Georgia Forestry Mar. 1972 No.1 Vol. 25 Published Quarterly by the GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION Box 819 Macon, Georgia 31202 Georgia Forestry Mailing Address Route 1, Box 85 Dry Branch, Georgia 31020 OFFICIALS A. Ray Shirley Director Julian D. Reeves Deputy Director BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Alexander Sessoms chairman W. George Beasley Hugh M. Dixon M. E. Garrison L. H. Morgan Cogdell Lavonia Vidalia Homer Eastman STAFF Frank E. Craven Editor Thomas R. Fontaine, Jr.Assoc. Ed. "Rlomas B. Hall Artist DISTRICT OFFICES GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION STATESBORO DISTRICT Route 2, Statesboro 30458 CAMILLA DISTRICT P. 0. Box 429, Camilla 31730 AMERICUS DISTRICT P. 0. Box 1369, Americus 31709 NEWNAN DISTRICT P. 0. Box 1080, Newnan 30263 McRAE DISTRICT P. 0 . Box 96, McRae 31055 Ml LLEDGEVI LLE DISTRICT P. 0. Box 881, Milledgeville 31061 ROME DISTRICT P. 0. Box Z, Mount Berry 30149 WAYCROSS DISTRICT P. 0. Box 1160, Waycross 31501 -GAINESVILLE DISTRICT P. 0. Box 1076, Gainesville 30501 WASHINGTON DISTRICT Route 2, Box 266, Washington 30673 Second class postage paid at Dry Branch, Georgia. CONTENTS Richard B. Russell Beautification Day ..... ......... .. ............. .. ... .... .... ... .... ..... .... ... .... .... ...3 Early County Forestry Association Formed ....... ....... ................. .... .... .. ... .. ... ........ ..A-5 Hall of Fame Adds Three ........ ... ... ........... .. .... ....... .... .... .. ...... .................. ...... ... .......... B 1971 Commission Highlights Sessoms Named Chairman .... ...... .. .. .... ...................... .... .... ... ... ..... .. .... ..... ..... .... ... ... .7 Beetle Camps on Park Site......... .. .. ..... ..... .... ... ... .... .. .... ..... ....... .. .. .. ..... .. .. ..... .. .. .. .. ....S-9 Forestry Faces and Places .. ..... ................. .. .. ............... ............. .. ........ .. ....... ........1011 Georgia Leads South in Pulpwood Production ... .. ... ......... ...... ... ..... ...... ... ... ... ............12 Volume Up - Acreage Down ..... ....... ... .. ... .. .. ... ............. .. .... ... .. .. .. ... .... ... .. ............. ... .13 Wildfires Decline in '71 .... ..... .. .. .. .. .... ........ .... .......... ..... .. .. .......... .. ......... ... ... .. .. .. ....... .14 Logging the Foresters........ ... ... .. .. ... ............. ... .. ... ......... .. ... .............. ..... .. ...... ... ......... 15 Cruising The News Expand Air Road Patrol With the help of planes provided by the State Forestry Commission and the Air Transporta tion Service, Georgia's Public Safety Director Ray Pope was able to find hope of safer days ahead on Georgia's highways. This is good . The results from use of a New Year's weekend air patrol were indeed encourag in g . Only one traffic fatality was recorded in the nine areas where the planes were used to help di rect patrol cars to suspected drunken and reckless drivers. Deaths on Georgia 's highways during the high-hazard New Year's weekend were four above the patrol's estimate . But state public safety officials have good reason to believe that other lives could have been saved with statewide use of the planes. The state reported its first drop in t raffic fatalities In 12 years during 1971, showing 1,766 fatalities compared to 1,820 in 1970. This is not the kind of statistic one shouts from the rooftop . But it may , hopefully, be indica tive of a downward trend in the carnage on Georgia's highways. Evidence of success with the air patrol ought to encourage the state to expand air coverage. (From the Atlanta Journal) J Trees Of The Future The casual observer would get the idea that the supply of trees is one thing nobody has to worry about. A motorist in Georgia sees acre after acre of forestland , and most of the trees seem to just stand there year after year, unused and presumably unneeded. Authorities, however. tell us that the time may come and surprisingly soon when the de mand for wood products will put heavy pressure on the supply . Georgia 's role in forestry is crucial indeed. The state is the top wood -producer east of the Mississippi River. Forestry is a $1 .3 billion industry in Georgia , second only to textiles. Two of every five factory workers in the state are employed in forestry -related industries. All this makes it essential that Georgians be aware of the industry's future its needs, the pro blems it may face. One of the problems is that the sprawl of cities and the construction of more highways and factories in approaching decades will reduce the amount of land available for forests at the same time the need for wood products is increasing. This means that more timber must be produced on fewer acres. Improved technology makes this possible. Well-planned forests can produce healthier, faster growing higher-yielding trees than ever before. But 93 .percent of Georgia 's 24 million acres of forests is privately-owned, and owned mostly by small landowners. Many of these landowners are not familiar with recent techniques for more productive timber-growing. Thus forestry experts conclude that one of the biggest needs in fores try is for massive education . Trees are one of our most important resources. Aside from their role in the economy, they serve an increasingly vital ecological function . They prevent erosion. They purify air and water. They provide a setting for camping, hunting, fishing and other recreation . Yet most of Georgia 's forests produce 50 percent or less of their potential. The scorecard must improve, and through education of landowners, it should. (From the Macon Telegraph) Richar_d B. Russell Beautification Day As a living memorial to the late Senator Richard Brevard Russell, the Three Seasons Garden Club of Winder initiated a statewide project urging each federated club in Georgia to plant dogwood trees on public property in eacti county . The beautification o: Georgia in this manner is a fitting tribute to a great and loyal Georgian and an