Georgia forestry, Vol. 44, no. 2 (Summer 1991)

Georgia
FORESTRY
US PS No. 21 7120 Summer, 1991 No. 2 Vol. 44
STAFF Howard E. Bennett, Editor William S. Edwards, Asso. Editor Jackie N. Swinson Graphic Artist
Zell Miller, Governor John W. Mixon, Director
BOARD O F COM M ISSIONE RS Jim L. Gillis, Jr., Chairman , Soperton
Felton Denney, Carrollton Jam es Fendig, Savannah Dr. Gloria Shatto, Rome Robert Simpson, Ill, Lakeland
DISTRICT OFFICES
District One 3086 M artha Berry Hwy.. NE/Rome, GA 30161
District Two 3005 Atlanta Hwy./Gain esvi lle. GA 30501
District Three 1055 E. Whitehall Rd./Athens , GA 30605
District Four P.O . Box 1080/Newnan , GA 30264
District Five 119 Highway 49/M illedgeville, GA 31061
Dis triCl Six 1485 Tygnall Rd./Washington , GA 30673
District Seven Route 1, Box 23A/Americus, GA 31709
Distri t Eight Route 3. Box 17/Tifto n. GA 31794
District ine P.O . Box 345/Camilla. GA 31730
District Ten Rou te 2, Box 28/Statesboro. GA 30458
Dis trict Eleven Route 1, Box 67/Helena. GA 31037
District Twelve 5003 Jacksonville Hwy./Waycros s. GA 31501
Urban Forestry 6835 M emorial DrivP Stone Mountain, GA 10083
Georgia Forestry is published quarterly by the Georgia Forestry Commission, Route 1, Box 181 , Dry Branch, GA 31020. Second class postage paid at Macon, GA POSTMASTER; Send address changes to Georgia Forestry Commission, Route 1, Box 181 , Dry Branch, GA 31020.
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2/Ceorgia Forestry/Summer 1991

NCDALE
COMPANY
50 'fllllonth
ing
Langdale packs soil around longleaf pine after it is planted bv yo u ngs t e r.
LANGDALES PLANT SO MILLIONTH TREE
The four-year-old great grand son of the founder of one of Georgia's large t and oldest fore st products company carried on the long tradition of the firm recently by planting its fifty millionth tree.
The youn gster, Robert H. Langdale Jr., was assisted by Harley Langdale, Jr., chairman of the board, The Langdale Company; and John M . Mixon, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, in the brief plantin g ce remony on company land near Valdosta.
Company officials said the tree planting by the Langdale fami ly began in 1931 when th e elder Langdale used naval stores laborers to dig seedlings from the wood s and transplant them in worked-out field s in Echols County. Today, The Valdosta-based company owns and manages more than 200,000 acres of South Georgia timberland .
The company, founded by Judge Harley Langdale, Sr., who died in 1972 at the age of 84, now operates five major manufacturing faci lities and two treatin g plant , employing almost 1,000 people. The products include lumber, treated lumber, utility poles, marine pilin g, fence posts and ori ented strand board .
Since 1894, the Lan gdale Company has managed its vast lands for timber production, agri culture and wildlife, and is an original"environmentally concern ed organization," according to a co mpany spo kesman.
COVER PHOTO - A beautiful cardin al peeps ou t of heavy foliage.
Cu ltivatio n of non-game wi ldlife i another aspect of modern forest management.

PROGRESSIVE FORESTRY CONCEPTS SPAN TWO BALFOUR GENERATIONS

Sixty-three-year-old R. C. Balfour, Ill, a prominent Thomasville landowner and lumber manufacturer, never in his life had to be sold on progressive forest management and conservation practices. He grew up with the concepts long before their importance was generally realized, or even recognized.
The influence was his father, Robert C. Balfour, Jr., a
Balfour land manager examines 700-foot wide corridor going through 'Trulock Place. " The 2,000 acre tract has numerous such corridors that serve as firebreaks and planting areas for various types of game.

visionary of sorts who died in 1979. He served as a lifelong role model for wise conservation and forestry
management concepts. The elder Balfour was far ahead of his time in attitudes toward forestry and nature in general. His interests ranged from forestry to the values of American Indian tradition. Eventually, he wrote and published a book on the Thomasville area titled " This Land I Have Loved." As a small boy, he rode the first passenger train between Moultrie and Thomasville and remembered , "It was a beautiful sight to see one vast forest before man ever touched it."
However, before reaching his mid-twenties, he saw "sawmills placed every three or four miles to butcher great stands of timber without any thought of reproduction."
This was a time when timber was generally thought of

R. C. Balfour Ill, carries on his father's progressive and innovative forestry practices. The elder Balfour was ahead of his time in attitudes toward forestry and nature in general.
in terms of endless supply. The elder Balfour thought differently about this and other nature related topics. During that time, wealthy Northerners were buying large plantations around Thomasville. Although Balfour, Jr. had been thinking about forestry management techniques for several years, he actually launched his forestry career on one of these plantations when the landowners requested that one million board feet of timber be cut "without destroying the place."
The elder Balfour responded with a futuristic job of selective cutting so skillful that when the plantation owner returned he could not believe one million board feet of timber had been cut. The massive harvest crew had cut trees just above ground level with crosscut saws -all debris was then methodically burned or hauled away to leave a manicured pine forest.
That was the beginning of Balfour Industries as a proponent of conservation, reforestation and a style of selective cutting that was virtually unheard of in the 1920s.
TRADITIONS RESPECTED
Today, R. C. Balfour, Ill, carries on his father's forestry traditions as corporate executive officer for Balfour Lumber Company. The Balfour familly owns 20,000 acres of timberland in five counties. Since the elder Balfour established one of the first private pine seedling nurseries in Georgia, the Balfours have practiced reforestation for many years to sustain multi-use forests that not only produce timber, but serve as areas for fishing, hunting, and a sporting clays course.
In addition to offering some of the finest quail hunting in the world (President Eisenhower hunted on the adjacent Greenwood Plantation), Balfour timberlands include Myrtlewood Plantation with a sporting clays course located on 3,300 acres of hickory, dogwood and
4/Ceorgia Forestry/Summer 1991

