Georgia forestry, Vol. 53, no. 1 (Spring 2000)

Georgia

FORESTRY

USPS No. 217120 Spring 2000

No.1

Vol. 53

Roy E. Barnes, Governor J. Frederick Allen, Director Sharon Dolliver, Chief - Forest Information and Urban & Community Forestry
STAFF Lynn A. Walton, Editor William S. Edwards, Assoc. Editor Julia Baker, Graphic Artist
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./Rome, GA 30165
706-295-6021
District Two 3005 Atlanta Hwy./Gainesville, GA 30507
770-531-6043
District Three 1055 E. Whitehall Rd./Athens, GA 30605
706-542-6880
District Four 187 Corinth Rd./Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-7218
District Five 119 Hwy. 49 West/Milledgeville, GA 31061
912-445-5164
District Six 1465 Tignall Rd./Washington, GA 30673
706-678-2015
District Seven 243 U. S. Hwy. 19 N./Americus, GA 31709
912-931-2436
District Eight 2395 U. S. Hwy. 41 N./Tifton, GA 31794
912-386-3617
District Nine 3561 Hwy. 112/Camilla, GA 31730
912-336-5341
District Ten 18899 U. S. Hwy. 301 N./Statesboro, GA 30458
912-681-0490
District Eleven Route 1, Box 67/Helena, GA 31037
912-868-5649
District Twelve 5003 Jacksonville Hwy./Waycross, GA 31503
912-287-4915
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 changes to Georgia Forestry Commission, 5645 Riggins Mill Road, Dry Branch, Georgia 31020-9699. For subscription additions, changes, or deletions, please contact Kassie Odum: E-mail: kodum@gfc.state.ga.us, Phone: (912) 751-3530, Fax: (912) 751-3559, TollFree: 1-800-GA-TREES, Mail: P.O. Box 819 Macon, GA 31202-0819.
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Georgia Forestry Commission
P. O. Box 819, Macon, Georgia 31202-0819 (912) 751-3500, Fax (912) 751-3465

Roy E. Barnes Governor
J. Frederick Allen Director

Dear Georgia Citizens and Forest Landowners:
Georgia is blessed with natural resources that influence our daily lives socially, environmentally, and economically. The New Year and New Millennium offer opportunities to sustain and enhance these resources for our needs and for generations to come. Our natural resources are called on to provide us with clean air and water, places to build our homes, products, recreation, and wildlife habitat.
Georgia has 24 million acres of forestland covering 66 percent of the state. Seventy-two percent of this land is owned by non-industrial, private forest landowners. Twenty-one percent is owned by forest industry and seven percent is in public ownership. The demand on Georgias natural resources primarily rests on private forest landowners.
Every American uses the equivalent of one tree 100 feet tall and 18 inches in diameter each year for a variety of products. While there are seven million people living in Georgia, there are only 600,000 forest landowners. As in the farming community, a small population of forest landowners must provide for the needs of a larger population.
Several years ago, I helped prepare a survey designed to determine the publics view of forestry. One question asked was, Who is responsible for harvesting timber? The quick response was, Industry. A discussion ensued as to what our role was in timber harvest and natural resource use. Following comments and discussion from all around the table, no clear consensus was reached and the question was not asked on the survey.
While I am not one of the 600,000 resource producers, I am one of the seven million resource consumers.
I want clean air, clean water, recreational areas, a home in the woods, and wildlife habitat, but I also want and need some of the 5,000 products derived from wood that touch my daily life.
As we enter the New Millennium striving to sustain and enhance our natural resources, the challenges and opportunities of this endeavor rest not only on the resource producers, but also on us, the resource consumers.
Yours very truly,

Jim L. Gillis, Jr. Chairman, Soperton

J. Frederick Allen Director

C. M. Eunice, Jr. Blackshear

J. G. Fendig Savannah

Larry S. Walker Oglethorpe

An Equal Opportunity Employer

P. W. Bryan Thomasville

ON THE COVER - Springtime close-up captures essence of Macons Cherry Blossom Festival that attracts thousands of annual visitors. Photo: William Godfrey

Georgia Forestry

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Georgia FORESTRY/Spring 2000

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Spring 2000

Table of Contents

4 Leavells Win Top National Tree Farm Award
Blends Forestry With Rock Music Career

8 Georgias Bobwhite Quail Initiative
Restoring Habitat for the Birds

9 Promising Recruits Commit to Forest Stewardship Program
Vince and Barbara Dooley Join Ranks

10 Something New Grows in Georgia This Spring
Georgia Woodland Stewards Recognized

11 Landowner Procedure for Paying Georgia Ad Valorem Harvest Tax
Things You Should Know

12 Georgia Celebrates Arbor Day
Millenium Grove Adds Significance

14 Tree Distribution Center Has Statewide Potential
RGOS Will Maintain 40,000 Seedlings for
Georgia

16 High Tech Wood Products Lab to Become Reality in 2000
Atlanta Facility Takes Giant Step Forward

18 Smokey Visits Childrens Hospital
Smokey Caps Bring Smiles

20 Trees Can Weather The Storm
Wind, Lightning, and Floods are Threats

23 Book Review
Arboriculture & The Law

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Chuck and Rose Lane Leavell, winners of the National Tree Farmer of the Year Award, relax with their Jack Russell Terriers on the porch of Charlane Plantation Tree Farm.

Photos By William Godfrey

C huck and Rose Lane Leavell received the 1999 National Tree Farmers of the Year Award for their 2,200-acre Charlane Plantation Tree Farm in Dry Branch, south of Macon.