outstanding American. In April 1971, the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc . passed a proclamation that Thursday, February 10, 1972 be declared Richard B. Russell Beautifica tion Day in Georgia . In concordance with this, Governor Jimmy Carter signed a similar proclamation in December 1971 . Governor Carter noted that he was pleased to have the opportunity to participate and give recognition to this day in honor of a noble Georgian and a tru ly great American. Mrs. J. Daniel Blitch, project chairman and member of the Winder Club, said that 347 clubs responded to the occasion planting over 6,000 dogwood trees. The trees were provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission . Mrs. Blitch emphasized that the special day was set aside as a timely and fitting monument to a man whose devo- tion to his native Georgia never wavered, and whose appreciation of the beau tiful was an indication of his character. The late senator, during his 38 years on Capitol Hill, supported and was a part of every piece of legislation dealing with all phases of conservation in the development of our natural resources . His support of forest genetics led to Georgia's Tree Improvement Program Governor Jimmy Carter proclaims Georgia's 82nd anniversary of Arbor Day. Taking part in the ceremonies is Ray Shirley, director, Georgia Forestry Commission. Governor Jimmy Carter affixes signature to Richard B. Russell Beautification Day proclamation. Witnessing .the signature are members of the Three Seasons Garden Club of Georgia, sponsors of the Day. The members are Mrs. Robert Whiddon, Mrs. Penn McWhorter, Mrs. Ray Huff, Mrs. Daniel Blitch, project chairman, Mrs. John Robertson , Mrs. Robert Rice and Mrs. Byron Toney. which began in 1954. Georgians have been planting the fruits of this effort since 1964. The Soil Bank Program of the fifties and the expansion of old and the construction of new tree seedling nurseries was backed vigorously by the late senator . Mrs. C. Byron Toney, in the Garden Gateways, official organ of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc ., said, "It is the sincere hope of the Three Seasons Garden Club that these beautiful dogwood trees, planted by you in loving memory of Senator Richard B. Russell, bring joy to all Georgians for years to come." Arbor Day Observed The 82nd Anniversary of Arbor Day was recently observed. Thousands of young trees were planted by youngsters throughout the State. School children, teachers, garden clubs, agricultural groups and civic and fraternal organizations dedicated this day to recognizing the value of our vast tree crop. Governor Jimmy Carter, in proclaiming the day, cited Georgia's rich endowment by nature. He pointed out that our forest cover helps to store water in the soil reducing flood run -off and preventing soil erosion ; stabilizes the natural flow of rivers ; and provides cover and food for wildlife. The observance also provided Georgians to take note that this year marks the 1OOth Anniversary of Arbor Day . This occasion will be celebrated nationally on April 10. In 1872 the Nebraska legislature passed a law establishing the nation's first Arbor Day . Sterling Morton, a native of Monroe, N. Y . spearheaded interest in creating a day consecrated to tree planting. The Georgia legislature wrote into Georgia law the ways and means by which we celebrate our state Arbor Day in 1890. Ray Shirley, director, Georgia Forestry Commission, urges all Georgians to keep in mind that our forests and the products derived from these forests are essential to the livelihood, well-being and recreation of our citizens. He called for a rededication to the protection, preservation and perpetuation of our state's leading farm crop .. .Trees. 3 The Georgia State Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Committee has allocated additional Rural Environmen tal Assistance Program funds to six Southwest Georgia counties for an in tensified forestry project. J. Paul Holmes, Jr., state executive director, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, stated that the counties involved are Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Miller and Seminole. He stated that forestry practices have the highest priority in the .nationwide REAP . It is his desire to have the local county ASC committees use these funds to assist farmers in making the best use of farm land which is not producing to its full potential . The practices to be performed by local farmers with the assistance of the REAP funds have a cost-share rate of 80 percent of the actual cost of eligible measures. These practices will include site preparation and planting on areas needing reforestation or to upgrade an existing stand of desirable trees. Areas needing planting only will also be included . The intensified interest of the Early County landowners is perpetuated by the formation of the Early County Forestry Association. Hal Haddock, Association board chairman, said the organi zation was founded for the purpose of promoting and coordinating better for estry practices in the county. More than 1,000 acres of site preparation and planting, approximately 600 acres of weed tree control and about 200 acres of planting signed for cost-sharing assistance are early results of the group's efforts. The impetus for the Association's formation was provided by Preston T . Fulmer, Blakely Area forester, Georgia Forestry Commission. Fulmer was en couraged by a similar program in Henry County, Ala . The Commission forester stated for some time he had sought a way to get the county's more than 50,000 underdeveloped forest acreage into a productive state. According to the 1970 pre- liminary forest survey of Southwest Georgia there are 30,600 acres of scrub oak and hickory that need converting, and another 19,900 acres of oak-pine sites that need improving in Early Coun- ~ ty . Fulmer pointed out that the unity of the county's landowners to improve their forestry holdings has been a major . factor in the first year success of the program . Holmes