Georgia forestry, Vol. 53, no. 3 (Fall 2000)

Georgia

FORESTRY

USPS No. 217120

Summer 2000

No. 3

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.
2

From the Director.......

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's forests are undergoing many changes resulting in opportunities and challenges for the State's citizens and forest landowners. One opportunity relates to protection of greenspace in areas of rapid growth.
The Georgia Greenspace Program emerged through Governor Barnes' vision of having communities laced with open and connected green spaces. The Georgia Greenspace Program seeks to restore high quality, liveable conditions, and maintain economic competitiveness for the State and its communities. The Governor appointed an advisory committee to develop recommendations on how to most effectively protect greenspace. These recommendations were used as a foundation for Greenspace legislation.
Senate Bill 399 established a framework enabling developed and rapidly developing counties and their municipalities to permanently protect community greenspace. The program's goal is to set aside 20 percent of the land in qualifying counties as permanently protected greenspace. The statute also created the Georgia Greenspace Trust Fund, for which the legislature appropriated $30 million in FY 2001. Counties that meet requirements and elect to develop a Community Greenspace Program are eligible, with municipalities located in the county, to receive a portion of the appropriated funds.
Greenspace is defined as permanently protected land or water, including agricultural and forestland that is in its undeveloped natural state, or that has been developed or restored only to the extent consistent with one of the following goals: (1) water quality protection for rivers, streams and lakes (2) flood protection (3) wetland protection (4) reduction of erosion (5) protection of riparian buffers (6) scenic protection (7) protection of archaeological and historic resources (8) provision of recreation (9) connection of existing or planned areas contributing to these goals. The statute became effective July 1, 2000.
Anyone who would like additional information concerning Georgia's Greenspace Program can call 1-800-GATREES or access the Forestry Commission home page, gfc.state.ga.us.
Sincerely,

J. Frederick Allen Director

Jim L. Gillis, Jr. Chairman, Soperton

C. M. Eunice, Jr. Blackshear

J. G. Fendig Savannah

Larry S. Walker Oglethorpe

An Equal Opportunity Employer

P. W. Bryan Thomasville

ON THE COVER Color change of leaves in Spaulding County reflects first Georgia fall of the new millennium.
Photo by William Godfrey

Georgia Forestry

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Georgia FORESTRY/Fall 2000

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Table of Contents

4 Forest Products Industry Faces Crucial Transition Corporate VP Cites Global Economy Pressures

6 Possible AIDS Treatment Offered by Tree Bark Argentinean Tree Compound Attacks Virus, African Tree Substance Fights Fungus

7 13th Biennial Georgia Fire Show Hundreds Attend GFC Sponsored Event in Perry

8 Oconee County Wins Georgia Envirothon Team Will Compete Internationally in Nova Scotia

10 Tree Revetment Effective Method for Preventing Streambank Erosion

12 Southern State Foresters Hold Annual Meet in Macon Theme "Landowner Assistance in the New Millennium"

14 Tree Farmers of the Year 2000 The Devendorfs of Liberty County in Midway, GA

17 Ms. Georgia Forestry 2000 Layne Moye of Seminole County in Donalsonville, GA

18 Bill McKee Remembered Honored Society of American Foresters Member Dies

19 GFA Award Winners The Best of 2000 Are Honored

23 Book Review Breaking New Ground, by Gifford Pinchot

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FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY FACES CRUCIAL TRANSITION
Corporate VP Cites Global Economy Pressures

George O'Brien, Senior Vice President International Paper Company

Many North American forest products companies may not survive the next decade unless they implement more effective cost management in an expanding international market of competitors, according to George O'Brien, senior vice president of International Paper Company.

O'Brien, who delivered the 2000 Spring Colloquium at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forest Resources, identified major industry challenges as he addressed a large audience of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Priority concerns

included increased profitability, environmental sustainability, and a need for high caliber leadership.
Our industry is no longer the downthe-street, across-the-state-line type of industry," O'Brien said. "We've

got competitors in Europe and Asia who are putting pressure on the North American forest products industry like we've never had. If we don't perform better and manage smarter, we'll be out of the running." He pointed out that while North America continues to supply the bulk of the world's forest products, the future growth areas are in Asia and Latin America.
WORLDWIDE PREPARATION O'Brien emphasized that forest products companies around the

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world are preparing for competition--mostly through massive consolidations. "Over the next several years, I believe the number of companies in the industry will dwindle significantly, and a handful of giants will emerge," he said.
The International Paper executive considers the key to longterm profitability to be in controlling capital spending. He said his company is doing this by focusing on markets and customer needs. "We used to believe we made more money making tons of paper and more board feet of lumber even when those tons went into inventory," he said. "At International Paper, we now know that this is not t r u e ."
As for environmental issues influencing the industry, O'Brien foresees a number of challenges. His view on adapting to these issues is basically a common sense approach. "I am convinced that the simple rule of doing the right thing the right way is the best source of action in meeting environmental challenges," he said. "We have to protect wildlife and water quality, and we don't compromise by skirting regulations or doing just enough to get by."
O'Brien said International Paper, among the first in the industry to adopt the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) guidelines, supports changes that would make it easier for the public to identify companies not following the best operating practices. He said International Paper also supports SFI's recent additions of third