If the name sounds familiar, it's because this is the same Chuck Leavell who tours the world as keyboardist with the internationally famous Rolling Stones band. He has also performed with Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Marshall Tucker, and numerous others. Leavell is living proof that rock music and forestry are compatible at the highest levels.
"If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would divide my time between being a rock musician and managing forestland, I would have said they were nuts," Chuck said. "But the Man upstairs has a way of carving out careers for people and gently leading us to where we want to be, even if we don't know it."
Divine guidance may have well been involved, since Chuck has attained

an elevated status in the international forestry community that is similar to his accomplishments in the music industry. The National Tree Farmer of the Year award is one of the most prestigious of forestry honors. The American Tree Farmer System selected Chuck and Rose Lane from among more than 66,000 tree farmers nationwide. Established in 1942, the American Tree Farm System is the oldest and largest certifier of sustainable forests in the United States. It is a voluntary forest conservation program sponsored by the American Forest Foundation.
DUAL EFFORT Chuck emphasizes that the evolution and management of Charlane has been a joint effort requiring many years of hard work and planning. Basically, Rose Lane manages the administrative duties and Chuck takes

care of the trees. Although Rose Lane is also very knowledgeable in forestry, she modestly describes her learning process as "I just went from riding around in the woods with Daddy to riding around with Chuck."
Rose Lane is actually referring to growing up on Charlane. The remodeled farmhouse the Leavells live in was built in 1870 from trees cut on the plantation. Charlane was inherited from Rose Lane's grandmother in 1981. The land, known in the family as "the homeplace," was purchased by Rose Lane's grandfather in the 1920s. The value of this family heritage is obvious.
Charlane is not just a tree farm to the Leavells it is a tree farm that is home for them and future generations. The Charlane house has a "homeplace" atmosphere with large, surrounding trees. A lake can be seen in the distance. There are wild birds, pet birds, cats, and dogs. Two hyperactive Jack Russell Terriers dig frantically in the front yard for moles that may or may not exist;

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"We'd ride down the road in the tour bus and I'd be in the back doing my homework," Chuck remembers. The course concluded with Chuck writing a management plan; but now the difficult part emerged implementing the plan.

Like others in forestry, Chuck

soon discovered that "the

more I learn, the more I real-

ize what there is to learn."

So he delved deeper and

learned more about forest

management, ecosystems,

biodiversity, and wildlife.

And finally he realized "the

most important thing I learned

is that there is a wonderful, Entrance to Charlane's old homeplace. Plantation, located south of Macon, has 2,200 acres. fragile balance in our world,

and it's up to us you and me

to maintain it." Chuck con-

a life-size statue of a bird dog is fro- He contacted the Georgia Forestry siders this forestry-related learning

zen in a point toward the woods. In Commission for advice and began process as a "wonderful and fasci-

essence, it looks like a Norman reading about forestry. Eventually, nating journey" that led to studies

Rockwell version of the American he found an extensive correspon- of conservation techniques in Ger-

Dream.

dence course on forest manage- many, Canada, Sweden, and the U.S.

ment and studied while on tour A balance of hardwood/softwood

TREE FARM BEGINNING

with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. acreage came into focus.

Chuck recalls the begin-

ning of Charlane's tree

farm as "a twist of fate."

Eighteen years ago, Rose

Lane's brother said,

"Look, there's a 50-acre

field that was used for a

hayfield. If you're not

going to have cattle, you

might think about plant-

ing it in trees."

Trees were planted. Chuck and Rose Lane thought it was a good idea because trees would not require dayto-day attention and would allow time for Chuck to go on tour. After planting the trees, however, he began to ask forestry questions.

Chuck examines wildlife management area for ducks on Charlane (note duck nesting box in background).

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shared time with the media, community organizations, and governmental groups.

Chuck and Rose Lane measure pine growth on Charlane stand.

RESULTS Forestry and rock music may not generally be considered compatible, but as the years passed and Charlane progressed, even the media began to take on a new perspective of notice. People Magazine called Chuck "the sixth Rolling Stone," while a photo accompanying the story pictured him hugging a tree. The New York Times said "he's a man who can see the forest for the trees and helps nurture it" in a story topped by a picture of Chuck onstage with Mick Jagger.
Meanwhile, back home at Charlane, things were happening. Chuck and Rose Lane became the only two-time winners of Georgia Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Award (a state version of the national honor yet to come). As more time passed, Chuck became increasingly aware of what "a perfect psychological and physical balance" Charlane offered to the

contrast of tours: such as when 500 people waited in Buenos Aires as the Rolling Stones landed for their Voodoo Lounge tour -- then a high speed chase from the airport to a hotel where 500 more fans were waiting.
Gradually, Chuck began to gravitate more and more toward Charlane. Although he still performs and goes on tours, his main interest is Charlane. The results are obvious; since that "twist of fate" tree planting 18 years ago, the Leavells have been recognized by a number of conservation organizations including the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Georgia Urban Forest Council, the Georgia Conservancy, and the University of Georgia (where they sponsor a conservation related scholarship). Working with groups such as Trees Atlanta and the National Arbor Day Foundation on Urban Forestry, they have planted trees in several cities and

Chuck is currently collaborating with the University of Georgia on a book of forestry issues. Meanwhile, back at Charlane, he and Rose Lane continue the four aspects of the traditional Tree Farm sign (water, wood, wildlife, and recreation). Rose Lane, who previously owned a clothing business, now devotes much of her time to Project Learning Tree (PLT) and other for estry education projects. One of Chuck's current priority projects involves his increasing participation in promotion of the longleaf pine resurgence in Georgia.
In the midst of all this activity, Chuck manages to go out every other morning at dawn and run the woodland roads with his Jack Russell Terriers jogging behind him. "I cannot begin to tell you how good that is for my soul," Chuck says.
As for the future, Rose Lane sums it up: "Our future looks green."