and James P. West, Sr., ASC Committeeman of Pinehurst, recently met with local ASCS and Georgia Forestry Commission officials in Blakely to formulate plans for this project. Fulmer, local county agents and SCS district conservationists have been very instrumental in aiding local farmers to upgrade and improve their forest lands. Fulmer emphasized that local farmers realize the need for improving farm areas devoted to trees but that the operation is very expensive and these funds will provide a strong incentive for local farmers to do the job. He estimated that there are 150,000 undeveloped forest acres in the area. Holmes said that the funds allocated to these counties will not meet the needs of local farmers even this year; however, it is hoped that by providing a limited amount of additional REAP funds that many farmers will be encouraged to improve additional acreages and others to begin such conservation work on their own . An indication of the interest in promoting better forestry practices is the recent formation of the Early County Forestry Association . The officers are Hal Haddock, president, Bobby Mclen don, vice -president and Preston Fulmer, secretary -treasurer. Members of the Association's Board are C. A. Bell, Ira T. Brown, Hal Haddock, William Hudspeth, Bobby Mclendon and Ben White . Holmes iterated that he forsees the efforts of this Association as providing a challenge to other commun1t1es throughout Georgia in stimulating interest in upgrading their timberlands. Members of the Early County Forestry Association Board are: Bobby McLendon Ira T. Brown Hal Haddock, chairman William Hudspeth Ben White C. A. Bell There are 50,000 forest acres in Early County that need converting and im proving. Preston Fulmer, Blakely Area forester, Georgia Forestry Commission, explains needs to Early County conservationists. They are: Charles Robinson, County Agent Hal Haddock, chairman, Early County Forestry Board Joe Collins, district conservationist, SCS Warren Cleveland, manager, ASCS ASCS and Georgia Forestry Commission officials formulate plans for special forestry project. The participants in cluded: W.H. McComb, Macon, chief, Forest Management, Georgia Forestry Commission Preston T. Fulmer, Blakely Area forester, Georgia Forestry Commission James P. West, Sr., Pinehurst, member, State ASC Committee 1 Warren Cleveland, manager, Early County ASCS office Paul Holmes, Athens, state executive director, ASCS James F. McEntire, Athens, conservation program specialist, ASCS 5 Hall Of Fame Adds Three Brender Dyer Strange Three Georgia foresters have been in ducted, one posthumously, into the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame by the Georgia Chapter, Society of American Foresters. They are Ernst V. Brender, research forester, U. S. Forest Service, Macon ; C. Dorsey Dyer, deceased, former head, Cooperative Extension Service Forestry Department; and J . D. Strange, retired, USFS and currently assistant director, Georgia Forestry Association , Atlanta. Their induction brings to 12 the number of foresters in the Foresters Hall of Fame. The "Hall of Famers" were presented a plaque by Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Turner F. Barber, Jr., assistant management chief, Georgia Forestry Commission , Macon. The names of Brender, Dyer and Strange will be inscribed on the "Hall of Fame" plaque that is kept on display at the School of Forest Resources in Athens. Randy McQuaig, chairman, Georgia Chapter, SAF, said that the "Hall of Fame" provides a means of honoring those persons who have been responsible for the outstanding success of the forestry program in Georgia. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the joint meeting of the Georgia Chapter , SAF and the University of Georgia School of Forest Resources Alumni Association . Brender was recognized as the most outstanding authority on the culture of 6 Piedmont loblolly pine in the United States. His outstanding work on the Hitchiti Experimental Forest, located near Macon, Georgia, during the past 25 years has contributed to a better understanding of the management of loblolly pine. He has been the author of over 40 scientific professional and semi -popular articles on the culture and growth of the loblolly pine. Dyer, who passed away July 2, 1970, served as Georgia 's Extension Forester from 1949 until his death. During his career, he developed subject matter programs for Georgia 's 4H Club conservation camps and initiated many statewide forestry activities including the highly successful Six Step Forest Management Programs. He served for three years as national chairman of the 4H Forestry Development Committee and helped organize the forestry project in which thousands participate each year. Dyer was the recipient of many awards for his outstanding leadership and contribution to fon~stry and conservation practices. Strange was associate area director, Southeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, USFS, Atlanta, when he retired . Strange is currently assistant director of the Georgia Forestry Association in Atlanta. He displayed initiative in many areas and was highly respected by the 13 state foresters with whom he .. worked. The veteran forester helped train younger foresters in both state and federal organizations. He was given a Superior Service Award by the U. S. .... Department of Agriculture . Strange had several short term forestry assignments in India , Costa Rica, and Brazil, and has received several citations from state , federal and professional societies and private industry for his contributions to Forestry . Three Georgia foresters have been inducted, one posthumously, into the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame by the Georgia Chapter, Society of American Foresters. Participating in the ceremonies were, 1-r, Turner F. Barber, Jr., chairman, Hall of Fame Committee; Ernst Brender, research forester, U.S. Forest Service; Dorsey Dyer, Jr., son of deceased Georgia Extension forester Dorsey Dyer; Mrs. Dorsey Dyer; J. D. Strange, retired, USFS;and