growth Versus Incremental Available Supply Consumption * Construction Wood Other Sources • Harvest beyond global sustainability • Natural Supply-Southern Hemisphere Supply ministrative decisions govern the man- agement of these lands. The Forest Service of the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture manages most federal timberlands, including all na- tional forests. About 85 million acres of U.S. timberlands fall under its tute- lage. Those forests provide 12 percent of the total wood volume harvested annually in the United States, includ- ing 16 percent of all softwood. The acreage of about 7 million nonin- dustrial private owners comprises 59 percent (288 million acres) of the total timberland in the United States. These private lands are predominately in small tracts of forestland. In fact, only about 600,000 landowners have hold- ings larger than 100 acres. The forest products industry owns about 70 million acres — or 14 per- cent— of the most productive commer- cial timberland in the United States. One-third of the nation's annual tim- ber harvest is drawn from these for- ests. To ensure the long-term viability of these productive lands, the forest products industry foUows sustainable forestry practices that integrate the re- forestation, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for wood products. As of January 1, 1996, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is requiring all members to comply with its Sustainable Forestry Initiative. As part of the initiative AF&PA n\em- bers, on their forests, will: • Employ an array of scientifically, en- vironmentally, and economically sound practices in the growth, harvest, and use of forests; • Reforest promptly aD harvested ar- eas; Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ... .-< C-J t,^ Timber Prices May 1995-August 1995 November 22. 1995 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS May 1995 - August 1995 .' PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Stumpage F.O.B. MiU Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stun^age F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash Mbd. ft. 100-200 300-450 100-350 200-450 100-250 150-300 Basswood Mbd. ft. 60-100 200-250 20-230 100-300 30-200 130-250 Beech Mbd. ft. 20-100 140-200 80-120 100- 180 50-100 100- 180 Cottonwood Mbd. ft. 20- 60 140- 180 30- 80 100- 180 20- 50 100- 160 Sweet Gum Mbd. ft. 30-100 140-200 40-100 100- 160 50-100 130 - 180 Elm & Hackberry Mbd. ft. 20- 80 140-200 20-100 100- 180 30-100 130-200 Hickory Mbd. ft. 40-100 150-250 20-160 120-200 30-150 100-200 Soft M^Ie Mbd. ft. 30- 80 150-200 30-150 100-300 80-150 130-280 Sugar M^le Mbd. ft. 40-150 150-300 60-200 150-300 100-200 250-350 Black Oak Mbd. ft. 100-200 250-450 100-300 200-550 20-250 220-400 Pin Oak Mbd. ft. 30-110 140-200 30-120 100-200 20 - 150 130-200 Red Oak Mbd. ft. 110-350 200-500 60-400 200-550 70-400 200-460 White Oak Mbd. ft. 100-300 300 - 450 60-350 280-550 70 -450 250-400 Yellow Poplar Mbd. ft. 90-160 140-300 120 - 180 150 - 350 80 200 180 - 300 Sycamore M bd. ft. 20- 60 140-200 50- 80 100-200 30- 80 100-200 Black Walnut Mbd. ft. 200-400 400-650 200-500 380-650 200-600 500-700 Woods Run Bottomland Mbd. ft. 50 100 150-230 50-120 140-250 50-100 180 - 200 Woods Run Upland Mbd. ft. 100-300 150-450 50-300 140-450 50-200 180-400 2. Face Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B .Mill Red Oak Mbd. ft. 300-1.250 400- 1.400 White Oak Mbd. ft. 200-1.500 900- 2.220 Walnut Mbd. ft. 500-3.000 1.000- 3.500 3. Cooperage White Oak Mbd. ft. 150- 300 350- 450 4. Pulpwood Ui^)eeled Ton 1.75- 2.25 16.75 - 20.00 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Doyle Scribner International Percent Using 97 3 0 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Rffoifin Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 ILLINOIS Pftrr^nf Rcnortino Pat<«« RMv>rt«^ 2 3 5 10 S/M bd. ft. 100-200 100 -200 110-300 100-300 VOLUME OF 1995 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. Jl Zone 1 % Zone 2 % Zone 3 % AU % 1 - 100 15 7 60 22 100 -500 15 33 26 28 500 - 1.000 31 20 - 17 1.000 - 3,000 8 20 7 14 3.000 -1- 31 20 7 19 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer is logs ait into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used in making paper, fiberboard. and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into liunber or timbers. F.O.B. refers to the price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES Woods Run Upland Woods Run Bottomland MAY 1995 - AUGUST 1995 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* $166-$635/M bd. ft. Insufficient Data Jeny Clan^)et. State Statistician ♦Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Steve Peterson, Garry D. Kepley, Agricultural Statisticians "Printed by authority of the State of Illinois." 11/22/95. 1.700. 1.499 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID URBANA, IL 61801 PERMIT #25 fl6. LIBRARY - SERIALS CLERK 226 nuriFORD HALL 1301 WEST GREGORY DRIVE CRUPUS tIAIL EDITORIAL OFHCE: W-503 TURNER HALL; 1102 S. GOODWIN AVE., URBANA, IL 61801 (^ ■^-^(e Cooperative Extension Service University of Illinois at Urtjana-Champaign A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners L StP2 it\59P ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT Volume 1, 1996, No. 30 Page 1 Pages Page 9 Page 10 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 IN THIS ISSUE The Illinois Pro Logger Training Program The Chain Saw's Reactive Forces The Illinois Forestland Owners' Network Assessing the Opportunities for Private Consulting Foresters in Illinois Illinois Steward Special Offer Illinois' 4-H Forestry Judging Team Competes in West Virginia Illinois Timber Prices Karen Colbert Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Ser- vice. Our newsletter features information from many sources to help you make informed decisions concerning your wood- land resources. We encourage your questions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Di- rect your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801. The Illinois Pro Logger Training Program by Mike Bolin Extension Forester & Training Coordinator As the sun begins to break on this crisp March morning sending brilliant hues of red, pink and orange dancing off wispy clouds hovering close to the horizon, the sounds of chain saws and heavy equipment break the woodland's sleepy silence. A fox squirrel pokes its head from its rustic condo door high atop a decadent, old bass- wood tree and answers the racket with incessant chatter as if to say, "enough already". A family of downy woodpeck- ers residing in the same den tree flee their residence at the sound of impending danger. Their flight is well founded for the sound of a chain saw always has been synonymous with danger not only for the forest and its residents, but likewise for loggers themselves. However, there is a new program afoot in Illinois that is designed to lessen the in- herent risks involved in logging and to help minimize the disruptive effects logging has on the forest. The program, known as the Illinois Pro Logger Training Program, is designed to improve safety, efficiency and productivity within Illinois' logging industry while instilling an understanding of best management practices that can be employed during harvesting to lessen logging's impact on the environment. Initiated in 1995, the training was developed as a joint effort between the Illinois Council on Forestry Development, the Illinois Wood Products As- sociation, the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, the Il- linois Department of Natural Resources, and the forestry schools at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment The 1996 northern Illinois class (top), and the 1996 west- em Illinois class (bottom). University. Initial training sites were located in southern, western, and northern Illinois. To date, 41 loggers have com- pleted the intensive training course. The Way We Were. In the United States, logging has been predominately a family legacy passed down from generation to generation, father teaching son. The cutting methods, practices and per- sonal beliefs and ethics, good or bad, passed in this tradi- tional way, as well. Today, environmental awareness of the public and private forest landowners is greater than any time in history. Both place greater emphasis on ecological, recre- ational, and aesthetic values than on timber production, and their opinions influence land-use laws and regulation (Jones 1996). In numerous states this influence has brought log- ging to a standstill and has caused great stress and displace- ment for many families who have relied on logging for their livelihood. Until recently, little has been done to help pro- fessional loggers go about their business in a different way that address the environmental and aesthetic concerns of private landowners and the public and the regulations im- posed on the logging industry by government. The 1996 southern Illinois class (top); the 1995 southern Illinois class (bottom). Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^■i.,. *>'■■ *^ti// Safety First! Logging is one of the most hazardous professions worldwide. However, the United States lags behind in the training of its logging force. Safety, productivity, and envi- ronmental stewardship training, which have helped build professionalism and pubic recognition of the logging pro- fession, have long been the rule in Europe and Scandinavia. It is difficult to build safe harvesting skills or an en- vironmental stewardship ethic if the logger is dead. For some who abhor the cutting of any tree, a dead logger might not raise any level of concern. However, in 1994, there were over 44,000 chain saw-related injuries. Many of these injuries can be traced to homeowner and "weekend war- rior" encounters, but it is safe to say that many professional loggers also end up on the "business end" of the chain saw by mistake. "In 1991, the rate of work-related injuries in the US logging industry was twice the aver- age rate for all industries in the na- tional private sector economy. Al- though logging accounts for only about 0.4 percent of the manufactur- ing employment in the United States, it accounted for approximately 20 percent of all deaths in manufactur- ing work between 1980 and 1988 (an annual average of 161 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers). The total private sector rate was only 7 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers (Myers and Fosbroke 1994)" (Egan 1996). "In 1993, 147 logging industry workers died as a result of work-related injuries (US Department of Labor, 1995a). There were also 13,800 nonfatal injuries — 5,875 resulting in time away from work (US Department of Labor 1995b, 1995c)" (Fosbroke and Myers 1996). In Illinois, we have averaged one death per year over the last 5 years in our logger work force. Safety is a major component of the Illinois Pro Log- ger Training Program. Graduates of Illinois' training pro- gram receive 5 days of intensive, "hands-on" training and individual instruction. Loggers spend four of the five days participating in Soren Erikkson's Game of Logging program. Directional felling begins with lining up the notch face direction. Erikkson is regarded as one of the world's leading logging safety and efficiency experts. In the Game of Logging pro- gram, loggers learn the fundamentals of saw handling and control, systematic chain saw maintenance to reduce down time and injury, and how to maximize productivity and equipment performance. The training also addresses the new OSHA standards for logging and what logging companies and crews must do comply with these standards. The im- portance of using personal protection equipment (PPE), such as a hard hat, eye and ear protec- tion, cut-resistant chaps or pants and boots, and gloves, is stressed (and required of aU participants) in the training. The Importance of a Plan. Paramount in the training is the need for a well thought out plan of how the tree will be harvested be- fore the chain saw starts. Five ele- ments are critical in the harvest plan. The loggers must identify all hazards that surround their work area. This applies not only to the tree that will be felled, but sur- rounding trees, as well. Falling objects account for most of the deaths and debilitating injuries to loggers and skidder operators. These occurrences are referred to as "struck byes" in the trade. A common term used is "widow maker", which often refers to a dead limb or hanging limb that could dislodge and fall as the tree begins to fall. Frequently, limbs will be thrown back at the logger as the felled tree brushes against the tops of nearby standing trees. Most people think of loggers being killed or severely injured by the tree falling on them. In reality, being struck by a falling tree accounts for only a minor percentage of logging deaths or serious injuries. And those that do occur are most likely the result of poor felling techniques. The harvest plan also includes; an assessment of any side or back lean the tree might have, which determines its good and bad side to work from; the planned route of re- treat after the tree begins to fall; what hinge size will be nee- Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ,- 'Si/i-v; essary for the tree in question; and an explanation of how the tree will be cut. Directional Felling. Much of the training time is spent learning new techniques that allow the loggers to fell trees with much greater preci- sion. By mastering the techniques of directional felling, the loggers will be able to place trees exactly where they want them to fall. This will markedly reduce damage to the re- sidual trees in the forest and thus will improve the value of future crop trees. It will also free up the need for the skidder to be present when trees are being felled. In many logging operations, the skidder is used to help steer the tree to the ground. The training helps point out how inefficient and expensive this practice is and how the same result can be achieved with a couple plastic wedges. Key to mastering di- rectional fell- ing is learn- ing how to make an open-faced notch and setting up the proper hinge size for the specific tree. The open-face notch has an opening of 70 degrees or more. This allows the tree to fall completely to the ground before the The first cut made in the open face notch notch closes. is the down-cut. For small to medium- A traditional sized trees, this cut is nearly vertical. notch with an opening of 30 to 45 degrees will close before the tree hits the ground. This will cause fiber pull within the butt log of the tree, which degrades its value considerably. The second cut is easily made by looking into the down- cut. The base-cut and down-cut should match with less than one-quarter inch by-pass. The angle opening should be 70 degrees or more. The hinge serves the same principle as the hinge on a door. The hinge supports and guides the tree as it falls. The length and thickness of the hinge is dependent on the size and species of tree. The strength of even a one-half inch thick hinge is amazing, and it is remarkable to watch how the combination of the open-faced notch and hinge accurately guides the tree to any place a logger, trained in their use, wants to put it. Once the tree is on the ground, proper procedures for limbing and bucking are also stressed since this is where many chain saw-related injuries occur. Frequently, a har- vested trees will bend over and pin smaller trees and sap- lings to the ground. The violent pressure that is released Illinois Forest Management Newsletter „^..