TreeLine : a GROWS newsletter, Vol. 2, no. 1 (2005)

Cfl F hb6 .Pl
T7
;;./1 GROWS 2005
Forest Landowners Conference
Georgia Forests: Past, Present, Future
Savannah, GA
March 10-11, 2005 see pages 4 & S
Georgia Recognizes
Our
Woodland Stewards

Controlling Undesirable Hardwoods-One At A Time
by Scott A. Houston
Most Forestland Needs Improvement As many of you have read , most forestland in the southeast (and many other
parts), is no longer managed by Mother Nature. If it were , occasional catastrophic wildfires would rage through the landscape to effective ly thin the forests . Our necessary interference with nature, in the form of wildfire control (for community safety), creates this artificial condition . This unnatural condition of overgrown forests resu lts in weakened forest health and a limitation of sunlight interception on the forest floor. The consequences are suppressed pine crop tree growth and shaded elimin ation of nutritious herbaceous plants that limits animal health and carrying capacity. New, smart, se lective forest herbicides have become syno nymous with wildlife ha bitat improvement. They are rapidly replacing old management styles that rely on the use of mechanical techniques such as mowers, choppers and dozers. These mechanical operations are expensive and can be highly intrusive on the forest by disrupting nesting and causing soil eros ion a nd soil compaction.
New Techniques For Special Situations As the popularity of herbicides have in creased , most landowners have become
fami liar with the concept of broadcast spraying the foliage of undesirable hardwood trees to control them - such as with a backpack sprayer, handgun nozzle, tractor with boom-less nozzle, skidder and helicopter. Th ese methods are highly effective, cover a lot of area quickly, and are usually the most appropriate. However, in some situations; we prescribe a "single stem treatment" w hi ch can be a cut stump, hack and squirt, or basal bark application. These treatments are more labor intensive than the standard foliar treatments , but chemi cal use and cost are reduced sign ifi cant ly (as low as $.03 per small tree). Generally, t hese treatments are conducive to situations where less than 100 undesirable trees per acre are present. They can a lso be utilized for creative manipulation of habitat such as establishing wildlife openings and lanes. Another advantage of single stem treatments is they can be performed anytime of the year, even during the dormant months of winter, after the undesirable hardwood trees have defoliated and passed the window of fall application .
continued on page 2

Controlling Undesirable Hardwoods

Cut-Stump Technique As the name implies, this technique
involves spraying the fresh cut surface of stumps. This technique is usually used in conjunction with the thinning harvest of merchantable hardwood timber. Many times this harvest is primarily performed to open up the forest area for increased sunlight penetration for greater plant diversity, quantity and quality resulting in improved wildlife habitat and carrying capacity. As most landowners realize, after many species of hardwood trees are cut, they will readily re-sprout and continue to compete for site resources and eventually recover their vertical height and sunlight interception . To prevent their re-growth, a simple and effective solution is to use the "cut stump" treatment technique. You simply spray the solution onto the surface of the freshly cut stump and the tree's rootstock will not re-sprout. Therefore the trees roots will no longer compete with other plants in that area for nutrients and moisture. The most important thing is to spray the stump soon after the cutting operation. I recommend within 1 hour for best control - and no more than 4 hours . You can spray older cuts, but penetrating oils will be required and effectiveness may be less . Many products recommend postponing applications during spring sap rise. However, you can

even work through sap rise season with certain products with a small compromise in efficacy.
There are several products that can be used , but the most frequently used are Arsenal, herbicide Applicators Concentrate, and Garlon herbicide. A list of others include: tryclopyr (same ingredient as in GARLON), picloram, glyphosate, dicamba and 2,4-D. The cost for each of them is similar (approximately $20/ gallon of mix) . ARSENAL is considered the best product for this use as it offers the best all around activity across a large number of species, requires the least applicator safety protection (only shoes, long sleeve shirt and pants) , and is the least toxic. Arsenal also minimizes the actual amount of chemical being applied on the land . It helps that you can also buy it in quart bottles to avoid having to buy a 2.5-gallon jug.
Use recommendations: 5%ARSENAL solution (6 ounces(Or onegallon ofwater)
Chopper, herbicide contains the same active ingredient as ARSENAL, but can be mixed with diesel or other penetrating oils that will penetrate callused stumps due to prolonged periods between the application and the cutting operation.
Use recommendations: J0% CHOPPER solution (J2 ounces(Or onegallon ofoil)
Hack And Squirt Technique The hack and squirt application
method is good in situations where the undesirable hardwood trees are too small or for some other reason will not be harvested, and where trees have grown too tall for the reach of a foliar treatment. The beauty of this method is