party verification and a governing process including key national and international environmental leaders.
"I believe these changes will create an even stronger SFI program that will lead to broad endorsement by our constituents and ensure long-term license to operate," O'Brien said.
NEW KIND OF FORESTER O'Brien believes a new kind of forester will be required to meet what he considers to be the industry's greatest challenge balancing conflicting demands. He suggests these future forestry
"Over the next several years, I believe the number of companies in the industry will dwindle significantly, and a handful of giants will emerge."
leaders should have a combined forestry and liberal arts background qualities that should be blended with business skills and capability of dealing with conflict.
"He or she will be an excellent communicator reflecting the demographics of our nation, coming from all types of racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds," O'Brien said. "Finally, and most importantly, the new forester will have to be a leader."
O'Brien's concluding remarks, directed to students in the audience, outlined leadership factors

that he regards as critical to industry's future. These include business acumen, strategic vision, adapting to change, and ability to influence others.
"It's a very exciting time to be in the forest products industry, but not an easy time," O'Brien said. "My challenge to our forestry schools is help prepare students for leadership roles by giving them a broad foundation."
SFI PROGRAM HAS RIGID STANDARDS
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program (SFI) is revolutionizing the way private forests are managed in the U.S. The program is an exacting standard of environmental principles, objectives, and performance measures that integrates the perpetual growing of trees with protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality, and a wide range of other conservation goals.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) adopted the SFI program in 1994. Indicating a serious approach to their program, the Association has expelled 16 member companies for failure to maintain SFI standards. An Expert Review Panel including representatives from environmental, professional, conservation, academic, and public sectors reviews the program and advises AF&PA on its progress.

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POSSIBLE

A s intensifying research on trees produces medicinal and health product breakthroughs, two recent discoveries include substances that may provide new treatments for AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Two trees that may offer possible worldwide benefits for victims of the dreaded disease are found in Argentina and Africa. The Argentinean tree yields a compound that attacks the AIDS virus, while the African tree provides an anti-fungal substance.
Kurt Hostettman, of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, said his team of researchers discovered the anti-fungal compound in the African tree Bobgunnia madascariensis. "Our compound is more active than any compound on the market," Hostettman claimed as he spoke to a news conference.
Researchers say this African tree bark compound acts against all Candida albicans, which are responsible for many fungal skin conditions and for the mycosis which affects eyes of AIDS patients. The substance is also said to be capable of destroying Aspergillis, which can cause a fatal lung condition.
The African tree compound is found only on the outer layer of the bark covering underground

AIDS
TREATMENT
OFFERED
BY
TREE
BARK
segments of the roots. According to research findings, the substance seems to be produced by the tree to protect itself against underground fungal infections.
As for the Argentina tree, Mahabir Gupta of the University of Panama, said this particular species (not identified) "shows remarkable anti-HIV activity." Gupta's team is working with the researchers at the University of Pamplona to perfect a treatment.
In the past, some companies have been criticized for exploiting natural sources of drugs without compensating the countries in which they were found. Gupta, however, considers working with companies to be the only feasible way to develop promising compounds into drugs. He said that if alliances are made so both the

company and country involved gain from the research, then it can be a mutually beneficial experience.
For instance, Hostettmann and his research team had a contract with University of Zimbabwe to ensure that countries supplying the trees for the research received and agreed upon payment.
These two widely separated research efforts indicate the vast potential for obtaining medicinal substances from trees and other plants. Funding for research is often a problem, but financial obstacles do not change the potential that might be derived from trees for cures of major diseases, health preservation, and anti-aging. (see Georgia Forestry Magazine, winter issue 1989, Can Extract of Pine Bark Lengthen Human Life?).
Georgia has more than 200 species of native trees. Professor Scott Merkle, of the University of Georgia's Wa rnell School of Forest Resources, said that although some medical research has been conducted on Georgia's native tree species, medicinal research on the state's trees remains a virtually untapped area.

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Hundreds of firemen from state wide locations attended the 13th Biennial Fire Equipment Show held in May at the State National Fairgrounds in Perry. The GFC sponsored event was the biggest fire show of its kind ever seen in Georgia.

Public demand generated by previous shows prompted event coordinators to expand the show from one to two days, and make it admission-free to the public. Although popular with adults and children, the basic objective of the fire equipment show is to

brief city and county firemen on the latest firefighting equipment and technology.
More than 40 exhibitors from various states attended with displays of advanced equipment and accessories.

The latest in fire engine technology
was on display.
Fall 2000

Specialized firefighting displays attracted many visitors.

Display area included more than 40 exhibitors from various states.

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Forest Stewardship

OCONEE COUNTY WINS GEORGIA ENVIROTHON
Team Will Compete Internationally in Nova Scotia

Forest Stewardship..........management plans for Georgia landowners.

Oconee County High School FFA Chapter won First Place in 2000 Georgia Envirothon State Finals. The team will represent Georgia in the Canon Envirothon to be held in Nova Scotia. Bottom row from left - Josh White, Chad Till, Grant Gilbert, Brian Ipock, Woody Montgomery, Brent Burrel. Top row from left - Sam Marra (principal), Sidney Bell (FFA advisor), Tommy Warren (superintendent of schools), and Cezanne Grayson (vocational director).

O conee County High School won first place in the Georgia Envirothon held at Wahsega 4-H Camp in Dahlonega. The winning team, which competed with 15 other Georgia regional winning teams, will go to Nova Scotia for international competition in the Canon Envirothon.
The Oconee winning #1 team (the county also had a designated #2 team in the finals) competed in five basic category events including: soil, wetland, wildlife, water, and forestry. The Georgia Forestry Commission provided resources and consultation in the forestry segments of the Environthon at regional and state levels of competition.

both types of meets involves visiting five stations. At each station, team examinations are administered by a coordinator.
ENVIROTHON HISTORY The Georgia Envirothon, which has been held annually for the past six years, resulted from The Envirothon Program that started in Pennsylvania in 1979. During the next decade, more states joined the competition until the Envirothon reached its current status of positively influencing the lives of more than 500,000 young people across the country; that number increases more as additional competitors become involved.