^«? when these pinned trees or "springpoles" are cut loose or become dislodged when the felled tree is bucked up is enough to kill or permanently cripple an unsuspecting log- ger if they happen to be standing in the springpole's path. Competition Enhances Learning The Game of Logging utilizes a teaching method known as "competitive response training (CRT)", which allows each logger to measure and compare his/her level of understand- The hinge is set up by making a bore cut into the trunk with the bottom edge of the bar tip. The bore cut should start on the bad side of the tree (side to which the tree leans) and finish on the tree's good side. If the bar cannot reach completely through the tree, the cut should be made in two steps. It is unsafe to bore (cut) more than half-way through the tree from the bad side. The open face notch allows the tree to fall completely to the ground before the notch closes. This is not the case with common notches of 30-45 degrees. When the notch closes before the tree is on the ground, this causes fiber pull, which degrades the quality of the butt log. ing and use of the techniques taught to other loggers in the class. Points are applied to the information and techniques taught by the instructor. Each logger is given the opportu- nity to demonstrate before the class his/her understanding of the information and techniques, and they are evaluated by the instructor and by the class participants. Points are awarded for providing correct answers to questions asked by the instructor and for correct skills used in felling, limbing and bucking the tree. Points are deducted for any safety violations that occur during the felling, limbing, or bucking process. At the end of each training day, prizes are awarded based on the loggers' scores. The first logger to earn a per- Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Si^ Each logger's technique is critiqued by the Game of Log- ging instructor and by the class. feet score wins a new chain saw provided by Husqvarna Forest and Garden Company, a corporate sponsor of the Game of Logging. The training's competitive response format has proven superior in its ability to produce much higher reten- tion of information and learned skills and techniques to the standard demonstration technique, which is utilized in many traming programs. Logging and Responsible Stewardship The fifth day of training concentrates on developing the log- gers' understanding of forest ecology, silviculture, and best management practices that help reduce soil erosion, main- tain water quality, and minimize impact on the residual for- est. Most loggers have worked in the woods all their lives and harvesting trees is what they know best. However, un- derstanding the implications of harvesting trees and how to minimize logging's impact on the forest and riparian areas both during and after harvestirig may be less familiar to them. These points are the main focus of the fifth day of Illinois' training program. Instructors concentrate on how trees and forests grow and develop, and how harvesting can be ben- eficial or detrimental to the health and vigor of the residual forest. Field trips to sites to see and discuss examples of good and bad harvesting techniques are employed. Tech- niques to minimize soil erosion and water quality problems on skid trails, log landings, and haul roads as well as dam- age to remaining trees are also discussed. Putting Learned Skills to the Test Loggers graduating from the Illinois Pro Logger Training Program have the opportunity to participate in the Illinois Game of Logging Regional competition, which is held at the DuQuoin State Fair. The competitive events are based on the techniques, skills, and information the loggers learned during the training. The general public is welcome and en- couraged to watch the loggers compete. Throughout the competition, a commentator explains to the audience what the loggers are doing and how the specific skill relates to what they do on the job each day. The competition provides an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about Illinois' logging industry and the many skills it takes to be a trained, professional logger. Loggers completing Illinois' training program are eligible to compete in the Illinois Regional Game of Logging competion with the winner qualifying for the National Finals in Ohio. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter '•■'^^ sESfS* *«* :/ 7 The 1995 Game of Logging National Finalists. Illinois' representative, Odell Williams from Kamak, is pictured fourth from the right in the second row. The loggers compete for cash and prize awards to- taling over $3,000. The winner receives a check for $1000, a new Husqvama chain saw, a complete outfit of personal pro- tection equipment, and earns the right to represent Illinois at the National Game of Logging Finals held each October in Ohio. The national finalists compete in the same events as the regional competitors, but are vying for a $10,000 first prize. There is a change happening in Illinois' forests. It is a change that will not be apparent over night, but with per- severance it will be a change that will yield a safer, more productive logging profession, and a change that allows our forests to continue to provide a sustainable supply of wood and fiber to meet society's ever-increasing demand, and in the interim between harvests a place of beauty and heritage for future generations to enjoy. If you would like to receive a list of loggers who have completed the Illinois Pro Logger Training Program, please write and request this list from: Extension Forester, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 8 Literature Cited Myers, J.R., and D.E. Fosbroke. 1994. Logging fatalities in the United States by region, cause of death, and other fac- tors—1980 through 1988. Journal of Safety Research 25(2):97-105. 1995a. Appendix A, Table A-3. Fatal workplace inju- ries in 1993: A collection of data and analysis. Washington, DC: Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1995b. Survey of occupational injuries and illnesses, 1993. Summary 95-5. Washington, DC: Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1995c. Survey of occupational injuries and illnesses, 1993: Background information on days away from work. Washington, DC: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fosbroke, D.E. and J.R. Myers. 1996. Logging Safety and Forest Management Education — A Necessary Link. Jour- nal of Forestry 94(7): 21-25. Egan, A.F. 1996. Hazards in the Logging Woods. Who's Responsible? Journal of Forestry 94(7): 16-20. Jones, G.T. 1993. A Guide to Logging Aesthetics — Practical Tips for Loggers, Foresters, and Landowners. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service: NRAES-60; page 2. "The Illinois Pro Logger Truing Program " is printed with per- mission of the author, and will be featured in the Winter, 1997 issue of The Illinois Steward Magazine. The Chain Saw*s Reactive Forces When operating the chain saw, it is important to be able to anticipate the saw's reative forces. Cutting with the top side of the bar will push the saw back toward the operator. Similarly, cutting with the bottom of the bar will pull the saw and the operator toward the log. Therefore, it is important to position yourself so that you do not lose your balance while cutting. The tip of the bar is frequently used for the bore cut or for shaving and trimming branches and springpoles. It's also a site where tremendous force is experienced. The top half of the tip of the bar is the site where kickback will occur if the tip comes into contact with the log or other solid object. This will cause the tip of the bar to move violently back and up- or sidewards toward the operator. If the tip of the bar will be used for the bore cut, the lower half of the bar's tip is the part that should first contact the log or the tree's trunk. Pushing force backward Kickback Zone % Attack ^ Zone Pulling force forward Illinois Forest Management Newsletter "The Chain Saw's Reactive Forces " was reprinted with permis- sion from Tim 's Tips - A Game of Logging Handbook of Study Materials for Loggers by Tim Ard, Vice-President of the Game of Logging and President of Forest Applications Training, Inc. This material will be released periodically on the Internet Web Site - WWW.FORESTAPPS.COM The Illinois Forestland Owners' (ILFO) Network by Mary Lowry Increasing information to landowners is the first and most important step toward increasing stewardship on pri- vately owned lands in the state of Illinois. Many Illinois land- owners are unaware of the programs and opportunities avail- able to help them care for their lands. A recent survey found that 40% of Illinois landowners are unaware of cost-sharing opportunities available for forestry practices, and 62% were unaware of cost-sharing available for stewardship activities. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois in partnership with the Illinois Council on Forestry Development and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' s Stewardship Advisory Committee have developed a statewide database to help re- source professionals reach more Illinois forestland owners. The Illinois Forestland Owners' (ILFO) Network database was compiled by first identifying forested tracts larger than 15 acres using Consolidated Farm Service Agency aerial pho- tos, and then matching these forested areas to the plat book for the appropriate county. Information about the tract was collected at each county's tax assessor's office, and was com- piled into a database. The software will allow expansion of the number of records as well as type of information added to each record, variability in format of information output, and offers the ability to manipulate the data in a variety of ways. The ILFO Network participants will be protected as the database will only be available for research or educa- tional uses by approved government agencies. A listing of forest landowner addresses would enable educators and re- searchers to reach landowners directly to inform them about programs, advancements and educational opportunities. The ability to contact landowners also enables landowners to interact directly with policy makers and educators to voice their needs and opinions regarding stewardship in Illinois. This database will include those landowners who have already enrolled for cost-sharing through the Illinois Forestry Development Act (FDA), identify where in the state FDA participation has been greatest in the past, and contain a management field to indicate the number of acres under a cost-shared management plan. Access to a current mailing list would improve effectiveness of informational and edu- cational mailings by the Illinois Department of Natural Re- sources and be inclusive of all forest landowners with more than 15 acres of forestland. Such a list would enable pro- grams offered through the Cooperative Extension Service and the Illinois Forest Resource Center to be offered to all land- owners, rather than limiting them to only those who are already listed elsewhere. The database will also be useful for research projects and surveys which require a represen- tative sample of Illinois landowners to be valid. As a mechanism to keep the list updated, the prop- erty identification number associated with each forest tract will be included in the database. To update the list we will communicate with each assessor's office to update the name and address of all of the listed parcels in each county which have changed hands since the last update. Future Potential: -to track forest land ownership changes in Illinois; -to evaluate trends of forest parcel sizes of individual owners and contiguous forests; -to expand, by addition of data, information about stewardship practices, forest management and reforestation on private lands in Illinois; -to evolve into a database including a variety of re- source information or possibly a GIS of Illinois forest re- sources. Upon completion, the database will contain the name, address, and parcel index number for each landowner who owns more than 15 acres of forestland in the state of Illinois or roughly 70,000 records. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^ 10 Assessing the Opportunities for Private Consulting Foresters in Illinois by Mary Lowry There are approximately 170,000 privately owned, forested land holdings in the state of Illinois, totaling over 3.6 million acres (Iverson et al., 1989). Because of the extent of these land holdings, a huge potential demand exists for professional foresters. Although surveys have shown that most nonindustrial private forest landowners in Illinois have never sought the assistance of a professional forester, the Forest Stewardship Program has the potential to attract many landowners who have not been attracted to past programs, which emphasized timber production. The low number of professional foresters available to provide technical assis- tance to private landowners significantly limits the poten- tial to improve stewardship of Illinois' privately owned for- estland. The Illinois Department of Natural Resource's (IDNR) Division of Forest Resources employs 22 District Foresters, who provide a range of free services to private landowners. In addition, a limited number of private con- sulting foresters, approximately 31, assist landowners on a fee basis. The supply of District Foresters is inadequate to meet landowners' demand for service. Several districts are carrying two-year backlogs of requests for assistance. The number of consultants has slowly increased over the last few years to provide some relief, however, there are still rela- tively few consultants practicing in Illinois. The goals of this study were: => to gain insights concerning the potential for in- creased business for consultants; => to discover how many landowners would be will- ing to pay for the services of consultants as opposed to waiting for the same services free of charge from IDNR District Foresters, and; => to identify constraints and barriers to practicing con- sulting forestry in Illinois. Data was collected in two ways; by interviewing private con- sultants working in Illinois and by surveying private forest landowners by mail. At this time, the business of private consulting for- estry is in its infancy in Illinois. Most of the full-time con- sultants are fairly new to the business, and they seem to be getting by on their own initiative. A statewide association, Illinois Consulting Foresters, Inc. (ICF), does exist, but it does not have the support of all the private consultants currently working in Illinois by way of their active membership. ICF has, however, initiated the beginnings of an infrastructure for the business of consulting in Illinois through their meet- ings, their promotion of use of consultants, and their coop- eration with IDNR personnel. Their positive accomplish- ments should attract other consultants as active members in the future. Our study indicates that consultants are busy, but there is a much greater potential demand for their services than has been realized thus far. Five percent of our survey respondents had used a private consulting forester in the past, and an additional 11 percent indicated that they fore- see employing a private consultant in the future. This indi- cates a potential increased demand for private consultants in Illinois over the next five years. Several opportunities for consultants were identi- fied by this study Most important, we noted that most con- sultants gain clients through referrals and are not actively soliciting new business. At the same time, only 38 percent of landowner respondents reported that they think the land- owner is supposed to initiate the contact with a private con- sultant. Therefore, there is a substantial opportunity for con- sultants to initiate contacts with the remaining 62 percent of landowners who do not know they are supposed to initiate the contact with a consultant. Landowners are most willing to pay for forestland appraisals as opposed to other prac- tices. This is especially good for consultants, as appraisals are a practice that District Foresters cannot, under Division policy, implement. Other goals and practices identified as important to landowners included wildlife habitat improve- ments, timber stand improvement, tree planting, and de- creased soil erosion. However, although landowners desire these practices, they are not willing to pay for them. Cost- sharing could help decrease the landowners' costs of these practices. Respondents to our survey received most cost- share dollars for timber stand improvement and tree plant- ing. Consultants in Illinois offer a full range of services but spend most of their time on timber-oriented practices and much less time implementing other stewardship practices. Landowner characteristics identified in the study as being positively related to foreseeing hiring a private con- sultant are: =^ the opinion that hiring a consultant will increase the value of forestland; => a willingness to pay for the services of a consultant; Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 11 => a willingness to pay to achieve stewardship prac- tices, and; => past implementation of timber stand improvement practices. The likelihood of foreseeing hiring a consultant also increases as the number of forest acres owned increases. Important attributes of survey respondents who had hired a consult- ant in the past are: => 61 percent are business professionals; => their top goal is future investment value; ^ they own more forestland than other respondents, and; => 80 percent are willing to spend money for steward ship practices. Demand for private forestry consultants does exist despite the free services from IDNR. In fact. District For- ester services and recommendations may actually increase the business of consultants in Illinois. Some landowners con- tact a consultant because they are dissatisfied with District Foresters' long waiting lists. Consultants might be able to increase landowner interest by advertising the immediate availability of their services. Landowners relate consultants to District Foresters, not timber buyers or loggers, but they have some miscon- ceptions. One landowner misconception is that they think consultants cannot enroll them for cost sharing, which is not true. Teaching landowners about cost-sharing might help to alleviate their unwillingness to pay for the services of a consultant. Another misconception is that landowners think the consultant works for the timber industry and not the land- owner. Landowners also expressed very strong desires to do the work on their property themselves. This might be why, as previously mentioned, laiidowners do not commonly seek out a consultant for advice only. 