pine. Four Myrtlewood lakes, surrounded by tall pines, provide year-round fishing for bass and bream . .
In contrast, the 2,450 acre Wildridge Plantation (owned exclusively by R. C. Balfour, Ill) is managed for quail hunting and timber production. Following in his father's footsteps, Balfour established a commercial quail pre erve in 1984. The elder Balfour often entertained congressmen, senators and governors on the family's wooded game preserves.
All this keeps R. C. Balfour very busy. However, he recently came up with some forestry management innovations that he considers unique. "If anyone else has done this sort of thing," he said, " I don't know anything about it."
CHECKERBOARD CONCEPT
The multiple use management plan is being condu cted on what Balfour calls the Trulock Place - a 2,000-acre tract supporting mostly mature pine stands. After careful examination of the tract, Balfour decided on something uncharacteristic of his - or his father'sforestry management practices. He decided to do extensive clearcutting.
"There were two reasons for doing this," Balfour explained. " First, the county the trac:::t was located in had imposed a heavy tree tax. And second, many of th e family members were in need of financial dividends."
But what seemed like just a big clearcutting operatio n for financial reasons did not turn out this way after Balfour invoked some of his father's innovative qualities. This was one of the " first pieces of forest land" his father had bought during the depression, so it was not without nostalgic value.
" It was decided to make a prototype of the place," Balfour said. "We cut approximately 90 percent of the mature timber and left only those stands with some promise of future growth. We deliberately made these cuts to create a " checkerboard pattern" which turned out even better than expected because the natural timber growth inclined the operation toward this pattern."
Balfour said the checkerboard pattern was for timber management, game management and aesthetic value. The probably "unique" aspect of this operation was Balfour's idea to leave "1 00-foot wide corridors runnin g through the planted stands, joining the maturing stand s together with areas of planted seedlings." Balfour's pu rpose in doing this was to provide huge firebreaks that would also serve as game management areas - the corridors could be planted with food for deer, turkey, quail or whatever.
"I know that a 100-foot wide firebreak is unheard o f," Balfour said, " but I also know it is effective. I got som e opposition to this idea from several sources."
The general gist of the opposition was that it was an unnecessary waste of land where more profitable pin es could be planted. But Balfour, like his father had done so many times in the past, made up his mind and went on with his idea. The concept turned out well. The land is now leased to a hunting club that plants the corridors with variou s
types of game food. It provides income from hunting revenues, while the corridors serve as almost foolpro of firebreaks in a very high risk area. Meanwhile, the maturing and recently planted stands continue to grow

toward profit. "This was an unusual situation for u ," Balfour said,
"but you have to adapt and innovate according to what is needed. Clearcutting is a practice we use only as a last resort, but at times it is necessary."
Balfour said his usual objective in managing forest is to maintain as much uneven growth as possible; this provides long growing cycles and when only a few mature trees per acre exist and a clearcut is necessary then reforestation.
"There's a lot of talk now about biodiversity," Balfour said, "but something the purists do not understand is that planting trees in rows does not make for a biological desert. Maybe for a few years it looks like that, but after your second or third thinning, ground cover is beginning to develop and the woods look more natural. And many stands are mixed leaf situations- with loblolly and longleaf having naturally seeded in with the slash plantings."
It is Balfour's opinion that a stand of p lanted pines

can develop biodiversity if selective harvesting is practiced on cycles of 40 to 50 years.
"We also feel that the long rotations are more profitable because higher grade products result, " Balfour said. " The long rotation is particularly applicable to the Balfour operation since the company produces sawtimber, chippin g awlogs, and poles- in addition to pulpw o o d ."
Some of Balfour's forestry concepts are carry-overs from his father' progressive ideas; but some - like the 100-foot corridors, are his own. So much his own , that he may be unique with this particular "Trulock Place" management program.
Balfour's father ended his book by writing: "My aim has been to leave the land that was entrusted to my care in better condition than I found it. I hope that I will pass on to future generations, along with the land, that aim and dedication."
R. C. Balour, Ill and his father have that objective in common.

Buddy Highsmith, Balfour land manager who has worked with the family for 38 years, points to an area on the map receiving special attention. Balfours use the checkerboard pattern for timber management, game management, and aesthetic value.
Georgia Forestry/Summer 1997/5

FORESTRY PROBLEMS PLAGUE HISTORIC WESTVIEW CEMETERY

[ ! ] rees in Atlanta's historic Westview Cemetery- although cared for with great concern run the risk of untimely demise. Lightning is the main threat During the past five years, Westview has lost approximately 125 trees; more than a third were killed by lightning.
This high mortality rate indicates specialized forestry problems confronting the nationally known cemetery that has more than 80,000 interments.
"Lightning takes out a lot of our trees," said Westview President Charles E. Bowen , Sr., "but then there's also tornados, windstorms, disease, old age, and past damages that finally get the tree."
However, isolation of large trees on Westview's elevated landscape make them a natural target for lightning. Some trees have been struck by lightning as many as three times, which renders void the notion that lightning
does not strike in the same place
6/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

By Bill Edwards
twice. In one case, the theory was con-
tradicted in an even more emphatic manner. On a scenic hill overlooking the mausoleum, lightning struck and killed a large oak. The oak was removed and replaced by a sapling not much taller than a man's head; the small replacement was then killed by a bolt of lighting that stripped off a ribbon of bark from top to ground level.
"Lightning does take its toll at Westview," Bowen said.
Established in 1884 on a 577 acre tract, Westview's rollin g hills have a variety of tree species interwoven among imposing monuments. Species include : red oak, magnolia, pine, water oak, willow oak, cedar, crab apples,

cunninghamia, ginkgos, and poplar. Annual loss of Westview trees make new planting and replacement regular activities. In recent years, a cluster of 25 crab apple trees died unexpectedly, and more than 70 deodar cedar were killed by cold weather.
Bowen, who joined the Westview staff in 195 2 and became president of the organization in 1974, is conce rned with the health of all the cem etery trees, but has special interest in those he per onally planted through th e year .
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Bowen has a degree in business administration. Following graduation from UGA, he took numerous horticulture courses. Bowen's exte nsive knowledge of trees is a blend of academic and practical experience, that has enabled Westview to manage the majority of its forestry needs.
Remembering his early years at Westview, Bowen recalls many problems that have since been dealt with in

Westview Cemetery President Charles E. Bowen, Sr., and Charles Bowen, )r., vice president, examine small oak that disproves theory about lightning not striking in the same place twice. Th e young oak was struck and killed short-
ly after it had been planted to replace a large tree that was also the victim of lightning. Westview's isolated trees on an elevated landscape make them a natural target for lightning.