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Education activities are an integral part of Charlane.
School groups enjoy forestry sessions taught by
Chuck and Rose Lane.

Chuck explains tree-aging process to young visitor at tree farm.

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SFteowraersdt ship

Georgias Bobwhite Quail Initiative
Restoring Habitat for the Birds

Forest Stewardship. . .management plans for Georgia landowners Timber, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Recreation, and Aesthetics

G eorgia was once considered the bobwhite quail capital of the world. However, the state's quail population has declined by more than 70 percent since the early 1960s, primarily due to loss of quality early successional habitat. To address this concern, the Bobwhite Quail Initiative is being implemented by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Key members of Georgia's General Assembly worked with the Department of Natural Resources and other supporters throughout the past year to develop and fund the new Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI).
BQI is primarily directed at providing nesting and brood rearing habitat, factors most commonly limiting quail populations across Georgia's landscape. However, these practices should also improve habitats for certain early successional songbird species that also are in serious decline. BQI program practices should reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. Other beneficial aspects may include economic enhancement to local communities from recreational opportunities associated with improved quail hunting and wildlife viewing.
This pilot project is being conducted in three focus areas comprised of 13 counties in the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia (see map). Focus areas were chosen based on the following considerations: 1) a prevalence of row crop agriculture; 2) soils that are conducive to quail habitat management; and 3) a sample size and distribution that accurately represents Georgia's farm landscape. Within the focus areas Wildlife Resources Division biologists will provide landowners with detailed technical assistance on quail habitat management, and qualifying landowners will receive incentive payments for the establishment and maintenance of certain types of early successional habitat. Within and around agricultural fields incentive payments are provided for the creation of field borders, hedgerows and field corners that are established to meet the program guidelines. BQI also cost shares the burning of thinned pine plantations adjacent to agricultural fields.
The process for landowner participation in BQI is similar to that for federal Farm Bill Programs. Sign-ups are

announced and habitat plans are competitively ranked for funding. Landowners conducting multiple habitat practices receive higher scores and increased chances for funding. It is important to note that upon request, habitat management plans are provided to all landowners, regardless of their participation in the BQI program.
To be eligible for BQI incentive payments, the potential landowner's property must be in one of the three main focus areas, must include commercial row crop agriculture, and must be at least 50 contiguous acres. Commercial shooting preserves are not eligible for incentives. In-
centives will not be paid for previously-established habitat. BQI eligibility requirements have been modified to include land that is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program Longleaf Pine
Conservation Priority Area.
Research and monitoring are other important BQI components. Researchers with the University of Georgia, D.B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, are measuring the impacts of BQI habitat practices on quail and songbird populations on sample farms distributed across the focus areas. Several agencies will work cooperatively in this new program, including: the Soil and Water Conservation Com-
mission, Georgia Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Quail Unlimited and others. Success of BQI may ultimately lead to the restoration of the bobwhite quail, the state's game bird.
Regional BQI biologists have been actively enrolling qualified landowners in the 14 designated counties, which include: Bleckley, Bulloch, Burke, Dodge, Dougherty, Emanuel, Houston, Jenkins, Laurens, Lee, Screven, Sumter, Terrell, and Treutlen. Interested landowners may contact the BQI office nearest their property: southwest counties - 912-420-1212; central - 912272-9017; east - 707-554-3745; or call the BQI headquarters office at 912-994-7583.
Author: Reggie Thackston, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Bobwhite Quail Initiative Coordinator.

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Forest Stewardship. . .management plans for Georgia landowners Timber, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Recreation, and Aesthetics

Promising Recruits Commit to SFteowreasrtdship Forest Stewardship Program
UGA Athletic Director Vince Dooley (center) displays completed Forest Stewardship Plan presented by GFC State Forest Stewardship Coordinator Rick Hatten (left) and GFC Director Fred Allen (right). Dooley, who has a strong interest in botany, will include improvement of plant diversity in management of his forest resources.

G eorgia's Forest Stewardship Program was recently able to add Vince and Barbara Dooley to its ranks. Their interest in the Forest Stewardship Program was initiated during a radio show on good forest management between Fred Allen, the Director of the GFC, and Barbara Dooley, the host of the popular radio program in Athens.
The Dooleys own a forested tract in an adjoining county and were in need of a plan to help them manage their forest resource. When asked to give their primary and secondary management objectives for the property, Coach Dooley responded, "All aspects of stewardship are important to us. Is it possible to write a plan with equal emphasis on the five objectives?" This was not a new question as several Forest Stewardship Plans have been written with this as the desired result.
Coach Dooley, the current Athletic Director and former Head Football Coach at the University of Georgia, has a strong interest in botany so an emphasis in the management plan is to improve the diversity of the plants on the property. Other recommendations for the various stands on the property included timber harvesting, reforestation by planting and natural regeneration, construction of hiking trails to gain access to several scenic areas, wildlife habitat enhancement for game and

non-game species through plantings and prescribed burning, and historic site preservation.
The completed Forest Stewardship Plan was delivered to the Dooleys by Mr. Allen in December. Coach Dooley is looking forward to implementing the recommendations. Georgia's Forest Stewardship Program is glad to have them on the team.
The First Forest Tree Nursery in Georgia
The first forest tree nursery was established at the University of Georgia during the scholastic year 1916-17. It was on the site of the present football field, Sanford Stadium. Students in silviculture at the School of Forestry were assigned individual seed beds to maintain. In the fall of 1925, the nursery was moved to the Denmark Forest on the site where Lake Herrick is now located. Incidentally, Lake Herrick was named for a past Dean of the School of Forest Resources. (Source - Letter from Dr. Jack May, Professor Emeritus, Warnell School of Forest Resources)

