Georgia forestry, Vol. 29, no. 1 (Mar. 1976)

Georgia Forestry

Mar. 1976 No.1 Vol. 29
George Busbee Governor A. Ray Shirley Director

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

L. H. Morgan, chairman
W. George Beasley Felton Denney Eley C. Frazer, Ill H. E. Williams

Eastman
Lavonia Carrollton Albany Woodbine

STAFF.
Frank E. Craven Editor Thomas R. Fontaine, Jr . Assoc. Editor Thomas B. Hall Artist
DISTRICT OFFICES GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION
COOSA VALLEY DISTRICT
P. 0 . Box Z, Mount Berry 30149
NORTH GEORGIA DISTRICT Route 5, Box 83, Canton 30114
ATLANTA DISTRICT 7 Hunter St ., S.W., Room 545, Atlanta 30334
CHATTAHOOCHEE FLINT P. 0. Box 1080, Newnan 30263
MCINTOSH TRAIL Route 7, Box 455, Griffin 30223
LOWER CHATTAHOOCHEE DISTRICT 6250 Warm Springs Road, Columbus 31904
MIDDLE FLINT DISTRICT
P. 0 . Box 1369, Americus 31730
COASTAL PLAIN DISTRICT Route 2, Ashburn 31714
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA DISTRICT Route 2, Box 215, Camilla 31730
GEORGIA SOUTHERN DISTRICT Route 2, Statesboro 30458
COASTAL DISTRICT
P. 0. Box 113, Midway 31320
SLASH PINE DISTRICT Route 2, Box 127B, Waycross 31501
CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER DISTRICT Route 2, Box 266, Washington 30673
GEORGIA MOUNTAINS P. 0 . Box 293, Oakwood 30566
NORTHEAST GEORGIA DISTRICT 650 College Station Road, Athens 30601
HEART OF GEORGIA DISTRICT P. 0. Box 96, McRae 31055
MIDDLE GEORGIA DISTRICT Columbus Road, Route 8, Macon 31206
OCONEE DISTRICT P. 0 . Box 881, Milledgeville 31061

Georgia Forestry is published quar-terly by the Georgia Forestry CommiSsion, Box 819, Macon, Ga. 31202 . The Georgia Forestry mailing address is Rt. 1, Box 85, Dry Branch , Ga. 31020.
Second class postage paid at Dry Branch, Ga.

CONTENTS
Cynthie Posey Is Essay Winner........................................................................... . 3 Best Fire Record Since 1965 Posted In 1975...... ............... ................................. 4 Fiscal 1975 Accomplishments Cited In Commission Report.. ............... ............ .. 5 Beaver Activity Surveyed..................................................... .............................. .. 6 Self-Help Community Service Focuses On Cooperative Effort............................ 7-9 Forestry Faces and Places................................................ .................................... 10-11 Wood-Using Industry Directory.................................................. ......................... 12 Naval Stores Conservation Program Reinstated.... ................................................ 13 , Logging The Foresters................................... ...................................................... 14-1 5
Cruising
The News
Buy "Fire Knockers"
y
County-wide fire protection in this and other sections of Georgia may not be as far away as many think-if we can solve the energy crisis.
The Georgia Forestry Commission has developed a special, low cost fire truck which delivers maximum fire-fighting for rural purposes. Called the "Fire Knocker," units cost about $3,500 against the former prices of $10,000 to $12,000. The low-profile trucks have a 950-gallon tank. and a gasoline-powered pump which can deliver up to 95 gallons of water or chemicals a minute. They carry a main hose on the rig for fighting larger fires and a smaller hose for grass fires and such, and also are equipped for drawing water out of a pond, creek or home deep well.
The rig can be switched from one truck to another in about an hour. Camden County has applied for four of the special fire-fighting vehicles. Other Georgia counties are certain to watch this newest rural fire-fighting development with more than ordinary interest. Maximum county-wide fire protection at lowest possible cost-with accompanying reductions in fire insurance rates-should be of major concern to all who live outside corporate townships.
(From the Moultrie Observer)
Don't Fire The Woodlands
Hunters and trash burners, beware. Conditions have been dry for three weeks or more and the Forestry Commission reports that November is due for more subnormal rainfall.
Not since October 17 when 1.82 inches of rain fell in the Moultrie area has there been any precipitation of note. And for the entire month of October, the area experienced only 2.55 inches of rain.
Although showers may fall now and then during November, if the section records less than two inches we may find woodland conditions almost tinder-dry-ripe for a spark or hot match or cigarette.
Georgia forests and woodlands are important to the economy of the state. They have a value which is irreplaceable over a period of 10 to 20 years, and wood is needed in the construction industry, a~ well as the trees being highly productive of naval stores.
Through September Georgia has recorded 5,501 forest fires which have burned nearly 21,000 acres-or less than one tenth of one percent of the protected acres in forests and woodlands. Let's not spoil this record in a dry period with carelessness and negligence.
(From the Moultrie Observer)