that it is easier to use this technique and let the trees degrade and fall on their own than go to the trouble and expense of mechanically cutting trees down . The Hack and squirt method places herbicide directly into the trunk of the tree. It can be accomplished with simple tools you probably already have: hatchet or machete and a chemical resistant squirt bottle. For small trees you simply make a shallow cut into the cambium of the tree at about breast height, and make one squirt of the preparation into the cut. For larger trees you make one "hack and squirt" for every three inches in diameter. This is the most efficient way possible, from a chemical use perspective, to control undesirable hardwood stems. One gallon of spray mix can control almost 4 ,000 small trees (3 " or less in diameter). This method is highly effective, can be used on any size tree and anytime of the year (spring time applications are somewhat less effective as with cut stump treatments). Several of the same products mentioned above for cut stump can be used for the hack and squirt treatment, but the technique requires using a more concentrated solution than with cut stump. The most commonly recommended product is ARSENAL for the same reasons mentioned earlier.

2 Tree l ine J a n uary 2005 Georgia Recognizes Our Wood land Stewards

One At A Time

continued from Page 1

Use recommendations: 25% ARSENAL solution (32 ounces for onegallon ofsolution)

use this technique to keep spray crews going through the dormant winter months. Several of the same products mentioned with the two previous techniques can be used , however, this technique must use diesel or some other penetrating oil to get the preparation into the bark of the tree. Therefore a product must be selected that will physically mix with oil. CHOPPER and GARLON are frequently used together, or can be used independently.

of natural beauty that you can access and enjoy. Habitats of game and nongame species can be dramatically improved in less than one year when combined with prescribed fire. I encourage you to consult with your land management advisor about adding these techniques into your land management plan . Many land managers are a lready fami liar with them, while others can learn with you . You can also log onto www.forestryfacts to learn more.

Basal Bark Technique This technique is only useful on small
trees (3-4 inches or less in diameter) . This technique is performed by spraying the so lution on the outer bark of the lower two feet of the stem (thus termed " basal bark"). This technique is w idely used for brush control on utility right of ways . Applicators like it because they can

Use recommendations: 10% CHOPPER solution ( 12 ounces for onegallon ofoil)
End Result - More Healthy And Productive Forest
However you do it, broadcast foliar or si ngle stem treatments , controlling undesirable hardwood vegetation can restore and shape your land into a place

Scott A. Hou ston is a forest product specialist with BASF Corporation and is located in Tallahassee, Florid a. Always read and fo ll ow label direction s. ARSENAL a nd CHOPPER are registered trademarks of BASF. GARLON is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC.

Fall Field Day at Callaway Preserve Takes a New Look at Herbicides

Our participants at the Fall Field Day at Callaway Preserve this past October 1st enjoyed a picture-perfect autumn day. Scott Houston of BASF, a long with LuAnn Craighton, Cory Croft, and Rob Kindrick of the Cal laway staff, showed us management techniques adapted for budget-conscious landowners. These techniques included mid rotation sweetgum control in pine stands utilizing farm tractors with standard agricultural spray equipment and Chopper herbicide, and creation of observation lanes through forestland (for hunting or photography) using a spoke-and-hub layout.

Other techniques demonstrated included thinning techniques for pine stands, stream revetment using cut-andanchored hardwoods, native grass estab lishment, stream crossings , and food plot management with selected herbicides. Our day was capped off with a picnic lunc h to take advantage of the beautiful weather, and a fun drawing for door prizes. Special thanks goes to Buford Sanders of the Georgia Forestry Commission for d igging deep in the trunk of his car and extending the supply to ensure that EVERY participant went home with a door prize!