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Something New

Forest Stewardship. . .management plans for Georgia landowners Timber, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Recreation, and Aesthetics

in Georgia This Spring

W e are pleased to introduce a new fellowship for participants in Georgia's Forest Stewardship Program. GROWS, the acronym for Georgia Recognizes Our Woodland Stewards, has been organized as a means for Stewardship Program participants to exchange ideas on land management, and to recognize the contributions that they make in the management of Georgia's forestlands.

shared among members will help all of them toward that goal.
The primary means of communication among GROWS members will be this quarterly publication you are reading right now. We will include members' ideas right here on these pages. Information on how to contribute ideas is given below.

Membership in GROWS is open to all enrollees in Georgia's Forest Stewardship Program. There are no annual dues. Instead, we would like our members to contribute ideas: tips on management techniques that have worked for them on their property. These ideas can be related to timber management, wildlife management, soil and water conservation, aesthetic improvements, recreation uses, or any other area of common interest among landowners.
Benefits for members of GROWS include an attractive sign identifying their property as participating in the organization, exchange of ideas with other Stewardship landowners, and regular communication of the latest forest management information from Georgia Forestry Commission. GROWS encourages all members to continue to work toward the coveted Certified Forest Steward award, and hopes that the information

GROWS is not designed to replace active membership in other landowner organizations. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to share news from local landowner groups among our members. We hope the increased interest in forest stewardship encouraged by GROWS will stimulate membership in local landowner organizations.
Our exciting first annual meeting for GROWS is planned for February 2001 on Georgia's beautiful coast. Watch the Summer issue of Georgia Forestry for registration information for this enjoyable and informative winter retreat. Scheduled speakers include Georgia landowners sharing their successful management techniques, and others sharing information on topics that interest you.
Come join us as Georgia GROWS! To enroll in GROWS contact your nearest Georgia Forestry Commission office.

SHARE YOUR TIPS WITH GROWS
GROWS wants to share your tips for caring for your land. Helpful ideas regarding growing or harvesting trees, soil conservation, wildlife management, or any other forest-related topics can be shared in our Members Tips column. Send your tips to GROWS, c/o Georgia Forestry Commission, P.O. Box 819,
Macon, GA 31202-0819. If your tip is selected to appear in our next issue, you will receive a tree diameter tape from GROWS in appreciation for sharing your idea with our readers.

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SFteowreasrtdship

Landowner Procedure for Paying Georgia Ad
Valorem Harvest Tax
By Forest Management Department

Forest Stewardship. . .management plans for Georgia landowners Timber, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Recreation, and Aesthetics

A s of January 1992, timber is no longer assessed and taxed annually, but taxed once upon harvest or sale. All assessments are at 100% rather than the normal 40%. You should know that:
nA sale of the timber and the underlying land together is not subject to ad valorem tax, but a sale for ultimate harvest is taxable.
nIf you were to sell timber to a broker, who would resell the timber, the initial sale would still be taxable.

weight, in tons, of wood harvested. The report is due within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
A copy of the PT-283T is also presented to the SELLER by the timber buyer. The SELLER has 60 days from the end of the calendar quarter to send the report to the tax assessor.
The tax commissioner shall mail tax bills to the SELLER on a quarterly basis. Such taxes are payable within 30 days of the receipt of the bill.

All timber harvests or sales are reported on Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) form PT-283T. This form is used for reporting values and weights, and computing the tax. The millage rate used is the most recently adopted rate at the time of sale or harvest. A rate adopted during one quarter would not be applicable until the first day of the next calendar quarter (ex. A millage rate adopted during September would not be applicable to harvests or sales until after September 30).
Timber is commonly sold in one of three ways: lump sum (you get all of the cash before harvest), unit price sale (you are paid as the timber is harvested), owner harvests (you harvest the wood and process it in your own mill). Depending upon your sale you should follow one of these procedures:
LUMP SUM SALES LANDOWNERS who sell timber and are paid by lump-sum price would write a check for the tax payable to the tax commissioner and present it to the buyer at the time of sale (ex. Buyer pays SELLER $10,000 for timber. If the county millage rate is 25 mills, the tax due would be $10,000 x 100% x 25/1000 = $250). Form PT283T would be completed at this time. The timber buyer would then have five days to take the payment and form PT-283T to the tax commissioner. The tax commissioner later sends a receipt to the SELLER. Any timber not harvested within three years after the date of sale will be subject to taxation if it is sold or harvested in the future.
UNIT PRICE SALES The timber buyer shall report to the tax assessor by form PT-283T the amount paid to the seller and the volume