one way or another. "For instance, we used to take trees out of th e woods and replant them," he sai d, " but there was a poor survival rate. We corrected that, but then made the mistake of planting the wrong kind of trees."
The "wrong kind," Bowen recall s, does not refer to a geographical mismatch, but in appropriate species for a cemetery. " We were planting these little flowering trees that only look good for about one month out of the year," Bowen said. " Wh en w e got past that stage, we started to get on the ri ght track."
Bowen still goes into the woods to get som e trees for planting. However, economics now require that trees for
planting be purchased to sustain the 95 percent survival rate and basic changes have occurred. On e major development is that We stview has evolved into a cemetery with a lot of water oak clusters. Bowen points out that water oaks "make a good showing" the year round and are ideal for stabilizing the scenic value of th e cemetery.
" A cemetery goes throu gh phases of different projects," Bowen said. " Tree projects are one of these phases. Of course, there are th e daily interments and routine lawn care, and other things; but forestry management at Westview is also a major concern." Bowen estimates that 20 percent of the cemetery's workin g schedule is devoted to forestry concerns. Activities include prunin g, tree removal, and planting.
All things considered, Westview has fulfilled the aspirations of its originators. The site was of historic significance even before the 1884 establishment. Only 20 years before, part of Westview's grounds were the site of the Civil War battle for Ezra Church.
Touring the area in 1884, Edgar P. McBurney told an Atlanta reporter: " ...this will be a park...and the men

Deodora cedar is carefully removed from among tombstones. More than 70 deodora cedar trees were wiped out by a severe cold spell. Westview's specialized forestry problems make removal and replanting regular activitie s.
Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/7

There is the desire of some peole to be buried under a certain tree. However, if the plot is located near the roots, interment in the area could kill the tree. Burials in such areas have to be discouraged.

who have it in charge intend to give Atlanta a cemetery that will be the admiration of visitors for years to come...we will have a landscape gardener who will be permanently employed to lay out and beautify the place ."
Less than three months from the date of Westview's first burial, the Georgia General Assembly passed an act stating:" ... drunkeness, indecent or lewd conduct, or behavior are hereby prohibted in Westview Cemetery and within one-fourth of a mile of the same in any direction." This policy was empha ized by policemen patrolling the grounds around the clock.
It soon became obvious that Atlanta took its new cemetery eriously. The trend continues today with tight security and emphasis on scenic beauty. Forestry management was practiced in one form or another at Westview before the term existed. Now, however, methods have become more progres ive.
SPECIAL PROBLEMS
Despite progress, special forestry problems still exi t. At one time, Westview even operated its own greenhouse, but the operation was phased out. Also, designation of burial plots have been changed because of tree proximity. This can be a delicate situation where the sale of lots can interfere with aesthetic objectives. However, a tour of Westview makes it obvious that this situation has been well managed.
There is also the desire of some people to be buried under a certain tree. However, if the plot is located near the roots, interment in the area could kill the tree. Burials in such areas have to be discouraged.
Then there are those forestry problems with no immediate solutions. For instance, the last tornado that touched down in Westview damaged a number of large trees so severely that they had to be removed.
"No price can be put on this sort of aesthetic loss," Bowen said. "An
8/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

Aerial view of Westview shows dense tree growth. The historic Atlanta cemetery has lost more than 700 trees during the past five years- more than a third were killed by lightning.

oak tree 125 years old cannot be replaced. "
Although Westview managed the majority of its forestry needs, outside assistance is sometimes required for trimming and removing large trees. However, on trees up to 15 years old, the Westview staff usually does all the work.
"This is done because we are cultivating growth," Bowen said. He added that shape and future health of many trees are determined by pruning and other care during this period of growth.
Only about half of Westview's original tract has been developed into sections for burial. As expansion continues, the staff plans for future forestry needs in relation to the concept of making Westview as much a landscape park as cemetery.
"We've bought magnolia trees by the trailer load and planted 250 oaks during the past three years," Bowen said, "This year alone we bought more than 300 pines."
FORESTRY PLANS
Forestry planning is continuous, with all indications that the next century will bring aesthetic results equal to those of the past hundred years. Through the years, Westview has become the burial place of an increasing number of well known Southerners including: Ralph E. McGill, Robert W . Woodruff, Joel Chandler Harris, Henry W. Grady, and William B. Hartsfield.
Frank L. Stanton (poet laureate of Georgia) is also buried in Westview. Stanton's aging tombstone, shaded by the thick green of a tall magnolia tree, has the following inscription: "This old world we're livin' in is mighty hard to beat/ You get a thorn with every rose/ But ain't the roses sweet."
If Stanton can look down at his final resting place, he should be pleased with Westview's forested landscape and serene aura. Westview has the sort of atmosphere that would appeal to the soul of the poet.

These two Wes~iew oaks became victims of the weather. (ABOVE)
Red oak broken off by windstorm near ground level. (BELOW)
Although it took five years to die, a single bolt of lightning killed this
well formed oak.

Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/9

PIERCE COUNTY FORESTRY UNIT

It was one of the coldest. darkest nights of the winter when Terry Herrin drove his big crawler tractor into the Alabaha River.
The Pierce County forest ranger i familiar with practically every acre of his native county, but on that unforgettable night-under the cover of darkness and fighting the chill of 18degree weather-he failed to realize the river made a loop at a certain point and continued his forward drive in pursuit of a hot forest fire.
"You know how bushes and tall grass grow along a river bank," he said. "Well, I was following the bank of the river when I suddenly crashed through the brush at a bend in the river and when I didn't feel anything but air beneath the tractor, I knew I was in trouble!"

The ranger said the tractor fell about 12 feet "straight down" and plunged into eight feet of water. Luckily, the heavy V blade on the machine plowed into the river bottom mud and left the tractor on its nose, leaving Herrin in icy water up to his chest.
Fortunately, Herrin was being followed by a patrolman on foot who quickly summoned help. "The Lord was with me that night," said the tractor driver, who is a deacon at Laura Chapel Baptist Church. " If it had rolled over, there i no way I could have crawled out of that river." In looking
ANOTHER IN A SERIES OF STORIES ON OUTSTANDING COUNTY FORESTRY UNITS

back at the experience, he recall ed another miracle-lik instance. As he was helped up the river bank, oakin g wet and shivering, he said he potted a nearby " fat lighter stump burnin g fiercely" and was able to warm himself until dry clothers could be brought to the scene by his wife.
The river incident will be long remembered by Herrin, but it doesn't outweigh the many pleasant experiences he has known during his 18-year career with the Commission. The Vietnam veteran is often commended by his district office for his fire suppresion record and his efficiency in equipment maintenance. He worked with heavy equipment in the Army and later in road construction in civilian life.
Herrin has been a key figure in organizing the annual Southeastern

10/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

PATROLMAN RANDY DIXON

Forest Festival , which now attracts cooperation from many surrounding counties and visitors from a wide area. He works closely with the nine Rural Fire Defense units across Pierce County by helping acquire equipment, buildin gs and trainin g.
Ranger Herrin and his wife, Mary Nell, have two sons, Eric and Clay. Herrin is president of the Band Boosters of Pierce County High School and is active in the local Lions Club.
YELLOWSTONE FIRE
"We were on the line fighting fire with shovels and pulaskis on a steep mountain slope when rocks began to rain down upon us," said Randy Dixon , who has served as patrolman in the Pierce County Unit for almost three years, " It was very dangerous, but it was also a unique experience."
Dixon, who grew up on a tobacco farm near Blackshear and graduated from Pierce County High School before earning an associate degree in forestry at Abraham Baldwin College, had joined other Georgians to help battle the big Yellowstone National Park fire in the summer of 1988. He