The Envirothon is a hands-on academic competition related to environmental categories. Skills and knowledge are tested in outdoor environments such as nature, camp, park, and forest.
Georgia Envirothon competition includes four regional one-day meets and a two-day state final. Testing for

Inquiries concerning the Envirothon continue to come from worldwide locations including Canada, Mexico, Japan, Turkey, and Australia. The current Canon Envirothon, hosting competitors this year in Nova Scotia, is the result of escalating global concern related to environmental situations. The Canon Envirothon is sponsored by Canon USA, Inc.

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Forest Stewardship..........management plans for Georgia landowners.

Students use water test kit to determine water quality. Results identify factors influencing watershed health.
Envirothon teams identify fish found in Georgia. Habitat of species includes
mountain streams, lakes, freshwater wetlands, and coastal waters.

Identification of game and non-game wildlife is included in Envirothon competitive events. This skill is vital in the wildlife management field.

FORESTRY EMPHASIS The Georgia Envirothon has an ideal setting for the emphasis of forestry related competitive events; Georgia has a vast diversity of forest ecosystems due primarily to variations in climate, elevation, soil types, and water.
Consequently, participation in Georgia Envirothon's forestry segment is ideal preparation for the Canon Envirothon where categories vary

from ecological issues to tree identification and silvics.
For further information on the Georgia Envirothon and registering for competition, contact: Greg Kist/Chair, GA Envirothon Council/Central Savannah RC&D, 3456-D Peach Orchard Road/Augusta, GA 30906. Phone: 706-798-7967, FAX: 706798-9445, E-MAIL: csrarcd@mindspring.com, WEB SITE: http://www.georgiaenvirothon.org.

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Forest Stewardship..........management plans for Georgia landowners.

Forest Stewardship

TREE REVETMENT
Effective Method for Preventing Streambank Erosion

T ree revetment, a relatively new process in Georgia being used for preventing streambank erosion, is expected to evolve into statewide use due to its high degree of effectiveness.
Revetment is a facing used to support an embankment; the support can be natural or artificial. In the application of tree revetment, the word "natural" becomes vital, according to Frank Green, State Water Quality Coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission. Whole trees, logs, and live stakes may be included in a variety of tree revetment methods.
"Tree revetment is especially important for aesthetic purposes and maintaining the natural environment," Green said. "When masonry walls and other artificial means are used to stabilize streambank erosion, you end up with a storm drain that hardly blends with the natural environment and certainly does not create a good habitat for aquatic organisms that are the beginning of the food chain in such ecosystems."
Green points out that tree revetments slow currents along eroding streambanks, consequently decreasing erosion and allowing sediment to be deposited along the bank. This desirable sediment can form a prolific seedbed in which seeds of riparian trees such as sycamore and maple can sprout. Some types of tree revetments can also provide excellent cover for fish and wildlife.
"Another plus factor of tree revetment is cost effectiveness, which is going to attract more and more attention as the need for stream management increases in Georgia," Green said. "Pouring gravel and building concrete or masonry walls are much more expensive and, obviously, conflict with natural environmental objectives." He added that tree revetment is often more convenient because trees and logs from the stream site can be used.
IMPORTANT TO GEORGIA Streambank erosion is rapidly becoming more of a problem in Georgia due to increasing population and spreading urban/wildland interface. The resulting changes in land uses and landscapes are putting tremendous stress on the state's streams that cannot withstand the increased flow of water being forced into them. Consequently, the streams often blow out

embankments to accommodate increased water flow. The result erosion in direct proportion to embankment strength in relation to quantity and speed of water flow.
Frank Green is now coordinating a GFC program for training one Commission employee from each of the state's 12 districts to serve as a water quality control advisor. These advisors will assist landowners, loggers, and agencies in establishing and maintaining tree revetments and other stream management techniques for quality water control.
According to recent EPD (Georgia Environment Protection Department) surveys, the state has 148 streams in which fish and aquatic habitat have been negatively impacted by undesirable forms of sediment. Green emphasized that Georgia is now required by law to establish TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) standards for streams in reference to "sediment, metals, nutrients, or other pollutants." Established standards will determine sediment control regulations for sources including agriculture, development, and forestry. Budgets will be designated to the various sources for implementing programs to meet standards.
"All this is not as simple as it may seem on the surface," Green said. "As these environmental standards develop in relation to forestry, budgets can be implemented through county ordinances, performance bonds, and farm bill programs (such as CRP) to make sure standards are met. This will also include BMP (Best Management Practices) audits."
UNCERTAIN EVOLUTION Although certain water quality factors are already legal requirements, numerous uncertainties remain concerning what specifics may develop as future regulations especially relating to forestry. Green said one of the "proposed tools" for establishing such regulations involves forestry being declared a "pointsource" for pollution--just as pollution discharges from factories are classified.
"The forestry community considers such a proposal to be unfair and inaccurate with an extremely damaging potential for Georgia's $19 million forestry industry," Green said.

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Photos courtesy of Hall County NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), Buddy Belflower

Forest Stewardship..........management plans for Georgia landowners.