An advance payment before harvesting would be treated as a loan from the timber buyer to the SELLER. The SELLER still pays taxes only as the timber is harvested (ex. Buyer pays SELLER $10,000 in advance in the first quarter of 1993. Buyer cuts $5,000 worth of timber in the second quarter and pays the SELLER nothing. SELLER will pay tax on $5,000 worth of timber harvested. In the third quarter the buyer cuts $15,000 worth of timber. Buyer will pay the SELLER $10,000, which is $15,000 minus the $5,000 balance on the advance.).
OWNER HARVESTS LANDOWNERS who harvest their timber for their own processing (excluding firewood for personal use) must report to the tax assessor the volume harvested through the last business day of each calendar quarter. The PT-283T report is due within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter.
The taxable value for an owner harvest sale is the volume harvested multiplied by a recent weighted average price provided by the DOR. The county tax assessor will make assessments.
The tax commissioner shall mail tax bills to the SELLER on a quarterly basis. Such taxes are payable within 30 days of the receipt of the bill.
The publication Tax Incentives for the Georgia Land Owner further explains the harvest tax and several tax programs important to landowners. It is available through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

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Georgia Celebrates Mille

G eorgians statewide celebrated Arbor Day 2000 with special tree planting activities in parks, along city streets, on school grounds, college campuses, business complexes, and residential areas.
A proclamation by Governor Roy Barnes designates the traditional day for tree planting ceremonies in communities throughout the state. In 1941, the Georgia General Assembly designated the third Friday in February as the state's Annual Arbor Day. Since that year, hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted in observance of Arbor Day by school children, civic organizations, numerous other groups, and individual homeowners.
Arbor Day 2000 has additional significance for Georgians resulting from every county planting one tree in a special ceremony to establish a Millennium Grove that will span the state as part of Millennium Green a program sponsored by the White House Millennium Council to establish a green America for the New Millennium.

Miss Georgia Forestry, Niki Hartzog of Decatur County, puts finishing touch on Arbor Day tree planting at Zoo Atlanta. The following day, Park Pride Atlanta planted 41 trees in Grant Park in memory of the Zoo's most famous resident, forty-one year old gorilla - Willy B.

Macon

Conyers

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Georgia Forestry

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ennium Arbor Day 2000

Augusta

Evans

Zoo Atlanta

Spring 2000

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Tree Distribution Center Has Statewide Potential

Volunteers loading trees for Stone Mountain School
T he National Tree Trust (NTT) sponsored Regional GrowOut Station (RGOS), now established in Americus, will eventually maintain 40,000 tree seedlings per year for distribution to Georgia community groups participating in NTT planting programs.
Susan Reisch, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, said the GrowOut program is operated on a strictly volunteer planting basis with trees distributed to be planted only on public lands. "So, if a community comes to pick up trees," Reisch said, "they should have a volunteer group organized like the Boy Scouts or a civic club to plant the trees on a public land site. By meeting the required criteria, the program offers an attractive opportunity for Georgia communities to beautify such areas as schools and parks while providing a beneficial tree canopy cover."

Reisch, and other GFC personnel, assisted in coordinating establishment of the Sumter County Grow-Out Station located on the 12-acre Keep Sumter Beautiful Learning Center. The station will not only effectively distribute trees in Georgia, but also increase volunteer and educational opportunities in surrounding areas.
ORIGIN The Sumter County Regional GrowOut Station is funded by a grant from the National Tree Trust. RGOS is a nationwide program involving a three-way partnership for a period of ten years between NTT, a non-profit organization, and a municipality. NTT provides a monetary grant to a non-profit organization for developing infrastructure of RGOS.
The National Tree Trust was established under the authority of America the Beautiful Act in 1990 and endowed with a one time only grant of $20 million by the U.S. Congress. Since 1992, NTT has joined in partnership with more than 1,000 groups in 48 states and planted 4.9 million trees. The Regional Grow-Out Station is one of a number of NTT programs funded through the 1990 congressional grant.
"So far, the National Tree Trust has established sixteen Regional GrowOut Stations in thirteen states," Reisch said. "The original objective was to have two Grow-Out Stations in every state. Of course, some of the smaller states would have only one, while the bigger states might have more. California already has three stations."
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Official launching of the Sumter County RGOS was the recent Make a Difference Day, on which a total of 50 volunteer adults and children

planted 250 oaks and maples with 200 more trees sent to Stone Mountain area schools. Volunteer tree planters included representatives from Americorp, Georgia Urban Forest Council, Georgia Forestry Commission, Americus Counseling Center, and the Methodist Home. The Sumter County RGOS Station expects to receive 500 seedlings from NTT next spring and also have an additional 500 seedlings from other sources.
Plans for the year 2000 include a longleaf pine demonstration plot and an organic garden for cultivation by volunteer children. Concrete foundations are in place for the dome education center, housing offices, classrooms, and butterfly gardens. Wildflower meadows and walking paths will also be included in the design.
All trees currently in the Sumter County Grow-Out Station will find homes early next year in parks and schools in the Americus area or nearby Veterans State Park. Carol Quay, acting RGOS director, is an experienced planner of parks, public open space, and environmental centers.
"Carol Quay and the staff of Keep Sumter Beautiful have done an incredible job in overcoming some adverse situations and cultivating excellent morale among a large group of volunteers," Reisch said. "She has an extensive environmental and technical background. I believe we're going to see many progressive things come out of this program in future years."
For further information on the Sumter County Regional Grow-Out Station: e-mail KSB@americus.net or phone 912-928-2862.

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PLANT NOW FOR THE NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE

1981

2000

Laura (Hooven) Williams was just 9-years-old when she and her 6-year-old brother, James Hooven, planted this tree in their parents' (Lynn & Melinda Hooven) front yard in Macon, Georgia.