FIRST PLACE
I'M ADMIRING A TWO HUNDRED YEAR OLD TREE. JUST AS STORMY WINDS HAVE MADE IT STRONG, SO HAVE DIFFICULT TIMES MADE MYNA TJON, AMERICA, STRONG.
by CYnthie Posey

Cynthie Posey Is Essay Winner

SECOND PLACE
IN THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF OUR COUNTRY, TREES WERE VERY IMPORTANT FOR SHELTER, FOOD, TRAVEL, AND PROTECTION. TREES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TODAY.

by

Shawna Collins

Cynthie Posey won first place in "The Bicentennial- What Trees Mean To Me" essay

contest. She is the daughter of Mrs. C. T. Montfort, center, Reynolds. Representing

THIRD PLACE

the three sponsoring agencies were, 1-r, Mrs. Sue Kemble, Georgia Bicentennial Commission, Atlanta; Ben Meadows, president, Georgia Forestry Association, Atlanta;

TREES MEAN MOST TO ME A PLACE ANIMALS AND BIRDS TAKE SHELTER, JUST AS THE UNITED STATES HAS MEANT SHELTER AND FREEDOM FOR 200 YEARS.

Olin Witherington , Forestry Commission district forester, Americus; and Chesley Gilmore, ranger, Oglethorpe-Schley Forestry Unit, Montezuma.

Cynthie Posey, nine year old daughter of Mrs. C. T. Montfort, Reynolds, has been named the State winner in "The Bicentennial-What Trees Mean To

of Mr. and Mrs. James Collins, Jr., Vidalia. Third place was won by Jenny 01 iver, ten year old daughter of Major and Mrs. John B. Oliver, Jr., Milledge-

Me" essay contest.

ville.

by

Taking second place, statewide, was

Cynthie is a fourth grade student at

Jenny Oliver

Shawna Collins, nine year old daughter Beechwood School, Marshallville. Shaw-

na is in the fourth grade at the Sally

Meadows School, Vidalia. Jenny attends

John Milledge Academy, Milledgeville,

in the fifth grade.

The State winner received a $100

Savings Bond for taking first place state-

wide. The second and third place win-

ners received $50 and $25 Savings

Bonds, respectively . In addition, they

received a plaque.

On the District level, first place win-

ners received a $25 Savings Bond, and

the second and third place winners re-

ceived $10 and $5 cash awards. All

county winners received a certificate

and a packet of tree seedlings.

All prizes were awarded on Arbor

Day, Feb. 20, 1976. In Georgia, Arbor

Day is observed on the third Friday in

Reviewing the 18 essay finalists' entries, in "The Georgia Bicentennial-What Trees February.

Mean To Me" essay contest, are the panel of three judges, Ray Shirley, left-center,

The contest, open to all third, fourth

director, Georgia Forestry Commission; and Frank Craven, left, chief, Commission and fifth graders in Georgia, was cospon-

Forest Education Division, both of Macon. The judges are Mrs. Doris R. Martin, left, sored by the Georgia Forestry Commis-

public service director, WMAZ- TV, Macon; Mrs. Margaret H. Lamon, past conserva- sion, Georgia Forestry Association and

tion chairman, Garden Clubs of Georgia, Macon; and Nathan A. Byrd, forest resource the Georgia Bicentennial Commission.

management, U. S. Forest Service, Atlanta.

About 72,000 children entered an essay.
3

Georgia enjoyed its best fire prevention and suppression year since 1965 last year, announced Ray Shirley, director, Georgia Forestry Commission.
The 1975 fire season saw 7,234 wildfires burn 25,432 forest and open acres. In 1965, 6,823 wildfires blazed through 25,092 acres. Shirley pointed out that the 1975 year is even more impressive when you consider the fact that the Forestry Commission personnel are protecting approximately 3.6 million more acres than in 1965.

James C. Turner, Jr ., chief, Forestry Commission Forest Protection Division, said that approximately 41.3 percent of the fires and 51 .3 percent of the acreage burned occurred in a two month period. March and April were the top fire occurrence months, according to the calendar year summary.
The number of fires was above 1,000 in each of the two months. However, these were the only two months that more than 1,000 fires occurred, Turner added.
The average size fire was 3.52 acres. This tied the previous record low thatwas set in 1973, Turner noted.
Debris burning remained the number one wildfire cause in Georgia. Incendiarism was second and smoking third in the ranking of major wildfire causes. There were 2,168 debris fires against 2,119 incendiary blazes. However, the incendiary fires burned 10,265 acres in comparison to the 7,239 acres blackened by debris burning. The 892 fires started
by smoking blazed through 2, 726 forest and open acres.
Campers continued to be the most fire prevention minded . They accounted for only 62 fires which burned 301 acres.
Only 123 of the wildfires, 1.7 percent, were unavoidable . These wildfires, caused by Iightning, burned 941 acres or 3 .7 percent of the forest and open acreage burned .
Shirley emphasized that experienced, well -trained personnel and landowner cooperation , along with above average weather conditions, contributed to the excellent fire control and prevention year.

