Georgia forestry, Vol. 50, no. 3 (Fall 1997)

MABRY RECEIVES HIGHEST HONOR 100TH FOREST STEWARDSHIP AWARD

STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

The Commission's 1OOth Forest Stewardship Award was presented to Ward Mabry of Buchanan. Representatives of federal, state, and local agencies attended the presentation banquet. Left to right are: David Westmoreland, Commission Director; Louise Mabry, wife ofwinner; Ward Mabry, award winner; and Carl Melear, Commission District Forester.

Ward Mabry of Buchanan received the 1OOth Forest Stewardship Award presented in Georgia. The award is the highest honor of the Commission's Forest Stewardship Program.
Mabry received the award at a banquet held in his honor at the Haralson County Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of federal, state, and local agencies attended the banquet with the Mabry family and friends.
Commission Director David Westmoreland, who presented the award, explained the honor is not only related to conserving trees, but also sustaining quality land, water, soil, and wildlife.
"This award is very meaningful to me," Mabry said. "I hope it dispels the myth that the most useless thing in society is an old man." Mabry, 76, began planting pines in 1980 and now has a 150-
10/Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

acre pine plantation. The plantation is managed so pine straw can be baled for area landscapers.
In 1995, the Mabry family was also recognized as Farm Family of the Year by the Bremen Rotary Club. Mabry, who likes to experiment with techniques, said he learned a lot growing up during the Depression when he was taught by his grandparents to conserve everything.
"I only had a high school education," Mabry said, "but I got the greatest education in the world during the Depression - how to manage, maintain, conserve, and preserve. I hope I can leave this world in better shape than I found it."
Mabry has been a 4-H volunteer and little league coach. His tree farm has been made available for scout camping and forestry lectures to youth groups.

Like Mabry, landowners throughout the state are enthusiastic about Georgia's Forest Stewardship Program. The Georgia segment is part of a National Forest Stewardship Program offering landowners access to resource professionals providing advice on management of timber, wildlife, soil and water resources, recreation potential, aesthetics, and environmental concerns.
A vital difference in this program and similar past programs is the variety of resource professionals and agencies working together to establish a single set of recommendations into a Stewardship Management Plan.
Landowners having a personal commitment to caring for natural resources are encouraged to enroll in the program and receive a Stewardship Management Program. The landowner will be requested to sign a "Forest Steward's Creed" indicating intent to practice good stewardship. Each landowner is also asked to prioritize objectives according to personal interests. A team of professionals is then formed to determine necessary steps for the landowner to accomplish objectives.
After the plan is determined, a resource professional will maintain contact with the landowner at least once per calendar quarter to answer questions or facilitate implementation of the plan. When the landowner has made substantial progress in following the recommended program, the prestigious "Forest Steward" designation will be awarded and a property sign will be provided to display the status. The sign designates the highest level of commitment and accomplishment in the Forest Stewardship Program.

Ward Mabry packs pine straw on his Haralson County award winning tree farm. He began planting pine seedlings in 1980 on his farm located east of Buchanan on the Tallapoosa River.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVE
To encourage implementation of plans, the USDA Forest Service has a companion program titled "Stewardship Incentives Program," which makes cost-share dollars available to landowners with approved Stewardship Management Plans to implement recommendations. Practices covered include reforestation and afforestation, forest and agroforest

improvement, soil and water

protection improvement, riparian

and wetland protection and im-

provement, fisheries habitat

enhancements, wildlife habitat

enhancement, rare and endan-

gered species protection, and

forest recreation enhancement.

For further information on

Georgia's Forest Stewardship

Program, contact your local For-

estry Commission office or call

1-800-GA-TREES.

D

Pine straw packed in neat lines on Mabry tree farm. Gathering pine straw is an integral part of the farm operation that consists of 150 acres ofplanted pines and approximately 125 acres of mature pine and hardwood timber.

SIMON AND SCHUSTER'S GUIDE TO TREES, by Paola Lanzara and Mariella Pizetti (U. S. Editor: Stanley Schuler). A Fireside Book published by Simon & Schuster Inc., New York/London/Toronto/ Sydney/Tokyo/Singapore $14.00.
Simon & Schuster has informative guide books on everything from reptiles to rocks, so it is no surprise they have an excellent 250-page guide on trees. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Trees is a field manual to conifers, broadleafs, fruits, flowering trees - with a special section on trees of economic importance. The book contains over 650 illustrations - 350 in full color. A color coded map leads the way. The map covers the United States and Canada with color designating the approximate range of average annual minimum temperature for each zone. Trees not identified by a color bar are not grown outdoors in the mainland U.S. and Canada, but may grow indoors under glass.
Each tree entry includes the botanical name with its entymology common name, family name - and a full description of size, shape, color, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds.
The easy-to-use guide also has a detailed introduction with background information, a "hardiness" zone map for North America, a glossary, and an index.
The guide emphasizes the importance of maintaining all elements in the composition, including human beings.
This book should be a welcome addition to the shelf of any tree enthusiast or gardener, as well as those working in a professional capacity with trees.
Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/11

the dedication ceremony when the museum was named for founder, Howard E. Bennett.

EXTRAORDINARY SHINGLES

Commission Secretary Julia Baker points to axe cuts in 16-foot ford log donated to museum by General F. Peacock, a Treutlen County shingle craftsman who attributes recognizing the rare log to a lifetime of working with a variety oflogs and wood species. The log is on display at the entrance ofthe Commission's Howard E. Bennett Forestry Museum.

SHINGLE CRAFTSMAN DONATES RARE LOG

A master shingle craftsman has donated a rare ford log to the Commission's Howard E. Bennett Forestry Museum.
The donor, General F. Peacock (that's his real name - not a military classification) operates a rare-shingle making business in Treutlen County. The 66-year-old craftsman, who lives near Soperton, credits a lifetime of forestry activities to his ability to recognize the log - used to cross streams - as a valuable historical artifact.
"I got the log from a construction company that dug it up near Highway 80 in Emanuel County," Peacock said. "They said it was big, had been cut down with an axe, and was buried deep in mud."
When Peacock learned the log had been cut with an axe and was given a detailed description, his interest became serious. "They were just going to burn the log at the construction site," he said. "So I talked them into hauling it over to my place in exchange for some wooden furniture that I make on the side."
12/Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997

After Peacock cleaned layers of dried mud off the log, he became even more interested. "I could see with no doubt that the 16-foot log was cut down before saws were available," he said. "The tree was definitely cut to fall in a certain direction. Whoever cut it, knew how to use an axe."
Peacock said hardened sap, still visible on one side of the log, indicated this to be the bottom side. Deterioration and wear on the opposite side revealed the purpose. "The cuts worn into the log by wagon wheels showed this to be a ford log," he said. Peacock estimates, judging from the condition and location of the log, that it was used by ox carts to cross a stream during the 1700s when such carts traveled from Savannah to Middle Georgia.
"When I knew for sure what this log was used for and that it is a valuable forestry artifact, I could not think of a better place for it than the Commission's Forestry Museum." Peacock said.
The log is now on display near the entrance of the museum and was a popular attraction during