"You can always depend on them for top performance no matter what," said Waycross District Forester Joey Hall when asked why he rates the Pierce County Forestry Unit the most outstanding in the district. 11We have other efficient units," said Hall, 11but our people in Pierce seem to stand out in all areas of activities."
said firefighters on a higher elevation of the mountain apparently dislodged some stones that set off a rock slide that threatened a 20-man crew he was with down below. "We all managed to dodge the rocks," he said, "except one man who ended up with a broken leg."
Although fighting fire in the rugged mountains was an adventure, the patrolman said he prefers the down

home style of battling a blaze- that is, doing it with a tractor and on the flatlands of his native county.
The patrolman came with the Commission after working with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, where he scaled timber and participated in fire control. Ranger Herrin said " he was extremely well qualified when he came with us."
Patrolman Dixon and his wife, Kathy, and son, Clark, attend First Baptist Church of Blackshear.
NO FEAR OF lOWER
" They told me to climb up that tower and see if I liked it," said Pam Brooks." I climbed to the top on that February day and it was one of the windiest days I've ever known. That tower was really rocking."
She was remembering a day 14years ago when she came to the forestry unit in Patterson to apply for the job of tower operator. When she came down from the 11 0-foot tower and announced to the ranger that she wasn't the least bit frightened by the height or the sway of the tower, he promptly hired

Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/11

her. Brook said she thoroughly enjoy
her work and de cribes the cab of the tower high above the Pierce County landscape "a very peaceful. serene place to b ." In wet weather and on other occasions when he is not needed in th e tower, she serve as di patcher and clerk in the unit office.
Th e tower operator and her husband, Dan, have two daughter . Mandy and Meranda. The family attends Patter on Baptist Church.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
"You can always depend on them for top performance no matter what." aid Waycros District Forester Joey

Hall when asked why he rates th e Pierce County Forestry Unit the mo t outstanding in the di tri ct. " We have other efficient units," aid Hall , "but our people in Pierce eem to tand out in all areas of activitie ."
He said the unit personnel are always quick to do what is a ked of them and there are never excuses or co mplaints. He al o co mmended the unit for cutting operating costs whenever pos ible, while co ntinuing to function at top efficiency.
Th e district forester said Ran ger Herrin and hi per onnel " work extremely well with landowners throughout Pierce County and their devoted service sets them apart"

TOW ER OPERATOR PAM BROOKS 72/Georgia Forestry/Summer 7997

ASSOCIATION OBSERVES GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
W. M . Oettm eier, A Fargo landowner, was attending a meeting sponsored by the U. S. Forest Service in Washington, D. C. back in 1939 wh en he looked around the room and di covered that every forestry intere t was repre ented except th e private fore st landowner.
Upon returnin g to Georgia, Oettmeier started contacting frien ds and aquaintance in the timber growing business, urging them to ban d together in an organi zation that w oul d represent southern timber growers. The first meeting to consider such an association was attended by Alabama, Florida and Georgia, Landowners representing a total land ownership of 1,006,000 acres. Soon afterward, on April 17, 1941, the first official meeting of Forest Farmers Association took place, with Oettmeier being named president.
Fifty years later (May 15-17) members gathered in the Florida city where the association was founded to mark a half century of progress in carrying out goals stated in the original minutes: To unify the great industry of timber growing and to give landowners political weight; To assist in improvement of forest practices, including fire protection, cutting practices and cooperation w ith state and federal governments to bring about better forest conditions.
In October 1941, the first issue of Forest Farmer, a mimeographed newsletter, was mailed to the membership. It was not until May, 1942 that it became a printed publication.
In 1950, the first Forest Farmer Manual was published to provide landownersindepth information on the business of timber growing.
The recently held 50th anniversary meeting had the theme "Golden Anniversary: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of Forestry in the South." Speakers included John A. Luke, president and CEO, Westvaco Corporation; Past President Herman Baggentoss, Tracy City, Tennessee; and Dr. Emmett Thompson, dean of Aubum University School of Forestry.

ANNUAL I

Hundreds of Georgia high school students represent-

FFA FIELD DAY

ing the top FFA Chapters in forestry skills competed recently in the annual state Forestry Field Day finals held at the Georgia Forestry Center in Macon. The Louisville High School Chapter (above) took top honors in the contest that
called for skills ranging from selective marking and tree

identification to seedling planting and standing sawtimber

estimation. Teams tying for second place were Echols

County High (Center Photo) and Harlem High

School (Bottom Photo). Chap-

ters across the state compete

earlier in the year in regional

field days and the two top win-

ners in these contests become

eligible for the state finals.

COWBOY ON AFOREST TRAIL
FORESTER POSSESSES THE HIGH ENERGY AND PARTICULAR SKILLS TO EXCEL IN TWO PROFESSIONS

14/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

By Howard Bennen

[ ! ] rom Monday through Friday he's out there helping some landowner better manage his pine forest, but most weekends find him somewhere in the South thrilling crowds with hi s championship bareback bronco riding feats.
He is Forester Phil Broome of the Georgia Forestry Commission and the 1988 and 1990 bareback riding champion of the American Cowboy Association .
A couple of experienced rodeo participants back in his hometown of Rome introduced him to the ru gged sport when he was a senior in high school. After several years of hard work and many bruises, bumps, broken ribs and a colarbone injury, he emerged as one of the most talented and professional bronco riders in the business, earning some $8,000 in prizes annually as he juggles his time between the rodeo and his other profession, forestry.
Broome was following a family tradition by studying engineering at Georgia Tech when he said he suddenly realized one day that a career in that field would probably tie him to a desk. That's when he switched career goals and enrolled at the School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia. He came with the Commission in 1986 and is assigned to the Milledgeville District and works mainly in timber management.
The forester and his wife Marcia make about 70 rodeos each year by traveling in their pick-up truck with a camper shell that often serves as sleeping quarters. "My wife fully supports me," said Broome," and that's what makes it possible for me to be active in the association. She does a

lot of the driving and helps me m many other ways." His wife and travelin g co mpanion also attends Georgia College in Milledgeville and plan s to enter the teaching profession.
Broome uses most of hi s week-

The young forester's

intensive involvement in

rodeo "has not in any way

diminished his effectiveness

as a good, dedicated for-

ester...he is overflowing with

energy...doesn't know the

meaning of time...always

willing and eager to go out

and work with a landowner

at any hour."