Randy McQuaig, chairman, Georgia Chapter, SAF. 1971 Commission Highlights Metro forestry program expanded; forest survey initi'!ted; forest fires take toll; and tree seedlings grown from certified seed. These highlights are depicted in the 1971 annual report of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Ray Shirley, director. Expansion marked the progress of the Forestry Commission's Metro Program with the metro areas of Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah joining Atlanta in having services specifically designed to meet the needs of homeowners. The Program was cited by the U. S. Forest Service for providing tech nical assistance to the urban residents of Georgia and as an active concern for the quality of the total environment. Georgia's vast forest resources are be ing tabulated in a massive survey pro gram . This is the fourth forest survey in Georgia . The first survey was made in 1936. Others were made in 1953 and 1961. The 1961 survey shows Georgia with 25,772,200 forest acres which represents 69 percent of the land area . Overall, forest management assistance to woodland owners increased 7.5 percent . There were 18,103 forest land owners provided forest management services on 623,799 acres. Wildfires burned 44,706 forest acres or 13 percent over 1969-70. The 12,288 wildfires averaged 4 .39 acres per fire . Debris burning and incendiarism ran one -two as the major fire causes in Georgia . There were 4,690 debris fires that blazed through 15,488 forest acres. Woods arsonists set 2,791 forest fires that blackened 14,809 acres. Improved, "super", tree seedlings, grown from certified seed , were made available to Georgia landowners for the first time in 1971 . The Forestry Com mission was able to reach this high wa ter mark in its Tree Improvement Pro gram through the certification of its seed orchards and tree processing facilities by the Georgia Crop Improvement Association in 1969. The Forestry Commission has provided improved or "super" loblolly and slash pine tree seedlings since 1964 with production totaling 86 .6 million trees. The state's Tree Improvement Program was initiated in 1954. Through a wide variety of educational programs, the Georgia Forestry Com mission strives to reach all Georgians with the importance of maintaining its forest resources in a multiple use condition . This was accomplished through educational workshops, publications, tours, exhibits, floats and presentations to civic, business, garden, women's and youth groups. Sessoms Named Chairman Alexander Sessoms, Cogdell, has been named chairman of the Georgia Forestry Commission Board of Commissioners. He succeeds Mayor Hugh M. Dixon, Vidalia, who served three consecutive terms as chairman. Other Board mem bers are W. George Beasley, Lavonia, M. E. Garrison, Homer and Luke H. Morgan, Eastman. Sessoms stated that forestry has been and is an important part of Georgia's economy. And, as such, he will work for the best possible forestry program for the timberland owners and people of Georgia. Elected at the regular monthly meeting of the Board, at the Georgia Forestry Commission office, Macon, Sessoms has served on the Board for 13 years . His forestry oriented background has made him an invaluable member . Sessoms manages his family holdings and is president of the Union Timber Corp. and the Sessoms Co . The family's forestry influence is felt throughout Clinch County. Their interest in fire protection led to the establishment of the first Timber Protection Organiza tion in the state in 1926. For more than 20 years he was a member of the T .P.O . Board . A member of the Homerville First Baptist Church, Sessoms holds membership in the Georgia Forestry and Forest Farmer Associations . He is a directo r of the Empire Banking Co ., Homerville, past member of the Clinch County In dustrial Board and past chairman of the Clinch County Board of Education . Sessoms is married to the former Annie Adams, Geneva, Ala. They have two sons and a daughter, A lex Kelly, Robert Frank and Jo Anne . The sons are active in the management of the sawmill . JoAnne is a freshman at South Georgia College, Douglas. Alexander Sessoms 7 Gum-like pitch tubes all over the trunk indicate the Southern Pine Beetle is at work. John Dickinson, project forester, points out tubes to Carter. Alice Frontalis was here as well as 60,23B board feet of sawtimber and 21 cords of pulpwood. The Winter clearing along the scenic roads in Hard Labor Creek State Park is not due to increased recreational facilities. Rather , increased activities of Alice Frontalis, during the hot Summer months, has brought about the infesta tion. Alice, better known as the Southern Pine Beetle, was first noticed in the Park by Superintendent T . Dodson Carter last September . It was evident that Dodson had not counted Alice and her family of thousands in his Park attendance. But, there they were camping in the Par k's stately pines that add immeasur- able value to the camping, boating, fishing, golfing, swimming and hiking activities of the area. Due to their lavish appetite for pine wood, Carter had to show his authority, and have Alice and her brood evicted. The Georgia Forestry Commission was called in to get the job done. Ray Shirley, Forestry Commission director, put his foresters to work on the case. Now, the Southern Pine Beetle is an expert advertiser, on where they are and where they have been. An aerial survey of the Park pinpointed the beetle's pr_esent and past activities. The red top trees indicated where Alice and family had resided, and the green faders indicated present housekeeping underwa'f. The initial investigation, by Theron L. Devereaux, Monroe Area forester and John Dickinson , Monroe Area project forester, revealed 75 spots involving 396 t rees. This represented 60,238 board feet of sawtimber and 21 cords of pulpwood . The treatment of this area was completed in December . A second area has been marked for cutting. There were 74 spots found ranging from severa l trees to 225 trees in the largest