Considering Peacock's forestry related background and knowledge, it is not surprising that he recognized the rare log and preserved it. He has worked in a variety of forestry related occupations, but currently specializes in the almost lost art of making "hand-drawn shingles." This type of wooden shingle goes back centuries and is seen depicted in paintings of pioneer houses and cabins. The original term "handdrawn-boards" was derived from craftsmen squaring the shingles with a drawknife.
When properly made, the handdrawn-shingle is highly effective and displays a unique, rustic charm. Peacock said a roof made from these shingles should last a hundred years.
Shingles are split, in the direction of the grain, from a single log. As the shingles are split, the log becomes smaller, so shingles vary in size and require a definite skill to arrange them properly for roofing. This is for aesthetics and the functional purpose of preventing leads and decay. Peacock equates the process to assembling "a natural jigsaw puzzle."
Skill in arranging the roof, however, is not the only expertise involved in the process. The log has to be split in exactly the right spot for the blade to follow the direction of the grain and seal it. Splitting against the grain, of course, would ruin the shingle by opening the grain.
Peacock said that splitting, as opposed to sawing, is the key to the entire process being successful. "The grain of the wood must be sealed to shed water and prevent decay," Peacock said. "That's why sawing doesn't work. No matter which direction the wood is sawed, the grain is opened. You can see and feel it in varying degrees, according to the wood and sawing conditions."

Logs and more logs that have to be examined by Peacock before splitting off hand-drawn shingles often seen in paintings ofpioneer houses and cabins. Peacock may be the only craftsman in the statepracticing this vanishing art- he says he knows ofno one else doing it.

Splitting shingles the old way gives new meaning to term "hard labor." Until recently, Peacock split all his shingles by hand with a hickory mallet and frow, just like it was done centuries ago.

When Peacock grew tired of splitting shingles like a pioneer and the demand for his work became overwhelming, he developed a machine of his own design that is made basically from scrap iron and a horizontal blade powered by an electric motor.

Finished product. Hand-drawn cypress shingles bundled and ready for use. The demand for his shingles - and their rustic charm now sought by many homeowners have increased so rapidly that Peacock no longer advertises his craft. He says the business runs by "word-ofmouth."
Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/13

PLENTY OF BUSINESS

Peacock does not suffer from a

lack of customers. In fact, at times, he has experienced too

much of a good thing. "I tried advertising in publications a few

times,'' he said, "and I got covered up with more than I could possi-

bly do. Now, I still have more than I can do, just by somebody telling somebody else about it."

Current status of the shingle business is agreeable with Pea-

cock. He prefers to work at his own pace to sustain a quality

Peacock practices what he preaches concerning the use of hand-drawn shingles by living in this cypress house he built. Sealed shingles may offer a century ofuse.

HARD WORK
Peacock points out that splitting the shingles is "just plain hard work,'' even if you have perfected the craft. Until recently, he split the shingles in his backyard using the same method that pioneer settlers used.
Peacock would stand a section of cypress log - usually weighing 50 to 75 pounds - on end and split it by hand with a frow. The frow is a scythe-like cleaving tool with a heavy blade set at a right angle to the handle.
Aligning the frow blade at the proper angle on the log, he would strike it with a carved hickory

in Peacock's backyard with little outside assistance in the form of employees. "But a few months ago,'' he said, "I came up with an idea for a machine to split the shingles."
The machine is now in operation. Peacock built the shinglesplitter basically from scrap iron and a horizontal blade. An electric motor, with attached belts, drives the blade operated by a hand lever. The logs still have to be lifted onto the splitting platform and positioned for each cut,'' he said, "but this sure makes it a lot easier."

product. Anyone visiting the shingle
operation will find a prime example of quality craftsmanship on the premises - Peacock's house.
Peacock built a two-story cypress house from scratch. Very few nails or screws, have been used in the structure. He describes the house as "ninety-seven percent cypress put together with wood pegs."
The shingles of the house - as are all Peacock's shingles - are split from cypress. He prefers cypress because it is a "soft, easyto-work-with wood" that is ideal for this section of the country. "Cypress is a water-type wood,'' Peacock said. "It grows in water and sheds water naturally from a sealed grain, so it's perfect for a

mallet. "You can't use a metal hammer because it ruins the

frow." Peacock explained. "When the mallet wears down to where the groove covers the blade and touches the log, it's time to make another one."

A lot of people stop by Peacock's shingle making operation looking for a job. "But that's what they're looking for - a job,'' he says.
"They're not looking for work. And this is work - about three or four hours a day is as much as you can do. It can also be tedious and time consuming labor, and this is one of the things that make the shingles expensive."
This vanishing craft has evolved

A hand-drawn cypress shingle more than a century old. Wear is not from decay, but the result of water (rain), like a rock worn down by flowing river waters. Such durability depends on craftsmanship and arrangement ofthe shingles.

14/Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

roof. When my shingles have to be replaced, it's not from decay, but wear. The curvature of the grain is pointed downward, so the water sheds naturally. So, eventually, the shingles wear out from the rain just like a rock is worn down by flooding water in a creek."
According to Peacock, there is no need to be concerned about the softness of cypress. He has hardened the entire wooden surface of his house - shingles and all - by spraying it with a half-and-half mix of water and Clorox. He says the termite does not exist that will not "think twice about making a meal out of this cypress." In addition to hardening the wood, the Clorox blend cleans and lightens the color of the wood, giving it a new look.
Effectiveness of the shingles might be questioned when looking upward from the upstairs of Peacock's house - shafts of daylight can be seen coming through the roof: "Doesn't this roof leak?" To which Peacock replies: "Do you see any signs of leaks?"
There are no water stains or any other signs of leaks. Peacock said daylight coming through the roof is the result of the angle of the sun - but the placement of the shingles at the proper overlapping angles will guide the flow of water from one descending shingle to the next until it spills off the side of the house.
"If you get a bad blowing rain, or a real snow storm, there's probably going to be a few temporary leaks,'' Peacock said, "but it's usually not enough to worry about, and I don't even recommend this type of roof for real snow country. Even if you have to replace a faulty shingle now and then, it's easy to do, once you know how."
In essence, Peacock's hand crafted shingles and roofing have to be seen to be fully appreciated. He said if there is anyone else in the state turning out quality hand-drawn shingles, he does not know about it.
Peacock gives public demonstrations of his craft in different sections of the state. Demonstrations are worth seeing.
D