'T'd rather do it my- self" was the third most common answer to what would deter a landowner from hiring a consultant. However, most con- sultants report that they do provide landowner education aspects in their work. Marketing this advisory service might encourage "do-it-yourself-ers" to hire a private consultant in an advisory capacity. The most common deterrent to hiring a private con- sulting forester as identified by the landowners survey is having to pay. Consultants have to make the point to their potential clients that they are worth the investment. The opinion that hiring a forestry consultant increases the value of forestland was positively related to landowners consider- ing hiring a consultant. If landowners realize that cost-shar- ing is available through consultants and that there might be a long wait for free assistance through District Foresters, they might choose to use private consultants. The second most common deterrent was never having heard of a private con- sulting forester. This response indicates a fundamental un- awareness of the existence of the private consulting forestry profession. Making landowners aware of the profession is the first step to be taken even before educating them about potential services or benefits. Special emphasis should be placed on removing the constraints and barriers that currently limit private consult- ants; specifically the high rates for insurance and the workman's compensation rates consultants have to pay. However, based on our study, we conclude that lack of knowledge about consultants and their services is the most important barrier to the future hiring of a private consulting forester. In Illinois today, the number of private consulting foresters is slowly increasing, and the consultants indicate that business is good. Further development of structure and an increasing number of private consultants will continue to help the profession develop. As this happens, landown- ers will probably become more aware of the services offered by consultants, the benefits of employing consultants, and the true value of their forestland. The most significant gains in using a private con- sultants can be achieved by continuing to educate landown- ers about stewardship, the need use forestry professionals, and the rewards of prudent forest management. A copy of the entire publication Special Issue 1995-01, "A Study to Assess the Opportunities for Private Consulting Foresters m Illinois" bi/ M. K. Lowry, G. L. Rolfe and T. D. Marty, can be requested from the Department of Natural Resources and Envi- ronmental Sciences at the University ofllliiwis at ]N-503 Turner Hall, Urbana, 11,61801. (►^T £^' . N. ^, :- jT- tA^, k.\ ,,i^<.....,>-:-"-w^; ^> '-^~' *%.«^ Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^<^»-pm •^ -^j" 12 A Special Offer to Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Readers! Now you can subscribe to The Illinois Steward maga- zine and receive a 20% discount off the regular $10.00 annual subscription fee. That's right — only $8.00 will buy a year's worth of informative read- ing about Illinois natural history and heritage and efforts underway to protect them. If you're inter- ested in natural resource conservation, you won't want to miss an issue of this information packed, full-color publication. It has been called the "National Geographic of Illinois" by many of its read- ers. To take advantage of this special, one-time offer, simply fill out this order form and send it in with your $8.00 check. Your subscription will start with the Winter, 1997 issue. Happy Reading! A special 20% discount on a one-year subscription to Tlie Illinois Steward magazine for Illinois Forest Management Newsletter readers! Name Address City State Zip Home Phone (. J Send in this form with your $8.00 check payable to University of Illinois to: The Illinois Steward magazine, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 13 Illinois' 4-H Forestry Judging Team Competes in the National Invitational in West Virginia Every summer, Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp near Weston, WV plays host to the National 4-H Forestry Invita- tional. Set in the heavily wooded foothills of the Appala- chian Mountains, the 4-H Camp, once the site of the ancestoral home of General Stonewall Jackson, is an excel- lent facility to host this national contest for older 4-H mem- bers. This national event was started in 1980 and is spon- sored by International Paper Company Foundation and at- tracts 4-H forestry teams from across the nation. Illinois has been sending a team since 1984. To represent Illinois at the National Invitational, a county 4-H team must first wiii the State 4-H Forestry Con- test, which is held annually in mid-summer at the Univer- sity of Illinois. Illinois' 1996 National Invitational team hails from LaSalle County. The team members are Darcy Angel, Sara Lambert, and Justin Angel, and their coach is Dave Shiley, Natural Resource Extension Educator for the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service. The National Invitational is a very comprehensive event. The 4-Hers who train for this competition probably know more about forestry than a starting junior in college. Nineteen states competed in this year's Invitational. The events include tree identification, tree measurement, forest insect and disease identification, compass traverse, forest evaluation, the Forestry Bowl, and a written exam. This year, Illinois placed seventh in the competition. This was one of the closest Invitational's in its 17-year his- tory with less than 100 points separating 1st from 9th place. We are proud of the team's accomplishment, we are espe- cially proud of Justin Angel. Justin placed first out of 17 competitors in this year's event. For his achievement, Justin received the Will McElfresh Outstanding Scholastic Achieve- ment Award at the Invitational's Awards Banquet. Justin's name will be engraved on a plaque, which holds the names of the past Scholastic Achievement Winners and is perma- nently displayed at Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp. Con- gratulations Justin on your accomplishment from Illinois For- est Management Newsletter. The Illinois 4-H Foundation is looking for donors who would be willing to help sponsor the Illinois teams' trip to the National Invitational each year. If you are interested in helping sponsor Illinois 4-Hers to this educational event, please contact John Geissal, Executive Director, Illinois 4-H Foundation, 1908 University Inn, 302 E. John St., Champaign, IL 61820; 217/333-9295. ar^* Justin Angel, the 1996 National 4-H Forestry Invita- tional Outstanding Scholastic Achieve- ment Award Win- ner from Serena, Illinois (LaSalle County) and his coach, Dave Sliiley, Natural Resource Extension Educator with the Illinois Cooperative Exten- sion Service The Illinois 4-H Forestry Team; (I to r) Ruth Capsel, chaperon, Justin Angel, Darcy Angel, Sara Lambert, Dave Shiley, coach Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES ILLINOIS HU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 19283, Springfield, IL 62794-9283 Phono: (217) 492-4295 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE ILLINOIS DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, Illinois 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 NATURAL RESOURCES PRICE REPO(?TINC ZONES ZONE t June 10, 1996 PRICES PAID ILUNOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1995 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1996 Winter jawiimber price* paid lo Illinois timber growers showed no clear upward or downward trend for F.O.B. Mill arid stumpage compared to both the previous summer and winter. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of llicir 1996 operations, 50% indicated llieir volume was 500 thousand board feet or more. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Suiistics Service in cooperation with tl>e Illioois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey Is greatly appreciated. Illinois is divided into three price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilization standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit; Zone 2, the Claypan Unit; and Zone 3, the Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each zone are shown on the back of this report. T\m report can be used only xs a general guide for determining market value of timber. General market and economic conditions are tlie major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size and quality also affect the price paid. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 600 North Grand Avenue, West, Springfield, Illinois 62706. AVERAGE PRICES FOR STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. IN SELECTED PERIODS SAWTIMBER - $ PER M BD. FT. SPECIES November 1994-Febnjary 1995 May 1995 -August 1995 November 1995-Febr^iary 1996 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Ash 160 280 180 330 185 330 Basswood 100 220 100 190 105 200 Beech 70 100 70 160 60 170 Cottonwood 45 140 50 140 45 145 Sweet Gum 75 155 60 150 70 150 Elm Si Hackberry 75 160 60 150 65 145 Hickory 70 175 80 170 70 175 Soft Maple 85 195 80 200 85 210 Sugar Maple HO 225 120 250 115 260 Black Oak 130 265 150 320 160 330 Pin Oak 75 165 70 160 65 160 Red Oak 243 400 220 390 235 395 White Oak 195 335 220 380 235 390 Yellow Poplar 100 240 120 230 130 250 Sycamore 60 175 60 160 60 160 Black Walnut 300 545 380 540 360 550 Woods Run Bottomland 75 160 80 190 90 200 Woods Run Upland 120 200 130 300 140 310 FACE VENEER - $ PER M BD. FT. Red Oak White Oak Wabut 700 920 1,600 870 1,680 2,090 570 940 1,420 940 1,550 1.990 585 950 1.650 980 1,610 2,010 COOPERAGE - $ PER M BD. FT. j White Oak 190 400 250 420 240 415 UNPEELED PULPWOOD - $ PER TON Ton .60 15.00 2.00 17.90 2.00 17.95 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ■c ^^ \^:^ ^J 15 Timber Prices November 1995-Februtry 1996 June 10. 1996 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILUNOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS November 1995 - Febtvary 1996 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 | PRODUCT UNIT Stumpage F.O.B. MUl Stumpage F.O.B. MiU Stumpage F.O.B. MUl 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash Bauwood Beech Mbd. fi. 100-200 300-450 100-350 200-450 100-250 150-300 Mbd. ft. 60-100 200-250 20-230 100-300 30-200 130-250 Cottonwood Mbd. ft. 20-100 140-200 80-120 100- 180 50-100 100- 180 Sweet Gum M bd. ft. 20- 60 140- 180 30- 80 100- 180 20- 50 100- 160 Elm & Hackberry Hickory Soft Maple Sugar Maple Mbd. ft. 30-100 140-200 40-100 100- 160 50-100 130- 180 Mbd. ft. 20- 80 140-200 20-100 100- 180 30-100 130-200 Mbd. ft. 40-100 150-250 20-160 120-200 30-150 100-200 Black Oak Pin Oak Mbd. ft. 30- 80 150-200 30-150 100-300 80-150 130- 280 Red Oak Mbd. ft. 40-150 150-300 60-200 150-300 100-200 250- 350 While Oak M bd. ft. 100-200 250-450 100-300 200-550 20-250 220-400 Yellow Poplar Sycamore Black Walnut Mbd. ft. 30-110 140-200 30-120 100-200 20-150 130- 200 Mbd. ft. 110-350 200-500 60-400 200-550 70-400 200-460 Woods Run Bouomland Mbd. ft. 100-300 300-450 60-350 280-550 70-450 250-400 Woods Run Upland Mbd. ft. 90-160 140-300 120-180 150-350 80 200 180- 300 M bd. ft. 20- 60 140-200 50- 80 100-200 30- 80 100-200 M bd. ft. 200-400 400-650 200-500 380- 650 200-600 500-700 Mbd. ft. 50-100 150-230 50-120 140-25 50-100 180-200 Mbd. ft. 100-300 150-450 50-300 140-450 50-200 180-400 1 STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.E . MiU 2. Face Veneer Red Oak White Oak Wahiut M bd. ft. M bd. ft. Mbd. ft. 310-1,270 250-1,550 580-3.020 420- 950- 1,060- 1.450 2,250 3,570 4. Pulpwood Ui^eeled Mbd. ft. Too 140- 300 1.75- 2.30 350- 16.80- 440 20.10 1 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Percent Using Doyle Scribner International 97 3 0 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reiwrting Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 ILUNOIS 2 3 5 10 Rates Reixarted $/M bd. ft. 100 -200 100 -200 110 -300 100 -300 VOLUME OF 1995 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. ft. Zone 1 Zopl Z^ AH 1 - 100 15 7 60 22 100 -500 15 33 26 28 500 - 1,000 31 20 - 17 1,000 - 3,000 8 20 7 14 3.000 -(- 31 20 7 19 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veiaeer is logs cut into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used ia making paper, fiberboard, and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into lumber or tiinbers. F.O.B- refers to tne price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES - NOVEMBER 1995 - FEBRUARY 1996 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* Woods Run Upland $140-$408/M bd. ft. Woods Run Bottomland Insu^icient Data ♦Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Jeny Clampet, State Statiiticun Steve Peterson, Gury D. Kepley. Agricultural Statisticians 'Printed by autbority of the State of Illinois.' 06/10/96, 1,700. 1.499 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 NON-PROFIT ORG, U.S. POSTA( UR^InA, IL 61801 TRMIT # 25 Ag Library Serials Clerk 226 Mumford Hall 1301 W Gregory Dr CAMPUS MAIL MC-710 EDITORIAL OFFICE: W-503 TURNER HALL, 1102 S. GOODWIN AVE., URBANA, IL 61801 Cooperative Extension Service University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign «ui>n ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners M'^R 0 3 1997 ^G Li bran IN THIS ISSUE Pagel Private Forest-land Owners of the Northern United States, 1994. Page 14 Illinois Timber Prices Karen Colbert Volume 2, 1996 No. 31 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Forestry and the Coop- erative Extension Service. Our newsletter features informa- tion from many sources to help you make informed deci- sions concerning your woodland resources. We encourage your questions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Direct your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801. The following study report entitled "Private Forest-land Own- ers of the Northern United States, 1994" by Thomas W. Birch is reprinted in part from USDA-Forest Service Northeastern Forest Experiment Station Resource Bulletin NE-136. Where appropriate, landowner data specific to Illinois has been added to the report in bracketed, italic print. The report pro- vides tabulated data for the Northeastern and North Cen- tral Regions of the U.S., which includes 20 states (see Figure 2 on Page 4). A copy of the complete report is available from: USDA Forest Service. Publications Distribution. 