Bennie Brant District Forester

ends, holidays and annual leave ti me to travel in the 13 states that comprise the Southeastern Circuit of the Professional Cowboys' Rodeo Association and competes in as many events as time permits. He said a recent weekend went like this: "It was a South Georgia town on Friday night, a town in North Carolina on Saturday, then over to Hattisburg. Mississippi Sunday afternoon and back in Milledgeville in time to go to work for the Commission at eight o'clock Monday morning."
Broome is quick to exp lain that his bareback riding is serious business and definitely not a hobby. "It's

much too expe nsive and too time consuming," he said, "for it to be considered a hobby." Some of the prize money has to go for traveling expenses, entrance fees and the necessary gear for his performances. The rigging that is placed on the horse cost about $300 and when the costs of chaps, sp urs, gloves, hat, belts and other accessories are added, the well-dressed and fully equipped cowboy has shelled out about $1,000. In essence, the bronco rider is in show business and he needs to be in expensive and color-

ful attire to please his audiences. The rodeo champ said he is often
irritated by animal ri ghts groups that claim rodeo animals are mistreated . "These horses are valued from $700 to $10,000 and owners make sure they get the very best treatment," he said. "In fact, the owners insist that the riders follow ri gid rules in adjusting the rigging to protect the animals."
Broome added that most of the horses live longer than the ordinary horse because of the special care show animals receive. "After all," he said, "a bucking horse only works

eight seconds a weekend!" Bareback riders are required to stay
on a lively, hard bucking horse at least eight seconds to qualify in the competition. The rider draws lots to determine the horse he will mount and he is always hopeful he will be roaring out of the shute on a highspirited animal. If a horse is too tame, the rider gets a second draw.
The Commission's prize-winning cowboy drives out to Abbeville, Kansas twice each year- on Thanksgiving and Easter weekends - to teach in rodeo clinics attended by young

Summer 1991/15

District Forester Bennie Brant, left, and Forester Broome study landowner requests at beginning of work day in Milledgeville area.

people anxious to get into the challenging sport. It's a grueling 18-hour trip in his pickup, but Broome said its a very rewardfng experience "to help teach the new people coming into rodeo, especially for safety sake."
The cowboy is also involved in the Christian Fellowship of Athletes, which holds worship services at the clinics, as well as rodeos around the country when they are held on Sundays.
Not unlike other strenuous sports, a career in rodeo is often short lived. " I am 28 now and you usually make it through your mid-thirties," said Broome," so I have a few good years left and I hope to make the best of them."
District Forester Bennie Brant, Broome's immediate supervisor, said the young forester's intensive involvement in rodeo "has not in any way diminished his effectiveness as a

good, dedicated forester." He described him as a person " overflowing with energy" and one who " doesn't know the meaning of time." Brant said Broome is always willing and eager to "go out and work with a landowner at any hour."
The district forester said "It's nothing for him to drive 2,000 miles or
more on a weekend and then come back here on Monday morning full of life and raring to go." He said Broome relates well with landowners and is very good at presenting programs at schools and civic clubs.
Broome will probably appear before cheering crowds at two or three rodeos again this weekend , but when Monday co mes he will trade his flashy cowboy regalia for the somber green uniform of the Commission and spend another week in the less glamorous but satisfying work of bein g a forester.

The Commission is reminding Georgia communities that June 15, 1991 is the deadline for grant applications for the America The Beautiful program . More than 200 information packages have been mailed to interested applicants throughout the state and others wanting the material explaining the federally-funded beautification program shou ld contact Sharon Dolliver or Barbara Wood at 912/744-0245 or 912/744-0242.
16/Ceorgia Forestry/Summer 1991

FIRST CANDLELIGHT PERFORMANCE GIVEN
After a half century of hosting statewide annual pageants for Miss Georgia Forestry, the Commission held its first candlelight pageant at Newton County's Fairview Elementary School.
The pageant, coordinated by the Commission's Newton-Rockdale Unit and the Newton County Extension Service, was two minutes away from starting when lightning struck and knocked out all lights. The auditorium, which has no windows, was blinked into darkness.
Newton-Rockdale Ranger Beryl Budd made his way to a tele-
phone as cigarette lighters flickered on in the darkness. Budd found the phones out of order, so he sent a member of the audience to drive to the local power company and urge priority for the Fairview area because of the pageant
Meanwhile, Budd told the audience that lighting should be restored shortly and the pageant would begin. Fourteen contestants and an audience of more than 150 had already braved severe weather warnings - including the threat of tornadoes - to attend. To make matters worse, the air conditioners were also out.
An hour passed. Still no lights. The crowd began to mill around restlessly as the contestants backstage grew impatient With severe weather warnings still in effect for the area, a less imaginative ranger might have called the whole thing off and sent everybody home.
However, Budd rallied to the occasion by gathering enough cand les to line the front of the stage. He then informed the audience that the pageant would
be held by cand lelight.
Floodlights arrived in time for the evening gown portion of the program. After much consideraticm, jenna Lynn Moore was selected Miss Newton-Rockdale at 10:25 p.m. Five minutes later, as final photos were being made, th e lights came back on.

Amy FowiPr Worth County

jennifer L. Hartley Tayl or County

Tanya Mabry Dawson County

Alysha Strickland Brantley County

..
jill Bohannon Screven County

Miranda Reddin g Macon County

Catherine Blei ch Cow eta County

Cha rl ene Mason Madison County

Stacy Durven Cook County

Carl a Patten Charlton County

Amy Swanson Ben Hill/Irwin

Kathryn Ash Oglethorpe Co.

0
~
)ody Bigger
Clark/Oconee

Miss Georgia Forestry
These young ladies and several other winner: in county pageants will be on jekyll Island june 76-7 8 to compete for the M iss Georgia Forestry crown. It will be the 5 1st year the statewide con test has been held to select agirl to represent forestry in parades, festivals and other promotions.

Mysti Todd Pierce County
Carolyn Davidson M orga n / Walton

Stephanie Kaussman

Washington County

:, .. . ~ ....., ':'

' '

. ~
. , . '

..... "' '

.

. .,

Deidre Williams Toombs County

jenny Chambliss Early County

Misty Flanders Johnson County

~,
~ Sheri johnson Miller County

StephaniE' Russ Atkinson County

Pam Yor1< Tift County

Wendy Boatright Bacon County

Fonda Rentz Wayne County

jenna Lynn Moore ewton/Rockdale

Alison Peebles Richmond County

Molly Daugharty Clinch County

Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/17

Left to right, Donie/a Delk, Sharon Phillips, Bobbie Nevels, Kay Burch and jan

McLeod.