TWO MINUTES UNTIL DISASTER
Firefighter relies on courage and materials on hand

What should have been a routine day on the job for Phillip Carpenter, came very close to being a human and environmental catastrophe.
Carpenter, a Chief Forest Warden with the Virginia Department of Forestry, was supervising a helicopter spraying operation being conducted by a contractor, when a fire - ignited by a fuel leak and a spark from an electric motor -broke out on the contractor's support truck. The truck was carrying a terrifying combination of cargo herbicide and 400 gallons of aviation fuel.
The flames were in the worst possible spot - under the fuel tank in the area where the cutoff valve was located. Carpenter and the truck driver first grabbed the 2.5pound, all-purpose fire extinguishers that each had in his vehicle. The small extinguishers lasted just long enough to knock the flames back slightly.
At that point, Carpenter knew he had just one option left... the 90 gallons of water and 3 quarts of Class A foam on his Forestry Department truck. (The mixture is meant to fight wood and paper fires, not those fueled by chemicals and petroleum products.) "I knew that Class A foam wasn't what you'd use on that kind of fire, but a voice told me that it would work,'' Carpenter said. "Fortunately, the voice was right."
Carpenter maneuvered his truck into position, unracked the hose with the help of the driver and took aim at the fire. By then, the aviation fuel was starting to vent and the supply hose for refueling the helicopter was starting to burn. The initial attack of foam suppressed the flames everywhere but in the most important area - the point

where fuel was spraying directly under the truck.
He finally managed to use the foam to interrupt the fuel stream, knocking down the blaze just enough for the truck driver to reach the fuel cutoff valve. Without a fuel source, the remaining flames died back quickly.
"At that point, I figured we only had about two minutes left before the fire reached a level where it couldn't be controlled with the resources we had,'' said Carpenter. Although the truck driver had radioed for help from area firefighters, it was going to be a long time before help arrived at the remote area.
In September, Carpenter was presented with the first Stihl Forestry Heroism Award. Stihl, manufacturer of the world's largest selling brand of chainsaws, created this award to honor forestry workers who risk their lives for the protection of others.
He was given a plaque, a $100 check, and $1,000 check for his forestry department, and a Stihl 046M chainsaw engraved with his name.
Forestry departments from all 50 states were asked to nominate the person they believed contributed an act of bravery, valor or courage to their community. Carpenter was one of 15 people selected for the contest. To receive nomination forms for the Stihl Forestry Heroism Award, call 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445).
Editor's Note: Please contact your local District Forester to submit a story idea about a forestry hero from Georgia whom we may highlight in future issues.
Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997/ 15

BENNETTMORE THAN AN EDITOR

Rare museum is his gift to future generations.

Howard E. Bennett

As editor of this magazine for 22 years, Howard Bennett told the story of the Georgia Forestry Commission.
However, the self-proclaimed "Tree Lover" has done more than just serve in this position...he's brought forestry to life for people in the years to come with the creation of the Georgia Forestry Museum.

Lincoln Logs," said Commission Director David Westmoreland. All Museum exhibits have been donated by landowners, corporations, and the U. S. Forest Service.
Visitors can see:
* Life size "Smokey Bear" * Dioramas of forestry scenes * Murals/photos detailing

Georgia's timber industry * Model of a rural firefighter in
full gear * Small tents firefighters use for
shelter if they're caught in the path of a blaze * "Product Tree" displaying the products made from pine trees. * Fire Tower * Turpentine Still * Sawmill * Nature trail lined with native trees
Some of the artifacts that Bennett helped to locate date back to the early days of forestry. He says, "A museum is never finished ...The (forestry tools) that are popular and useful today will be tomorrow's museum objects."
"Howard is a mover and a shaker," said Bob Lazenby, the Commission's Chief of Information, Education, and Urban Forestry Department. "He'll keep us busy on these plans for years to come."
Bennett's wish list for the

In the early 80s, Bennett proposed the original concept for the forestry museum and began to scour the state for artifacts.

In 1989, a museum was erected at the Georgia Forestry Commission's main complex on Riggins Mill Rd. in Macon.

On August 17, 1997, the museum was dedicated as the Howard E. Bennett Forestry Museum.

The museum's center is a seven-room log cabin. The entire building is constructed of Georgia forest products. Logs were cut from the Commission's forest in Baldwin County in Milledgeville. They were processed, numbered, and then sent back to Macon. Forestry Commission employees from throughout the state built the cabin - carpentry, wiring and all. "It was like putting together
16/Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

Bennett is surrounded by friends and family during what he called, "... One ofthe highlights of my life."

museum include an additional room for future exhibits and a fullscale fire watch tower. He'd like to see breezeways from the log house leading to the nearby equipment shed. "...And it will tie in so people won't say, 'Is this it?'... (because) there's more, there's more!"
Howard and wife Betsy live in Macon. They have two sons, Keith and Craig, daughters-in-law Cindy and Alisa, and granddaughters Brett and India, all live in Atlanta.
To donate items call 1-800-GATREES. To schedule a tour of the museum, please call your local district forester.
Directions:
Traveling East on I-16: Get off Ocmulgee Blvd/ Golden Isles Pkwy. Exit #5. At the light on end of exit ramp, take a left. Go under interstate and make a right on Joe Tamplin Ind. Blvd. (Note: Avoid immediate right which is the West bound exit ramp.) Follow Joe Tamplin Ind. Blvd. for 2.2 miles. Take a right onto Riggins Mill Rd. The Georgia Forestry Commission complex is on the right - museum is on the grounds.
Traveling West on I-16: Get off Ocmulgee Blvd/ Golden Isles Pkwy. Exit #5. At end of ramp, immediately make a right U-turn onto Joe Tamplin Ind. Blvd. Follow Joe Tamplin Ind. Blvd. for 2.2 miles. Take a right onto Riggins Mill Rd. The Georgia Forestry Commission complex is on the right - museum is on the grounds.
Photos at right: Just a sample of what you'll.find when you visit the Howard E. Bennett Forestry Museum.

Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997/ 17

GEORGIA LOOKING AT FLORIDA CD ROM
Importance of Forests Taught in Fun Computer Program

Tie Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in cooperation with the Florida Forestry Association has developed and launched the "Florida Forests Forever" campaign with an entertaining learning tool.
A brightly colored 18-wheel tractor-trailer showvan has been equipped with 12 computers on which school students are able to play an interactive CD ROM.
Kids are able to tour a "virtual forest" where they can learn more about animals that make the forests their home.
They can play a game that teaches about the many products that are made from trees.
Some of the techniques used by foresters and landowners to care for forests are taught as well as the variety of recreational activities that are available in the state's forests.
A pre-test and post-test is given to determine how much additional knowledge was gained by using the CD ROM.
Florida officials are scheduled to meet with Georgia Forestry

18-wheeleris part of"Florida Forests Forever" Campaign.

leaders interested in initiating a similar program.
Board member of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Larry Walker, thinks the program will help to promote balanced environmental education.
"There are a number of excellent tools such as Project Leaming Tree, that reach out to our children, and the approach that our friends in Florida have developed

appears to be another excellent tool that we in Georgia hope to utilize."
Walker, who is also the Forest Stewardship Manager at Weyerhaeuser Company in Oglethorpe, Georgia, is grateful for the spirit of sharing that his fellow forestry community members in Florida have shown.
During the next year, the showvan will tour Florida, stopping for visits to middle schools and agriculture related events.
Individual copies of the CD ROM program will soon be available for each school in Florida.

Computers inside "showvan"play interactive CD-ROMforestry program. 18/Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

Project Learning Tree is an awardwinning environmental education program that provides teachers with activities and projects for kindergarten through 12th grade. PLT can be integrated into all subjects and helps students develop critical thinking skills so they can make informed decisions concerning environmental issues.

HADDEN IS NEW MISS GEORGIA
FORESTRY
Deidre Lash Hadden In front of one of the largest audiences in years, Deidre Lash Hadden ofToombs County competed against 40 other contestants from throughout the state to win the title of Miss Georgia Forestry 1997.