359 Main Road. Delaware. OH 43015. In the interest of space, copies of the following items are available from the Editor of this newsletter; the study's procedure for estimating the number of private forest landowners by state; the questionaire used in the study; tabular data for Illinois; and a complete list of the literature cited in the study report. Private Forest-land Owners of the Northern United States, 1994 by Thomas W. Birch Introduction Our forest resources are vital to the social and economic well- being of our society. Good management of the forest requires a thorough knowledge of the resource base and the factors affecting it. Forest owners are the essential connecting link between the general public and the land. This publication reports on the Northern United States from a 1994 study of State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment the forest-land owners nationwide (Birch 1996) and includes estimates of the number of private forest-land ownerships. Also described are ownership objectives, expected benefits, harvest experience, intention to harvest, and management planning. The first nationwide ownership study was con- ducted in 1978 (Birch and others 1982). This report also re- views trends that have occurred between the 1978 and 1994 national surveys. In this report, an ownership unit refers to persons, combina- tions of persons, or legal entities such as corporations, part- nerships, clubs, trusts, Indian Tribes, and Native corpora- tions. One person may own several parcels or partial inter- est in several parcels. An ownership unit controls a parcel or group of parcels of land. Our sample is drawn from the land itself (parcel by parcel), and the owner of record (the appar- ent owner) is determined. Finally, an individual who has some control of an amount of land (not exclusively the par- cel sampled) responds to the survey. Therefore, ownership units and not owners are being sampled . Landowners have rights and responsibilities regarding their land. These include the right to purchase additional land or sell existing holdings, determine land use, and choose the type and level of investment. These rights all ftmction within the limits allowed and imposed by society. Ownership of land fixes responsibility for decisionmaking, establishes a claim on income accruing to land, and determines how wealth in land is distributed (Lewis 1980; Boxley 1977; Wunderlich 1978). Data Collection The USDA Forest Service's 1992 estimate of 736.7 million acres of forest nationwide, essentially unchanged from 1977, represents 33 percent of the total land area (Powell and oth- ers 1993). Of this, private "forest-land" owners (this term and others are defined at the end of this article) hold 423.8 mil- lion acres (58 percent). Two-thirds of the Nation's forests (490 million acres) are classified as timberland. Of this, 358 mil- lion acres are in private ownership. This study is based on an estimate of 129.6 million acres of private forest land, which includes essentially all of the private timberland plus samples of "other forest" in the 20 Northern States. In 1977, for comparison, 736.6 million acres of the United States were in forest. Of this, 347 million acres were classi- fied as privately owned timberland (USDA For. Serv. 1982). The 1978 study of private forest-land owners of the United States included an estimate of 333 million acres developed by USDA Economic Research Service, Natural Resource Eco- nomics Division, from the National Resources Inventory (NRI) of the USDA Soil Conservation Service. The difference of 14 million acres (4 percent) was attributed to differences in definitions (Birch and others 1982). It was felt that the pro- portions from the 1978 study could be applied to the timber- land base for resource planning purposes. The NRI reported an estimated 114.1 million acres of private forest in the North- em United States; the Forest Service estimate was 122.3 mil- lion acres. Indian lands which have been added to the cur- rent estimate of private forest, totaled 855,600 acres in the northern portion of the Nation in 1978. The other national estimate of forest-land owners is from the "Timber Resource Review of 1953" (USDA For. Serv 1958). The 1953 data did not include estimates of owners in the East with fewer than 3 acres. Therefore, direct compari- son of numbers of owners should not be made. The com- parison by broad size classes could be of some use if coupled with trend data by ownership group (Wall 1981). State-level studies conducted by the Northeastern and North Central Forest Experiment Stations (Birch 1982, 1986, 1989, 1992; Birch and Dermis 1980; Birch and Kingsley 1978; Birch and Powell 1978; Carpenter and Hansen 1985; Carpenter and others 1986; Kingsley 1975, 1976; Kingsley and Birch 1977, 1980; Kingsley and Finley 1975; Widmann and Birch 1988) are comparable with the current study. The 1978 data were gathered from 11,076 sample locations nationwide by the USDA Economic Research Service. The 1994 study was conducted by Forest Inventory and Analy- sis (FIA) units of the Forest Service in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Natu- ral Resources Conservation Service, in support of the Forest Stewardship Program of the Forest Service's, State and Pri- vate Forestry (Birch 1996). Questionnaires for the 1994 study were mailed to 23,334 owners of 28,194 privately owned for- ested sample plots. Sample-plot locations were from NRI or FIA plots. Responses from 6,810 ownerships that control 7,965 of these sample plots have been included in this re- port. Private Forest Owners An estimated 3.9 million private forest-land ownership units hold 130 million acres of forest land in the Northern United Illinois Forest Management Newsletter v. * J xjt States. These owners are diverse in legal organization, eco- nomic circumstances, personal characteristics, ownership objectives, and management experience. [It is estimated that Illinois has slightly more than 3.64 million acres of forest land owned by 114,500 private ownership units. Sixty-four (64) per- cent of these ownership units hold parcels of forest land that are more than 10 acres size.] Nationwide, about 94 percent of the private ownerships are individuals, collectively holding 71 percent of the privately owned forest land (Fig. 1). Corporations hold 20 percent, and the remaining 9 percent is held by partnerships, undivided estates, clubs, associations, and Indian Tribes. [Of the 73,500 ownership units with forested tracts greater than 10 acres in Illi- nois, 86 percent are individuals who control more than 83 percent of the privately owned forest land.] Since 1978, individual ownerships, including joint husband and wife and family ownerships other than family corpora- tions, increased in number and in the proportion of private forest land owned (Fig. 1, Table 1 - Editor's Note: All Tables referenced in this report appear at the end of this article. ). Partnerships decreased both in number of ownership units and in the proportion of private forest land owned. The num- ber of corporations that own forest land decreased while the acreage of forest land owned increased slightly. The number of "Other" ownerships, such as sport and recreation clubs, undivided estates, trusts, and Indian Tribes, decreased since 1978 but the area owned increased. Sport and recreation clubs are an important ownership com- ponent in such states as Pennsylvania, New York, and Michi- gan (Birch and Dennis 1980; Bir\kley and others 1980; Birch 1983; Baumgartner and Rudolph 1974). Undivided estates are important in Maine and West Virginia, (Birch and Kingsley 1978; Birch 1986). Indian Tribes are important own- ership group in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wiscon- sin . The Northern United States is divided into two regions (North Central and Northeastern), and four subregions: New England, Mid- Atlantic, Lake, and Central States (Fig. 2, Table 2). Data tabulations for these regions, subregions, and states are presented in the complete report available from the For- est Service's Publications Distribution Office (see beginning of this report for the address). In 1978, the Northern United States had an estimated 3.3 million private forest-land ownership units totaling 114 mil- lion acres. The 1994 estimate is 3.9 million ownerships and 130 million acres of forest land. Forest fragmentation is par- ticularly important in southern New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island) and other areas with a dense urban population. The distribution of ownership by size class has changed since IINDIVIDUAL& JOINT B PARTNERSHIP D CORPORATION D OTHER 1978 OWNERS 1994 OWNERS 1978 ACRES 1994 ACRES Figure 1 .—Distribution of private ownerships, by fomri of ownership, Northern United States, 1978 and 1994. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter *.- Sji^ NORTH CENTRAL Lake States NORTHEASTERN New England States Central States Mid-Atlantic States Figure 2.— Regions and sub regions for private forest-land owners of the Northern United States, 1994. 1978 (Fig. 3, Table 3). The number of private ownerships with fewer than 10 acres of forest land decreased from 2.4 to 2.0 million. Acreage in this class increased from 4.6 to 6.3 mil- lion acres. The number of ownerships with 10 to 49 acres of forest increased from 469,000 in 1978 to 1.3 million in 1994. Acreage in this class increased from 11.6 to 28.3 million acres. The number of owners with 50 to 99 acres of forest increased from 196,000 to 333,000 while the acreage owned by this group increased from 14.3 to 21.9 million acres from 1978 to 1994. [In Illinois in 1993, 6 percent of individual ownerships ovmed more than 100 acres. Across all ownership units, only 10 percent own more than 100 acres, but this represents 39 percent of the forest land in Illinois.] The area in ownerships of more than 100 acres supports ef- fective timber management. The proportion of ownerships with written plans increases with size of ownership. If the approximately 260,000 owners withi more than 100 acres of forest worked with professional foresters, nearly 75 percent of the Northern U.S. forests could be placed under manage- ment. However, working only with this group would pre- clude the development of a broad-based supportive constitu- ency (Birch and Pywell 1986). More than 92 percent of the private ownerships control fewer than 100 acres of forest land each, and they hold more than 25 percent of private forest land. It is this portion of the re- source about which fragmentation and rapid turnover are of greatest concern. While timber harvesting is not the pri- mary reason for owning forest land for many of these own- ers, many have harvested and will harvest trees for sale to forest products companies. The implications of changing ownership patterns are signifi- cant. The yearly transition to many new forest owners makes it difficult to impart information about management and activities such as stewardship programs. As a result, the use of mass communication, particularly the electronic media, is essential (Birch and Pywell 1986). More than 33 percent of the current owners acquired forest land for the first time since 1978. These owners control 24 percent of private forest land (Fig. 4, Table 4). The group with the largest decrease both in numbers of owners and acreage owned included people who first acquired forest land between 1970 and 1977. [Thirty- five percent of owners in Illinois acquired forest land between 1960 and 1969. Only 13 percent have acquired their forest land since 1979.] The social and economic characteristics of private forest-land owners and their objectives must be considered when de- veloping management programs. For example, as owners age, some may harvest because they need money for retire- ment. By contrast, it is beUeved that "baby boomers" who are well-known for their environmental concerns and high Illinois Forest Management Newsletter c ■'' V-' ♦'^ OWNERS 1994 ACRES OWNED 1994 NO ANSWER 7% WRITTEN PLAN 5% NO ANSWER 4% WRITTEN PLAN NIPF 19% NO WRITTEN PLAN 88% WRITTEN PLAN INDUSTRY 10% NO WRITTEN PLAN 67% Figure 9. — Distribution of private ownerships and acres of forest land owned, by whether a written management plan had been prepared, Northern United States, 1 994. OWNER CONSULTANT INDUSTRIAL FORESTER STATE EMPLOYEE USDA AGENCIES OTHER ' y ■■■p T 1 PBIHP ^ ■ OWNERS 1994 D ACRES 1994 T 5 I ) 1 r 0 10 15 20 PERCENT 25 30 35 Figure 10. — Distribution of nonindustrial private ownerships (NIPF) and acres of forest land owned, by who prepared the written plan, Northern United States, 1994. 40 never intend to harvest. This represents 19 percent of the forest land in Illinois. An additional 24 percent of the owners holding 28 percent of the forested land were indefinate about harvest plans.] Management Planning With the advent of the Forest Stewardship Program there has been increased interest in written management plans. An estimated 5 percent of private forest-land owners have a written management plan for their acreage (Fig. 9, Table 10). These owners control 29 percent of private forest land. Forest industry owns 34 percent of the forest land held by those with a written plan. The other 66 percent of the forest area is controlled by more than 205,500 nonindustrial pri- vate forest (NIPF) owners with some form of written plan. Nearly 18 percent of the NIPF owners with a management = Illinois Forest Management Newsletter f*^- plan prepared it themselves (Fig. 10, Table 11). These own- ers control 16 percent of the area covered by written plans. This includes some ownerships that employ foresters to pre- pare their plan. An estimated 13 percent of the NIPF plans were prepared by consultants, accounting for 35 percent of forest land covered by written plans. Industrial foresters pre- pared 3 percent of the plans for an estimated 8 percent of the area covered by NIPF written plans. State service foresters and wildlife biologists have been pre- paring management plans for a long time. They wrote 37 percent of the plans for NIPF owners that cover 27 percent of the private acreage. Agencies such as the USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, USDA Extension Service, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service prepared the remaining 28 percent of the plans that cover the remaining 25 percent of the forest under a management plan. Totals exceed 100 per- cent because some owners listed more than one agency or person preparing their plans. Conclusion The extent to which the private forest resources of the United States are needed, managed, and utilized in the future will depend on the complex set of interrelated factors that oper- ated in the past. These include trends in the tastes and pref- erences of the owners of forest land; technological changes in the production, marketing, and utilization of wood prod- ucts and their substitutes; strength of the American dollar, trade deficits, inflation, and other economic forces; attitudes of forest-land owners and other citizenry toward timber management and cutting; and attractiveness of local busi- ness climates and living environments to developing indus- tries. Only time will tell how all these factors will interact. For now, watchful monitoring and good stewardship is needed to maintain the productivity of forested ecosystems for future generations. Definition of Terms Farmer-owned lands. Lands owned by farm operators, whether part of the farmstead or not. Forest Ipdustries. Companies or individuals operating pri- mary wood using plants. Forest Industry lands. Lands owned by companies of indi- viduals operating wood using plants. Forest land. Land that is at least 16.7 percent stocked (con- tains at least 7.5 square feet of basal area) by forest trees of any size, or that formerly has such tree cover and is not cur- rently developed for non-forest use. (Forest trees are woody plants that have a well developed stem and usually are more than 12 feet in height at maturity.) The minimum area for classification of forest land is one acre. Ownership unit. All types of legal entities having owner- ship interest in land, regardless of the number of people in- volved. It is the locus of decision making for each parcel, whether an individual (sole proprietor), group of individu- als (partnerships, or undivided estates), or legal person (cor- poration, trust, or tribe). Private timberland. All timberland other than that owned by federal, state, or local goveniments or their agencies. Timberland. Forest land that is producing or capable of pro- ducing crops of industrial wood (more than 20 cubic feet/ acre /year) and that is not withdrwan from timber utiliza- tion. Other forest. Forest land other than timberland, including: oak woodlands in western Texas and Oklahoma; Juniper woodlands in California and Oregon; Pinon Juniper land in the Rocky Mountains; and much of interior Alaska. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter <' %/J 11 Table 1. Estimated numt>er and percentage of private ownerstiip units and acres of forest land owned, by type of owmershlp, Northern UnKed States, 1978 and 1994 1978 1994 Ownership Thousands Percent Thousands Percent individual Partnership Corporation Other 2.823 267 128 72 85.8 8.1 3.9 2.2 OWNERS 3.703 103 74 51 94.2 2.6 1.9 1.3 Total 3.290 100.0 3.931 100.0 1978 1994 Ownership Millions Percent Millions Percent Individual Partnership Corporation Other 74.7 11.2 24.6 3.6 65.5 9.8 21.6 3.1 ACRES 91.8 8.2 25.7 3.9 70.9 6.3 19.8 3.0 Total 114.1 100.0 129.6 100.0 Table 2. Estimated number and percentage of private ownership units and acres of forest land owned, by state, subregion, and region. Northern United States, 1978 and 1994 Region, subregion, 1978 1994 and state Owners Acres Owners Acres (Thousands) (Millions) (Thousands) (Millions) Connecticut 95.6 1.329 102.0 1.553 Maine 241.4 15.698 255.6 17.060 Massachusetts 143.6 2.835 212.8 2.529 New Hampshire 122.3 4.307 83.7 4.144 Rhode Island 12.9 .123 26.7 .338 Vermont 53.3 3.926 80.5 ' 3.993 New England 669.1 28.218 761.3 29.617 Delaware 9.5 .318 17.3 .346 Maryland 42.2 1.886 130.6 2.272 New Jersey 108.0 1.283 88.7 1.401 New York 824.8 10.406 475.4 14.367 Pennsylvania 492.8 10.677 513.9 12.508 West Virginia 248.4 9.779 260.4 10.745 Mid-Atlantic 1.725.7 34.349 1.486.3 41.640 North East 2.394.8 62.567 2,256.4 71.328 Illinois 61.0 2.860 114.5 3.641 Indiana 48.1 3.740 151.3 3.771 Iowa 11.6 1.724 55.4 1.807 Missouri 80.7 10.630 307.2 11.630 Ohio 133.6 5.420 329.2 7.191 Central 335.0 24.373 957.7 28.040 Michigan 301.7 11.477 332.7 12.039 Minnesota 62.6 6.510 147.4 7.317 Wisconsin 195.4 9.127 245.8 10.898 Lake 559.7 27.114 725.9 30.254 North Central 894.7 51.488 1.683.6 57.002 Northern United 3.289.5 114.054 3.931.2 129.551 States: Illinois forest Management Newsletter fof««t tamd owfMd, by atxm cIm* of owiMraMp, NortiMm iMtrnd ttalM. 197B and 1M4 1978 1994 Size dass (no. acres) Thousands Psfcant Thousands Percent OWNERS 1-9 2.364 71.9 2.036 51.8 10-49 469 14.2 1.305 33.2 50-99 196 6.0 333 85 100-499 242 7.4 242 6.2 500-999 13 .4 10 .2 1000+ 5 .1 5 .1 Total 3.289 100.0 3.931 100.0 1978 1994 Size class (no. acres) MiUlons Pefcant Minions Percent ACRES 1-9 4.6 4.0 6.3 4.9 10-49 11.6 10.1 28.3 21.8 50-99 14.3 12.5 21.9 16.9 100-499 45.4 39.8 37.7 29.1 500-999 8.7 7.6 6.1 4.7 1000+ 29.5 25.9 29.3 22.6 Total 114.1 100.0 129.6 100.0 \^embe/• T R E E FARM Table 4. Estimated number and percentage of private ownership units and acres of forest land owned, by date of acquisition, Northern United States, 1978 and 1994 1978 1994 Date of acquisition Thousands Percent Thousands Percent OWNERS 1978-93 0 0 1.308 33.3 1970-77 1,142 34.7 780 19.8 1960-69 1,045 31.8 832 21.2 1950-59 376 11.4 321 8.2 Prior to 1950 652 19.8 395 10.0 No answer 75 2.3 295 7.5 Total 3.290 100.0 3.931 100.0 1978 1994 Date of acquisition Millions Percent Millions Percent ACRES 1978-93 0 0 30.4 23.5 1970-77 27.5 24.2 21.5 16.5 1960-69 28.4 24.9 23.5 18.1 1950-59 17.9 15.6 15.4 11.9 Prior to 1950 31.2 27.3 32.1 24.8 No answer 9.1 8.0 6.7 5.2 Total 114.1 100.0 129.6 100.0 Tabia 6. Estimated numbM- and parcwitega of private ownarsMp untts and acraa of forest land owned, by ownar% oocupaUon. Norttmn United Stetes, 1978 and 1994 1978 1994 Occupation Thousands Psfoant Thousands Percent OWNERS White coHar 1,190 42.2 1.163 31.4 BluecoNar 773 27J 600 16.2 Fanner 115 4.1 330 8.9 Retired 675 23.9 1,140 30.8 Other 70 2.S 470 12.7 Total, individuals 2.823 100.0 3,703 100.0 1978 1994 Occupation Millions Percent Millions Percent ACRES White collar 18.3 24.5 25.2 27.4 Blue collar 17.0 22.8 11.0 12.0 Fanner 19.4 2S.9 14.6 15.8 Retired 16.5 22.0 29.5 32.2 Other 3.5 4.8 11.5 12.6 Total, individuals 74.7 100.0 91.8 100.0 Table 6. Estimated number and percentage of private ownership units and acres of forest land owned, by primary reason for owning forest land, Northern United SUtes, 1994 Owners Acres Reason for owning Thousands Percent Millions Percent (.and investment 215.4 5.5 9.8 7.6 Recreation 515.8 13.1 19.9 15.4 Timber production 38.1 1.0 24.2 18.6 Farm & domestic use 383.9 9.8 14.2 11.0 Enjoyment of owning 634.8 16.1 13.5 10.4 Part of farm 599.4 15.2 16.2 12.5 Part of residerK» 1.043.2 26.5 13.7 10.6 Other 344.9 8.8 16.3 12.5 No answer 155.5 4.0 1.8 1.4 Total 3.931.2 100.0 129.6 100.0 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter <" '•v -^- 13 Tabto 7. Estknatad numlMr and peraantag* of ownaraMp unHa and acraa of foraat land ownad, by primary banaflt axpadad bi tha naxt 10 yaara from owming foraat land, Norttiam UnMad Stataa, 1994 Owners Acres Expectad benefit Thousands Percent MiUions Percent Land value increase 553.9 13.6 17.9 13.8 Recreation 496.7 12.7 20.0 15.4 Timber production 124.9 3.2 30.4 23.5 Fami & domestic use 523.9 13.3 13.8 10.6 Er^oyment at owning 1.546.0 39.3 30.6 23.7 Rre««od 201.9 5.1 6.4 4.9 Other 223.4 5.7 6.6 5.1 No answer 280.5 7.1 3.9 3.0 Total 3.9^1.2 100.0 129.6 100.0 Table 8. Estimated number and percentage of private ownership units and acres of foraat land owned, by harvest experiance. Northern United States, 1994 Owners Acres Harvest exper>er>ce Thousands Percent MiUions Percent Han/ester Nonhan/ester 1.928.1 2.003.1 49.0 51.0 97.0 32.6 74.9 25.1 Total 3.931.2 100.0 129.6 100.0 Table 9. Estimated number and percentage of private owrtership units and acres of forest land owned, by expected time of future harvest, Northern United States, 1994 Owners Acres Table 10. EaUmatad number and parcantaga of private ownarahip unHs and a UnNad Stataa, 1994 craaof Intention to harvest 1-10 years Thousands 1,357.0 1,126.0 1,150.9 297.3 Percent 34.5 28.6 29.3 7.6 Millions 79.3 31.5 14.9 3.9 Percent 61.2 24.3 11.5 3.0 indefinite Piaparation o( management plan Owners with written plans: Forest industry NIPF owners Owrwrs with no written plan No answer Total 3,931.2 Owners Acres Never No answer Thousands 206.5 1X> 205.5 3,449.5 275.2 100.0 Percent S.2 .5 99.5 67.8 7.0 129,6 MiUions 36.1 12.9 25.2 86.2 5.3 100.0 Percent Total 3,931.2 100.0 129.6 100.0 29.4 r% 33.9 66.1 66.4 4.2 Tal)to 11. Estimated number arKl percentage of private owrtership units ar>d acre* of forest larKl owned, by wtw prepared written management plan for NIPF owners. Northern United States, 1994 Owners Acres Preparation of Thousands Percent Millions Percent martagement plan NIPF owners with written plan: 205.5 100.0 25.2 100.0 Plan prepared by: Owner 37.5 18.3 4.0 15.8 Consultant 27.5 13.4 8.7 34.6 Industrial forester 6.6 3.2 2.0 7.8 State employee 75.4 36.7 6.7 26.5 Extension 6.8 3.3 .6 2.5 NRCS* 23.6 11.5 1.7 6.6 Other 28.1 13.6 4.0 15.8 Total* 205.5 100.0 27.7 109.6 •National Resources Conservation Service. 'Totals exc^eed 100 percent t)ecause some plans prepared by more than orra person. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES ILLINOIS HU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 19283, Springtleld, IL 62794-9283 Phone: 1217) 492-4295 AQRICULTURAL STATiyncs SERVICE DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avvnue West SpringfWd, RHrwts 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 !1 ZONE 3 h=^ 5A r- '^vSr- f- s?\ L'CSrrv V ^^a=^^sru< \ IS 2lJ^V^» ■'^ ZONE 2 PRICE " REP0R1ING ZONES ZONE 1 Dtcember4, 1996 PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS MAY 1996 THROUGH AUGUST 1996 Summer uwthnber price* paid lo Illinois tiitiKt (rowers showed ao dear upward or downward trend for P.O.B. Mil) and itumpase compared to bodi lite previous nnmncr ami winler. or Ihc llniher buyers reporting votume of lliclr 1996 iificratiuns, 42% Indicalcd lltclr vtHumo was 500 tlKMsand board leet or more. Tliis report la prepared by Ifae Illinois Agriculttiral Statistics Service in cooperation with the Illinois Divisioa of Porett Resourcet. Unless otherwise indicated, prices showa in this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in tlie survey is greatly appreciated. Illinois Is divided into throe price-rcpottlng zones, based on limber resources, similarity, utilizMlon Mandanls and practices and toil types. Zone I is the Southern UnH; Zone 2, the aaypan Unit; and Zone 3, dw Prairie Unit. Ranges of prices for each toot are shown on die beck of Uiis report. Hiiii report can be uxcd only as a general guide for determining market value of ibnber. General market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factors. Certain local conaideratioos stich as accetsMity, site and terrain, distance lo iiMrket, size of sale, and tree size and qtiality also affect the price paid.. Por technical, marketing or mattagement assistance, contact your local Stale Forester, or die Division of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 600 North Grand Avenue. West, Sprlngncld. Illinois 62706. AVERAGE PRICES POR STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. IN SELECTED PERIODS FT. SPECIES May 1995 .SlUlll|KipC 180 100 70 50 -August 1995 "r.oT.irMiii — 330 190 160 140 November 1995-February 1996 May 1996-August 1996 Sluinpagc 185 105 60 45 P.U.II. Mill Slumpage P.O.D. Mill Ash Dasswood Deccli Couonwood 330 200 170 145 170 340 100 230 80 180 50 ISO Sweet Ouffi Elm A Hackbeny lllcknry Soa Maple 60 «) Ml 80 150 150 170 200 70 65 70 85 150 145 175 210 85 170 60 150 Ml 160 95 210 Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak 120 150 70 220 250 320 160 390 115 160 65 235 2fiO 330 160 395 120 190 160 270 65 160 230 390 Willie Uak YeUow Poplar Sycamore Black WahNtt 220 120 60 380 380 230 160 540 235 130 60 360 390 250 160 550 220 390 120 350 70 150 320 510 Woods Run Bottomland Woods Run Upland 80 130 190 300 90 140 200 310 85 ISO no 300 FACE VENEER - $ PER M BD. FT. COOPERAOB - $ PER M BD. FT. White Oak 250 420 240 415 280 600 UNPEELED PULPWOOD - $ PER TON Ton 2.00 17.90 2.00 17.95 IJO 16.80 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Timber Prices May 1996-August 1996 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILUNOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS May 1996 • August 1996 PRODUCT UNIT Zone 1 Zone 2 Zones 1 Slumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. Mill 1. Sawtimber Dollars Ash Mbd. ft. 100-200 300-400 150-350 350-400 120 -200 300-420 Basswood Mbd. ft. NA NA 50-150 150-350 50-150 190-300 Beech M Ixl. ft. 65 - 100 150 - 200 NA NA NA NA Colloiiwood M 1x1. ft. m- 90 150-210 40- 60 120- ISO 40- 60 130 - 190 Swcel Gum M 1x1. ft. 70-100 150- 200 NA NA NA NA Elm & Hackberry M bd. ft. 60 -100 150-200 50-100 120- 180 50-100 150- 190 Hickory M bd. ft. 70-100 120 - 180 50-100 120 - 180 50-100 120- 190 Soft Mnpic M Ixl. ft. 60 - 95 140 - 250 40-150 120 - 250 60-100 190-250 Sugar Maple Mbd. ft. 60-130 140 - 200 100-150 150-250 120 - 150 190-250 Black Oak M bd. ft. 80-200 200-300 100-200 200-400 100-200 190-380 Pin Oak M bd. ft. 80-100 130-200 50 - 120 120 - 200 50-150 150- 190 Red Oak M Ixl. ft. 100-250 250-400 100 -250 250-550 150-250 300-420 White Oak Mbd. ft. 200-300 350-450 180 -350 420 - 650 150-300 300-480 Yellow Poplar M bd. ft. 100-150 300-400 100 - 140 300-400 NA NA Sycamore M btl. ft. .50- 95 160-200 50-100 100-200 40- 75 100-200 Black Walnut M bd. ft. 200-400 450 - 550 220 -400 450 - 550 200-400 450 - 550 Woods Run Bottomland Mbd. ft. 60-100 170 - 230 50-150 150 - 200 90-100 NA Woods Run Upland M bd. ft. 95-150 170 - 400 50-150 150-400 75-150 NA 2. Face Veneer STATEWIDE 1 Slumpage F.O.B . Mill Red Oak M bd. ft. 200-1.250 450- 1.500 While Oak M bd. ft. 300-1.500 1.000- 2.000 Walnut M bd. ft. 250-1.700 1.000- 3.000 3. CoopcraEC White Oak M bd. ft. 200- 400 400- 700 4. Pulpwood Unpecled Ton 1.75- 2.45 16.50 - 20.00 LOG SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Doyle Scribner International Percent Using 100 0 0 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Reiwrting Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 ILLINOIS 3 13 5 21 Rales Reported $/M bd. ft. 100 - 180 100 - 150 150 - 180 100 - 180 VOLUME OP 1995 OPERATIONS Size in (000) bd. ft. ?one \ % 7pne2 % 2on?? % M % 1 - 100 15 7 60 22 100-500 15 33 26 28 500- 1.000 31 20 - 17 1.000 - 3.000 8 20 7 14 3.000 -♦- 31 20 7 19 Cooperage is the manufacture of barrels. Face veneer is logs cut into thin sheets or "veneer" used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood Is used in making paper, fiberboard. and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet. Sawtimber refers to logs that are cut into lumber or timbers. F.O.B. refers to Ihc price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES - MAY 1996 - AUGUST 1996 STATEWIDE STUMPAGE* Woods Run Upland $IOO-$323/M 1x1. ft. W(xkIs Run Uolluml.iiid Insufllcicnt Dnin ♦Prices supplied to District Foresters by seller, may include some veneer. Jerry Clampct, Stale Slnlislici.iii Sieve Peterson, Garry D. Kcplcy, Agricullurnl Sinlislicians "Primed l)y aulliority of llie Stale of Illinois," 12/04/%, l,7(K). 5.359 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter CES Newsletter Service University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 69 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID URBANA, IL 61801 PERMIT # 25 Ag Library Serials Clerk 226 Mumford Hail 1301 W Gregory Dr CAMPUS MAIL MC-71 EDITORIAL OFHCE: W-503 TURNER HALL, 1102 S. GOODWIN AVE., URBANA, IL 61801 Cooperative Extension Service University ol Illinois at Urtjana-Champaign L Jill 1 6 1997 J I AG Librarv' ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 How To Measure Trees To Determine Their Board-Foot Volume And Value Page 11 Illinois Timber Prices (Nov. 1996 - Feb. 1997) Page 13 Illinois Sawtimber And Face Veneer Price Trends For Selected Species (1976-1996) Karen Colbert Volume 1, 1997 No. 32 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Ser- vice. Our newsletter features information from many sources to help you make informed decisions concerning your wood- land resources. We encourage your questions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Di- rect your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801. HOW TO MEASURE TREES TO DETERMINE THEIR BOARD-FOOT VOLUME AND VALUE We frequently receive calls from landowners who have been approach by a buyer who has expressed interest in their tim- ber. The first question posed in the conversation normally is.. ."How do 1 know if I have been offered a fair price?". ..and is followed by.. ."How do 1 know what my timber is worth?" Obviously there is no way of answering the first part of the question without walking the timber, making some obser- vations, and taking some measurements. And even then, what is a fair offer to one person may be totally out of line to another. A buyer may be making a genuinely fair offer based on his ability to market the timber he buys. Another buyer might come along with a totally different set of markets and be able to make the first buyer look like an absolute crook in the eyes of the landowner. Who made the fair offer? Most likely both did, but their ability to market the timber reflects what they could afford to pay for it. The following example emphasizes this point. A recent sealed bid sale in IlUnois brought bids in the range of $32,000 to $123,000. Most of the bids were grouped toward the bottom of this range. It's prob- ably not hard to guess who the landowner sold to, and in fact, most of the unsuccessful timber buyers wanted to know how the successful bidder could afford to pay that much for the timber. As it turned out he had a veneer market for the large volume of sycamore logs that the others did not have. Our suggestion to landowners who know little about their timber or how to market it is not to get in a hurry and give State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in Programs and Employment serious thought to hiring a forester to represent their inter- est. Nationwide less that 10% of the timber sold involves a professional forester. In Illinois, this figure is probably closer to 5%. The more you know about your timber, the better pre- pared you will be deal with unsolicited offers that come your way. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that something you considered to be of minimal value may, in fact, be worth quite a bit, and with a little management could be worth considerably more in the future. To answer the second part of the question.. ."How do I know what my timber is worth?". ..you could hire a consulting for- ester to appraise your timber or you could learn how to measure and evaluate the timber yourself. This article pre- sents the basics on tree measurement for landowners who want to learn more about the value of their timber. The two measurements used to estimate the volume of a tree or log are diameter and height or length. Determination of the volume of wood in a tree is surprisingly complicated. The main stem (bole), for one thing, does not fit any stan- dard geometric form. However, volume tables have been developed that ease the cumbersome task of volume com- putation. Taking tree measurements requires the use of some simple instruments which can be purchased or made. If you decide to order the equipment described below, supply sources in- clude: Ben Meadows Company 3589 Broad St. P.O. Box 80549 Atlanta, GA 30366-9821 1-800-241-6401 or Forestry Suppliers, Inc. 205 West Rankin St. P.O. Box 8397 Jackson, MS 39284-8397 1-800-647-5368 or International Reforestation Suppliers RO. Box 4195 Pineville, LA 71361 1-800-321-1037 AU have catalogs available which you can request. Diameter Measurement The diameter of the exposed end of a log is easily measured using a ruler or carpenter's tape. A standing tree presents a problem. The standard point of measure for tree diameter is 41/2 feet above the ground (above the ground on the uphill side if the tree is on a slope). This is called diameter breast high, and is usually abbreviated as "DBH." Diameter tape A diameter tape can be used to measure a tree's diameter. The tape is calibrated to read the tree's diameter by measur- ing its circumference or distance around its trunk. If used correctly, this is a very accurate measuring device and the tree's diameter can be read to the nearest tenth of an inch. Diameter tapes cost about $20 to $50 each. If you wish, you may use a regular cloth measuring tape to measure around the tree and divide the reading by 3.14 to obtain the diam- eter. Measuring DBH to the nearest even inch (12, 14, 16, etc.) is adequate for the forest measurements described in this article. A 12-inch tree has a DBH between 11.1 and 13.0 inches, a 14-inch tree between 13.1 and 15.0 inches, etc. Figure 1. Measuring tree diameter with a diameter tape. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter There are certain rules one should remember when using a diameter tape. These are: => Be certain DBH is measured at 4 1/2 feet above the ground on the uphill side. If a tree forks below the measur- ing point, measure it as two trees. If it forks above the mea- suring point, measure it as one tree (Figure 2). => Do not let the tape sag — it must be horizontal around the tree (Figure 3). Count as two trees. Count as one tree. Figure 2. Where to measure diameter of a forked tree. Correct Incorrect Figure 3. Correct and incorrect use of the diameter tape. The Tree/Log Scale Stick A rather ingenious instrument, the tree /log scale stick, speeds the process of DBH measurements. It is not as accu- rate as the diameter tape, but if used with reasonable care it is adequate for timber inventory work. Tree/log scale sticks cost around $10 and usually include the Merritt hypsometer used for estimating tree heights (described later). A purchased scale stick may not work for everyone since most are calibrated for use at a 25 inch distance (reach) from the eye. If your fully extend reach is less than 25 inches, the measurements you take with a purchased scale stick will be wrong. A scale stick can be easily constructed to fit any reach using the following formula: 1 = ED' >J E-hD where: I = distance in inches from zero end of the stick to scale gradu- ation, E = distance in inches from eye to the stick (your reach dis- tance, which for many people is 25 inches), and D = tree's diameter in inches. A strip of wood about 1/4-inch thick, 1 inch wide, and 27 inches long can be used to fashion a scale stick. Use the for- mula above to mark off the DBH values on the stick. For example, if your reach is 23 inches, the diameter markings in Table 1 (next page) would be made on the stick as shown in Figure 4 below. 6.9 inches 5.3 inches Figure 4. Marking a scale stick for diameter. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Table 1. Distances to mark on a scale stick for DBH read- ings (Note: for a person with a 23 inch reach) Diameter 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 Distance from Zero end of the stick in inches 1.9 3.7 5.3 6.9 8.3 9.7 11.0 12.3 13.5 14.6 15.7 16.8 17.8 18.8 19.8 20.7 21.6 22.5 23.3 24.2 If you do not have a measuring tape marked in tenths of inches, the readings can be changed to 1/16" by the relation: measurement in 1/16" units = measurement in tenths 0.063 For the 12-inch DBH mark, the distance from the zero end of the stick is 9.7 inches, or 9 11/16 inches. Here's how to use the scale stick to determine the tree's di- ameter (refer to Figures 5 and 6). If you are using a purchased scale stick that has both tree and log scales on it, make sure you use the tree scale for both the diameter and height mea- surements: 1. Determine where 41/2 feet above ground hits you. Face the tree and center yourself on its trunk. Move up against the tree to determine where the 4 1/2 foot mark is on the tree's trunk. Hold the scale stick horizontally against the tree on the 4 1 /2 foot mark and back away from the tree the length of your reach (the eye-to-stick distance you used to calibrated your stick). Purchased scale sticks are normally calibrated for a 25 inch reach. 2. Look directly at the center of the trunk. Without moving your head, shift your eyes to the left side of the tree trunk and line the zero end of the scale stick up with the left edge of the tree. 3. Without moving your head, shift your eyes to the right side of the tree and observe where the tree's right side inter- cepts the stick. This is the diameter measurement. Figure 5. How to use the scale stick to measure diameter. lilaii/ READ DIAMETER HERE TO THE NEAREST INCH Figure 6. Reading the diameter from the stick. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter . - <■-' '••^ 4. Because trees are not round, it is good practice to take an- other diameter measurement one-fourth of the way around the tnmk (90 degrees to your first measurement). Average the two measurements to establish the tree's diameter. The second measurement that must be taken to determine the volume of wood in a tree is its height measurement. For simplicity sake, a tree's trunk or bole can be thought of as a series of cylinders stack on top of each other. These cylin- ders are logs of various lengths and diameters. The volume of each cylinder (log) is equal to the area of its circular end times the length of the cylinder. To compute a tree's board- foot volume, you will have to determine how many usable logs it contains. Measuring a Tree's Height Sometimes you may want to determine a tree's total height, which is the height from the ground line to the tip of its crown. Here is a simple way to take this measurement. Cut a small stick about 4 feet long. Hold the stick upright (verti- cal) in your hand so that the length of the stick above your hand is equal to the distance from the stick to your eye (your reach). Back away from the tree on relatively level ground, or, if on a steep slope, on the same contour as the tree until the lines of sight over your fist and the top of the stick inter- sect the tree's base and top, respectively (see Figure 7). The horizontal distance to the tree, which can be determined quickly by pacing, as we shall discuss later, equals the height of the tree. li Distance equals tree height Figure 7. This works because of similar triangles. That is, the length of the stick above your fist equals your reach so the tree's height equals the horizontal distance to the tree. This method can also be used to determine merchantable height, which will be discussed later. Constructing a Merritt Hypsometer The Merritt hypsometer (a "hypsometer" is an instrument used for measuring height) is found on the back or the side of most purchased scale sticks and can easily be added to the one you make. It will prove useful to mark one side in 10-foot units and the other in 16-foot log and half-log (8- foot) units (refer to Figure 8 below). The following table fa- cilitates this calibration: Table 2. Distances to Mark on a Meritt Hypsometer * Reach in Interval in inches to be r inches on scale stick for heights 10 feet one log (16 feet) 20 3.0 4.8 21 3.2 5.1 22 3.3 5.3 23 3.5 5.6 24 3.6 5.8 25 3.8 6.1 26 3.9 6.3 27 4.1 6.5 28 4.2 6.8 29 4.4 7.0 30 4.5 7.3 * Based on the relation I = RL/66, where I = interval in inches to be marked on the stick, R = reach in inches, and L = height unit. Note: 66 feet is the length of a surveyor's tape and is a convenient distance. The sticlc might appear as follows: etc. Figure 8. Markings on the Merritt hypsometer. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter How the stick is used to measure height is explained later. Measuring Distances To determine tree height using the scale stick, a horizontal distance of 66 feet n\ust be measured out from the base of the tree. This is done most accurately using a tape, but for many purposes pacing will suffice. Taping Fiberglass tapes are very durable and accurate for the dis- tances you need to measure. A 50- or 100-foot tape is ad- equate and can be obtained for $20 to $30. As we are interested in measuring horizontal distances, on steep slopes you must hold the tape high at one end (see Figure 9). "-3 jr V: if ^-^^/\ Figure 9. Using a tape to measure horizontal distance on a slope. Pacing Pacing is simple, fast, and accurate enough for most pur- poses. A pace is two steps, usually counted each time the right foot hits the ground. To determine how many feet you have per pace, measure with a tape a 66-foot distance (called a "chain") on level ground (perhaps in your lawn). (A surveyor's tape which is 66 feet long is convenient for En- glish units; e.g., 10 square chains = 1 acre, 80 chains = 1 mile.) Pace the 66-foot distance using a natural gait several times. You will find a consistent number of paces per chain. For example, if you have 13 paces per chain, then each pace is 66/13 or about 5 feet. There are 80 chains in a mile, so you can easily calculate the number of paces per mile. You may have to adjust your pace if walking is difficult be- cause of the terrain. As a rule of thumb, if you are walking up or down a moderately steep slope, count each tenth pace twice to get an approximately correct horizontal distance (see Figure 10). Figure 10. Pacing a distance on moderate slope. Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20...etc. On steep slopes, count each fifth pace twice (see Figure 11). Figure 11. Pacing a distance on a steep slope. Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20...etc. Illinois forest Management Newsletter <#^';.X'" !..vf With a little practice, you will become confident in your pac- ing ability and will find it is a useful skill. Determining Merchantable Height To determine the board-foot volume of lumber contained in a tree, you will have to determine the tree's merchantable height. Merchantable height is different than total height. Here, merchantable implies the ability to cut lumber, veneer or other products from the logs contained in the tree. There are numerous factors which make a log unusable for lumber or veneer. One is the size of the log. For economic reasons, mills that harvest sawtimber for lumber generally will not accept logs smaller than 10 inches in diameter (inside the bark) at the small end of the log. The major factor which influences merchantable height is tree form. The first major fork in the tree is a good example. The diameter of the trunk (log) just below the fork may well exceed 10 inches, but the log(s) above the fork generally be- comes quite limby and produce lower quaUty lumber. Large crooks, bends, or sweep in the trunk can also make this por- tion a cull or unusable for lumber. Noticeable swellings or decayed limbs or holes are also tell-tale signs that the inside of the trunk contains rot and would not produce sound lum- ber. These factors are known as defect. In summary, merchantable height is controlled by a diam- eter limit in the upper part of the tree or by some defect oc- curring on the trunk which renders the wood above unsuit- able for conversion to products. Making this determination sounds difficult, but with a little practice you can quickly assess where the merchantable height is on each tree. Using the Merritt Hypsometer to Determine Merchantable Height The Merritt hypsometer is used to determine merchantable height in 16-foot logs. Half-logs are 8 feet in length. You cali- brated your stick to read log heights when you stand 66 feet away from the base of the tree. You'll need a 50- or 100-foot tape or be able to pace the distance accurately (refer to Fig- ures 12 and 13). 1. Begin by observing the tree on all sides for outward signs of defect. Decide where merchantable height will be mea- sured. 2. Move 66 feet away from the tree in a direction that will give you an unobstructed view of the merchantable height point on the trunk and the base of the tree. This may be dif- ficult in a woodland with dense undergrowth. You should pay particular attention that you pace or measure the 66- foot distance along the contour so that you remain at the same level as the base of the tree. Standing above or below the base of the tree on a hill rather than along the contour can lead to wrong height measurements. 3. Prior to moving away from the tree, lean a clipboard with an attached piece of white notebook paper up against the base of the tree. The white paper will help give you a target when sighting the tree's base from 66 feet. 4. Once you reach 66 feet, turn and face the tree. Hold the stick away from you at your reach distance. Make sure the Merritt hypsometer side is facing you. It is important that the stick be held vertical. Allowing the stick to lean toward or away from you can cause measurement errors. Hold the stick so the base or zero end lines up with the top of the clipboard. Height measurements are always made with a one-foot stump height allowance. The clipboard represents this stump height allowance. Generally, loggers will not cut the tree flush with the ground and normally leave a stump approximately one foot high or less. Stumps higher than one foot indicate a waste of wood and careless cutting practices. t:^^^!- Merchantable height 66 feet Figure 12. Measuring merchantable height with the Merritt hypsometer. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 8 MERCHANTABLE HEIGHT READ LOG HEIGHT HERE TO THE NEAREST HALF-LOG Figure 13. Reading merchantable height on the scale stick. 5. Without moving your head, shift your eyes up to the point on the trunk where you've determined merchantable height will be measured. Observe where this point intercepts the stick. Read the number of 16- foot logs directly from the stick. Merchantable height should be measured to nearest half-log. With these two measurements, diameter and log height, you can determine the board-foot volume of the tree using the volume table included in this newsletter. A discussion on how to use the volume table is presented later. Board Feet A board-foot is a unit of measure common to the United States. It is simply the amount of wood in a piece measur- ing 12 inches square and one inch thick. [..