Pho to courtesy o f j ohn Richards, Albany Herald

MITCHELL COUNTY LADY VOLUNTEERS PROVE THEIR FIREFIGHTING CAPABILITIES

City Clerk jan Mcleod received the call by phone and dashed across the street to set off the siren at the firehouse. The wailing sound alerted the countryside around little Sale City and summoned four other lady firefighters to join Mcleod in response to the fire.
The four - Daniela Delk, Bobbie Nevels, Sharon Phillips and Kay Burchare housewives who quickly dropped household chores to follow the town's fire truck in their cars to a woods fire that has spread into a hay field. The city clerk was in the fire engine with Robert Spicer, who was at the wheel of the speeding vehicle.
The ladies and the driver, all trained in battling fire, quickly extinguished the blaze and returned to the firehouse, straightened their equipment in readiness for the next call and drove back to their homes. The wives responded to the afternoon call while their husbands, who are also members of the department, were away at work.
The Sale City department is part of the Rural Fire Defense program- a program that provides fire protection for towns and farm communities in 145 counties. It is supported by the Georgia Forestry Commission. The Commission provides a "Fire
18/Georgia Forestry/Summer 7991

Knocker" (tank truck) and mobile radios for the Sale City volunteers.
Although there are 53 men and women volunteers in the department, one of the ladies said "this was the first time it was an all-girl effort, with the exception of the driver." Mcleod, whose husband works in timber, said "I kept hoping on the way to the fire
The women of the community remember the frustration of standing by helplessly in the front yard and watching a fine old country home - a county landmark burn to the ground, but now that they are trained firefighters, and know how to spring into action when the fire siren sounds.

that we all could remember everyth ing

we had learned in training." Th ey

evidently

remembered;

th e

Commission's Camilla District Office

reported that it was a very professional

operation that probably saved some

valuable property.

Nevels, whose husband was at w ork

at a brewery in Albany on that after-

noon, said she was "not exactly afraid,

but I guess I was a little excited" when

they made the run. Phillips, wife of a

long distance truck driver and mother

of four, said she was " glad we had th e

training to do the job," and Burch,

whose husband is employed as a

bricklayer, said "we are eager to go

anywhere we are needed" and

echoed the sentiment of the others in

saying she is glad she can answer th e

call when her husband is unavailable.

The women remember when the

big jack West home, a magnificent 80-

year-old landmark in the county, w ent

up in flames three years ago. "Many of

us stood in the yard that day and

watched it burn ...and there is noth ing

worse than just being absolutely help-

less at a time like that," said Mcleod .

She is pleased that training since t hat

time has turned many spectators into

efficient firefighters.

Building the fire department in th e

little Mitchell County town that lies

just east of the Colquitt County line

presented a challenge that was met by

community cooperation. " We have

bake sales, fish frys, chicken dinners,

street dances, car washes, you nam e it,

to raise money," said Phillips. "We

paid for the building, installed a

restroom and kitchen and now we're

working toward a second fire tru ck."

An annual festival is held in October

and the townspeople and reside nts in

the outlying farm districts gather for a

parade, crafts show and other activi-

ties. The women volunteers po'int out

that creating the fire protection

department has also brought th e peo-

ple together socially. "We have an

annual Easter Egg Hunt for the chi ldren

and last time we hid 649 eggs," Burch

said . "At Christmastime, we have a

community party and Santa hands out

bags of fruit to all the children."

When the siren sounds in th e mid-

dle of the day and the men are at their

work, it is now well known through out

the area that the women of the Sale

City Volunteer Fire Department are

willing and able to spring into action

and answer the call to duty.

Left to right, Kirby Beam, janet Guerry, Herb Guerry, Lynda Beam and Director Mixon.

FARM IN SCREVEN COUNTY IS FIRST TO ACHIEVE STEWARDSHIP STATUS

eneral William T. Sherman
G and a large column of the Union Army came down the dirt road in front of the plantation house 127 years ago; history again touched the Screven County farm last month when it was designated Georgia's first Stewardship Forest. The federal troops were on their way to the nearby hamlet of Oliver, where Sherman remained two days to coordinate the final thrust in his march to Savannah. They had passed through forests and fields along the Ogeechee River that are known today as the Toohollie Farm . The approximately 1,000 acres are owned and efficiently managed by Lynda and Kirby Beam and Herb Guerry, conservation-minded individuals who
This will be a familiar sign on Georgia farms if enough landowners meet some rigid requirements.

earned the privilege of becoming the state's "Stewardship For~st, Number One."
In presenting the plaque and the official sign to the landowners during a ceremony at a summer house on the farm , John Mixon, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, said it is hoped many farms across the state will eventually display the sign by following the lead set forth by the Beams and Guerry.
The landowners met several stringent qualifications to participate in the program and then agreed to follow a detailed management plan presented by the Commission, the USDA Soil Conservation Service and the Game and Fish Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Forest Stewardship Program was inaugurated last year after the National Association of State Foresters suggested that the various state forestry agencies aggressively promote multiple-use, or stewardship forestry in the programs of assistance to private landowners. The NASF convinced the U. S. Forest Service of the need for the promotion and it became a national program, with the involvement of several other agencies and organizations in

resource management and environmental protection.
The program in Georgia is directed to private landowners who own 50 acres of land or more, of which at least ten must be wooded. The participant must sign a Forest Steward's Creed which outlines a commitment to several principals. The landowner is asked to indicate a primary and second management object from a list including timber, wildlife, soil and water conservation, recreation and aesthetics.
When the program was launched by a proclamation from the governor's office last spring, Walker Rivers, a staff forester in the Commission's Management Department, was named state coordinator for the project. He said at the time those who qualify for the program will have "membership in an exclusive group of landowners who are the state's top woodland managers."
Groundwork in qualifying the farm in Screven County and arranging the ceremony to honor the initial participants was directed by Forester Dennis Pope, Stewardship Coordinator for the Commission's Statesboro District.
Lynda Beam accepts plaque and sign on behalf of the farm and responds to address by Director Mixon.
Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/19

parents, his brother and a sister; th e family also owns orchards comprised of 17,000 peach trees. Oth er forest tracts are owned by individuals wh o retain the attorney to oversee the land and in many instan ces handle taxation and other legal matters.
Professional foresters have often praised Jordan for his expert management of his forest resources and th ose entrusted to him. His dedication to multi-use forestry and his environm ental concerns rece ntly earned him the title of Georgia's Tree Farmer of the Year.
Jordan is the first recipient of the state honor to be extensively involved in both pine and peaches. His fath er, now in his eighties, continue s to manage the expansive orchards that border U. S. Highway 80 just west of Talbotton and Jordan lends a han d in the long established family enterprise, especially during the busy harvesting and marketing season.