"If this point-source designation for forestry is established and enforced under federal law, it could create incredibly unfair legal entanglements to delay or prevent landowners from harvesting their own timber. Even reforestation could be considered a point source, and reforestation is the foundation of Georgia's forestry success. It is our (Georgia's forestry community) objective to maintain forestry as a non-point source."
Green says one thing is for certain: that the issue of Georgia's eroding streambanks is going to have to be dealt with in a

responsible and effective manner. "The Clean Water Act now mandates that we protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of these streams," Green said. "In the past, there's been a lot of concentration on the chemical aspect. Now, the biological and physical aspects are being blended into the holistic perspective."
Green believes that regardless of future water quality regulations, tree revetment will play a vital role in Georgia for prevention of streambank erosion. "It's an ideal method for treating a major physical factor of the equation."

Tree Revetment Process

Eroding streambanks are becoming a serious problem in Georgia as population and urban/wildland interface increases. Tree revetment is a highly effective method of dealing with this problem.

Tree revetment begins with installation of trees on eroded streambank. The process is expected to have a vital role in future prevention of streambank erosion in Georgia.

An anchor log is placed near the embankment and secures the tree revetment by using attached cables. The revetment allows beneficial seedbed sediment to be deposited along the embankment.

Tree revetment protects streambank and provides excellent cover for fish and wildlife. The process is relatively inexpensive and trees near the streambank site can often be used.

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SOUTHERN STATE FORESTERS HOLD ANNUAL MEETING IN MACON

T he Southern Group of State Foresters, composed of 13 states and Puerto Rico, held their annual meeting in Macon for the first time in 13 years. GFC hosted more than 140 forestry professionals attending the three-day session to exchange ideas and technology among the various disciplines of forestry.
The theme of this year's June session was "Landowner Assistance in the New Millennium." Attending forestry personnel included: State Foresters, Deputy State Foresters, Forest Management Chiefs, Information and Education Chiefs, Urban Forestry Coordinators, Forest Protection Chiefs, and key staff personnel. Twenty-four exhibitors and vendors also attended the meeting.

First night of annual meeting included reception at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

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Georgia Forestry

Forest Protection Chiefs from various s grounds to examine firefighting equipme
Fall 2000

Ken Arney, Chairman of the Southern Group of State Foresters and State Forester for Tennessee, delivered the keynote address and moderated panel discussions. GFC Director Fred Allen said that due to continuing drought conditions in Georgia and Southern states, a primary concern of the group was developing procedures for dealing with the increasingly dangerous potential of forest fire. Representatives of two Fire Compact groups met to determine the most effective means of deploying fire fighting equipment and personnel to other states in times of crisis. The two Fire Compacts represent all Southern states.
Other concerns and issues discussed by the group included: fire education, fire specifics, management, education, and urban forestry. A special session of urban

forestry coordinators concentrated on the increasing challenges of wildland/urban interface issues related to land use. The evolution of urban forestry grass roots organizations was also a key topic; these groups include state urban forestry councils and nonprofit organizations.
"The Georgia Forestry Commission considers it an honor and a privilege to have hosted this meeting of forestry professionals for the first time in more than a decade," said GFC Director Fred Allen. "This year's theme is especially relevant to Georgia due to the state's rapid growth and increasing challenges of urban sprawl. It has now become more important than ever before to properly manage our forestlands for timber resources and environmental benefits through providing assistance to private, non-industrial landowners."

Special meetings focused development of procedures for dealing with increasingly dangerous threat of Southern wildfires.

State Foresters tour Chuck Leavell's Charlane Plantation near Macon. Chuck (pictured standing) and Rose Lane Leavell are this year's winners of the National Tree Farmer of the Year Award.

states tour Georgia Forestry Commission ent.
Fall 2000

On break with exhibitors, forestry professionals from throughout the South examine the latest in forestry related products.

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Don, Laura, & Meredith Devendorf

T he Devendorf family of Liberty County has been named the Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for 2000 by the Georgia Forestry Association for the exceptional forestry management of their 5,500 woodland acres, known as Springfield Plantation & Melon Bluff. Don and Laura, along with daughter Meredith, use their land for tree farming, historical and cultural preservation, environmental education, and recreation. It is located just south of Savannah and east of Midway between I-95 and the coast.
Laura inherited the property from her father, the late John Porter Stevens. They are descendants from a family that came to Liberty County in 1735, two years after Georgia's founding. Those early settlers received a land grant by King George II of England, which has been in the family through

the years and is now part of the Devendorf's Springfield Plantation.
In 1920, Laura's father acquired a former rice plantation called Melon Bluff, which the Devendorfs have made into a 3,000 acre nature and heritage preserve. An active tree farm, it is managed for a diverse species of wildlife and habitat.
TREE FARMING Growing up, Laura remembers seeing the "Tree Farm" sign and hearing her father say how proud he was to be a member of the Tree Farmer's Association. It was one of the first managed tree farms in the area. Laura, Don, and Meredith now care for the farm and perform 60 percent of the work themselves. In the past five years, they've harvested 1,000 acres - all of which have been reforested. Firebreaks were put in and roads were improved, including riding and walking nature trails.