The 21-year-old daughter of Pat and Dale Hadden ofToombs County, was crowned Sept. 2 during a ceremony at the 58th annual Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant in Tifton, Georgia.
A senior at Georgia Southern University, Hadden began studying Special Education, but recently changed her major to Dental Hygiene. She will be attending the Medical College in Augusta at the end of this year.
As part of her duties, the queen represents and helps promote forest interests by attending conventions, fairs, parades, and other occasions around the state.
Other winners include first runner-up, April Dawn Whitlock of Valdosta State University; second runner-up, Lisa Marie Browning of Clinch County; third runner-up, Leah Nicole Dykes of Liberty County; fourth runner-up, Brande Gail Puckett of Middle GA College;

and Miss Congeniality, Melanie Jill Vickers of Coffee County.
Over $60,000 in college scholarships from area colleges were handed out along with over $6,000 in cash scholarships that were donated by the Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant Educational Association, a non-profit organization.
Next year's competition will be held again in Tifton, but earlier in the year - June 18-20.
Seventeen- to twenty-two-yearolds interested in entering the Miss Georgia Forestry contest should call Pageant President and Director Dianne Dominy at (912) 386-2681. Dominy says the pageant will be accepting one girl per county and one girl per college. The following criteria is judged as follows: interview - 50%; platform speech - 25%; evening gown competition - 25%. There are five other contests during the pageant.

GEORGIA TEAM WINS "BEST OVERALL" WOOD GRADER CONTEST

CHRISTMAS TREE
COMPETITION

A Georgia team won the "Best

Written Test/Dimension:

Overall Team" honor at the 6th

first place winner was Bruce

Annual Wood Grader Contest held Kicklighter, Meldrim, GA;

in Orangeburg, SC, according to

Written Test/RED or Boards:

Timber Products inspection of

first place winner was Bruce

Conyers.

Kicklighter, Union Camp,

The Meldrim, GA team took the Meldrim GA;

top honor with other first place

Visual Test/RED or Boards:

wins among 80 participants

first place winner was Robert

competing on teams from

Washington, West Ashley Lum-

Georgia, Alabama, and South

ber, Cottageville, SC;

.{

Carolina. Approximately 100

Visual Test/Dimension: first

observers attended the annual

place winner was John Grant,

competition.

Georgia Pacific, Varnville, SC.

The contest consisted of the

Visual Test/Wide Dimension:

following categories: Written

first place winner was Donnie

Test/Dimension; Written Test/ Lloyd, Union Camp, Meldrim,

RED or Boards; Visual Test/

GA.

Dimension; and Visual Test/Wide Best Overall Grader was

Dimension.

Donnie Anemaet, East Alabama

Lumber Co., LaFayette, AL.

The 81h Annual Christmas Tree Show was held at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. A dozen varieties of Christmas Trees were represented in the 58 entries. The winners were: (Best of Show) "Grand Champion" Henry "Buddy" Emfinger of Manchester, GA; (RunnerUp) "Reserve Champion"H. E. "Ed" Ruark of Bostwick, GA; and (Most 1st Place Ribbons) "Sweepstakes Champion" Henry "Buddy" Emfinger of Manchester, GA.
Lane McLoud of Perry won first place out of 14 entries in the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest. Her tree's theme was "Georgia On My Tree" and featured ornaments made from Georgia products.

Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/19

TALBOT COUNTY YOUTH Forester Award, Bartlett was named outstanding Talbot County

RECEIVES

4-H

AWARD 4-H'er earlier this year. An active 4-H member since she was 10, Bartlett says her greatest influ-

ence has been her 4-H agent,

Paul Bulloch, who accompanied

Tiffani Bartlett, a Talbot County second place in state-wide compe- her on many forestry tours and

teenager, is the 1997 recipient of tition for her demonstration

lectures and encouraged her to

the Georgia Young Forester

project on fertilization.

study tree fertilization tech-

Award, an honor bestowed annu-

In addition to the Young

niques.

ally to a Georgia 4-H high school

student showing outstanding

achievements in forestry.

The Young Forester Award,

which includes a $750 scholar-

ship, is sponsored by Albany, GA-

based F&W Forestry Services, Inc.

F&W established the award in

1983 to encourage high school

students to consider careers in

forestry. The recipient is selected

by a panel of judges from the

University of Georgia's Cooperative

Extension Service, which directs

state 4-H activities.

Bartlett's award winning for-

estry activities include learning

forest management skills, tree

planting techniques, conserva-

Tiffani Bartlett (center) ofTalbot County, is the 1997 recipient ofthe Georgia

tion practices, proper seedling

Young Forester Award, presented annually to a 4-H student demonstrating

care before planting, tree identifi- outstanding activities in forestry. The award, which includes a $750 schol-

cation, and fertilization of pine

arship is sponsored by F&W Forestry Services, Inc. ofAlbany. Making the

plantations. Bartlett won the 4-H award presentation are Dennis Lebleu (left) of F&W, and Bill Edwards, in-

district competition and was

terim executive director ofGeorgia 4-H.

FORESTRY YOUTH CAMP
Summer of '97 Gone, '98 to Come
Fifty students attended the 1997 Georgia Division of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Forestry Youth Camp this summer.
The free camp was held south of Covington, Georgia on Lake Jackson.
Twelve- and thirteen-yearold boys and girls are encouraged to develop an awareness of the value of forest resources to Georgia's economy and how those resources relate to everyday life.
20 /Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

Lee Pollard from Appling, Georgia scored the highest on the 100 question exam, given on the last day of camp.

While academics are an important part of the camp, fun can be found on the excellent recreational facilities and a trip to Stone Mountain Park to view the "Laser Light Show."

Most schools recognize selected students by awarding the three-day camp opportunity. For more information, call (912) 751-3530.

Exam winners: first place, Lee Pollard; second place, Charles Boozer; third place, Adam Eller.

Bishop Captures Two Forestry Awards

Reba Bishop

Reba Bishop of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) in Polk County, recently received two awards for her work in Environmental Education and Project Leaming Tree (PLT).

For the fourth year, she was also named Facilitator of the Year by the state level PLT and the GFC.

The awards were presented

at a Georgia Forestry Associa-

tion conference on Jekyll

Island by David Westmoreland

Director of the GFC.

'

Through Bishop's efforts, there have been more workshops conducted in Northwest Georgia than anywhere in the state for the past four years.

Bishop hopes that one day all educators and teachers will be trained in Environmental Education programs.

"We must seek to gain an awareness and knowledge of the world around us, as well as our place within it," said Bishop. "We must strive to manage wisely all our valuable natural resources."

Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/21

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

position at the Laurens County Unit. Barrett was formerly the Senior Forester in Soperton. He and

HUBERT STRICKLAND retires KAREN SPIVEY resigned as the wife Paulette reside in Soperton. Nov.1 from his position as Senior main receptionist for the Georgia They have two children in college Forester in the Camilla District. He Forestry Commission. Spivey daughter Susan, and son Thomas.

joined the Georgia Forestry Commission in 1965 as a forester on the Waycross State Forest. Over the 32 years he's held positions as Project Forester at the Lower Little Tallatoosa Watershed in Carrollton; Project Forester in Dublin; Area Forester in Lafayette; and Project Forester in Blakely. Strickland has an active County Forestry Association in his area, which is also where the Pilot Project for F.I.P. began. He and wife Laura live in Blakely.