spot. It is estimated that 126,939 board feet of sawtimber and 48 cords of pulpwood will be lost in this cutting to be completed by April first. In addition to the Southern Pine Beetle treatment, Devereaux stated that Park personnel are treating stumps with borax to prevent root rot spreading to adjacent pines in later years. W. H. McComb, chief, Forest Man agement, Georgia Forestry Commission, The Southern Pine Beetle, the most destructive forest insect in the South, is only one-eighth inch in length. Its coloring is reddish brown to black. One of its main characteristics is a small grove in the front of the head. After the needles have turned red the beetle has gone. Chances are nearby green or faded trees are her new home. noted that a survey of adjacent forests to the Park showed no signs of Southern Pine Beetle activity or infestations. However, he pointed out that checks are continually being made on the Park area for continued activity and on adjacent areas for signs of outbreaks . At present, an aerial survey is being made North of the fall line by the U . S. Forest Service in cooperation with the Forestry Com mission. McComb emphasized that a recheck of the outbreak area is normally delayed until late Spring and early Summer because insect activity doesn't start until after the dormant season. Trees will not change color, because of activity, until that time of year. However, the mild weather experienced in the area has al lowed beetles to stay on the move. Shirley expressed optimism in the overall beetle picture, stating that it is during the Winter months when the efforts of our suppression work should be most effective as the beetle will not be as active. Shirley also offered encouragement for the esthetics of the area, stating that the abundance of natural reproduction will, in some measure, replace the timber loss. As for Alice Frontal is, Carter doesn't have any camping sites available. Infected trees are cut and sprayed in an effort to check further pine tree infestation in the area. As many as five generations are produced per year with very rapid de- velopment occurring in the Summer. W. H. Jones, ranger, Morgan -Walton Forestry Unit, supervised the spraying. 8 Borax is applied to stumps to prevent the spread of root rot. T. Dodson Carter, superintendent, Hard Labor Creek State Park observes operation by Theron Devereaux, Monroe Area forester. 9 of the Lincoln National Forest. The decision for "adoption" was made by the Smokey Bear Executive Committee, composed of representatives of the Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, because of the success of having a living symbol of Smokey Bear. (Zoo officials report Smokey is the most popular feature among all the animals there.) Little Smokey may be visited daily at the National Zoo in his cage next to Smokey's. Forestry Faces Bishop is a member of the Society of American Foresters, the University of Georgia School of Forestry Alumni Association, and Xi Sigma Pi honorary forestry society . Retirement A. D. EASON Smokey Heir Smokey Bear adopts an heir. The mystery of who will succeed Smokey Bear as the world's most fa mous living fire prevention symbol has been solved. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin and Chief of the Forest Service Edward P. Cliff have welcomed to Washington "Little Smokey", a yearold black bear cub, brown phase similar to the original Smokey, from the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. He will be groomed as heir to the "living Smokey" at the National Zoo in Wash ington. Following his presentation to official Government circles at a reception in the U . S. Department of Agriculture Patio in Washington, Little Smokey was moved to quarters readied for him in the zoo, next to the enclosures of the 21year old Smokey Bear and his wife Goldie, a tawny bear who was sent to Washington in 1962 to brighten Smokey's solitary bachelor state and perhaps provide a natural heir. However, with no natural heir apparent, Smokey and Goldie are "adopting" the cub--a recourse often followed by their human counterpart parents. Little Smokey is orphaned. He was discovered last summer wandering alone and homeless in the Cloudcroft District 10 Rhen Bishop, who has been with the Cooperative Extension Service in Dougherty County the last four and one-half years, has been named instructor in forestry at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture. He will be a member of the Extension forestry department, and will work with Department Head Nelson Brightwell and other foresters in keeping county agents and landowners abreast of latest forestry research and management practices. A native of Summerville, Bishop attended Lanier High School, Macon, and received his diploma in 1961. In June, 1965, he received the BS degree in forestry from the University of Georgia School of Forest Resources, and two years later the master of forestry from the same institution. The new Extension forester worked as an assistant county agent in Dougherty County from January, 1967, to July, 1971, and was then named associate county agent. A . D . Eason, ranger, Candler-Evans Forestry Unit, has retired after 20 years service with the Georgia Forestry Com mission. Eason came with the Forestry Com mission in July 1952 as ranger of the Candler County Unit. He assumed lead ership of the Candler-Evans facilities when they were combined in 1970. A native of Manassas, Eason was a Mason and past member of the Claxton Farm Bureau . He completed a course in surveying and mapping at the International C. School at Scranton, Pa. in 1929. Eason is married to the former Margaret Callaway of Collins. They had 17 children with 14 living ranging in age from 10 to 43 . The family is a member of the United Methodist Church. Ray Shirley, Forestry Commission director, praised Eason for his dedicated service to the people of Candler and Evans Counties who benefited from his fire prevention .and suppression activities . CARL I. PETERSON Carl I. Peterson, state forester, Ten nessee Division of