Meredith, who returned home after graduate school to help her mother and father with the family business, thinks the public has a misconception about tree farmers. She says, "Most private non-industrial landowners are fine, hard-working families who are excellent stewards of the land...very environmentally responsible. When you live where you work, you don't ruin your surroundings. And it's much more than just a financial investment...they care deeply about the land and manage it to make it rich in plants, animals, beauty, clean air, clean water...things that make life better for us all, now and for years to come. People need to know that tree farmers are the `good guys.' "
While tree farming has many rewards, Devendorf warns that many tree farmers find it difficult to realize enough income from their land to pay the taxes. Meredith says that the pres-

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influence public

opinion. "The fu-

ture of tree farm-

ing is going to

rest very heavily

on how people

view the future of

the environ-

ment." One way

he and his family

are helping to

shape that view is

through educa-

A "Tree Farm" sign is proudly displayed at the entrance to the Devendorf property, located just south of Savannah in Liberty County.

tion. They give tours to over 1,500 people a

year at their

sure for tree farmers to sell their land Melon Bluff Nature Center. They

to developers and big industry is tre- w o r k r e g u l a r l y w i t h d i v e r s e

mendous. "We could make a lot of groups of people that include the

easy money selling out to develop- Girl Scouts, charter schools, and

ers who are rapidly changing the lo- nature and conservancy organiza-

cal landscape into strip shopping cen- tions. The Department of Natural

ters and residential subdivisions...but Resources recently made Melon

we won't do that because like most B l u f f

one of its 18 sites

tree farmers, we believe in something

on a newly

bigger - preserving the land for fu-

created pilot

ture generations to enjoy."

project called

"Georgia's Co-

With a bachelor of arts degree in his-

lonial Coast

tory and a masters in anthropology,

Birding Trail,"

Meredith Devendorf has a unique

which promotes

knowledge of the delicate symbiotic

the hundreds of

relationship between people and na-

beautiful birds found

ture. "Culture can't survive without

along the state's coast.

the landscape. People who live on The "Painted Bunting" is just one of the tree farms understand this connection hundreds of birds that can be sighted at

better than people who live in the the Devendorf's preserve, which is one of

city...when you lose the land, you the sites along the Colonial Coast Birding

lose the people."

Trail.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS Not only do the Devendorfs practice tree farming, they preach it - along with lessons about local history, culture, and the environment. Don says, "We want people to get first hand knowledge of what the tree farmer does and why he is needed, and to understand how tree farming contributes to the environment, as well as the economy." Years of experience in television as a producer, director, and writer have taught Don how to

The area is loaded with coastal history too, from Spanish mission days to the Civil War, to rum-running on the North Newport River in the 1920s. Just up the road is Seabrook Village, a "living-history museum" that portrays the inspiring story of African-American pioneers on the coast. Seabrook was the brainchild of Laura Devendorf, and all three family members have devoted several years to its development (see inset).

ECO-TOURISM If all that wasn't enough to keep them busy, the Devendorfs own and singlehandedly operate a historic bed and breakfast inn. From a restored barn to a plantation cottage, the accommodations are set amid ancient, moss-hung oaks at river's edge. Don, Laura, and Meredith host all types of small group occasions such as executive retreats, small meetings, seminars, weddings, and family reunions. There are 25 miles of grassy, forest trails for hiking, biking, picnics, and riding, and plenty of water for kayaking and canoeing.
The Georgia Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism regularly brings people from all over the world to the Devendorf's to help promote nature-based tourism in the state. Laura says tourism based on nature is just one of many non-traditional ways for tree farmers to generate income from their land, as well as educate the public. "If we want to survive, all farmers have got to start thinking outside of the box."
Seabrook Village
Seabrook Village has received international recognition as a unique historic preservation project. The nation's first African-American living hist o r y museum, award-winning Seabrook Village is complete with a collection of authentic buildings typical of these black pioneers who established success as a community of self-reliant landowners on the coast.
Governed by a multi-racial local board, it is dedicated to education, research, and the authentic portrayal of AfricanAmerican history and culture from 1865 to 1930. The interpreters come from community families whose roots go back over 150 years, and tell the true story of courage, dignity, hope and pride.
For more information call 912-884-7008.

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From a nine-bedroom restored barn (left) to a two-bedroom plantation cottage, Melon Bluff 's Bed & Breakfast accommodations are set amid ancient, moss-hung oaks at river's edge (below).

similar goals. We're all on the same team and we need to work together to accomplish our goals of conserving the environment."
While talking with other tree farmers and conservation groups may seem like singing to the choir, the

PROBLEMS FACING TREE FARMERS Along with government regulations, Laura Devendorf says that one of the top problems facing tree farmers today is taxation. "The government is the biggest anti-conservation institution that we have in the United States of America...they are going to tax the tree farmer right out of existence." She says that the tax structure is set up in such a way that land values are based on how the land could be used, instead of how it is actually used. "Inheritance taxes should be valued based on land use, not highest and best use. Not only is this not fair, but it's foolish. By punishing the very people who care for the land, everyone loses in the long run. When the tree farmer is gone, so are the environmental and social benefits that we all enjoy...such as clean air, clean water, wildlife and plant diversity, a sense of community pride, and the natural beauty that Georgia is well known for."
Devendorf says that the pristine coastal region between Savannah and Brunswick is at risk of being bought out by big industry. "This is one of the last bastions of untouched, natural shoreline areas left on the Eastern Coast...and it is going fast.
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People everywhere need to be aware of what we are losing, before its gone. Once we pave it over, it's lost forever."
TEAMING UP Citing strength in numbers, Devendorf wants to join forces with other groups to make sweeping changes in legislation. Laura encourages tree farmers to join the Tree Farmers Association so they can network with others to become aware of the issues they have in common. She wants that group to then reach out to organizations that have traditionally been thought of as foes. "Actually, tree farmers and environmental groups have a lot in common. We support similar issues and share
Georgia Forestry