Georgia Recognizes Our Woodland Stewards January 2005 Treeline 3

GROWS 2005 Forest Landowners Conference
Georgia Forests: Past, Present, Future
Savannah, Georgia Trade & Convention Center
March 10-11, 2005

Dear Forest Landowner,
Who occupied our land in the past? How can we improve management of our land today? What can we do now to allow our heirs to continue to enjoy the benefits of our forestland in the future? Does forestry have a future?
Come explore the answers to these questions and more at the GROWS 2005 Forest Landowners Conference in Savannah, Georgia. We have an exciting NEW schedule this year in response to your input. We kick off our event with lunch on Thursday, March 10 . Following valuable sessions that afternoon , we have our eve ning banqu et a nd keynote address . Then on Friday, we have more interesting sessions followed by a field trip into the areas of Fort Stewart not open to the public, but managed as productive forestland . Our field trip will coordinate those points learned from our general session speakers with on-the-ground management techniques at Fort Stewart for forestry, wildlife, and cultural resources . We will utilize comfortable tour buses for transportation to and within the fort.
This year, we have secured greatly reduced rates at the luxury Westin Savannah Harbor Resort adjoining the conference center. When staying at the Westin , you will be within just a few steps of the doors to the conference center, so there is no need to worry about water taxi departure times or parking. The Westin invites you to stay on for the weekend and enjoy their championship golf, spa services , and other amenities . You have worked hard to manage your land well this year...why not take a well-deserved break to reflect on the past and recharge yourself for the forest management opportunities of today and tomorrow?
14 {~ Director, GROWS

Schedule

Thursday, March 1O, 2005:

11 :00 am

Registration Desk Open s

12 :00 pm -12 :45 pm Lunch Exhibits Open

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm 1:15 pm - 3 :00 pm
3:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Welcome to Participants Adapting to Changes in Federal Income and Estate Taxes, Harry Haney, PhD, Garland Gray Emeritus Professor of Forestry, Virginia Tech Break Exhibits Open

3 :20 pm - 4 :05 pm Timberland Investments: Past Performance

and Future Outlook , Michael Kelly, Executive Vice President of Forest Investment Associates 4 :05 pm - 4 :50 pm Prescribed Fire, Neal Edmundson , Prescribed

4 :50 pm - 6:00 pm 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm 6:30 pm - 8 :15 pm

Fire Program Manager, Georgia Forestry Commission Exhibits Open Social Hour Dinner and Keynote Address: Where Do We Grow From Here? Wayne Ates, Entertainer and Motivational Speaker

Friday, March 11 , 2005:

8:00 am - 8:45 am Continental Breakfast

8:45 am - 9:00 am Announcements

9:00 am - 9:45 am Arrowheads , Chimneys, and Cemeteries: What

to do with 'em" ,jack Wynn , PhD, Consulting

Archaeologist

9:45 am -10 :3 0 am Timberland Property Taxes, Yesterday, Today,

and Tomorrow, W Wheeler Bryan , Attorney

At Law

10:30 am -11 :00 am Break

11 :00 am - 11 :45 am A State Wildlife Agency Approach to Feral

Hogs, Ossabaw Island Case Study, Jim Simmons,

Wildlife Biologist, Ga. DNR

11 :45 am -12 :30 pm Lunch

12 :30 pm

Board Buses for Field Trip to Fort Stewart,

return at 4:45 pm

4 Tree l ine January 2005 Georgia Recognizes Our Wood land Stewards

Please mail the completed form with payment to : GROWS Conference, Georgia Forestry Commission, P.O. Box 819, Macon, GA 31202-0819. Questions: Call Buford Sanders at 1-800-GA-TREES.
r1 -~::~j;~i;ii~-i~~~"~;;~,~ ~~~:~n~:-~~~~~:,~-'.-~ =~-.-:_,-,,:::: .- ~=~:.:.~=~- - - 1

1rst name

Last name

Add ress: city, state-;zlp

First name

Last name

Dayti mepho ne

Regist ration : Postmarked by February 23, 2005:
$85, $70 for each additional registrant from the same household

After February 23, 2005: $95 , $80 for each additional registrant from same household

Additional evening banquet (3/10/05) ticket: $40 for guest not attending the conference

Total Enclosed:

'

'

0 Check box if attending field trip on 3/ 11 / 05

' '