7,234 Wildfires Suppressed

Fi cal 1975 Accomplishment

Cited In Commi ion R port

1.5 million acres. This represents an 18.8 percent increase in number of assists over the past fiscal year.

The 34,580 acres of forests and open

land burned represents a 19 percent de-

crease over the 1973-74 fiscal year. The

9 ,722 wildfires averaged 3 .54 acres per

fire. This was the second lowest on re-

cord. The low of 3.39 acres was set in

1972-73.

Incendiarism replaced debri s burning

as the number one fire cause . Debris

burn ing was second and smoking third

in the ranking of major fire causes . There

were 2,993 incendiary fires that took a

toll of 14,106forestacres. The 2,975 de-

bris f ires blazed through 7,754 acres.

There were 3,759 acres blackened by

1,499 smoking fires.

The slash pine orchard, at the Davis-

boro Seed Orchard, was approved for

blue tag certification by the Georgia

Crop Improvement Association . This is

the first blue tag certification of pine

seed in the United States. T ree seed pro-

cessing facilities and 298.7 acres of seed

orchard were given green tag certifica -

tion in 1969.

Georgia landowners purchased 48.9

Rural Fire Defense Program enters new phase; Forest Incentives Program

There were 1,064 landowners provided services on 39,956 acres during the

million tree seedlings. Th is represented a 23.5 percent increase over the previous

extended statewide; acreage burned de- 1974 FIP year. The services involved the fiscal year .

creased 19 percent; and seed orchard site preparation of 16,893 acres, plant-

Through a wide variety of education-

approved for blue tag certification.

ing 14,185 acres and timber stand im- al programs, the Forestry Commission

These highlights are depicted in the provement on 4, 358 acres .

strives to reach all Georgians with the

1975 annual report of the Georgia For-

There were 54,286 woodland owners importance of maintaining its forest re-

estry Comm ission, Ray Shirley, director. provided forest management services on sources in a multiple use cond iti on.

The Georgia Forestry Commission be-

gan production of a "Fire Knocker"

slip-on-unit. This marked the first time,

. since the program's inception in 1968, that the Forestry Commission has been

able to offer equipment in a "pump and

roll" condition .

The state legislature provided the im-

petus to the self-help community service

through a $65,500 allocation. The pro-

gram was further enhanced by a federal

appropriation of $69,400 through the

Rural Community Fire Protection Pro-

gram. City, town and community gov-

ernments may enter a 50-year lease a-

greement at a cost of $3,500 for the

slip-on-unit.

The Forest Incentives Program, de-

signed to increase timber production

through tree planting and/or timber

stand improvement, was made available

to all Georgia landowners. 5



A Geo rgi a Forestry Commiss ion bea ve r damage survey shows an increase in beave r activity since a si mila r survey was conducted in 1967, accord ing t o Com mission Director Ray Shirley .
Sh irley said the 1975 survey ind icates that the area on which the trees were damaged increased 129 percent o ver 1967 . Th ere are approximately 287,700 acres inundated by beaver in Georgi a .
Th e loss of commerci al timbe r ex ceeded 2.8 millio n cords of pul pwood and one bill ion board fe et of sawti m be r. The timber loss was valued at more than $45 mill ion .
Druid Preston, chief, Comm issi o n Forest Management Division, sa id the heaviest timber losses re ported came
Beaver gnawing damage is abou t to fell these slash pine trees. There are approximately 287,700 acres inundated by beaver in Georgia. 6

A beaver stick hut is usually construc ted on islands or in the shallow area of a pond.

from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain re gions of the state, and continued alon g t he Fa ll Line and south along the maj o r rive r systems . There were 258 .489 acres of co mmercial timber reported fl o oded along with an add itional 4,500 acres in timbe r reproduction . The forest acreage acco unted for 91 percent of the flooded acres, Preston emphasized .
The number of damage reports was 9 ,988 in 1975 compared to 2,632 in 1967 and 519 in 1960 . The state acre age fi gures have jumped from 15,702 in 1960 and 126.409 in 1967 to the pre se nt 287.700 acres .
In add ition to timber , many of t he reports listed damage to pa stures an d c rop la nds . T here were reports of fl o oded county roads, utility and railroad righ ts of way, pond spillways a nd ur ban dams.
Ho wever , in most counties the re are landowners who desire t o keep the beaver fo r such benefits as increased wil dlife ha bitat, water impou ndments for ir rigation, livestock and f lood co nt rol. Benefits de rived fro m beavers we re thought to offset the damages in 38 counties throughout the state. The benefits most frequently list ed were the esta blis h ment of wildlife habitat for du c ks and fish and eros ion control by slowin g run-off.
As for control s, t rapping was the measure most frequently reported, and accounted for 35 percent of the t ota l ef