ALTON ROGERS retires Nov. 1 as Chief Ranger in the Walker County Unit. He joined the Georgia Forestry Commission in 1965. Rogers and wife Gail live in Lafayette with two daughters, Jamie and Katie.

MADGE MILLER joins the Georgia

Forestry Com-

mission as an

accounting

clerk. She re-

tired

from

Nabisco after 34

years of service.

served 12 years with the GFC before accepting a position as a General Clerk 1 with the Department of Transportation near Tennille where she resides with her two daughters Lar'Karra and Shakeya.

STUART A. MOSS was appointed to

the new position of Corporate Man-

ager at F&W Forestry Services at

the Albany headquarters. He has

managed the firm's Macon office for

the past six

years. F&W

handles timber

sales and pro-

vides compre-

hensive forest

management

consulting and

appraisal ser-

vices to private

and industrial

Moss

landowners

throughout the

South.

BILLY RALEY, Chief Ranger of Wilkinson County, will be retired as of Dec. 1, after 34 years of service.

DR. KARL M. COUNTS was ap-

pointed Director of the Herty Foun-

dation (a non-profit, independent or-

ganization which provides a labora-

tory and pilot plant setting for re-

search and development.

Dr. Counts joined the Herty Foun-

dation in 1986 as Technical Direc-

tor and has served as Interim Di-

rector since the resignation of Dr.

Michael J. Kocurek in January of

1997. Counts earned his Ph.D. and

M.S. from the In-

stitute of Paper

Chemistry (now

the Institute of

Paper Science

and Technology)

and B.S. from

Clemson Uni-

versity. Dr.

Counts served as a Commissioned

Counts

Officer of the

U.S. Navy. He is a member of the

Technical Association of Pulp and

Paper Industry. Dr. Counts and wife

Bea have four children; Art,

Janneke, Paul, and Karl.

She and husband

Lamar have two

children; son,

Ryan and <laugh-

Miller

ter Jenifer; and

two grandchildren, Nicki and

Kristopher.

ORVIN BERGMAN retires Dec. 1 af-

Raley started

with the Georgia

Forestry Com-

mission in 1965

as a Forest Pa-

trolman

in

Twiggs County

and transferred

to the Wilkinson

DEBORAH BREEDLOVE was named the new Conservation Education Coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission. A graduate of the University of Georgia's School of Forest Resources and West Virginia University, she has a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife

ter 23 years of service with the Country Unit in

Georgia Forestry Commission. He 1972. He was probegan as a patrolman with the moted to Chief

Raley

Houston-Peach- Ranger

in

Pulaski Unit in Wilkinson County in 1987. Raley

1974 after retir- and wife Juan Jose have eight chil-

ing with 21 years dren and 16 grandchildren.

from the U.S. Air

Force. Bergman WILLIAM

was promoted to "BILL"

Chief Ranger of BARRETT was

the Crawford- named the new

Bergman

Peach Unit in District Forester 1980. He and for the Georgia

TREE COY USA

wife Carole have three children, Forestry

twin daughters, Beth and Bonnie, Commission's and son, James. They have three McRae District. grandsons with another grandchild He succeeds

Barrett

Don'tforget: recertification deadline, December31, 1997!

due in February 1998. The Harry Graham,

Bergmans reside in Ft. Valley.

who applied for the Senior Forester

22/Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997

Management and

a Master's Degree

in Animal Sci-

ence and Nutri-

tion. She attended

Breneau Univer-

sity

in

Gainesville, Geor-

gia for teacher

Breedlove

certification in Middle School Sci-

ence and Math.

She resides in Macon.

LYNN WALTON is the new Public

Relations and Information Manager

for the Georgia Forestry Commis-

sion. She succeeds Howard

Bennett, who re-

tired in August.

A graduate of

Georgia South-

ern University

in Statesboro

with a degree in

Communication

Arts, Walton's

background in-

cludes positions as TV News An-

Walton

chor and Re-

porter, TV Commercial Producer/

Director and more recently as

Sales Rep with BellSouth Mobility.

She and husband Michael reside in

Macon with son Michael Jr.

WILLIAM R. "BOB" LAZENBY was

appointed as the new Deputy Direc-

tor of the Georgia Forestry Commis-

sion. He succeeds Fred Allen, who

was recently appointed the new

GFC Director. Lazenby joined the

Commission in 1971 and served as

the Chief of the GFC Information,

Education, and Urban Forestry De-

partment, since 1986. He is active

in the Society of

American Forest-

ers, and serves

on

that

organization's

National Council.

A native of Chat-

~

tanooga, but a

resident of

Georgia most of

Lazenby

his life, Lazenby

is a graduate of

Abraham

Baldwin College and the School of

Forest Resources, The University

of Georgia, and holds a B.S. de-

gree in Forestry. Bob and his wife

Claudia live in Gray and have two

children; Robyn of Lawrenceville,

and Robert of Macon.

Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/23

Forest products are found in more places

than one "wood" think!

D Fruits/nuts

When a tree is cut, nothing goes to waste. All parts, big and small, are used in one form or another.

D Peaches/pecans D Juice boxes D Instant cake/frosting/pudding

Georgia's forestry community meets consumer's

D Parmesan cheese D Crackers

demand for wood products by planting more than

D Pudding

250 million trees every year in Georgia to ensure that

D Salad dressing

there will be an abundance of trees today and even more for tomorrow.
The forest products community also is one of the state's largest economic contributors,fueling Georgia's economy with more than 17.4 billion dollars every year

D Pet food D Paper towels D Baking cups D Hot chocolate mix D Yeast D Handles for cooking utensils, rolling

''~
f
) )

through the shipment of lumber, wood, pulp, paper, and allied products.

pins D Cellophane

The list below is but a portion of the more than 5,000 products of which all or part

D Candlesticks D Cellulose sponges

comefrom trees:

D Jams and jellies

D Baked goods/confections

D Tablets/capsules D Plastic containers

D Rayon curtains D Pianos

D Paint/paint thinner D Tires

D Bandage strips

D Chairs/tables

D Waterproofing

D Cough syrups D X-ray film

D Bookshelves D Books/magazines/maps

D Seedling pots D Roofing compounds

D Surgical gowns

D Playing cards/board games

D Handles for gardening tools

D Antacid

D Paintings

D Putty/caulking compounds

D Toilet seats

D Photographs

D Croquet balls/mallets

D Liquid soap

D Bookends

D Mousetraps

D Bathroom cleaners

D Billiard tables

D Plastic pipes

D Toilet paper

D Guitars

D Handles for screwdrivers/hammers

D Toothpaste/toothbrush

D Speaker casings

D Varnish/wood stain

D Makeup

D Baskets

D Football helmets

D Hairspray

D Toys

D Luggage

D Nail polish

D Curtain rods

D Rake handle

D Shampoo/conditioners

D Eyeglass frames

D Air/oil filters

D Combs/brushes

D Linoleum floors

D Shirts/dresses/suits/

D Perfumes

D Tea bags/coffee filters

scarves/sportswear/ties

D Lipstick

D Flavorings (such as vanilla,

D Picnic tables

D Sunscreen

lemon, spearmint, nutmeg, lilac,

D Furniture

D Clocks

lily of the valley, rose)