Forestry, Nashville, has retired after 46 years of service . The announcement was made by Governor Winfield Dunn and Conservation Com missioner Bill Jenkins. Peterson, 74, began his career follow ing graduation from Penn State University in 1922. For a year, he was with the U. S. Forest Service in New Mexico. He then was a North Carolina district forester for two years before becoming assistant state forester for Tennessee in 1925. Max Young, with the Division of Planning, succeeds Peterson. Young started his forestry career in 1961 when And Places he was named assistant district forester for the Chattanooga division. He has a BS degree in Forest Management from the University of the South and a MS degree in Forest Recreation from the University of Tennessee . He is recognized as an authority on hardwood forestation . In 1946, McKnight went to work for the Southern Forest Experiment Station, Birmingham, Ala ., and transferred to Stoneville, Miss. a year later. He helped plan and direct the construction of the Southern Hardwoods Laboratory at Stoneville and served as project leader of Timber Management Research until 1970 when he transferred to Atlanta. were combined . Mann was the recipient of the 1966 Outstanding General Performance A ward for the Newnan District. The award was presented by the Georgia Forestry Association. Mann was married to the former Louise Fernander of Villa Rica . They had two daughters, Deborah , 17 and Sheila, 15. Mann was a member of the Ut opia Baptist Church where he was Sunday School superintendent. Memoriam HINTON L. PADGETT T . A. Schlapfer, left, Region Eight Forester, presents the Silver Smokey Statuette Award to William W. Huber, assistant regional forester, at the Southeastern State Foresters meeting in Atlanta . This award, the highest honor given to forest fire prevention personnel in the United States, was authorized by the National Association of State Foresters, the Advertising Council and the U. S. Forest Service. Fellow JOSEPH S. MCKNIGHT J. LOYD MANN J. Loyd Mann, 41 , ranger, Carroll Douglas Forestry Unit, is dead following a brief illness . Mann had been with the Georgia Forestry Commission for 18 years . He came with the Forestry Commission in 1953 as a patrolman in Douglas County. In 1956 Mann was promoted to ranger of the Douglas Unit. He assumed the responsibility for Carroll and Douglas Counties in 1963 when the fac ilities Hinton L. Padgett, 54 , a patrolman with the Bacon County Forestry Unit, has died . The native of Alma came with the Georgia Forestry Commission as a pa trolman in November 1961. He was a Mason and had an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army. Padgett was married to the former Allie Mae White of Alma . They had eight children ranging in age from 9-25. Ray Shirley , Commission director, praised the services of these two em ployees, pointing out dedication to job and high regard for responsibility . ..,.\.---- ------\ '\ ~, . , ,--. BEN HILL COUNTY ; .- J I - - '- - - - I Joseph S. McKnight, assistant area director, U . S. Forest Service's South eastern Area, State and Private Forest ry , has been named a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters. This is one of the nation's top honors in forestry . The Society of American Foresters is a national organization with about 17,000 members. McKnight has served four years as a member of the Council of the SAF . There are 111 ,000 commercial for est acres in Ben Hill County . Thi s repre sents 68 percent of the land area. Approximately 92 percent of the forest area is farmer-owned. Industry owned forest acreage is less than five percent. The forest acreage has a growing volume of 202.1 million board feet sawtimber and 859,000 cords of pulpwood. There were 84 ,596 cords of round pulpwood produced in the county in 1970. This was also the highest produc tive year . Since 1946, production has totaled 607 ,659 cords of round pulpwood. There are eight wood-using industries in the county employing 80 people with an annual payroll of approximately $320 ,000. The products of the industries include pulpwood , ch ips, untreated poles, cabinets, millwork , crossarms, slabs , edgings and green and air and kiln dried lumber. 11 Georgia, for the 23rd consecutive year, has led the South in pulpwood production. However, the 1970 production of 7,280,600 cords represented a decrease of 22,900 cords over 1969, according to the report, Southern Pulpwood Production , 1970, released by the Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture . Georgia's pulpwood harvest value was $174,734,400. This represented a $14 million increase over 1969 accord ing to Southern Forest Institute figures. Alabama was second with a production of 6.409,400 cords of round pulpwood and residues. Their pulpwood harvest was valued at $153 ,825,600 . Southern pulpwood production climbed to 42,152,410 cords in 1970. This exceeds last year's production by three percent and established another record high. Other southern states producing more than two million cords were Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi , North Carolina , South Carolina, Texas and Virginia . The record harvest delivered to the southern region's 107 pulp and paper mills was $1 ,011,657,840. This is 11 percent higher than the total value of 12 southern pulpwood harvested during 1969. Pulpwood harvest values for other southern states were Mississippi , $121, 293,600; North Carolina, $98,580,000; Louisiana, $93,981,600; Florida, $82.204,800; South Carolina, $79,219,200; and Texas,"$70,022,400 . Others were Arkansas, $61,780,800; Virginia, $57,679,200 ; Tennessee, $13,615,200 ; and Oklahoma, $4,720 ,800. Georgia has eight of the 71 counties that produced over 100,000 cords each . Wayne County led Georgia with a production of 195,572 cords of round pulpwood . This placed the South Georgia County fourth in the South behind Choctaw County, Alabama, Beaufort County, North Carolina and Fairfield County, South Carolina. The other Georgia counties were Appling, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Liberty