'

0 I have enclosed a check or money order for full amount due.

'

L--

Make checks or money orders paya ----------------------------------------------- ----- --- --

ble -----

-t-o---G---e--o--r-g--i-a---F--o--r-e--s-t--r-y--C---o--m---m--i-s--s-i--o-n--.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------.J''''''''

Directions

Via 1-95 South from Savannah International Airport
Take 1-95 South to Exit 99A (1-16 East Savannah)
Follow 1-16 East to Exit 166 (Gwinnett & Louisville Road ,
Charleston) go over the Talmadge Bridge
Stay in right lane and turn right at the base of bridge onto Hutchinson Island Follow signs to Trade & Convention Center
Via 1-95 South Take 1-95 South to Exit 99A (1-16
East Savannah) Follow 1-16 East to Exit 166 (Gwinnett & Louisville Road ,
Charleston) go over the Talmadge Bridge
Stay in right lane and turn right at the base of bridge onto Hutchinson Island Follow signs to Trade & Convention Center

Via 1-95 North to Savannah Take 1-95 North to Exit 99A (1-16
East Savannah ) Follow 1-1 6 East to Exit 166 (Gwinnett & Louisville Road ,
Charleston) go over the Talmadge Bridge
Stay in right lane and turn right at the base of bridge onto Hutchinson Island Follow signs to Trade & Convention Center
Via 1-16 to Savannah Follow 1-16 East to Exit 166 (Gwinnett & Louisville Road ,
Charleston) go over the Talmadge Bridge
Stay in right lane and turn right at the base of bridge onto Hutchinson Island Follow signs to Trade & Convention Center

Hotel Accommodations
Additional Westin info: A limited number of rooms have been reserved adjacent to
the conference center at the Westin Savannah
Harbor Resort. To receive the special discounted room rate
of$189, ask for the GROWS conference rate.
Westin' s phone No: 800-228-3000

Georgia Recognizes Our Woo d land Steward s Janua ry 20 05 Tree l ine 5

CA F hbb .Pl T7
;;./1 GROWS 2005
Forest Landowners Conference
Georgia Forests: Past, Present, Future
Savannah, GA
March 10-11, 2005 see pages 4 & 5
Georgia Recognizes
Our
Woodland Stewards

Controlling Undesirable Hardwoods-One At A Time
by Scott A. Houston
Most Forestland Needs Improvement As many of you have read , most forestland in the southeast (and many other
parts) , is no longer managed by Mother Nature. lfi t were, occasional catastrophic wildfires would rage through the landscape to effective ly thin the forests . Our necessary interference w ith nature, in the form of wildfire control (for community safety), creates this artificial condition . This unnatural condition of overgrown forests results in weakened forest health and a limitation of sunlight interception on the forest floor. The consequences are suppressed pine crop tree growth and shaded elimination of nutritious herbaceous plants that limits animal health and carrying capacity. New, smart, selective forest herbicides have become synonymous with wildl ife habitat improvement. They are rapidly replacing old management styles that rely on the use of mechanical techniques such as mowers, choppers and dozers. These mechanical operations are expensive a nd can be high ly intrusive on the forest by disrupting nesting and causing soil eros ion and soi l compaction.
New Techniques For Special Situations As the popularity of herbicides have increased , most landowners have become
fami li ar with the concept of broadcast spraying the foliage of undesirable hardwood trees to control them - such as with a backpack sprayer, handgun nozzle, tractor w ith boom-less nozzle , skidder and helicopter. These methods are highly effective, cover a lo t of area quickly, a nd are usually the most appropriate. However, in some situations, we prescribe a "single stem treatment" wh ich can be a cut stump, hack and squirt, or basal bark app li cation. These treatments are more labor intensive than the standard foliar treatments , but chem ical use and cost are reduced significantly (as low as $.03 per small tree) . Generall y, t hese treatments are conducive to situations where less than 100 undesirable trees per acre are present. They can a lso be utilized for creative manipulation of habitat such as establishing wild life open ings and lanes. Another advantage of single stem treatments is they can be performed anytime of the year, even during the dormant months of winter, after the undesirable hardwood trees have defoliated and passed the w indow of fa ll app li cation .
continued on page 2