D Patios

D Plaques

D Pancake mix

D Cooler

D Carpeting

D Maple syrup

D Plates/cups/napkins/ handy wipes/

D Wall paper

D Bologna/sausages

disposable table cloths

GEORGIA

FORESTRY

()

<"

0~Jl.11ss'0

J. Frederick Allen Director

Periodicals Postage Paid at Dry Branch, Georgia and additional mailing offices.
Approximate cost of press time and paper only. COST: $3606 qty: Bm

GA
FloDO

Georgia FORESTRY
USPS No. 21720 Fall, 1997 No.3 Vol. 50
STAFF Lynn A. Walton, Editor William S. Edwards, Assoc. Editor Jackie N. Mitchell, Graphic Artist Julia Baker, Editorial Asst.
Zell Mill, Governor J. Fred Allen, Director Bob Lazenby, Technical Advisor
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim L. Gillis, Jr., Chairman, Soperton
C. M. Eunice, Jr., Blackshear J. G. Fendig, Savannah
Larry S. Walker, Oglethorpe P. W. Bryan, Jr., Thomasville
DISTRICT OFFICES
District One 3086 Martha Berry Hwy.NE/Rome, GA 30165
District Two 3005 Atlanta Hwy./Gainesville, GA 30507
District Three 1055 E. Whitehall Rd./Athens, GA 30605
District Four 187 Corinth Rd./Washington, GA 30263
District Five 119 Hwy. 49 West/Milledgeville, GA 31061
District Six 1465 Tignall Rd./Washington, GA 30673
District Seven 243 U.S. Hwy. 19 N./Americus, GA 31709
District Eight 2395 U.S. Hwy. 41 N./Tifton, GA 31794
District Nine 3561 Hwy. 112/Camilla, GA 31730
District Ten 18899 U. S. Hwy. 301 N./Statesboro, GA 30458
District Eleven Route 1, Box 67/Helena, GA 31037
Distict Twelve 5003 Jacksonville Hwy./Waycross, GA 31503
Georgia Forestry is published quarterly by the Georgia Forestry Commission, 5645 Riggins Mill Road, Dry Branch, Georgia 31020-9699. Second Class Postage paid at Macon, GA POSTMASTER: Send address change to Georgia Forestry Commission, 5645 Riggins Mill Road, Dry Branch, Georgia 31020-9699.
2/Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997

'liABLE. QJi' CONTENTS



=-

,,

3 Pushing For Faster Pine Growth
Demand for paper products is up, while available acreage for production is down.

4 Hawks Habitat Needs
Hawks are affected by hardwood bottom/ands and forest management practices

6 Pine Nursery Established
Ashburn nursery to supply 35 million seedlings annually

7 Westmoreland Retires
David Westmoreland retires as GFC Director

7 Allen - New Director
Fred Allen is named new GFC Director

7 New Pine Software
Landowners can predict plantation pine growth I financial returns with new software

8 Urban Trees Vital
Benefits of trees in urban areas cited at meeting in Atlanta

9 Plant a Grove of Uniquely Georgia Trees
Five native trees symbolize the best of Georgia

10 Mabry Receives Stewardship Award
Highest honor of stewardship program goes to Ward Mabry of Buchanan

11 The Book Corner
Areview ofSimon &Schuster's "Guide to Trees"

12 Shingle Craftsman Donates Rare Log
Master shingle craftsman, General F Peacock, donates rare log

15 Two Minutes Until Disaster
Virginia firefighter saves the day and wins forestry heroism award

16 Bennett - More Than an Editor
Rare museum is Howard E. Bennett's gift to future generations

18 Georgia Looking at Florida CD ROM
The importance of forests is taught in a fun computer program

19 Hadden - New Miss Georgia Forestry
Deidre Lash Hadden of Toombs County was crowned new queen

19 Georgia Team Wins Wood Grader Contest
Team from Meldrim takes first place in annual contest

19 Christmas Tree Competition Winners from the 8'' annual Christmas Tree show

20 Talbot County Youth Receives 4-H Award
Tiffani Bartlett receives Georgia Young Forester Award

20 Forestry Youth Camp
Summer of '97 is gone, but '98 is coming

21 Bishop Captures Two Forestry Awards
Reba Bishop is honored for her work

21 SAFIS
New inventory system to collect forestry data

22 People In The News
Strickland, Rogers, Miller, Bergman, Spivey, Moss, Raley, Barrett, Counts, Breedlove, Walton, and Lazenby

23 Calendar, Etc.
Workshops, conferences, deadlines, etc.

Back Forest Products
Cover Products from trees are found in more places than one "wood" think

ON THE COVER - Rubye Traylor ofBarnesville planted this Red Sugar Maple in her yard 50 years ago. Georgia Forestry Commission photographer, Bill Godfrey, captured the tree during the height ofits autumn glory.

PUSHING FOR FASTER PINE GROWTH
By Helen Fosgate UGA Warnell School of Forest Resources

While the world's demand for paper and paper products is growing dramatically, the available acreage for production is declining. Some industry analysts believe that urban and suburban development -- as well as public pressures to preserve public lands for recreation, aesthetics, and wildlife -- mean that much of the nation's future fiber supply will have to come from intensively managed plantations.
"Growing fiber this way is analogous to growing peanuts, corn, or any other high-value field crop,'' said Barry Shiver, a University of Georgia forest researcher. "Environmentally, this approach is preferable to harvesting from extensively managed public or private woodlands and more economical than importing huge volumes of wood needed for making pulp."
Shiver and his colleagues in the Plantation Management Research Cooperative, an effort that teams private industry with scientists in the Warnell School of Forest Resources, are looking at just how fast Southern pines can grow, given optimal soil, water, fertilizer, site preparation, and weed control. Their studies, some of which have been ongoing for nearly 20 years, show that it's possible to push loblolly and slash pines far beyond the average Georgia yields of 1 to 1 1/2 cords per acre per year.
"We in the Southeast have a distorted view of what these pines can do,'' said Shiver. "The same trees in Brazil and South Africa yield four to six cords per acre per year under intensive management."
Grasses, weeds, and hardwood seedlings all compete with the trees for moisture, nutrients, and

rooting volume. Shiver said woody vegetation should be eliminated during site preparation.
"This is also the time to carry out subsoiling or disking operations so that pine roots will have room to grow and spread,'' said Shiver. "Grasses are the worst problem in new plantings because of their massive root systems. After a couple of years, grasses are shaded out and hardwoods are more of a problem."
At several sites across the state where researchers applied fertilizers regularly and killed competing vegetation, the growth rate of pines is averaging between three and four cords per acre each year. At another site, trees are growing at a rate of 4.7 cords per year.
The vegetation control studies in particular, have shown dramatic results. In one study, "Loblolly Pines: Pushing the Limits of Growth,'' conducted by Bruce Borders and Bob Bailey, pines

grew 51 percent faster in the first nine years where grasses and herbaceous weeds were controlled with banded chemical applications.
Pines in the study that received yearly fertilization and weed control grew at rates two to three times faster than trees in standard loblolly plantations in the Southeast. While Borders said it's difficult to predict the quality of wood from these fast tracked trees, the methods can produce three or four times more fiber on the same base. "It's not unreasonable to believe that current fiber rotation lengths can be reduced from 20 to 25 years to just 12 or 15 years, while doubling or even tripling fiber production on a given acre of ground," said Borders.
"The real lesson is that it's possible to dramatically increase fiber yields on specific acreages,'' said Borders. "This approach could allow us to take other, more sensitive sites out of production." D