fort . The survey indicated that beaver are trapped for fur in 75 counties .
Dynam iting, shooting and the use of dra in pipes were ranked behind trapping as beaver control s most used . The most successful controls were trapping and dynamiting.
Prest on noted that the recent survey was a result of numerous reports from woodland owners concerning timber damage by th e beavers . Out of app roxi mately 10,000 landowners with beaver pro ble ms, 32 percent have regi stered com pl aints wit h vari ous agenc ies. About seve n percent have initiated some type of control program .
Presto n c ited the survey as an insight int o t he cu rrent beaver situation in Georgia . Some counti es showing only sl igh t or no damage probably have some losses th at a more intensive survey would have reveal ed .
The survey was conducted on a count y basis by Georgia Forestry Commission personnel and management foreste rs in conjunction with the Soil Con servati on Servi ce , Game and Fish Divi si o n, De partme nt of Natural Resources and Universi ty of Georgia Cooperative Exte nsi o n Service .
The survey report was prepared by Jo hn Godbee and Terry Pr ice, Commi ssion fo rest entomologi sts . A copy of the report ma y be obtained by writing to t he Geo rgia Forestry Commission, P. 0 . Box 819, Macon, Ga. 31202.

RFD Program

Self-Help Community Service

Focuses On Cooperative Effort

The Georgia Forestry Commission has been helping rural communities in Georgia through the Rural Fire Defense Program since 1968. This self-help program involved the loaning of equipment, such as a truck and tanks, by the Forestry Commission to local volunteer departments to develop into fire fighting equipment.
The purpose of the RFD Program is (1) to assist unprotected communities in
- establishing an initial fire protection pro-
'

gram, (2) to reinforce existing fire departments and equip them for fighting rural fires, and (3) to provide the Forestry Commission with a backup force of men and equipment for emergency forest fire use.
The RFD Program was made possible through the Clark-McNary Act of 1924 and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, authorizing the transfer of excess property to the Georgia Forestry Commission through the U. S. Forest Service's Cooperative Fire Control Program.

Construction

The State of Georgia Emergency and Disaster Operations Plan assigns the Forestry Commission as the primary responsible agency fo r the function of fire control in rural areas.
Under a cooperative lease agreement with government entities, the Forestry Commission is loaning them equipmem for fire fighting purposes in rural areas. The lease is for 50-years. The Forestry Commission furnishes a truck and tank, and the cooperator agrees to develop this equipment into a serviceable fire fighting pumper or tanker. In many instances, the Forestry Commission has furnished pumps, hose, reels and miscellaneous items to the cooperators as they became available through the Federal Excess Program.
In an effort to upgrade the RF D Program, due to the continuing interests and requests from cooperating departments, the Forestry Commission entered a new phase of its RFD Program with the production of a 950-gallon slip-on unit, Fire Knocker, in early 1975. The Georgia legislature provided the impetus for its development through an allocation of $65,500.
It was further enhanced by a federal appropriation to Georgia of $69,400 through the Rural Commun ity Fire Protection Program. The program is part of the Rural Development Act of 1972 introduced by Georgia Senator Herman Talmadge.
Two demonstration models were made in the Forestry Comm ission shop at Macon . They were demonstrated at

Completion

Suppression

"' Dedication

Gainesville Times photo

by Alma Bowen.

7

several locations throughout the state. This resulted in 204 applications being received for the fire knocker tanker during a 30-day sign up period.
There were 66 applicants that received grants to be put toward the lease price of $3,500. The grants were g1ven only to those communities of 10,000 people or less that received the highest ranking under the priority gu idelines es-
tablished by the U.S. Forest Service. The program enabled communities
receiving grants to apply approximately $1,051 toward the lease. Applicants that did not receive grants may lease the fire knocker tanker for the full price.
The slip-on-tank is designed to meet National Fire Protection Association guidelines for tankers which helps in reducing fire insurance rates. Howeve r, having a fire knocker tanker may not result in a reduction in rates as other criteria have to be met.
There were 100 fire knocker tankers delivered during the last six months of 1975. This is a remarkable record in view of the fact that the trucks were repaired or rebuilt, painted and the other com ponents fabricated and assembled pri marily by Forestry Commission person nel.
Vocational techn ical schools through out the state were assembling the tanks. These were delivered to various county units where they were put on the trucks and the plumbing installed.
Further construction aid was provided through the Job Opportunities Pro gram under the Public Works and Eco nomic Development Act late in 197 5 . Georgia received approval for three projects involving fire knocker tanker construction. The assembly units are locat ed at Dawsonville, Sylvester and Toccoa . Between 42 and 57 previously unemployed persons have been employed at these locations.
The purpose of the Job Opportun ities Program is to alleviate une mploy ment through emergency financial assistance, and to create job opportunities in areas having particularly severe unemployment (more than 6.5 percent) .
As a result, the program is creating possible future jobs for welders, painters, mechanics, plumbers and construction . The rural homeowner will indirectly benefit from lower insurance rates where their departments meet insurance