P lanting trees for future generations to enjoy is a great idea. Just a few moments of your time will yield decades of benefits, sooner than you might think. Planting a tree seedling, gives you more than a tree it gives you years of priceless memories:



Tea parties and wrestling matches under the canopy of branches



Squirrels getting seeds from the feeder and eggs hatching in the bird's nest



Prom and graduation pictures with beautiful natural backdrops



Bicycles leaned against the trunks



Climbing expeditions and daring tree swings



Lovers' initials carved in the bark



Reference points when backing the car out of the driveway



Hangout spot for all of the neighborhood kids



Trunks used like signposts announcing "Garage Sale" and "It's a girl!"



Landmarks when giving directions to first-time visitors



Good night kisses in romantic garden settings



Piles of leaves used like crash pads



Boundary markers for football, soccer, or badminton games



Arts & Crafts projects made from nuts and leaves



Good books read while lying in the shade

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Advanced Wood Products Laboratory/Atlanta

HIGH TECH WOOD PRODUCTS LAB TO BECOME REALITY IN 2000

F ollowing six years of intensive research, Georgia Tech's Advanced Wood Products Lab (AWPL) will become a reality in Atlanta during the year 2000. Now in development, the 17,000 square foot lab will include computer controlled and automated wood processing machines expected to revolutionize the secondary wood products industry.

Georgia Tech's members of the AWPL development project have similar views. "The machines will be replaced every two years, so the lab will be continuously upgraded to remain state-of-the-art," said Karl Brohammer, Job Development Director. "The machines will be organized into work cell combinations that expedite efficiency in a cost effective manner."

The AWPL research and development project was directed by Dr. Thomas Galloway, Dean of Georgia Tech's College of Architecture. Dr. Galloway received support from faculty and staff teams with much of the development coordinated by the Center for Rehabilitation and Technology.
SCM Group of Rimini, Italy, the world's largest manufacturer of wood processing equipment, will contribute 2.25 million dollars in machines during the next four years. "This collaboration will revolutionize the wood products industry in the United States," said John Gangone, executive vice president, SCM Group USA, Inc. "Our woodworking technology coupled with Tech's instructional expertise creates a powerful partnership."

Since inception of the AWPL project, the Georgia Forestry Commission has supported Georgia Tech with studies of evaluations for expansion of the state's secondary wood manufacturing markets. Tommy Loggins, GFC Chief of Forest Products Utilization/Marketing & Development, points out that Georgia excels in production of primary wood products (timber and dimensional lumber), but has limited manufacture of finished wood products. "The AWPL will focus on advancing the secondary wood products industry in Georgia through research, development, training programs, and education sites," Loggins said. "This new technology being introduced by AWPL will dramatically increase employment in rural sections of Georgia suited for value-added wood

16

Georgia Forestry

Spring 2000

manufacturing operations and create additional opportunities to use Georgia-grown wood fiber for export trade."

AWPL Operations

Loggins also emphasized that these advanced

computerized processes open the door for an en-

gineered wood products industry of the future

while virtually eliminating waste and extending

Profile grinder

Hydro sliding table saw

DMC Unisand WBS

standing forestry resources. "In essence," Loggins said, "it means that we can use virtually all fiber derived from an acre of harvested trees, so we don't need to cut into another acre of trees to compensate for natural resource material that was wasted by using old technology."
FUNDING AND SUPPORT

The processing of all materials that enter either wood product or panel production will require the use of NC and manually operated SCM equipment in order to pre-shape stock to finish pieces prior to gluing, finishing, and assembly. These operations will be supported by the capability vested in SANDY A sanding machines and the acquisition of traditional wood working equipment.

Wood Shop Support Operations
NC Panel Saw NC Table Saw
NC Planer NC Sander NC Rip Saw Band Saw Drill Press
Lathe

The state of Georgia has contributed one mil-

lion dollars for renovation of the laboratory site

and an equal amount in staff support to imple-

ment programs. In the past year, the Governor and Georgia students, and researchers. PIP companies will also have

Legislature also provided funds for the positions of Job De- first-come-first serve discounts and privileges for all edu-

velopment Director and Education Specialist. These two cation and employee training programs conducted by

positions are currently directing plans for education and train- the lab.

ing programs concerning machine operations and mainte-

nance; these programs will be a collaboration between the PIP also provides member companies with opportunities

Georgia Tech College of Architecture and SCM.

to form relationships with future technological leaders

and consequently attract the best and brightest to their

Laboratory guidelines will be developed by an Advisory organizations. PIP offers corporations the option of "full"

Council composed of industry leaders participating or "associate" membership status.

through the Partners-In-Industry Program (PIP). Each

PIP partner will have a voice in determining future de- Full PIP membership extends to corporations a wide

velopments of lab research, development, education, and range of services including opportunities to support and

training programs.

interact with Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and graduate

students doing research or teaching in an area of mutual

PIP DETAILS

interest. Among numerous other benefits, the full-

The Partners-In-Industry Program provides an avenue member may also participate in an annual Research

for direct corporate involvement with the AWPL staff, Review Day conducted exclusively for PIP companies,

as well as periodic open houses, presentations,

and demonstrations. A vital benefit to Full

676 Marietta Street Laboratory Floor

Machine Layout

members is the availability of dissertations upon request, and periodic notice of new AWPL

research reports.