Research now indicates pine plantations, such as this, can have current fiber rotation lengths reduced from 20-25 years to just 12-15 years while possibly
doubling or tripling fiber production on an acre. Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/3

N ew wildlife research, conducted in Georgia, shows hardwood bottomlands and appropriate forest management practices have a vital role in cultivating hawk populations and protecting the birds.
The study emphasizes hardwood bottomland is especially important to nesting habitat. The two-year research project at the 12,500-acre B. F. Grant Memorial Forest near Eatonton, Georgia, indicates that logging operations removing older, taller hardwoods especially along rivers and creeks - influence which hawk species thrive and which species decrease in numbers.
The BFG project focused on redtailed and red-shouldered hawks in relation to habitat needs. There has been very little research on hawks in the Southeast," said Brian Chapman, a wildlife researcher and faculty member of the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forest Resources. Chapman and two university graduate students used recorded hawk calls to capture birds and fit them with the radio collars to ;research nesting areas, feeding habits, and reproductive rates. The students, Chris Moorman and Doug Howell, received graduate degrees as a result of this study.
Chapman said he knows of no other study of its kind that has been done in the Southeastern United States. "There have been studies in other regions of the country," he said. "But the dense forest habitat of some hawks, like the red-shouldered species, can make it difficult here."

ABI
.:. .:: ...

ments in the region. One of the primary objectives of the BFG study was to establish the home range size and habitat requirements of the red-shouldered hawk within an intensively managed pine forest.
The large BFG site, extending into Putnam and Morgan Counties, consists of a large tract of mixed hardwoods and pines that includes trees of different ages, and an extensive hardwood bottomland corridor running along

three creeks. Twelve red-shouldered and ten
red-tailed nesting pairs were monitored during the project. One red-shouldered pair nested in a loblolly pine, but the remaining eleven pairs nested in deciduous trees; four were in American sycamores, two in sweetgums, two in Southern red oaks, one in a water oak, and one in an Eastern cottonwood. The red-shouldered species nested only in hardwood habitat, and these sites had a

HABITAT PREFERENCE

Researchers found that both the red-tailed and red-shouldered species thrive at the BFG site, so this made the location ideal for a comparative study. Although the red-shouldered is a resident over much of the Southeast, no qualified research existed prior to the study concerning habitat require-
4 /Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997

Rare Georgia research study involuingforestry related to hawk habitats shows red-tailed hawk (above) nests high in loblolly pines, located in either pine or uplandpine/hardwood habitats. This large, aggressive species will drive other
hawks away if adequate cover is not available. (by Brian Wheeler/VIREO)

significant number of large trees. In contrast, all red-tails nested
in loblololly pines, located in either pine, or upland pine/ hardwood habitats. These nesting sites had more large trees and more tall trees than other areas in potential nesting habitats. It was also noted that red-tails nested higher in the trees than red-shoulders.
The project definitely showed that red-shouldered nesting habitat was characterized by greater areas of bottomland forest with nests built in large stands of trees.
Again, in contrast, red-tails have been described as open country hawks, frequently found in association with agriculture, interstate highway fringes, and forest clearings. All red-tails observed in the BFG study nested on or near the edge of pastures or recent clearcuts. Since deciduous trees were available in the nesting areas, it could be that some structural feature of the loblolly pine attracts the red-tails.
All characteristics of red-tail nesting indicates the bird favors easy access to the nest. On the other hand, red-shoulders nested where there was more canopy cover; nesting low in such a canopy may protect the young from bad weather and larger birds of prey. The nesting location, being under the canopy, also offers access from below that is easily accomplished by these agile hawks.
Since each species selected mature forests with larger trees, it may be important in forest management efforts to maintain both species, to leave pine and hardwood environments including older and larger trees.
Chapman pointed out that wide bottomland corridors should exclude the aggressive red-tails because of poor canopy from above. He also said, however, that pine management on upland sites probably does not have a negative influence on nesting red-tails, while silvicultural and agriculturing activity offers "the edges

The red-shouldered hawk (above) can co-exi.st with it's red-tailed cousin if
hardwood bottomland corridors are left in tact for nesting and hunting. Both species prefer older and larger trees for nesting. (by Brian Wheeler/VIREO)

and openings" important to the red-tails.
With so much attention on nesting, it followed to check how many junior hawks were hatched out to chase down rats and such. Chapman said that eight of the twelve red-shouldered nests had one or more young. Of the four successful nests, one was abandoned during incubation, while another was vacated during a bad storm.
As for the red-tails, only five of the ten nests produced young hawks. Researchers do not know why the other half was unsuccessful. Chapman, however, said nesting success of birds is seldom 100 percent because of many possible influences. All things considered, the reproductive rate of birds in the study was not regarded as unusual.
FEEDING HABITS
Long before the nesting research was complete, Chapman was able to identify individual birds of the study by behavioral traits as well as physical characteristics. Author Tom Brown Jr., in his book The Tracker, describes the same ability to recognize

animals and birds by individual behavior after many hours observing them in their natural habitats.
Chapman recalled a coastal study of birds in which he became able to identify individuals in flocks of shore birds, from a quarter of a mile away, by flight peculiarities. He also worked with a group of mice that he eventually identified by facial features.
So, when the hawk feeding study started, it might be speculated that observing the birds was analogous to watching faculty associates having lunch. The study was carried out with the same meticulous procedure as the nesting research - and confirmed the importance of hardwood corridors as essential to thriving red-tail populations.
Objectives of the food study were to quantify food habits of the red-shouldered hawk in Georgia, and present the first study of redshouldered food habits in terms of biomass contributions of prey.
The food study revealed 181 food items identified from observation blinds and prey remains collected beneath nests. Chapman's statistics showed vertebrates represented 76.2% of total prey, and
Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/ 5