Fire Knocker Tanker Presentations

8

I

I

Rural Fire D fe .se In Georgia

~

I

I

I

Legend

COUNTIES WITH RFD DEPARTMENTS PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1975

COUNTIES WITH FIRE KNOCKER TANKER PRIOR TO FEB. 1, 1976

standards . The volunteer departments a re saving
mill ions of dollars wo rth of property each year . Because the depa rtments are mostly staffed by voluntee r firemen, they are saving the ir neighbors, close friends as well as their own property at a minimum cost to the property owner.
During the 1975 calendar year, rural fire defense personnel suppressed or assisted in the suppression of 3 ,903 fires . There were 2,266 fires involving structures and equipment. The efforts of the RFD volunteers resulted in the saving of property valued at more t han $23.7 mil lion . Th is is exclusive of resource values saved on forest and brush fires.
Training has played an important role in their efficiency . During the past seven and one-half years, more than 4,800 volunteer firemen have received a six hour Field and Brush Fire Tra inin g Course taught by Forestry Commission personnel.
By Forestry Comm issi on field personnel conduct ing this training for co operators, a closer working relationship
between both agencies has been created. The Georgia Fire Academy has also
worked hand-in-hand with the R FD departments in provid ing a compreh ensive structural training program . Their mini mum basic program involves 60-hours of training for fire fighters.
Since the R FD Program's inception, it has been evident that rural Georgian s were very much interested in fire protection. The cooperation exhibited by county and city governments and the support provided by solons on the state and national level has made this self-help community service program a reality .
At present there are 141 counties in the program with 463 pieces of equipment in operation . There are 151 re quests pending for equipment.
Ray Shirley, director , Georgia Forestry Commission, cites the fire knocker tanker phase of the Rural Fire Defense Progarm as one of the best received programs ever offered by the Forestry Commission . Providing equipment, in a pump and roll cond ition, that counties and towns could afford has put fire protection from the future into the present, Sh irley pointed out.
He added that its value to rural Gea r gia will continue to be realized in the years to come .
9

Forestry Faces

.... Hoyt W. Jo rdan , center , a 34-year veteran of fighting forest fires , has received the first Geo rgia Fo restry Commiss ion state safety award . The Wilkes County Forestry Un it patrolman has had no reportable acc idents since he began his forestry career in September 1942.
"This, despite the hazardous type work he is employed to do , is remarkable," stated Bob Burns, right, the Commission's state training officer, Macon. Burns added that in addition to fighting forest fires, Jordan also handles much of the welding for the local Forestry Unit, and has driven the Unit's transports in all types of weather .
Jordan was recommended for the award by Hollis Winn, left , Washington District training officer, Wash ington.
..... Personnel of the Athens Distr ict desi gned and constructed this prize winning float. The float won first place in Elberton , best costuming in Athens, third place in Comer, and was also used in Maysv ille and Watk insville. Putting the finishing touches on the float are Paul Hix, left, patrol man, Madison County and J . L. Stanford, ranger, ClarkeOconee Forestry Unit . Other personnel who constructed the float were Larry Burden, Elbert County, L. C. Chambers, Madison County, Wendall Faulkner, Clarke County and Billy Ray , Elbert County . 10

..... There are 123,300 commercial forest acres in Chatham County . This represents 42.6 percent of the land area .
Approximately 68.5 percent of the commercial forest acreage is privately owned. Industry owned forest acreage comprises 29.2 percent.
The forest acreage has a growing vol ume of 165 million cubic feet. The annual cut is 5.8 million cubic feet, and the annual growth is 7.7 million cubic feet .
There are approximately 56,700 acres in need of site preparation and/or planting in Chatham County. About 67.4 percent of the acreage is in oak-hickory.
There were 35,125 cords of round pulpwood produced in the county in
1974. The highest production, 37,654 cords, occurred in 1956. Since 1946 production has totaled 673,940 cords of round pulpwood.
There are approximately 43 woodusing industries in Chatham County employing 7,118 persons with an annual payroll of more than $71 .2 million . The products produced by the industries include pulpwood, lumber, posts, poles, piling, crossties, veneer, plywood, chips, prefinished panels, paper and sulfate turpentine . ..... Georgia's largest fringe tree, to date, has been located on the property of Dr. W. C. McGarity of Social Circle. The tree measures 19 inches in circumference; is 33 feet tall; and has a crown spread of 13 feet.
It is located two miles north of Social Circle, about 1.4 miles west of Ga. 11 on

And Places

a county road. Sometimes known as Old Man's
Beard, the tree grows from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and Florida to Arkansas. The fringe tree normally attains a height of 20-30 feet.
The fringe tree was measured by John Dickinson, above, forester, Georgia Forestry Commission and Lewis Justice, Soil Conservation Service, both of Monroe.