Initial machine configuration arranged for ease of access for
training as well as for the work flow of panel processing and solid
wood modeling
Machines and their arrangement in "work cells" will change over
time
Loading dock wing (not shown) will act as initial material storage Long term plans call for an additional structure off the rear of the
building for greater materials storage as well as experimentation

PIP associate level members have a limited range of the services available to full members; the extent of individual services is determined on a case-by-case basis. Associate membership does not include representation on the PIP Advisory Board. When AWPL officially opens, PIP members will also be able to tap research and training resources available in other colleges and centers of Georgia Tech.
For further information on the Advanced Wood Products Lab (AWPL) and the Partners-InIndustry Program (PIP) call: (404) 894-3880.

Spring 2000

Georgia Forestry

17

Smokey Visits Childrens Hospital
Smokey Caps Bring Smiles

S mokey Bear took time off from fire prevention duties in the woods to make a special visit to the Egleston campus of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta one of the nation's largest children's healthcare systems with 400 beds in two hospitals and 27 satellite locations in the Atlanta metro area.
Smokey and members of the Georgia Forestry Commission spent the afternoon passing out Smokey Bear caps and the well-known bear quickly became a big hit among the young patients and hospital staff.

was founded in 1916 by Thomas R. Egleston as a memorial to his mother, Henrietta Holmes Egleston, who lost four of five children to early childhood diseases. After a series of transitions and expansions through the years, Egleston merged in 1998 with Atlanta's Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center to become one of the country's biggest healthcare facilities for children
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The merger established a total of 1,200 physicians representing more than 43 pediatric specialties with 20,000 volunteers on call for special services.

Many of the kids, mostly 6 to 12 years old, came out of their hospital rooms to shake hands with Smokey. All the young patients, and some of the adult staff, wanted Smokey caps.
"Egleston is a critical care facility and most of the children treated here are chronic," said Juliet Veal, Egleston's special events coordinator for Volunteer Services. "We have a large cancer floor, cystic fibrosis unit, and a big cardiac population. A lot of these kids are long-term patients, so a visit from a celebrity like Smokey can really make their day. It's uplifting for them and the parents just to know that somebody outside their hospital environment is thinking about them."
Veal says Smokey's visit is especially beneficial to children and adults at the hospital due to the safety emphasis associated with the well-known bear; Smokey is the second most recognized figure in the world the first is Santa Claus. "Smokey is a very important visitor here," Veal said, "because we emphasize safety in many forms. So Smokey is not only fun, he's educational."
Egleston has a long history of progress, education, and safety with a string of visiting celebrities stretching back through the years. The internationally known hospital

GFC Director Fred Allen, who accompanied Smokey and Commission personnel on the Egleston visit, described it as "a good feeling to be of service to a hospital like this and create some fun for kids in such serious situations."
In spite of it's serious medical objectives, the Egleston facility reflects an incredibly cheerful atmosphere, with lots of bright colors and interactive designs hanging on the walls. Some of the artwork comes directly from the patients. "The basic premise is to be childfriendly," said Juliet Veal. "That's why Smokey was such a big hit."
Smokey joined good company with other celebrities who have visited the hospital. Previous visitors included Mickey Mouse, Wynona Judd, and Magic Johnson. "We don't want to overwhelm the kids with too much, but we do try to schedule some activity several times a week," said Veal. "In essence, we want this to be a facility that people look to, not only for medical help, but also for work with volunteers and our Childlife Program. We want to be the best."
Smokey understands this concept. He wants to be the best, too.

18

Georgia Forestry

Spring 2000

Smokey Brightens the Day for Young Patients on a Special Visit to One of Nation's Largest Healthcare Systems

Spring 2000

Georgia Forestry

19

Help Trees Weather The Storm
Deadly tornado in South Georgia touched down in the Camilla area on Valentine's Day this year and destroyed lives, homes, and vegetation in Mitchell, Grady, Colquit, and Tift Counties.
Storms can bring flood waters, high winds, and/or lightning.

Photo courtesy of Sherry DiBari/Macon Telegraph
S pringtime usually marks the beginning of tornadoes and thunderstorms in Georgia. They can destroy lives, homes, and vegetation. Most bring varying degrees of flood waters, high winds, and lightning. These conditions are especially hard on trees in urban areas and communities.
Flooding While some trees, such as red maple and sycamore, are more tolerant to wet conditions than others, prolonged submergence in water can damage any tree. Tree survival in flood prone areas can be improved by careful species selection and by providing ways for water to drain off quickly rather than evaporate slowly.
Wind Dead and weakened branches are no match against high winds. Regular pruning will help prevent them from hitting dwellings or power lines. Trees that have brittle wood, heavy crowns, or small root balls are more susceptible to being broken or blown over.
Lightning Because of their height, trees are a favorite target of lightning. When wet, the smooth bark of beech trees conducts electricity outside the tree, thereby making it less affected by a strike. Trees can also be protected by a lightning rod connected solidly to the ground with a heavy copper or aluminum cable.
Proper selection and regular pruning are the main ways you can help soften the blow to trees during bad weather. For help with tree selection and care, contact a certified arborist.

Storm
Resistant Trees
Some of the most storm resistant tree species in Georgia include:
live oak
u
baldcypress
u
blackgum
u
southern red oak
u
white oak
u
magnolia
u
beech

20

Georgia Forestry

Spring 2000

Color by Number

Spring 2000

1 - Dark Green 2 - Yellow 3 - Dark Blue 4 - Brown 5 - Light Green 6 - Light Blue

The sky is blue, trees are green. Color the
numbers to make a forest scene.