« 12 Inches 1 inch Figure 14. One Board-Foot of Wood. Thus, a board-foot equals 1x12x12 = 144 cubic inches. This fact makes it easy to calculate the number of board feet in lumber of any size. For example, a 2"x4" which is 8 feet long has (8 ft.) X (12 in. /ft.) X (2) x (4) = 5.3 board feet 144 Perhaps an easier method is to multiply the length of the piece in feet times width and thickness in inches, and divide the answer by 12. (8 ft.) X (2) X (4) = 5.3 board feet 12 The board-foot measure actually indicates the size of the board before it is planed. As woodworkers and builders rec- ognize, a board sold as 10 inches wide and 1 inch thick is actually less than those dimensions due to the processing that occurred after it was sawed from the log. Volume Table A volume table reveals the volume of wood contained in trees of different diameters and log lengths. There are many different types of volume tables used to compute wood vol- ume in trees, however, we will concern ourselves only with the volume table base on the Doyle Log Rule since this is the rule used by foresteres and timbers buyers in Illinois to scale timber and logs (refer to the volume table on the next page). A volume table is easy to use. Read along the left side of the table to find the correct diameter and across the top to find the number of 16-foot logs. The number where the column and row intersect is the board-foot volume of the tree. This volume estimate assumes the logs were 100 percent sound. You must make an allowance for the defect you have in your woodland. It is unlikely for a young, vigorous wood- land to have much rot and decay in the trees, whereas an over-mature woodland may have many large trees with hol- low centers. A forester can help you learn how to assess the amount of defect in your woodland. Once you have adjusted your board-foot volume figure for defect, you can begin to make a determination of what the trees in your woodland might be worth. You will need to know whether the trees (logs) are veneer or sawtimber grade. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ^- *^'- \.j Gross volume of tree, Doyle Log Rule, Form Class 78. Merchantable heieht in number of 16-foot loes 1 DBH 1 \^A 2 2 'A 3 3 'A 4 4 V^ 5 5 Vi 6 1 In. Volume in board feet 1 10 14 17 20 21 22 - - - - - - 11 22 27 32 35 38 - - - - - _ 12 29 36 43 48 53 54 56 - - - - 13 38 48 59 66 73 76 80 - - - - 14 48 62 75 84 93 98 103 - - - - 15 60 78 96 108 121 128 136 - - - - 16 72 94 116 132 149 160 170 - - - - 17 86 113 140 161 182 196 209 - - - - 18 100 132 164 190 215 232 248 - - - - 19 118 156 195 225 256 276 297 - _ - - 20 135 180 225 261 297 322 346 364 383 - - 21 154 207 260 302 344 374 404 428 452 - - 22 174 234 295 344 392 427 462 492 521 _ _ 23 195 264 332 388 444 483 522 558 594 - - 24 216 293 370 433 496 539 582 625 668 - - 25 241 328 414 486 558 609 660 709 758 - - 26 266 362 459 539 619 678 737 793 849 - - 27 292 398 505 594 684 749 814 877 940 - - 28 317 434 551 651 750 820 890 961 1032 1096 1161 29 346 475 604 714 824 902 980 1061 1142 1218 1294 30 376 517 658 778 898 984 1069 1160 1251 1339 1427 31 408 562 717 850 983 1080 1176 1273 1370 1470 1570 32 441 608 776 922 1068 1176 1283 1386 1488 1600 1712 33 474 654 835 994 1152 1268 1385 1497 1609 1734 1858 34 506 700 894 1064 1235 1361 1487 1608 1730 1866 2003 35 544 754 964 1149 1334 1472 1610 1743 1876 2020 2163 36 581 808 1035 1234 1434 1583 1732 1878 2023 2173 2323 37 618 860 1102 1318 1534 1694 1854 2013 2172 2332 2492 38 655 912 1170 1402 1635 1805 1975 2148 2322 2491 2660 39 698 974 1250 1498 1746 1932 2118 2298 2479 2662 2844 40 740 1035 1330 1594 1858 2059 2260 2448 2636 2832 3027 Source: Mesavage and Girard, 1956. Tables for Estimating Board-foot Volume of Timber, U.S. Departn\ent of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service. There is a dramatic difference in the price per board foot between the two. Again, you meet with your forester and he/she can point out the characteristics that distinguish a veneer quality tree (log) from one that will be harvested for lumber (sawtimber). With practice, you will be able to make this determination on the trees on your property. In most cases, the majority of your timber will be harvested for saw- timber. It is a rare case where most of the timber is veneer- quality. Knowing how to distinguish the difference, how- ever, will result in higher returns for you should you decide to sell some of your timber. Let's assume you have measured a white oak tree and deter- mined it has a volimie of 433 board-feet (24 inch diameter Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ■■' *^ and 2 1/2, 16-foot logs with no defect). On page 11-12 of this newsletter you will find the most re- cent Illinois Timber Prices reporting sheet. Notice the state is divided up into three zones. Find the zone appropriate for your woodland. The individual species prices quoted on the first page are state-wide average sawtimber prices per thou- sand board-feet of lumber. On page 12 are price ranges paid for sawtimber by species within each zone. Sawtimber re- fers to logs that are cut into lumber or timbers. Stumpage price is the amount paid for standing timber, normally what you would receive. F.O.B. price is what you would receive for the logs delivered to the mill. In the above example, the 433 board-foot white oak would be worth $86.60 (stumpage) based on state-wide averages for sawtimber. This figure should be used only as a guide. As pointed out in the reporting sheet, general market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factor. If you have only one tree to sell, it is highly unlikely you would attract any interest from timber buyers, particularly if the tree is growing in or near a residence. Notice the increase in price paid for face veneer Face veneer is logs cut into thin sheets of veneer used mostly in furniture manufacturing. If the white oak in the example had one, 16- foot veneer butt log, the tree could be worth $151.90 to $410.60 based on the statewide price range for white oak face ve- neer If you're considering a timber sale in the not-to-distant fu- ture, we strongly suggest you have a professional forester assist you. Contact the newsletter editor for more informa- tion about Illinois foresters and the services they provide. Also, if you decide to purchase a scale stick, make sure it is one that has the Doyle Rule printed on it. This article and illustrations were adapted, in part, from How to Estimate the Value of Timber in Your Woodlot by Harry V. Wiant, Jr, Circular 148. West Virginia University Agricul- t\iral and Forestry Experiment Station, Morgantown, WV; 1989. Selected illustrations also came from Timber Management For Small Woodlands, Goff, Gary R., et al. Information Bul- letin 180. Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Ithaca, NY. Available from the Illinois Forest Resource Center... A Landowner's Guide to Woodland Stewardship A 3-ring notebook with chapters covering: Woodland Management Wildlife Management Recreation and Natural Beauty Soil & Water Conservation Alternative Income Opportunities (including) timber production, black walnut, christmas trees, firewood, ginseng, maple syrup, nuts, paulownia, recreation enterprises, and shiitake mushrooms To Order Your Copy Contact: Illinois Forest Resource Center, R.R. 1, Box 255, Simpson, IL 62985 (618) 695-3383 Cost: Minimum $20.00 donation per guide Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 11 ILLINOIS TIMBER PRICES ILLINOIS SU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ILUNOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 19283, Springfield, U. 62794-9283 Phone: (217) 492-4295 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES 600 North Grand Avenue West Sprinofi«ld, Ulinois 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2361 PRICE REPORIINC ZONES )IPA«TMINT or NATURAL RESOURCES June lb, 19^ PRICES PAID ILUNOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS NOVEMBER 1996 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1997 Winter nwdmber price* paid to Illinois timber growen ibowed no clear upward or downward tread for F.O.B. Mill and itumpage compared to both the previoui nitnmer and winter. Of the timber buyers reporting volume of their 1996 operationa, 38% indicated their volume wu SOO thousand board feet or more. This report is prepared by the Illinois Agricultural Statistica Service in cooperatiaa with the Illinois Division of Forest Resources. Unless otherwise indicated, prices shown b this report are prices reported by licensed timber buyers. The cooperation of those timber buyers who participated in the survey is greatly appreciated. ZONE 1 Illinois is divided into ttuee price-reporting zones, based on timber resources, similarity, utilizatioa standards and practices and soil types. Zone 1 is the Southern Unit; Zone 2, the Claypan Unit; and Zone 3, the Prairie Unit Rangei of prioae for each zone are shown on the back of this report. This report can be used only as a general guide for determining marlcet value of timber. General market and economic conditions are the major price-determining factors. Certain local considerations such as accessibility, site and terrain, distance to market, size of sale, and tree size aad quality also affect the price paid. For technical, marketing or management assistance, contact your local State Forester, or the Divisica of Forest Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 600 North Grand Avenue, West, SpringHeld, Ulinob 62706. AVERAGE PRICES FOR STUMPAGE AND F.O.B. IN SEUECTED PERIODS SAWTIMBER - $ PER M BD. FT. SPECIES November 1995-February 1996 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill May 1996- August 1996 Stumpage F.O.B. MiU November 1996 - Febniaiy 1997 Stumpage F.O.B. Mill Ash Basswood Beech Cottonwood Sweet Gum Elm St Hackberry Hickory Soft Maple Sugar Maple Black Oak Pin Oak Red Oak While Oak YeUow Poplar Sycamore Black Wakiut Woods Run Bottomland Woods Run Upland I8S 105 60 45 70 65 70 85 115 160 65 235 235 130 60 360 90 140 330 200 170 145 150 145 175 210 260 330 160 395 390 250 160 550 200 310 170 100 80 50 85 60 80 95 120 160 65 230 220 120 70 320 85 110 340 230 180 150 170 150 160 210 190 270 160 390 390 350 150 510 ISC 300 170 95 70 40 85 60 65 95 140 150 60 220 200 120 60 330 140 300 190 180 140 170 140 170 170 300 250 160 385 340 280 160 510 270 FACE VENEER - $ PER M BD. FT. Red Oak While Oak Walnut 585 950 1,650 980 1,610 2.010 600 950 I.OOO 1,800 1.600 2,000 510 1,100 1,490 730 1,900 2,100 COOPERAGE - $ PER M BD. FT. White Oak 240 415 280 600 250 430 UNPEELED PULPWOOD - $ PER TON Too 2.00 17.95 1.50 16.80 2.10 17.25 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter Ttmber PricM Novambar 1996-Febniary 1997 Juno 10, 1997 MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PRICES PAID ILLINOIS TIMBER PRODUCERS November 1996 - February 1997 PRODUCT UNIT Zooel Zone 2 | Zones I F.O.B. MiU F.O.B. Mill Stumpage F.O.B. MUl 1. SiytiiB^r PoUa^f 1 Aih Mbd. ft. 100-250 200-400 100-250 200-400 90-250 200-400 Buswood Mbd.ft. 50-120 140 - 210 50-120 140-220 60-120 140-220 Beech Mbd. ft. 70- 90 150-200 40- 80 150-200 60-100 150-200 Cottoowood Mbd. ft. 30- 60 130- 150 20- 80 120- 140 20- 60 120- 140 Sweet Gum Mbd.ft. 70-100 120-200 80-140 NA 70-100 120-200 ElmA Heckbeny Mbd. ft. 30-100 120- 140 40- 60 120-180 25- 80 120- 180 Hickory Mbd. ft. 60- 90 120-180 50-100 120- 180 50- 80 150 • 210 SoftMapb Mbd. ft. 60-100 120-250 60-120 150-200 60-140 140-260 Sugar Maple Mbd. ft. 100-150 200-400 100-200 150-400 80-200 250-350 Black Oik Mbd. ft. 80-200 200-350 100-230 200-350 100-250 190-350 Pin Oak Mbd. ft. 30- 70 140- J70 30- 80 150- 180 50-100 150- 180 Red Oak Mbd. ft. 100-320 250-400 100-300 250-500 150-300 300-450 White Oak Mbd. ft. 160-300 250-450 150-300 250-550 150-300 300-450 Yellow Poplar Mbd.ft. 100-150 230-300 100-140 230-300 80 150 NA Sycamore Mbd. ft. 30- 90 120-170 50- 70 130 - 180 35- 80 120- 180 Black Walnut Mbd. ft. 200-400 400-600 200-350 400-550 200-400 450 - 650 Woodf Run Bottomland Mbd. ft. 70-100 170-200 60-100 140 - 210 50-100 150 200 Woodi Run Upland Mbd. ft. 70-150 170-300 60-200 150-300 95 - 150 200 300 2- FW V?flw STATEWIDE 1 Stumpage F.O.B .MUl Red Oak Mbd. ft. 200- 800 400- 1,000 White Oak Mbd. ft. 500-1,700 1,600- 2,100 Walnut Mbd. ft. 800-1.800 1,400- 4,000 3. Co9l»Wl«e White Oak Mbd. ft. ISO- 400 400- 500 4. Pulpwood Unpeeled Tea 2.00- 4.00 16.50- 20.00 LOO SCALES USED BY REPORTING BUYERS Scale Doyle Scrifaner International Percent Using 100 0 0 CUSTOM SAWING BY THOSE REPORTING Region Percent Retwrting Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone3 ILLINOIS 20 14 13 47 Ratea Reported i/Mbd. ft. 100 - 180 100 - 150 100-200 100-200 VOLUME OF 1996 OPERATIONS Size in rOOOl bd. ft, % Zone 2 % Zoo?? % M % 1 -100 17 29 46 31 100-500 25 36 31 31 500-1,000 25 - - 10 1,000 • 3,UU0 17 28 8 20 3,000 + 16 7 15 8 Cooperage ia the nunufacture of barreli. Face veneer u logs cut into thin sheets or 'veneer' used mostly by furniture builders. Pulpwood is used in making paper, fiberboard, and similar products. M bd. ft. means thousand board feet Sawtimber refers to logs tint are cut mto hmiber or timbers. F.O.B. refers to the price paid for timber delivered to the mill. MARKED TIMBER SALES - NOVEMBER 1996 • FEBRUARY 1997 STATEWIDE STUMPAOE* Wooda Run Upland $119-$356/M bd. ft. Woods Run Bottomland Inaufficient DaU ♦Prices siyplied to District Foresters by seller, may include aome veneer. Jeny Clan^, State Statistician Sieve Petenoo, Garry D. Kepley, Agricultural Statisticians 'Printed by aiKfaori^ of the SUta of IlUnoia,' 6/10/97, 1,700, 1039 Illinois Forest Management Newsletter X \jt 13 ILLINOIS SAWTIMBER AND FACE VENEER PRICE TRENDS FOR SELECTED SPECIES— 1976-1996 Illustrated on pages 13-15 are IlUnois sawtimber and face veneer price trends for selected species for a 20 year period from 1976 to 1996 as reported in the Illinois Timber Prices reporting sheet. The prices reflect the price paid per 1,000 board feet (M. Bd. Ft.) and have been adjusted to 1982 dollar equivalents using the Producer Price Index. For sawtimber, ash, black walnut, red oak, white oak, and sugar maple prices are illustrated. Face veneer prices are for black walnut, red oak and white oak. Both stiompage and FOB prices are presented. Stumpage is the price paid for standing timber. FOB is the price paid for logs delivered to the mill. The prices reported in Illinois Timber Prices are statewide averages and are considered conservative. Sawtimber Prices Changes in ash stumpage prices 250 0 f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I r^h-aooocoaoooa>o>a>o> Y«ar -8ish stumpage Changes in ash FOB prices 500 0 M I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I (OCOQCM^(paOQ€M^(p r>-r>-ooooaoooaoa>o>o>(n Y«ar •ash FOB Changes in black walnut stumpage prices 500 400- )..4...t..4...|..4...t..4...|...4...<-4.H-4.H-4-<-4-l" r^h>.ooooaocoooa>o>o> Yaar -black wdnut stumpage Changes in black walnut FOB prices oUO ■ if ^°°' . 600 - S 500 8. 300- ^v*^-*-***" ► ^/"""^""'^'^ 1 200< ^ 100- • N-r^-SooooSScocAOoo) Yaar ♦ black walnut FOB Illinois forest Management Newsletter «c^- w 14 Changes in red oak stumpage prices 350 ■ red oak stumpage Changes in red oak FOB prices Changes in white oak stumpage prices Ymf ■white oak stumpage Changes in white oak FOB prices 500 0 >...4.-t...f..4..4..4-<...4...(..4...t..4..4-f..4...j..4-t..4...