ADVANTAGES CITED

jordan in his woods

... in his law office

TALBOT LANDOWNER AND ATTORNEY NAMED TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR

hrifty eighth grader Frank Jordan, Jr. had saved birthday gift cash and stashed away other monies that had come his way when his father suddenly decided it was about time his son made his first serious financial investment. Under the elder Jordan's prudent guidance, th e student bought 100 acres of cotton land and has vivid memory of the bitterly cold day when he rode a mechanical tree planter and his father drove the tractor to set out pine seedlings on about 40 acres of that land. Jordan, who established a law practice in his home town of Talbotton after graduation from the Walter F. George School of Law, M ercer University, was destined, however, to become heavily involved in forestry even if he had not had that childhood
20/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

experience. He now manages more than 4,300 acres of pin e and hardwood forestland in portions of Talbot, Marion and Harris Counties.
Jordan is quick to point out that he is not the sole owner of all th e acreage. Some of the property belongs to his
Growing pine and peaches and practicing law...busy Talbotton native will have to take time off to accept award at GFA convention

He said the forest-orchard comb ination has its advantages; the labor force that fertilizes and prunes the fruittrees, picks the peaches and attend to oth er details in the orchards is shifted to the forests durin g the off season. Just prior to the current peach season, the workers trimm ed the lower bran ches of pines in everal large stand s to accomodate mechanical straw rakes.
"We're just getting into pine straw," explained Jordan. "We had a contractor rake 77 acres and the yield was 7,600 bales." He said the pruned pi nes will make it easier for the rake to operate in the pine plantations and also result in a cleaner straw. Jordan, however, is not unlike many other knowledgeable forest landowners who are striving to determine wh ether or not it is detrimental to tree growth to take straw from the forest floor. "We're strictly in the experimental stage," he said, and told of conferring with a contractor who adheres to a rotatio n plan and has proposed fertilization as a means of replacing nutrient loss due to straw removal.
Jordan estimates 100 bales of straw per acre could be collected an d the revenue from that source, in add ition to funds received from huntin g clubs now leasing some of the tracts, would be a welcome supplement to the expense of maintaining the forest during its long years of growth toward
(continued on page 23)

in history," Morris said. "They are extremely concerned over decimation of rain forests and the effects of global wa rm in g."
"An d," Fletcher added, " they are becoming more aware and concerned about the ecological role of trees. This type of co ncern could be the sort of thing that just might save our planet."
M o rris said the Commission intends to continue its efforts to assist M cDonald's w ith similar programs for the future. McDonald's goal forthe " Let's Get America Growi ng" program is to assist Global ReLeaf in planting 100 million trees around American homes, schools, parks, and offices by 1992.

Bill M cLucas, Commissio n ranger fo r Clayton and Fa ye tte Counties, instructs group of Clayto n 4th and 5th grad ers o n p lanting techniques. Th e field trip was part of th e Commissio n's co-sponsoring activities in M cDonald 's " Let 's Get Crowing America" natio nal p rogram.

ENTERPRISES AND COMMISSION SPONSOR MASSIVE YOUTH TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

Th e Georgia Fo restry Commission reached mo re than 30,000 stud ent s in 144 schools withi n th e state as an area co-s po nsor of M cDo nald's " Let's Get Growing Ame rica" nat ional p rogram pro motin g enviro nmental ed ucation and tree p lanting.
Oth er regional sponsors of th e nati o nal program incl uded Georgia M cDo nald's restaurant owners, Pike Nurseri es, and Atl anta televisio n's WXIA-11 2 Alive. Th e area cove red in th e Georgia program ext ended fro m M acon north- w ith hi gh co nce ntrati on in Atlanta and surro unding areas.
Larry M orris, Commissio n distri ct forester fo r t he Atlanta area, said 4th and 5th grade students we re designated fo r th e program. M orri s sai d th e ran gers and foresters fro m th e vari ous counti es co nducted class roo m environmental sessions befo re passing o ut on e lo bl o lly pine seedling to each student. Th e seedlings we re co ntained in M cDo nald's pro moti onal cups bearing th e names of program spo nsors. Fo r two days, McDo nald 's gave away th ese cups contain ing seed lings and enco uraged select ion of a good site fo r p lantin g. M o rris added that several designated p lanted areas we re availabl e, so some stud entstoo k short field

trips with Co mmiss io n personnel and p lanted th e trees. Th e program resulted in more th an 8,000 trees bei ng plante d in th e Atl anta area, and more than 30,000 p lanted Statewide.
M orri s sai d th e Commissio n became a part of th e natio nal enviro nmental effort w hen John Fl etcher & Assoc iates, a Decatur publ ic relation s firm representin g M cDo nald 's, requested Commi ssio n parti cipation as a co-spon sor.
Emily Fletcher, an acco unt executive w ith th e firm, said, " We wanted to spin off the nati o nal program and make it as meaningful and educational as possible for Georgia and th e Atlanta area. That 's w hy we came up with th e idea to approach th e Georgia Forestry Commiss ion and the other organi zati o ns as co-spo nsors."
Morris and Fl et cher, w ho worked togeth er coordinatin g th e project, agreed th at th e effort was " hi ghly successful. " M o rri s said th e edu cational porti o n w as a we ll ro unded approach that emp hasized th e harvest o f trees is necessary fo r making products - but th at thi s harvestin g and use must be balanced by replanting - reforestatio n.
" I believe this generation of children is the most environmentally aware of any

As the Commission's role in environmental awareness and tree planting programs expand, an increasing number of companies are joining forces in efforts to solve environmental programs.
Levi Strauss and Rich's have completed a project in Atlanta that resulted in the planting of 10,000 pines on a 1o-acre metro Atlanta tract near 1-75. Levi Strauss approached the Commission with the promotional concept of planting one tree in the Atlanta metro area for every pair of jeans sold by Rich's in Atlanta
Larry Morris, Commission district forester for the Atlanta area, said Turner Broadcasting Company had previously contacted the Commission concerning feasibility of planting trees on a 1o-acre tract near its headquarters.
"As luck would have it," Morris said, "these two situations came along at the right time and were combined. The result was 10,000 trees planted on the Turner tractwhich was a big boost for environmental awareness and another step toward clean urban air."
Morris said the Commission remains receptive to working with ~ny organizations presenting feasIble programs for environmental awareness and improvement.
Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/ 21

STEWARDSHIP MODEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
A 600-acre land stewardship model, the only one of its kind in the Southeast, is under construction at the University of Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin..
The Georgia Forestry Commission and other state and federal agencies are building the model as part of the Georgia Stewardship Program. The site will be a living example of modern land use practices.
We're going to use all the modern techniques," said George Granade, a spokesman for the Experiment Station. "It will involve not only forest management but soil conservation and wildlife management."
The forest will include examples of hardwood, pine and mixed tree management on large tracts. The program will also feature such diverse practices as woodland grazing for cattle and examples of forest recreation use.
Soil conservation and erosion control will be major aspects of the stewardship plan. The U. S. Soil Conservation Service is renovating badly eroded gullies on the site with different types of grasses. As a soil conservation measure, the Forestry Commission is redesigning some roads in the tract and building others.
The stewardship model will be open to groups and individuals through the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Experiment Station and the other supporting agencies.
Every two years the model is the site of the Land Use and Forest Management Field Day. The event is scheduled for Sept. 25 and sponsors expect 2,000 people to attend.
---Ted Smith Ga. Agricultural Experiment Stations
21/Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991

Large outdoor audience of South Georgia landowners hear speakers as field day activities begin on farm in Emanuel County.