Georgia Forestry

21

How to Plant a Tree

1. Choose a proper location for your tree. Make sure theres enough room for when the tree gets big!

5. Add more soil and firm with foot.

2. Keep your roots moist at all times. Dry roots will kill your tree.

6. Put mulch (such as wood chips or pine straw) around the base of the tree.

3. Dig a hole large enough to spread the roots apart.

7. Water regularly. Watch it grow!

4. Place the tree in the hole at the proper depth. Gently add loose soil.

How Deep?

Too deep

Too shallow

Just right

Illustrations Courtesy of Minnesota Arbor Month Partnership

22

Georgia Forestry

Spring 2000

Book Review
Arboriculture & The Law, by Victor D. Merullo and Michael J. Valentine, 110 pages: Photos. Case table with four appendix sections. International Society of Arboriculture, P.O. Box GG, Savoy, IL 61874. Paperback $40.00. Phone (217) 328-2032

I n millenniums to come, if trees evolve the capability of communicating with humans, they will probably have plenty to say about their peaceful existence

group of foresters, arborists, and various other tree professionals that "managing trees" is a way to avoid litigation. This sounds relatively simple, but Merullo's book reveals

being disturbed by a maze of legal issues. Arboriculture that this composite can include many irregular pieces.

& The Law delves incisively into such issues.

Arboriculture & The Law says the current trend in the

The authors, both attorneys, are well qualified to decipher United States is "the landowner will be held to a duty of

increasing legal issues spawned by urban sprawl. Victor care, determined by principles of negligence." Again, this

D. Merullo is a senior partner in the law firm of Merullo, sounds simple enough on the surface, but a review of cases

Register & Swinford Company, L.P.A., Columbus, Ohio. concerning a landowner's duty regarding trees details the

In addition to law, he also studied horticulture at Ohio State difficulty courts experience in deciding on issues of tree-

University while working in his family's business of related damages.

arboriculture and landscaping.

One reason for extensive litigation and ensuing difficul-

Coauthor Michael J. Valentine, an associate in Merullo's ties may be a general lack of tree knowledge. Trees are

law firm, has been involved in numerous tree-related cases. usually considered natural things growing on the land; their

He has researched tree-related laws throughout the United condition and existence are taken for granted. Many land-

States.

owners view their trees sim-

ply in aesthetic terms, never

In spite of mounting litiga-

giving much thought to po-

tions involving trees, the typical landowner remains unaware of many legal aspects related to trees. Lack of knowledge can result in not

"We thought that we would never see A suit to compensate a tree;
A suit whose claim in tort is pressed Upon a mangled tree's behest;
A tree whose battered trunk was pressed

tential damage and injury a tree might cause.
Also, the average person, far removed from the

taking proper actions to guard against liability or to assert legal rights when trees have been wrongfully injured or destroyed.
The text points out that private landowners are not the

Against a Chevy's crumpled crest; A tree that faces each new day With bark and limb in disarray; A tree that may forever bear A lasting need for tender care; Flora lovers though we three,
We must uphold the court's decree; Affirmed."

trained realm of a professional forester, finds it difficult to associate actual monetary value with a tree especially a tree growing on residential property; hence the numerous lawsuits involving trees cut down by

only group involved in litiga-

-- Poetic text from end of book --

one, but owned by another.

tions resulting from tree-re-

For example, Merullo cites

lated incidents. Also clarified

the case of a woman who

are responsibilities of the mu-

paid two workers $300 to

nicipality, private tree company, practicing arborist, pub- cut down 44 trees to provide a lake view. Unfortunately,

lic utility, and public agency.

the 44 trees did not belong to her; 32 belonged to the city

and 12 belonged to a neighbor. To her complete surprise,

Ten chapters cover a variety of topics including: Recre- this lady found herself confronted with a $31,000 lawsuit.

ational User Statutes, Rights and Liabilities of Adjoining The moral of this story might be interpreted by some to be

Landowners, Liability for Injuries or Damage Resulting that a dead tree in court is worth much more than a live

From a Falling Tree or Limb Abutting Street or Highway, tree in the ground.

and Measure of Damages for Injury to or Destruction of

Trees.

Regardless of interpretation, this type of case over-

whelms courtrooms due primarily to lack of knowledge

Merullo, who was keynote speaker at this year's annual among the general public concerning legal issues

meet of the Georgia Urban Forest Council, told the large regarding trees.

Spring 2000

Georgia Forestry

23

1999 - Bruce Lyndon Cunningham Nacogdoches, TX - USA

NATIVE TREES OF GEORGIA

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.)

DESCRIPTION: Leaves deciduous in autumn, 2 to 6 inches long, 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide, oval to oblong and pointed at each end; margins finely toothed; dark green, smooth, and shiny above, paler and smooth below. Fruit in clusters, spherical, 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter, black, juicy, sweet, edible when ripe. Bark dark, red-brown, on young trunks smooth, on old trunks scaly. A tree sometimes 100 feet high with a trunk 4 to 5 feet in diameter, terminating in a narrow, oblong head.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves and bark bitter, aromatic; fruit in clusters, spherical, black, juicy, edible.
WOOD: Light, strong, rather hard, straight-grained, with a satiny surface, light brown or red.
USES: Furniture, interior finish, musical instruments, woodenware, electrotype and engraving blocks, tool handles, gun stocks, turnery, etc.
DISTRIBUTION: Found throughout the State, but making its best growth on the deep, rich soils of the mountain coves.

J. Frederick Allen Director

Periodicals postage paid at Dry Branch, Georgia and additional mailing offices.

Approximate cost of press time and paper only.

COST: $5,710

QTY: 12M