97.2% of prey biomass. Included were nine species of mammals, nine species of birds, eight species of reptiles and four species of amphibians.
Snakes, frogs, and rodents were the most frequently delivered prey items and contributed most of the total prey biomass. Sixty percent (108 of 181) of prey delivered were those frequently associated with bottomland forest habitats. This reveals not only the importance of bottomland forests as a food source for the birds, but also shows they are not prey specialists.
Amphibians (25.6%) were the most frequently delivered prey to the red-shoulder nests (again emphasizing the significance of the bottomland habitat and proximity to water), with frogs being the most common amphibian prey. Chapman points out, however, that the importance placed on a particular prey class varies among studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The unique BFG study revealed the red-tailed and red-shouldered species are thriving at the site and confirmed that red-tails require open hunting fields and large, tall pines for nesting. Forestry and agriculture practices favor red-tails at the expense of the red-shouldered species - that requires bottomland hardwood forests for nesting and hunting; the species thrive only when hardwood corridors are left intact.
"When forests are cleared, redtailed hawks often move in," Chapman said. "Red-tails are more aggressive and dominate open country where they can hunt from high above. They tend to crowd out other hawk species. Red-shouldered hawks are apparently declining in the Southeast, so bottomland forests and streamside management zones are essential."
The red-shouldered hawk is a species not compatible with environmental alterations commonly practiced in a civilized society. Unlike, for example, the peregrine falcon - apparently content to nest on top of high-rise office buildings and bump off city pigeons for lunch, the red-shouldered hawk has specialized natural habitat requirements.
The good news is that this bird can thrive with forest management techniques - without threat-
ening its red-tailed neighbor. D
6/Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

WESTMORELAND RETIRES

FRED ALLEN NEW DIRECTOR

David Westmoreland

Fred Allen

DAVID L. WESTMORELAND retires from his top position as the Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), Nov.1.
A native of Coweta County and a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in forestry, Westmoreland rose rapidly to key positions in the Commission following his entry level assignment in 1962 fighting wildfire as a Tractor-Plow Operator.
Westmoreland saw the GFC through many changes the few years he served as director, with the biggest challenge, he says, being privatization and budget redirection.
In regards to Westmoreland's leadership style during that period, then Deputy Director, Fred Allen said he kept the organization's morale up. "(David) let people know that they're important. .. that management cares about them. I think that because of this, we've come through this time, pretty good."
Westmoreland and his wife Doris have two sons, Blake and Scott - they all live in Perry. Scott and wife Angela have a son, Bryce and a daughter, Emily.

FRED ALLEN will succeed David Westmoreland as the new Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC).
The former Deputy Director is a native of West Virginia and graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree from the School of Forest Resources, who began his career in the Newnan district in 1972 as a Forest Patrolman (firefighter).
In his new role as Georgia's 12th State Forester, Allen hopes to stress part of a five-year GFC plan that will make the public more aware of the impact that forestry has in their daily life.
Another challenge Allen feels forestry in Georgia is facing is ensuring an adequate fiber supply to meet the needs of the industry. He says the Commission stands ready to help manage the forests of both industry and landowners so that a satisfactory amount of wood is maintained.
The new director and his wife Teresa live in Gray, and have two sons - John studies Botany, and Michael, Pre-Medicine, both at Georgia State University.

Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/7

Benefits of Trees in Urban Areas Cited at Meeting in Atlanta
Representatives from the Georgia Forestry Commission were among the nearly 800 planners, citizen activists, urban foresters, and business and government leaders from throughout the U. S. and nine countries who gathered in Atlanta for the 8th National Urban forest Conference, Cities by Nature's Design, September 17-20.
Urban forests are the environments of communities, towns and cities. Eighty percent of the nation's population lives in these areas.
80% of the nation's population lives in urban areas.

According to the study, State ofOur Urban Forest, released by conference organizer and national conservation group AMERICAN FORESTS, a city should have an overall tree cover of at least 40% to ensure it's environmental, economic, and social health - yet many major cities fall far short of that goal.

AREA COVERED BY TREES

Atlanta, GA Austin, TX Baltimore, MD Milwaukee, WI GOAL

27% 34% 31% 18%
40%

A LOOK AT ATLANTA

Atlanta would benefit substantially by meeting the recommended 40% goal.

Storm Water Control -

Trees slow and reduce storm water runoff, which otherwise would need to be stored by containment facilities, such as retention ponds, to reduce costly flooding. In Atlanta, the existing tree cover represents a value of about $883 million for storm water control by increasing the tree canopy to 40%, storm water benefits would increase by $358 million.

Air Quality -

Trees capture and filter harmful air pollutants, which cost society in terms of external impacts, such as rising health care costs. Existing tree cover in Atlanta represents about $15 million annually in terms of air quality. By increasing the tree canopy to 40%, annual air quality benefits would increase by approximately $7 million.

"The dollar benefits provided by trees are huge. Municipal decision makers have a tremendous opportunity to incorporate this natural capital into the urban planning process," said Sharon Dolliver, Urban Forestry Coordinator with the Georgia Forestry Commission.

CONFERENCE

Educational tours included two of the city's last remaining old-growth hardwood forests, a raft ride down the Chattahoochee River, a 25-acre reforestation project at Stone Mountain Park, and a tree planting ceremony at the new Centennial Olympic Park.

8 /Georgia Forestry/ Fall, 1997

A 24-foot high Shumard Oak was planted in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park symbolizing the park's transformation from an Olympic venue and site oftragedy to a community green space and place of healing which is catalyzing a revitalized downtown.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mike Dombeck U. S. Forest Service Chief Dombeck pledged unprecedented attention from his agency to the stewardship of America's urban natural resources. He announced the Forest Service will establish a national coordinator for urban natural resources stewardship as a two-year pilot test and increase support of regional centers that coordinate assistance to urban dwellers.
Jack Dangermond President, (ESRI) Environmental Systems Research Inc. Dangermond discussed the role of high-tech information in building and managing urban communities. ESRI is the world's largest GIS (Geographical Information Systems) software company. The State ofthe Urban Forest study combines recent research that is incorporated into Citygreen, a (GIS) software package that is now in use in over 100 communities.
Robert Costanza Researcher, University ofMaryland Costanza recently published an article in the journal, Nature, which estimated the world's ecosystem services and natural capital are worth at least $33 trillion annually - almost twice the global gross national product.
Federico Pena U. S. Secretary of Energy In a videotaped message, Pena called for more urban trees to fight global warming.
Conference highlights and keynote speeches are available on the conference web ~ite: www.forestry.uga.edu/-ufc.
Urban Forestry services are provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission to Georgians in communities, towns, and cities around the state. For more information call 1-800-GA TREES. Visit our web site at www.gfc.state.ga.us.

Plant A Grove Of Uniquely Georgia
Trees
Among Georgia's 200 native trees, a few are truly unique to the state. The following five native trees symbolize the best of Georgia.
1. Georgia Hackberry (Celtic tenuifolia) A small tree in the elm family. Unlike most of its relatives, has smooth leaf margins, or just a a few teeth. The crown of leaves the tree produces is usually asymmetrical and irregular.
2. Franklinia (Frankliniana altamaha) A small tree of the tea family with dainty arching twigs and an unusual thin, striped bark. Its flowers are relatively large, cream-colored and shaped like a cup.
3. Georgia Oak (Quercus georgiana) A smooth-barked beautiful little oak tree with bright, shiny green leaves like a dwarf red oak. They have nice fall color, are stress/drought-tolerant and produce a small acorn that wildlife will love.
4. Oglethorpe Oak (Quercus oglethorpensis) Has beautiful and strange, fivepointed, yellow hairs on the under sides of its long oval leaves. Is quite upright with a distinct whitish, platy bark.
5. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) Georgia's state tree. Is characterized by large trunks and massive branches spreading over the landscape, draped in Spanish moss.
Georgia Forestry/Fall, 1997/9