SOUTH GEORGIA FIELD DAY HELD; EVENT SCHEDULED IN NORTH AREA

Hundreds of South Georgia landowners in early May attended the Land Use and Forest Management Field Day on a 2,500 acre farm near Swainsboro to view demonstrations and hear resource professionals explain modern methods of enhancing forests, soils, water and wildlife.
A similar event will be held September 25 near Griffin for landowners in that section of the state. The Griffin field day at the University of Georgia Experiment Station northwest of the Spaulding County city will be the third time the event has been held there.
Forester Robert Farris of the Commission's Newnan District, coordinator for the field day, said the 1991 version of the Land Use and Forest Management Field Day is being expanded and is expected to draw an even greater attendance than did the previous two field days. Farris said demonstrations will be provided and expert advice will be given on the following subjects:
Pine and hardwood management, pond management, home sites and backyard habitat, forest road construction, recreation, gully control, endangered species, taxes and estate planning, utilization, wildlife manage-

ment, prescribed burning, stand regeneration, water quality management, weed control, thinning practices, pine straw management, marketing timber, recycling and forest stewardship .
The forester said persons wanting additional information on the field day should call toll free 1-800-GA TREES.
Forester Chip Bates of the Commission's Statesboro District, coordinator for the recent field day in that area, rated the event "highly successful" and said plans are already underway for the field day to be held again on the Emanuel County farm in 1993.

--

Forest Resources in the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources.

Tree Farmer Of The Year
(continued from page 20)

GENE ROGERS, management forester in the Statesboro District since 1970, retired April 30 to end a 32-year career with the Commission. Fellow employees, other friends and family members honored him with a dinner party
May 11. Rogers, who graduated from the University of Georgia and served two years in the armed forces, began his career as ranger in Houston County and later served as forester in Sumter and Jenkins Counties. The forester and his wife Meredith have five children and three grandchildren. The couple attends the United Methodist Church ...BOB M. McMURRY, management forester in the Gainesville District, was honored at a retirement dinner in Lavonia April 25 . A native of Franklin County and a graduate of the University of Georgia, McMurry came with the Commission in 1958 and served in Franklin and surrounding counties during his long caree r. The forester and his wife Maxine have a married
daughter, Nancy, and a son, Russell, a student at Georgia Southern University. McMurry is active in the Lion s Club and the couple attend Lavonia United M ethodist Church...Administrative Secretary CATHERINE KELLY, secretary tor the Commission's lnfor-

mation and Education Department, retired in April to end a 26-year career. A retirement dinner was held in Macon for Catherine by fellow employees and other friends, with her husband, George, and their four daughers, sonsin-law, and six grandchildren as special guests. The retired secretary, who is active in Stone Creek Baptist Church, said she intends to spend some of her retirement time gardening and traveling... RANGER BOB McDONALD of the Banks-Hall County Unit was honored at a retirement dinner in Gainesville last month for more than 33 years of service to the Commission .The ranger, a native of Norwood, came with the Commission as a patrolman in the McDuffie County Unit. He later served eight years as assistant ranger in Dekalb County and was named ranger of the Banks-Hall Unit in 1965. He is a member of an amateur radio club and the American Legion. McDonald and his wife, Barbara, make their home in Gainesville. He plans to operate a radio shop in that city.. .DR. JAMES T. PAUL, senior research forester and project leader of forest meteorology and the Eastern Fire Management Research Unit in Macon, has retired from the USDA Forest Service. A native of Gray, he worked in national forests in Georgia and Idaho before coming with the fire laboratory in 1965. DR. JAMES M. SAVELAND has been named acting project leader... HARRY R. POWERS, JR, chief plant pathologist, recently retired from his position as project leader of Diseases of Southern Pine Plantations and Seed Orchards, a research work unit of the USDA Forest Service, Southeastern Forest ExperimentStation. Powersis noted for many achievements. He contributed to early research on fusiform ru st by developing an inexpensive and effective method of identifying hi gh-risk areas... BRUCE L. JEWELL is the new Public Affairs Director for the Southern Region of th e Forest Service. He replaces STANFORD M. ADAMS, who retired in May and will begin a second career as the head of the Division of

merchantable timber. Timber is presently being cut on a
525-acre tract, but an over abundance of spring showers has slowed the logging operations. Some 300 acres of timber were harvested last year and seedlings were planted during the past season on 140 acres. Loggin g roads and forest trails are properly maintained throughout the forests to prevent erosion and Jordan said he appreciates the cooperation he receives from the Forestry Commission in providin g firebreaks and technical advice.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

There is a generou s scattering of well

planned wildlife food plots on the pro-

perty and Jordan said he is careful to

solicit hunting clubs and other hunting

interests that will not abuse the forests.

Firewoo d from th e hardwood that

flourishes in low-lying areas along th e

streams was another source of income

in recent years. The landowner said

wood is no longer being sold , but

some is cut each year for th e fireplaces

of family members and some close

friends .

Fore ster Steve Smith of the Com-

mission's Am eri cus Di strict said he has

enjoyed working w ith Jordan in timber thinnin g, chemical treatment of

undesirable species and several other

related projects. " Mr. Jo rdan is a very good steward of th e land," Smith said.

" He is a conscienti ous person who

wo rks hard to make sure the forest is

well managed in every respect...he

ri ghtly deserves th e Tree Farmer of the

Year distinction."

Th e parcel of land his father helped

him buy in his youth was sold years late r-along w ith its trees - and the

money was used by Jordan to co n-

struct an attractive co untry home near

Talbotto n. Wh en he co mes forward to

accept the state honor at th e Georgia

Forestry Association conven tion o n

Jekyll Island in June, he co uld co n-

ceivab ly think of that childh ood lesso n

in forest economics and how it has

helped shape his rol e as a true con-

servation ist .



Georgia Forestry/Summer 1991/23

TREES SOIL WATER WILDLIFE
These four valuable natural resources will be protected and greatly enhanced by Georgia landowners who qualify for the Stewardship Forest program. All Georgia Forestry Commission offices have details on this new, challenging program.
Stewardship

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