Devendorfs don't just discuss the issues with like-minded people. From the visitors who thought they were just taking a weekend getaway at a bed and breakfast with friendly hosts, to the people who struck up a conversation with some nice folks from Georgia, the Devendorfs don't seem to miss an opportunity to get out their message to anybody who will listen that tree farmers really are the "good guys" when it comes to caring for the future of our environment.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Springfield Plantation & Melon Bluff, you can reach the Devendorfs at 912-884-5450.
Fall 2000

MISS GEORGIA FORESTRY 2000

Layne Moye of Donalsonville, Georgia, is Miss Georgia Forestry 2000. At only 17 years old, she is one of the youngest queens to wear the crown in past years. Layne also captured the title of Miss Congeniality.
Representing Miller/Seminole County, she competed with 30 other contestants in the 61st Miss Georgia Forestry State Pageant this June in Tifton, Georgia.
Among many activities, the contestants received a barbecue dinner sponsored by Tifton-Tift County Tourism; were led in a police motorcade through Tifton by the Tifton Police and the Tift County Sheriff's Department; and participated in a tree farm tour sponsored by Walter Stephens, the Tift County Forestry Unit, and Abraham Baldwin College.
Guest speakers included Georgia Forestry Commission Deputy Director Bob Lazenby and Commission Director Fred Allen. Reigning Miss Georgia Forestry, Niki Hartzog, assisted Director Allen and Tifton Mayor Paul Johnson with the crowning.
As part of her duties, the queen attends conventions, fairs, parades, and other occasions, promoting forestry, with a special emphasis this year on the topics of fire prevention and forest stewardship. Moye thinks the focus on fire prevention is especially important because of the recent concern about wildfires due to drought conditions. "I feel honored that I'm one of the first queens to have the opportunity to get this message out, and hopefully, the girls who follow me can implement it and keep the information out there."
Astute and poised, Layne is so well-versed about forestry in Georgia and has such a good grasp of the overall concepts, that one might think she's been talking about

Layne Moye
forestry for years. "I know that some people have negative attitudes towards forestry because they think that we're cutting down more trees than are being planted, but in all reality, for every tree that's cut down, two are planted in its place...that's a comforting thing to know, and it's something that I think people don't know, but should." Moye is relating her new knowledge of forestry to current events. "While we were at the pageant, I was watching the news and they said that because of the drought, Georgia was going to lose something like 40 million dollars worth of cotton this year. But then, on the other side of that, we can count on forestry to bring in nineteen and a half billion dollars every year...I think people underestimate the value of trees."
One of the reasons that Moye says she's excited to share her knowledge about forestry with others is because she knows it's something that people can relate to. "I love talking about forestry...and it's amazing how many everyday things come from trees. Lipstick and make-up are essential tools when you're a queen, so it

was really fun to find out that these are forest products and my boyfriend was surprised when I told him that trees might have been used to help make his football helmet."
Moye's platform for the pageant is on the Awareness of Depression Among Teenagers, a subject she became interested in while doing research for a school paper. She says that the symptoms of depression frequently go unrecognized in teens because they are so similar to behavior common in puberty. "Look for the changes in sleeping patterns either sleeping all of the time or not sleeping at all, changes in your eating patterns either gorging out or not eating anything, mood swings, or any noticeable changes." It's a topic she says she feels comfortable talking about, and hopes to dispel the stigma of it. "It's nothing to be ashamed of...some people are anemic, some people have asthma, and well, some people have depression. It just happens sometimes."
While she still has plenty of time to decide what her career will be, her choices range from being a primary school teacher or veterinarian, to becoming an actress. A rising senior at Seminole County High School, Layne is the daughter of Joe and Jena Moye.
Runners-up for the 2000 Miss Georgia Forestry Title:
1st runner-up: Caroline Benton 2nd runner-up: Ashley Dykes 3rd runner-up: Melissa Odum 4th runner-up: Lauren Moncus
Interview Winner: Brooke Wetherington Speech Winner: Melissa Odum
Prettiest Smile Winner: Lauren Moncus Prettiest Dress Winner: Tina Welch Photogenic Winner: Caroline Benton

Fall 2000

Georgia Forestry

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BILL MCKEE REMEMBERED
Clarence W. (Bill) McKee, one of the Society of American Foresters most valued and influential members, died on April 23, 2000 following an extended illness.
McKee was elected by his SAF peers in 1999 as a Society of American Foresters Fellow, a prestigious honor conferred on key members. A native of Mississippi, McKee attended Mississippi State University where he received a BS degree in Forest Management in 1970, a MS degree in Wildlife Ecology in 1972, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics in 1982.
He began his forestry career in 1972 with Weyerhaeuser Company's land management division in Centerville, Alabama. McKee completed his doctoral studies while working with Weyerhaeuser and later joined the staff of Auburn University School of Forestry as an extension specialist and forestry class instructor.
Subsequent employment included management positions with James River Paper Company in Pennington, Alabama, and Alabama River Woodlands, Inc. in Perdue Hill, Alabama. In 1998, McKee joined the staff of Molpus Woodlands Resource Management Group as Chief Operating Officer, a position that involved managing timberlands for various investment groups. He left Molpus in 1999 to establish his own forestry and wildlife consulting business, which he operated until his death.
McKee, who had numerous professional journal/symposium articles published, was an active SAF member from the grassroots to national level. He served as SAF Alabama Division Chairman in 1988. In 1993, he was Southeastern SAF Chairman. From 199497, he served as a District X SAF Council Member.
He was a member of the Project Learning Tree (PLT) National Advisory Council from 1988-90. McKee was a Registered Forester in Mississippi and Alabama, a Certified Forester with the SAF, and a Certified Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society.
A Scout Master with Boy Scouts of America, McKee was also Certified Methodist Lay Speaker and a member of Gideons International. Survivors include his wife, Betty and five children: Shelly age 24; Chris, 22; Thomas, 14; Gail, 12; and Mitch, 8.