and Ware. Georgia was second to Alabama in the production of wood residue with 1,102,300 cords. This is an eight percent decrease compared to 1969. Wood residue production in the South was more than 8.6 million cords, a three percent increase over the previous year. The daily pulping capacity for Geor- gia's 15 pulpmills was 13,778 tons per day. This is an increase of 300 tons per day for the reporting period . The daily pulping capacity of the 107 southern mills totaled 83,311 tons, up three percent from 1969. There were four mills under construction at the end of 1970. These mills will add 2,610 tons to the daily pulping capacity. The increase in production recorded in 1970 does not compare favorably with average increases over the past decade. During the sixties, total production grew at an average annual rate of six percent. The total output during 1970 exceeded that of 1969 by only 3.1 percent . The use of residues during the sixties was the most active component of pulpwood production. The average annual increase was almost 24 percent. The rise in 1970 was about three percent. The report includes charts and graphs on the number of companies procuring wood, mill capacity, production in creases and declines and detailed tables on all phases of production by state. Round hardwood and pine pulpwood cordage is Iisted by state and county . Georgia Forest Survey March 15,1972 Survey Complete Survey In Progress Survey In North Georgia t Volume Acreage~ The fourth survey of Georgia's timber resource, started in June 1970, is 78 percent complete. New data have been released for Southeast Georgia, one of five Forest Survey Units, in a report, "Forest Statistics for Southeast Georgia, 1971 ". The increased volume on less acreage trend set in the Southwest Georgia Unit continued in Southeast Georgia. Thomas R. Bellamy, associate mensurationist, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville , N. C., said that not only is the trend similar but the figures as well. Forest acreage in each unit declined six percent, and the volume of growing stock increased approximately 600 mil lion cubic feet. The findings show that the area of commercial forest land, in the 35 coun ty Southeast Georgia Unit, has decIined by 486,400 acres since 1960. The 7.4 million forest acres represents 69 percent of the Unit. The forest acreage was diverted to agricultural uses, primarily pasture and cropland, totaling 221,300 acres. An - other 148,800 acres were diverted to urban uses, lakes and small ponds . During the 60's, however, the volume of timber growing stock increased by 616 million cubic feet. The total growing stock volume reached 7.3 billion feet. Softwoods accounted for 248 million cubic feet or 40 percent of the increase, while hardwoods increased 369 million cubic feet. Slash pine gained 15 percent, and comprises 58 percent of the softwood volume. In 1970 the net growth of growing stock totaled 414 million cubic feet, and exceeded removals by only 46 million cubic feet or 11 percent. Mortality, caused by suppression, fire, weather, in sects and disease, totaled 35 million cubic feet which reduced gross growth by eight percent. The survey findings indicate that two The forest survey of Georgia's 37.7 million acres is more than 75 percent complete, according to the mid March report of Nolan Synder, field supervisor for the survey. Snyder said that the southern piedmont, Unit Three, has been completed. Work has begun in the northern piedmont, Unit Four, with 22 percent of the 32 county unit completed, he added. The field supervisor noted that the survey field office was moved to Gainesville the first of March. The office is headquartered at the Baker Trailer Park . It is estimated that the statewide survey will require visiting and tabulating conditions at 6,100 separate forest plots. The estimated completion date for the survey is November 1972. The Georgia Forestry Commission furnishes one man in each county to the survey . Two men make up a survey team . The state headquarters, for the survey field work, is the Georgia Forest Research Council at the Georgia Forestry Center, Macon. The Forest Survey is being conducted by the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, N. C. Joe P. McClure is the survey project leader. out of every seven acres still need artificial regeneration with site preparation. About 1.6 million of the acres, in need of regeneration, are in private, non-industrial ownerships. The area of commercial forest land owned by industry increased eight percent, and involves over two million acres. An additional 570,000 acres are under long-term lease bringing to 36 percent the commercial forest acreage under forest industry management. The farmer and miscellaneous private forest area decreased 315,000 acres or six percent. Only four percent of the forest area in Southeast Georgia is publicly owned. The Georgia Forestry Commission and forest industry are assisting the Southeastern Station in the collection of field data. 13 LETTERS SHADE TREE ASSISTANCE Wildfires Decline In '71 The 1971 fire season showed a dramatic decrease in both number of wildfires and acreage burned over 1970. The 9,998 fires burned 42,193 acres which represented reductions of 27 and 29 percent, respectively. Ray Shirley, Forestry Commission director, cited the expansion of the Rural Fire Defense Program and ideal weather conditions as major factors in personnel holding down fire losses. Nonforest fire losses, between 1970 and 1971 dropped from 16,305 acres to 6,220 acres. RFD personnel suppressed or assisted in the suppression of 1,290 fires . Their efforts resulted in the saving of property valued at more than $4.6 million. During 1971, 45 new Rural Fire Defense Departments were established, and 14 new counties entered the program. At the end of 1971, there were 250 departments active in 122 counties throughout Georgia. There were equipment requests pending for another 35 communities. The 1971 calendar year summary shows approximately 8,000 of the fires forest