..... The biennial Seed Handling Workshop was held in the Eastern Tree Seed Laboratory at the Georgia Forestry Center. Dr. Earl Belcher, lab director, said the latest research findings were presented on proper seed handlings and testing as well as findings on related topics of insect and pathogen problems.
The approximate 60 foresters and seedsmen also toured the Georgia Forestry Commission's certified cone and seed processing facilities.

~Robert Karrfalt of Erie, Pa. has been named assistant director of the Eastern Tree Seed Laboratory, announced Dr. Earl Belcher, director. Karrfalt is handling the service testing, Cone Analysis and Seed Orchard Seed Evaluation Testing programs .

..... The Athens District and Clarke-Oconee Forestry Unit personnel have moved into

new facilities at Whitehall on the Simonton Bridge Road. The five-room office building was designed by the Georgia Forestry Commission, and erected by the forestry unit personnel.

This is the third home for the Unit since 1952. Offices for the Clarke County Unit

were originally in the School of Forestry Building. In 1957, offices were moved to

College Station Road where they remained until present facilities were constructed.

The 100-foot Clarke Tower was moved from the Oconee-Denmark Forest to the

new office site. Future plans call for the construction of a combination three-stall

truck shed and shop.

The facilities occupy a 2.8 acre site being leased from the University of Georgia

Board of Regents.

11

lNOODUSING INDUSTRIES
IN
GEORGIA

exclud ing pulp and paper , processed 1,706 billion board feet of round timber. Of this volume, 78 percent was p ine, and 18 percent was oak, gum and poplar. Cypress, h ickory, maple and several other minor species accounted for the rema in ing four percent.
Sawm ills ut ilized 1,301 billion board feet or 76 percent of the total. The next large user of logs and standing timber was the veneer and plywood industry J which consumed 248 million board feet . Treating pl ants processed 102 million board fe et, most ly pine, and other roundwood processors accounted for 54 million board feet.
Round pulpwood and residue chip production in Georgia increased in 1974. The production of 8,117 ,812 cords represented an increase of 3 .2 percent over 1973. Wood residue chip production was 1,907,200 cords .
Sh irl ey added that the publication was made poss ible through t he fine response and cooperation of the woodus ing industries t o the requests made by t he Forestry Commission fores t ers and .. county rangers who gathered the infor mation .
The combined Report and Directory was compiled by Paul M. Butts and Wesley L. Wells, J r., Forestry Commission forest products uti Iization specialists.

A 1975 " Directory of Wood -Using Industries In Georgia" is completed announces Ray Sh ir ley, director, Georgia Forestry Commission. The directory Iists companies which manufactured or processed wood in 1974, and includes a report on the economic importance of various wood-based industries in the State.
Shirley emphasized that the directory is prepared as a marketing guide and an aide in bringing buyer and seller together where Georgia grown or manufactured forest products are involved . The report is designed for foresters, economists an d others interested in the evaluation of timber production t ren ds, he pointed out.
Shirley cited the d irectory as having the most complete listings of companies of any published by t he Fore stry Commission . The directory conta ins 1,329 listings. 12

Wood -using in dustr ies , in operation during 1974, are presented in alpha betical o rder within each county. Names, addresses an d a brief descripti o n of mater ials purchased and products so ld are given along with a size class code based on the nu m ber of employees.
The prod uction data is presented by geo graphical areas identica l to the fo rest survey units on the 1972 Georgia Forest Survey . T his enables production data t o be compared directly with the forest survey statistics.
Chapters are devoted to sawmills a nd planing mills, veneer and plywood and treating plants, pulp and paper industries and other rou nd timber processo rs. In addition , the report shows how pro duction volumes are di stributed with details on species utilized for each type of industry.
The Utilization Report shows that in 1974 Georgia's wood-using ind ustries,

Senator Herman E. Talmadge

Geo rgia Senator Herman Talmadge recently advised that the Naval Stores Conservation Program has been reinstat ed for 1976.
An allocation of $250,000 has been earmarked for cost-share payments earned under the NSCP, Senator Talmadge said . He pointed out that gum producers will be receiving the highest cost-share payments ever approved.
The initial installation (virgin faces) calls for payments of 22 cents per face on a nine inch practice; 28 cents per face on a ten inch practice; and 32 cents per face on an 11 -i nch and above practice. The Geo rgia Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service Office, Athens, will make the cost-share payments.
Gum naval stores producers may make their requests for NSCP participation through their county forestry offices, effective immediately .
Jim L. Gill is, J r., president, American Turpentine Farmers Association, Valdosta, made the request for the program's reinstatement on behalf of the Association's membership. Gillis stated that he was pleased that the Department of Agriculture had restored the program for the gum naval stores producers. He noted that naval stores is tru ly a conservation program because of the accumulation of timber inventory while working the trees .
Ray Sh irley, director, Georgia Forestry Commissio n, said that the fiel d phase of the program is under the di recti on of the state foresters of Ala., Ga., Fla., and Miss. The Forestry Commission coordinates the field services in the four states , he added .