P rofessional foresters and The Society of American Foresters are celebrating a milestone in 2000 - One hundred years of service to the forestry profession!
It's a time to reflect on the many advances that have been made in science, education, technology, and the practice of forestry, and to look forward to the challenges facing foresters in the next millennium.
Start making your plans now to attend the 1st GROWS Landowner Conference!
S hare your ideas, gain new insights, and take a well-deserved break from daily routines at our first GROWS Conference in beautiful Savannah, February 26 27, 2001.
Participate with other stewardship-minded folks like yourselves in sessions relevant to you, the forest landowner. Scheduled topics include: Estate Planning for Forest Landowners; Forest Pest Management; Bringing Back the Bobwhite; Talking Turkey; Roundtable Discussion on Controlling Access/ Forestland Security; Timber Markets; and a special Keynote Speaker.
Bring your questions and suggestions, as we are encouraging ample question-and-answer times with each of our speakers. View exhibits from various companies and firms that serve private forestland owners and managers. See advances in intensive forest management through our scheduled field trip.
Our conference will be held at the new Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island, overlooking the Savannah River. The Convention Center has ample parking, and can be reached via the Talmadge Bridge, or you may choose to take the water taxi from the hotel and shopping district on River Street.
So you may make your travel plans, here is the Conference timeframe. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 26, and continues until 12:45 p.m. Our sessions begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, and include an evening dinner and keynote address. Tuesday, February 27,- begins with a continental breakfast, additional sessions followed by lunch, and concludes with our afternoon field trip.
Look for registration information in the next issue of Georgia Forestry or call 1-800-GATREES.
See you in Savannah!
Karen L. Johansen Director, GROWS
2001 GROWS CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 26 27, 2001
SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTER SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

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Georgia Forestry

Fall 2000

GFA Award Winners 2000
Wise Owl Award - Joe W. Bennett Outstanding Tree Farmers - Laura and Don Devendorf
Outstanding Logger of the Year - Jeff Alexander PLT Outstanding Facilitator - Paula Fraiser
PLT Outstanding Service Award - Wanda Barrs Outstanding Service, Tree Farm Program - J. Francis Palmer Log-A-Load Outstanding District Chair - Troy Farmer (Runner-up: Terrell McCall) Outstanding GFC Unit (Region I, North Ga.) - Twiggs & Wilkinson County Unit Outstanding GFC Unit (Region II, South Ga.) - Decatur County Unit
Outstanding GFC District - Americus President's Award - Miles A. Stone (TMDL Committee Chair), Steven Duda (Log-A-Load Chairman)
Special Recognition was also given to:
W. Dale Greene George G. Martin Al Massey, Outgoing Annual Meeting Committee Chair Marshall Thomas, Past President.

NINTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

American Paulownia Assn. Inc. PAULOWNIA PRODUCTS AND DOMESTIC MARKETING ISSUES
September 22-23, 2000 Bright Leaf Forum, 2000 Seymour Dr.
South Boston, Virginia

Dedicated to the Advancement of Paulownia

For more information contact:
American Paulownia Assn., Inc. 16345 Mt. Tabor Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740-1030
Phone (301) 790-3075, Fax (301) 790-1717 website: www.paulowniatrees.org email: palownia@erols.com or mthope@erols.com

Fall 2000

Georgia Forestry

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FARM DAY 2000

Ken Parker talks with second-graders about how he uses his bulldozer tractor to protect people, houses, and land from fire by making wide sections of dirt called "firebreaks." Over 1,000 children from the Griffin/Spalding County School system learned about agriculture and rural life during Farm Day 2000. It was held recently at the Griffin Kiwanis Fairgrounds and sponsored by the Spalding County Farm Bureau. Parker is a forest ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission's Lamar/Pike/Spalding County Unit.

Forestry Youth Camp 2000

M iddle school students from across the state attended the 11th annual Forestry Youth Camp held this summer at the FFA-FHA Camp near Covington. Sponsored by the Georgia Division of the Society of American Foresters, the purpose of the Camp is to help Georgia's youth become more aware of the value of forest resources to Georgia's environment, economy and everyday life. Students attended classes such as forest ecology, wildlife biology, and forest products, and gained skills in tree identification and orienteering. Students especially enjoyed recreation time and getting to know the foresters and rangers who served as instructors and counselors.

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Georgia Forestry

Fall 2000

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SCAVENGER HUNT

Trees can be used to make thousands of products from Georgia's FANTASTIC Forests that are part of your everyday life. Here's a fun game that will help you learn some of the things that come from trees.

How to play: 1. Get 2 players or divide into 2 teams. 2. Give a list (cut out below) and pencil to
each player (or team). 3. Have everyone gather at a location that
will be known as "home base." 4. Say, "On your mark, get set, go!" 5. Each player (or team) will then try to
"hunt" all of the items listed. 6. The first to return to home base with all of
these forest products is the winner!

!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scavenger Hunt List

Scavenger Hunt List

Player/Team #1

Player/Team #2

Print name here

Print name here

Got it! !