> r«-N'Ooaooocoooo>o>o>(» Year •white oak FOB Changes in sugar maple stumpage prices 200 ■sugar maple stumpage Changes in sugar maple FOB prices N.r^oococoooooO>0)0)0> Y»ar ^ , ___ •sugar rriapte FOB Illinois Forest Management Newsletter 15 Face Veneer Prices Changes in black walnut face veneer stumpage prices 2500 I I I I I ) I I I I I I I I I N>N'ODoocoooaoo>o>a>o> "^ ■ black walnut stumpage Changes in black walnut face veneer FOB prices 3000 «i- 2500 - S 2000 - •black walnut FOB Changes in red oak face veneer stumpage prices Year •red oeJ( stumpage Changes in red oak face veneer FOB prices Changes in white oak face veneer stumpage prices I I t I t I I I I o>d>a> Year •white oak stumpage Changes in white oak face veneer FOB prices 2500 Y«ar ■white oak FOB Illinois Forest Management Newsletter CES Newsletter Service University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 69 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHAMPAIGN, IL 61820 PERMIT # 75 19971231 Ag Library Serials Clerk 226 Mumford Hall 1301 W Gregory Dr CAMPUS MAIL MC-710 EDITORIAL OFFICE: W-503 TURNER HALL, 1102 S. GOODWIN AVE., URBANA, IL 61801 ces Cooperative Extension Service University ot Illinois at UrbanaChampaign L JAN 1 5 1998 AG Li bran/ ILLINOIS FOREST MANAGEMENT A Biannual Newsletter for Illinois Landowners Volume 2, 1997 No. 33 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 Agroforestry — Trees That Work for Illinois Page 4 Proper Planning Critical To Enjoying Benefits of New Tax Law Page 8 Tim's Tips: Safe Operating I Techniques for Chain Saw Operators Page 9 Forest Landowner Conference Announced Page 10 Illinois Timber Prices ^S^ ^^i^ Karen Colbert Illinois Forest Management Newsletter is produced by the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Ser- vice. Our newsletter features information from many sources to help you make informed decisions concerning your wood- land resources. We encourage your questions and comments which we will share with our readers as space permits. Di- rect your inquiries to: Editor, IFM Newsletter, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801. Agroforestry — Trees That Work For Illinois by Tom Ward, NRCS agrof orester Agroforestry is an intensive land management system that deliberately combines trees or shrubs with crops or livestock and makes the most of the biological interactions that result. If turning farmers and foresters into agroforesters requires a stretch of your imagination, get ready to do some stretch- ing. There are several ways to strategically add trees and shrubs to the typical Illinois farm operation and several good reasons for doing it. The most common agroforestry prac- tices are windbreaks, alley-cropping, riparian forest buffers, silvopasturing, and forest farming. Potential benefits include diversifying and enhancing the farm economy, conserving soil, improving water quality, saving energy, creating wild- life habitat, and improving the appearance of the landscape. The most important benefit for some producers is that agroforestry can put money in their pockets. Land that is unsuited to row crops continues to generate an annual in- come as it is being converted to a permanent cover crop. Windbreaks Work Windbreaks are the most common North American agroforestry practice. Farmstead windbreaks protect and beautify homes, cut heating costs, control dust in summer and drifting snow in winter, and make work areas more com- fortable. Homeowners who use windbreaks can realize en- ergy savings of 10 to 40% — with savings greatest for older homes that are less airtight, especially if they are in exposed northern prairieUke landscapes. State • County • Local Groups • U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Provides Equal Opportunities in f*rograms and Employment .^..-^ -vf -\,- Windbreaks help reduce noise from highways and grain- drying equipment. Well-designed plantings — with a mini- mum of three rows of trees — can cause noise reductions of 10 to 20 decibels. Windbreaks often reduce home mainte- nance costs because less wind damage occurs, and they have been shown to increase property value by 6 to 12%. Living snowfences — rows of strategically placed trees and shrubs — trap blowing snow and keep roads and work areas free of drifts. Especially in the northern parts of the state, these wind- breaks can greatly reduce the time and fuel used in plowing snow. Field windbreaks increase yields by reducing soil erosion and protecting crops from wind damage. The trees also cre- ate the sort of sheltering, warm environment foiond in a greenhouse. Crops suffer less from wind stress, the soil re- tains moisture because the wind doesn't dry it out as much, and trapped snow drifts melt and contribute their moisture to the field. In the Great Plains, farm operator with field wind- breaks consistently report crop yield increases of 6 to 44% — from 10 to 12% for com, from 13 to 20% for soybeans, and up to 23% for winter wheat. The data for com is particularly convincing because we have so much information and it comes from a variety of locations. These yield increases, how- ever, are based on yield for the entire field. The first few rows behind a windbreak show a decline in yield because the crop is competing with the trees, but yields in the rest of the field more than make up for these small losses. All windbreaks provide scenic beauty and habitat for wild- life. With careful species selection, windbreaks can also be a source of income. Nut-producing trees of shrubs, such as walnut, pecan, chestnut, or hazelnut, can provide an annual crop for people or wildlife. Fine quality hardwoods, such as oak, ash, or cherry, can eventually provide sawlogs or ve- neer logs. Sugar maple can provide a source of syrup, and flowering trees and shrubs such as basswood provide for- age for honeybees. Alley-Cropping AUey-cropping means alternating rows of trees and "alleys" of famUand that are 40 to 60 feet wide. Alleys must be at least wide enough to accommodate all the necessary farm equipment. This agroforestry practice combines the long- term benefits of trees with the annual income of row or for- age crops. It reduces soil erosion by wind and water, increases sediment deposits and rainfall infiltration, and improves water quality. Rows of trees provide wildlife cover and travel corridors while adding natural beauty and diversity to the landscape. Like windbreaks, aUey-cropping increases short-term crop yields by creating a greenhouse effect between the tree rows. Many high-quality hardwood trees in Illinois are suitable for alley-cropping. Black walnut is a popular choice for al- ley-cropping because its deep rooting characteristics, open canopy, and short growing season Limit competition between trees and crops. Because there are markets for both its wood and its nuts, black walnut has been one of Illinois' most com- mercially valuable trees. Other options for trees rows include nut-producing trees such as pecan and blight-resistant chest- nut or high-value hardwoods such as oak and ash. Crop options for the farmed alleys include com, soybeans, winter wheat, and forage crops. Will annual cropping continue indefinitely? Or will the tract become a tree plantation as the canopy closes and shades out the aUeys? This decision will determine the width be- tween the tree rows and the particular tree-crop combina- tion the producer uses. As the trees grow in size, lower light levels will dictate a change in the crop grown in the alley. Nut production from walnut, pecan, or chestnut trees can replace row crops in providing an annual income. If a tim- ber plantation is the ultimate goal, several years of row-crop and forage-crop income can more than cover the costs of es- tablishing a tree plantation. Cropped alleys can finally be used for short-term rotational grazing. Riparian Forest Buffers Riparian forest buffers — timber that borders on streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and ditches — are a valuable agroforestry practice. The duff (litter) layer in forests helps to increase infiltration of water into the soil profile below. This litter layer is particularly important during heavy rain- fall because it helps trap water that would otherwise run off the soil surface, carrying soil particles with it into nearby streams, ponds, or drainageways. Riparian buffers also pro- tect water quality by trapping sediment and agricultural chemicals, which are taken up by the vegetation in the buffer. Increased water spreading and sediment deposition can be obtained by using grass filter strips as a transition between the forested zone and adjoining land, which is likely to be a field of com or soybeans. Because the essential elements of habitat, water, food, and cover are all available, riparian forests are among the most Illinois Forest Management Newsletter valuable wildlife habitats in Illinois. Long, narrow riparian forests maximize the amount of "edge" habitat between for- est and water or farmland. As a result, these forests have long wildlife travel corridors that connect them with many other forested areas and greatly expand the area that is avail- able to wildlife. Plantations of high-quality bottomland hardwoods com- bined with riparian shrubs and grass filter strips can pro- vide a variety of economic opporttmities. Agroforestry can obtain income from timber, nut, horticultiiral, and forage products. Recreational development and fee hunting are also possibilities. Silvopastoral Systems Any combination of trees with forage crops, either hay or pasture, is called a silvopastoral system. A properly designed and managed system can optimize production of both cool- season grasses and timber. The landowner's goals and ob- jective will determine what kind of trees and forage are se- lected, the spacing that is used, and how livestock are man- aged. Fencing to allow rotational grazing is necessary to make this system work. Silvopastoral systems are most common in pine plantations in the southern and western United States. Intensive grazing systems in black walnut and pecan plan- tations have been successful in Missouri. Of all the agroforestry practices, silvopasturing require the most sen- sitive and complex management. Trees must be thinned at regular intervals so that enough light can reach the forest floor to support good crops of grass. Livestock use must be carefully managed to prevent damage to trees, overgrazing, and soil compaction. Grazing of a native woodland is gener- ally not an acceptable practice in traditional hardwood for- est management because of site degradation and grazing damage to young seedlings and other ground cover. Forest Fanning When an existing forest stand is manipulated to add a spe- cialty crop, the result is called forest farming. Examples of crops include maple syrup, medicinal plants such as gin- seng and goldenseal, craft materials such as wreath materi- als and pine cones, shiitake and morel mushrooms, native fruit such as persimmon and paw-paw, and nuts such as pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Parts of a farm that were once just woodlots, yielding forest products periodically, can become part of an active fanning operation, yielding annual crops of food, medicinals, or craft materials. Agroforestry: An Opportunity and a Challenge Some landowners practice agroforestry simply because it is good for conservation, good for wildlife, and more pleasing to the eye than traditional agriculture. The economic ben- efits of agroforestry, however, must ultimately drive its wide- spread adoption. Some persons wonder how tree planting can compete with com and soybeans on the Illinois land- scape, especiaUy when farm commodity prices are high. It's because agroforestry makes sense from an economic point of view. Often trees are planted on lands less suitable to row crops or in odd-shaped or hard-to-work areas. Riparian forest buff- ers are planted on floodplain fields that cannot be farmed profitably due to wetness or flooding. Strategically located, narrow windbreaks increase yields in adjacent fields, more than making up for the small amoiint of land taken out of production. Agroforestry seeks to make every tree that's planted a "working tree" by carefully selecting the species and location in which it is planted. Every tree should yield a saleable product — or increase yields or reduce costs in adja- cent crops (it may do both). The other benefits derived from agroforestry are simply an enormous bonus. Agroforestry gives landowners the opportunity to develop a portfolio of short- and long-term investments, allowing them to reduce their risk through diversification. It is par- ticularly promising for farmers with land that is unsuitable for crop production due to high soil erosion or flood risk, providing a cost-effective way of removing it from crop pro- duction over time. Perhaps the greatest risk and challenge in adopting agroforestry systems is developing local mar- kets for new products such as nuts, horticultural materials, small wood products, and wood chips. It may not be the way your parents f arn\ed. But if your have an entrepreneur's drive, imagination, and determined nature, you could suc- ceed with agroforestry. Tom Ward is an agroforester for the Natural Resources Con- servation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture in Champaign, IL. This article is reprinted with permission from The Illinois Steward niagazine. Volume 6, No. 4, Winter 1998. Illinois Forest Management Newsletter ,y- Proper Planning Critical To Enjoying Benefits of New Tax Law by William C. Siegel The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, signed by President Clinton on August 5, provides $152 billion in tax cuts between now and 2002. Although the new legislation contains more than 100 tax reduction provisions, most of the benefits are attrib- utable to only five of these. They are the child credit, ex- panded individual retirement accounts (IRAs), educational tax incentives, estate tax relief and a reduction in long-term capital gain rates. Even though the new law represents the first significant tax cut since 1981, its scope as a whole is rather insignificant when compared with the massive tax reductions that marked the beginning of the Reagan administration. In inflation ad- justed dollars, the 1981 tax cuts were more than 15 times larger. For those who are concerned about the complexity of the U.S. tax system, the Act does little to lessen that concern. The new provisions are anything but simple, for the most part, and add several layers of complexity to the Internal Revenue Code. In turn, they will spawn what promises to be equally complex sets of regulations, and new or signifi- cantly revised tax forms. As a result, the public call for sweep- ing tax reform could well be revived. Nevertheless, there is good news for most nonindustrial woodland owners with respect to capital gains from timber sales, and estate tax relief. Additionally, certain other changes wiU be of benefit to smaller groups of timber owners . Capital Gains Relief The first rate cut for long-term capital gains since 1981 ap- plies only to noncorporate taxpayers (individuals, estates and trusts) — not to corporate taxpayers. The new lower rates do apply, however, to individuals who receive pass-through income from Subchapter S corporations and partnerships. A three tier approach, with six different rates, applies to the sale of most capital assets including timber. These new rates do not apply to the sale of collectibles, certain real property gains (discussed below) and qualified small business stock on which there is a 50 percent gain exclusion. Tier One The first tier applies to capital gains realized from May 7, 1997 through July 28, 1997. During this time period, a long- term gain will result from the sale of a capital asset held for more than one year, just as under the old law. With respect to such sales, the top noncorporate rate has been reduced from 28 to 20 percent. The rate for those taxpayers currently paying at 15 percent has been lowered to 10 percent. EXAMPLE Mr. Smith inherited 500 acres of woodland on Janu- ary 15, 1990. He sold timber from the tract twice in 1997 — on February 18 and again on July 15. Mr Smith's total income for 1997 will place him in the 31 percent tax bracket. The capital gains tax on each sale will be calculated as follows: a.) The February 18 sale will be taxed at 28 percent. A one year holding period applies, which was met by Mr. Smith. If he had waited to make this sale until after May 6, the rate would be 20 percent. b.) The July 15 sale, since it was made after May 6, will be taxed at 20 percent — not 28 percent. Again, a one year holding period ap- plies, which was met. Tier Two For sales made on July 29, 1997 through December 31, 2000, the new preferential rates apply only to capital assets held for more than 18 months. Gains during this time period from the sale of capital assets held for more than 12 months, but not more than 18 months, will continue to be taxed at either the 28 or the 15 percent rate, as before. EXAMPLE Mr Jones purchased 100 acres of woodland on April 19, 1996. He sold timber from the tract three times during 1997 — on February 28, July 25, and again on September 7, Mr Jones' total income for 1997 will place him in the 36 percent tax bracket. The capital gains tax on each sale will be calculated as follows: a.) The February 28 sale will be taxed at 36 percent since it repre- sents a short-term capital gain. The one year holding period was not met for long-term gain eligibility. If Mr Jones had waited to make this sale after April 18, the gain would have been long-term and a lower tax rate (either 28 or 20 percent) would apply, depend- ing on the sale date. b.) The July 25 sale will be taxed at 20 percent since it was made after May 6 and before July 29. A one year holding period applies, which Mr. Jones met. c.) The September 7 sale, since it was made after July 28, will be taxed at 28 percent. An 18-month holding period applies for the 20 percent rate and Mr Jones did not meet this requirement. If he had waited to make this particular sale following 18 months of Illinois Forest Management Newsletter