Gum producers making their initial installation of cups on virgin faces will be receiving the highest cost-share payments ever approved.
The Georgia Forestry Commission has five foresters assigned full time providing assistance to naval stores operators and servicing the Naval Stores Conservation Program. Through increased assistance to producers and wood technicians higher gum produc tion and profit should be realized.

13

LETTERS
FIRE KNOCKER
Tuesday, January 27, was a terrible day for citizens of Meriwether County and Greenville. We lost our very beautiful and historic Court House to " wildfire". I am very pleased at the response that was made by all the Fire Un its which came to our aid. I am very, very proud of the part Rural Fire Defense Units played on this day. All of the units from Troup and Meriwether Counties were on hand and, they all did a grand job.
But, I was overwhelmed at the job our "Fire Knocker" from Luthersville did. I know that we were told that this is a good Unit, but I just didn't realize how good it was until it was put to a massive comparison with other equipment. And, perhaps this is the first time this has occurred since the program was initiated last year. This "Fire Knocker" was the talk of the town. It threw water about six feet higher than anything on its side of the blazing Court House, and the records and inside fixtures of the building, where this unit was watering, were the only ones actually saved in workable condition. I know this because my wife, Virginia, works in this section of the building, and she has told me most of the records were still intact. The RFD equ ipment from Gay also played a big part in saving this portion of the Court House.
And I could not leave out Bill Woodyard and the "Fire Knocker" from Troup County. Bill told me they pumped about 7,000 gallons of water on the building. We are very grateful as well as proud of the part these units played.
Ernest Orr, Ranger Meriwether County Forestry Unit Greenville, Ga .
CELEBRATION
We recently celebrated giving away our 100 millionth seedling by planting a mini-forest consisting of 131ive oaks and 50 loblolly pines at Lake Mayer here in Chatham County. I would like to express our appreciation to the Georgia Forestry Commission for the part they played on this occasion, specifically to Francis Palmer and to Rip Fontaine.
It is indeed enlightening to know we have friends to help us out when we call.
E. A. Davenport, Jr. Chief Conservation Forester Union Camp Corporation Savannah, Ga.
SERVICES Thanks to Ranger Crawford Bramlett for the posters he gave us. We certainly should learn a lot about trees.
I do want you to know I received some more booklets from Frank Craven in Macon .
Mrs. Charles Bowen Dalton, Ga. 14

Thanks for the fine service Frank Craven rendered the Society of American Foresters dur1974-75 as a member of the Information and Communication Committee. Your suggestions and recommendations have significantly strengthened the Society's public affairs program. Over the past two years we have produced four radio spots, two TV spots, a slide show on the Society's national office and services, and two high-quality brochures on what foresters can do.
The Society is deeply grateful for his time and commitment.
John A. Beale President, SAF Bethesda, Md.
We owe a great deal of the success of our "Trees For Tomorrow" program to the cooperation we received from the Georgia Forestry Commission . We are particularly indebted to Francis Palmer for his time and work beyond his official responsibilities.
May I express the sincere thanks of the Cou nty government and the people of Chatham County.
Walter M. Matthews Chatham County Commissioner Savannah, Ga .
FAIR
The 1975 Southeastern Bicentennial Exposition and State Fair has now been recorded as history .
What we did , the goals we accompl ished , the new doors we opened, were all a part of the story which unfolded .to be a part of the best produced Fair in the history of Atlanta.
Everyone. associated with the making of this success can be justly proud, and you are certainly no exception. On behalf of the staff here at the Southeastern State Fair, we wish to extend our sincerest appreciat ion.
Buddy Webre General Manager Southeastern State Fair
BROADCASTERS
On behalf of the broadcasters of Metro Atlanta, please accept my sincere appreciation for your participation in the 1975 Community Leaders Ascertainment Survey. From the almost 150 persons who participated, the broadcasters were able to get a clear, concise picture of the problems and needs of Atlanta.
I am sure they will be reflecting these needs in the planning of their programming in the months and years to come.
William G. Sanders Executive Director Georgia Association of
Broadcasters, Inc. Atlanta, Ga.

Logging The
Service Awards
20 YEARS

Daniel W. Bagley ...........Towerman

Buena Vista, Ga.

Oct. 1955

Barney 0. Dickerson ..... Patrolman

Statesboro, Ga.

Feb. 1956

Ernest G. Dixon ............Patrolman

Sandersville, Ga .