Forest Products

Go!t it!

Forest Products

1. Leaf from a Tree 2. Bandage Strip 3. Comb 4. Cracker 5. Crayon 6. Apple, Peach, or Pecan 7. Gum 8. Lipstick 9. Newspaper 10. Pencil 11. Plastic Toy 12. Pine Needle 13. Sponge 14. Toilet Tissue 15. Pine Cone 16. Toothpaste

1. Leaf from a Tree 2. Bandage Strip 3. Comb 4. Cracker 5. Crayon 6. Apple, Peach, or Pecan 7. Gum 8. Lipstick 9. Newspaper 10. Pencil 11. Plastic Toy 12. Pine Needle 13. Sponge 14. Toilet Tissue 15. Pine Cone 16. Toothpaste

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Fall 2000

Georgia Forestry

21

YOU CAN
MAKE
LEAF PICTURES
1-
Find some leaves...ones with rough surfaces work best.
2-
Put a leaf with its smooth side down on a table.

3-
Place a white sheet of paper over the leaf.
4-
Rub over the paper with a crayon.

5- The finished masterpiece!

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Georgia Forestry

Fall 2000

Book Review
Breaking New Ground by Gifford Pinchot (autobiography/commemorative edition), 546 pages: illustrations and index. Island Press, Box 7, Dept. 2PR, Cavelo, CA 95428. Phone (800) 828-1302. Paperback $25.00. ISBN: 1-55963-670-X

Breaking New Ground is essential reading for any one interested in understanding the basis of US national forest policy and conservation movement origins. Autobiographer Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the USDA Forest Service, tells a fascinating story of his efforts to define forestry objectives during President Theodore Roosevelt's administration.

of Pinchot Institute for Conservation traced Gifford Pinchot's career from the perspective of his personal life in relation to social and environmental issues of the times. This revealing essay clarifies the motivation and vision of an individual whose leadership was vital to the development of forestry as a profession in the United States.

Pinchot's basic objective was to untangle forests from economic special interests and manage the woodlands for multiple, long-range use. His philosophy of "the greatest good for the greatest number over the longest time" became the foundation on which US conservation policy is based.
As a molder of the early conservation movement, Pinchot wrote Breaking New Ground to convey his concerns on how to best balance the preservation and use of natural resources; he believed this issue would be central to many political debates of the future. He was right. Today, more than 50 years after his death, society continues to debate balance variations with significant emphasis on the possibility that the future of the planet may very well depend on the answers.

Pinchot's autobiographical account concludes in 1910, but he was professionally active for another 36 years. During this time, he discovered that evolving situations often breed unanticipated changes. Pinchot founded the National Conservation Association to promote his causes and also served two terms as governor of Pennsylvania; both of these situations had some unexpected influences on his ideals. In some instances, his views changed so much that he found himself at odds with professional concepts he had created.
Driven by more encompassing conservation concepts, Pinchot's censure of the forestry profession intensified in the 1930s and he criticized the Society of American Foresters (SAF)--an organization he had founded in 1900 for policy failure and "spiritual decay."

This fourth edition of Pinchot's autobiography confirms his insights into evolving relationships between humans and their natural environment. His "new conservationism" was a forerunner of late 20th century activism. The beginning of this second century of the American environmental movement is an appropriate time to contemplate his establishment of conservation ideals.

He came to believe that "large scale acquisition of private forest lands" would solve America's problems related to conservation issues. Oddly enough, the basic premise of this controversy could be returning to haunt American society in the form of proposed governmentowned, roadless forests. Some think this idea is wonderful others do not.

Pinchot was a visionary of extraordinary perception; this is increasingly emphasized by time with each new printing of his book. Theodore Roosevelt described Pinchot as "the man to whom the nation owes most for what has been accomplished as regards the preservation of the natural resources of our country."
In a new introduction for this commemorative edition, Char Miller of Trinity University and V. Alaric Sample

In any case, Pinchot's 13-part autobiography offers a rare view into the formative stages and growing pains of a profession that is becoming increasingly vital to the world's well being. It all points to the necessary and compatible merging of diverse interest groups, all residing on the planet and benefiting from intelligent management of natural resources of which forestry can be placed in the special category of a renewable natural resource.

Fall 2000

Georgia Forestry

23

1999 - Bruce Lyndon Cunningham Nacogdoches, TX - USA

NATIVE TREES OF GEORGIA

Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.)

DESCRIPTION: Leaves deciduous in autumn 3 to 5 inches long and broad, somewhat triangular to heart-shaped with rounded teeth on the margin; light green, smooth and shiny above, paler and smooth below; stem or petiole flattened, yellow tinged with red, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long. Fruit a small, pointed pod with silky, hairy seed arranged in clusters often 8 to 12 inches in length, borne only on female trees. Bark smooth, on young branches light yellow tinged with green, on old trunks ashy gray and divided into broad, rounded ridges, scaly on the surface. A tree 50 to 75 and rarely 90 feet high with a trunk 2 to 3 feet in diameter but sometimes larger, terminating in a graceful, open head or often on young trees, a symmetrical, pyramidal head. Young trees can grow extremely fast.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves triangular, smooth and shiny above, smooth below, having a distinct balsamic odor; petiole or stem reddish yellow, flattened, winter buds very resinous.
WOOD: Dark brown with thick, nearly white sapwood; difficult to season; warps badly in drying.
USES: Furniture, box boards, slack cooperage, pulp.
DISTRIBUTION: Found usually along the streams throughout the state but nowhere abundant.

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