Griented. They accounted for about 36,000 acres. The Georgia Forestry Commission protects more than 14 27.5 million acres. Of this total, more than 3.8 million acres involve nonforest land. A dry April resulted in the only high fire occurrence period of the year. During this time, 29 percent of the fires burned 36 percent of the acreage loss occurred. The largest fire, 499 acres, occurred during the month in Brantley County . James C. Turner, Jr., chief, Forest Protection Division, Georgia Forestry Commission, stated that the leading fire causes were debris burning, incendiarism and smoking. Debris burning accounted for approximately 38 percent of the fires and acreage burned. The number of incendiary fires dropped 23 percent. There were 12 convictions obtained and 100 cases settled out of court. Fires caused by smoking were reduced 35 percent and the acreage loss by 44 percent. Turner pointed out that campers caused the least number of fires. Their 130 fires burned 591 acres. There were 218 wildfires caused by lightning. These unavoidable fires, Turner added, burned more than 1,017 acres. Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of talk ing with Mr. Kenneth Bailey, a representative of the Forestry Commission. I had called him in regard to obtaining information about a tree which appeared to be dying in my front yard, and to obtain confirmation of some recommendations given me by the operator of a tree service in northern Atlanta. This gentleman had, at my request, come to the house and inspected the tree. As a result of his inspections, he recommended spraying and limb removal of many of the trees on the lot . All this was well and good but his tactics concerned me . "That limb will fall and kill your children". "I won't be able to spray much longer because the state won't let us after the temperature gets down to 35 or 40 degrees". These statements seemed to imply an un necessary urgency in completing the work, though the man assured me that he had "$60,000 work ahead of him". His prices seemed unreasonable ($75.00 to spray one poplar tree and to remove a single limb from a second tree). Somewhat more unusual, was the man's claim that he did not know why he was prevented from spraying when the temperature dropped . I suggested that it might be because the insects would die anyway . He denied this and simply said it was a rule . I was somewhat disturbed by the fact that he, while walking through the lot, would pluck leaves off of the trees and show the apparent effects of insects. This I thought was natural and did not represent any particular blight on this stand of trees which apparently had been there for many years. Mr. Bailey was kind enough to point out that the statements made by this particular individual could be nearly uniformly ignored . He pointed out that this same individual had been using scare tactics and extracting unreasonable prices for his operations for many years. He advised me how I might quite simply and inexpensively take care of the problem myself. Perhaps more than the specific advice that he gave, and the reassurance that I had correctly interpreted the intentions of the tree service man as being improper, I appreciated the attitude of Mr. Bailey, his kindness, his patience and his understanding in handling the problem. Mr. Bailey represents the Forestry Commission in a fashion that can be admired by all of us who depend on his service and, perhaps, those who share his responsibilities. David E. Dalrymple, M.D. Atlanta, Georgia Logging The Foresters Richard E. Hodges, center, executive vice president, Liller, Neal, Battle and Lindsey, Inc. , Atlanta, accepts the Golden Smokey Award for his company's contribution to forest fire prevention in the South over the past 12 years. Presenting the gold statuette of Smokey Bear at a meeting of the Atlanta Advertising Club is Lewis W Shollenberger, vice president of the Advertising Council. Others are, 1-r, R. Max Peterson, deputy regional forester and Pat Sheehan, U. S. Forest Service, Washington; and William Huber, assistant region eight forester, Atlanta. The award to Liller, Neal, Battle and Lindsey was the only one given for 1971. In the 14-year. history of the program, only 22 Golden Smokey Awards have been given. This is Woodsy Owl, the newest U. S. Forest Service symbol, which will be the central figure in an anti-pollution and environmental program. His battle cry is "Give a Hoot. ..Don 't Pollute." Woodsy is aimed at virtually all forms of pollution in outdoor areas of the United States. The symbol focuses attention on the goals of environmental enhancement through such advice as: protecting the soil, vegetation, air and water through wise and thoughtful use; elimination of unnecessary noise; and public appreciation and personal responsibility for the control of vandalism and destruction of the Nation's out-of-doors. The Macon Tourist Information Center on 1-75 was dressed up for the Holiday Season. Mrs. Jean Holmes, Center manager, receives assistance from Herbert W Darley, Georgia Forestry Commission Macon Area forester. The Forestry Commission provided the eight foot loblolly pine tree. Hostesses putting finishing touches on the tree are Miss Betty Slater, Miss Suzanne Mosely and Miss Jaye Harvard. An instructor's training course in Multimedia First Aid has been successfully completed by 22 Georgia Forestry Commission personnel. Ray Shirley, Forestry Commission director, said the 16-hour cour.se qualifies the personnel to instruct Commission employees on the local level. Completion of the training better equips personnel to utilize first aid within the Commission and to serve the public in case of emergency, Shirley added. The instructor was Mrs. Patricia Wood, Safety Services secretary, Macon Chapter, American Red Cross. She was assisted by Milton W Rose, Commis sian investigator. 1S Georgia FORESTR SECOND-CLASS POST AGE PAID AT DRY BRANCH, GA. March, 1972 c.: rials Secti on University of Geo~gia University Librar~es Athens, Ga. 306 01 ~~ ~ This land is YOUR LAND KelP IT CttAN,1