Feb. 1956

Bill H. Durrence.. ...... .... Ranger

Pulaski, Ga .

Nov. 1954

Jack A. Finch ................ Patrolman

Sylvania, Ga .

Oct. 1955

Newell D. Lastinger ....... Ranger

Moultrie, Ga.

Oct. 1954

Paul L. Moore ...............Ranger

Statesboro, Ga.

Feb. 1956

W. S. Partridge, Jr.... ..... Supervisor

Supplies & Property

Macon, Ga.

Sept. 1955

Earnest M. Ray .............Towerman

Canton, Ga .

Feb. 1956

James W. Richey .. ......... Forester

~

Milledgeville, Ga .

Jan. 1956

George C. Sanders.........Supervisor

Maintenance Shop

Macon, Ga.

Jan. 1956

Ms. Thelma I. Shubert...Cierk

Atlanta, Ga .

Oct. 1955

25 YEARS

.

Frank Bagweii...............Ciaims Examiner Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 1950
James Cromer, Jr...........Patrolman Oglethorpe, Ga. Oct. 1949
Ms. Doris Ann Easler .....Towerwoman Macon , Ga. Dec. 1951

Foresters ...
Homer L. Grizzle... ........Patrolman Cartersville, Ga. Oct. 1950
Ms. Sadie B. Nettles.......Cierk Homerville, Ga. Jan. 1951
Leon E. Newsome, Jr.... Towerman Columbus, Ga. Nov. 1950
Robert C. Womack ....... .Ranger Sandersville, Ga. Aug. 1952
30 YEARS

1961. Adams was the McRae District Fire Control ranger at the time of his retirement. He came to the Forestry Com mission in 1943 as ranger of the Montgomery County Unit...J. D. BEAU CHAMP, 77, was ranger of the Dodge County Forestry Unit for 16 years. He came with the Forestry Commission in 1952 and retired in 1968. In 1952,1961
and 1962 his Unit was named the most outstanding in the State .
CALENDAR ...STATE FFA Field Day, High Falls State Park, Apr. 29 ... HARD-

WOOD Symposium, Cash iers, N. C. Apr. 29-May 1...WARE County Forest Festival, Waycross, May 4-5... Forest Farmers Assoc iation's 1976 Southern Forestry Conference, Ashev ille, N. C., May 19-
20...GEORGIA Fire Equipment Show, Macon, May 26... ENVIRONMENTAL Education Institutes , Shorter College, Rome , June 7-25 ; Valdosta State College, Valdosta, June 14-July 2... YOUTH Workshops, ABAC, T ifton, June 13-18; Gordon Junior College, Barnesville, July 18-23...GEORGIA Forestry Association, Jekyll Island , June 13-14.

Hoyt W. Jordan ........ ..... Patrolman Washington, Ga. Sept. 1942

Operation "Plant Dig", a beautification project initiated by the Georgia Forestry

Commission, was held near Cartersville in December. The event attracted over 2,000

people. The Georgia Department of Transportation opened a portion of the 1-75

Francis Palmer, forester, Georgia Fores- right-of-way in the Lake Alatoona area to the public to remove plants which would

try Commission coordinated the Chat- have been lost in construction. Project Coordinator Steve Sandfort, forester, Georgia

ham County Trees For Tomorrow coun- Forestry Commission, said that the "Plant Dig" was a cooperative project between

tywide tree distribution. Palmer, right, the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Department of Transportation.

and Ron Goodlin, patrolman, Chatham ~ County Forestry Unit prepare the
60,000 tree seedlings for distribution.

New Rangers

The distribution was part of a week long

program promoting the importance of

trees in the community and educating

the public concerning our environment.

RETI REMENTS...TOM BARBRE, towerman, Lamar-Pike-Spalding-Upson Unit, June 1958-Dec. 1975...C. FRANK EDWARDS, towerman, Douglas Unit, Mar. 1950-Dec. 1975... ROBERT H. LANE, ranger, Butts-Henry Unit, Oct. 1953Dec. 1975...THOMAS J. USHER, towerman, Oct. 1955-Dec. 1975.
IN MEMORIAM ...J. CARL ADAMS, 79, worked with the Georgia Forestry Commission for 18 years. He retired in June

Johnny Butler Ranger Butts-Henry Co. Unit

Curren"Buck" Wynn Ranger Tift Co. Unit
15

Georgia F 0 R E S T R V

SECOND-CLASS POST AGE PAID AT DRY BRANCH, GA.

March, 1976

The Robert Toombs Oak. Located in Washington, Georgia, this white oak tree is named for Confederate General Robert Toombs who lived in the nearby house. It has been said, he refused to take the oath of allegiance and was supposed to be hung by northern troops under the command of Captain Saint. General Toombs escaped capture and remained an "unreconstructed rebel" the remainder of his life.

Cost $0.109 Quantity 13.000