GFC eUpdate [Oct. 14, 2014]

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GFC eUpdate

Contents
Georgia's Burning Season Begins
Forest Management Acorns
Reforestation Matters
Forest Utilization Updates
We've Moved ... Sort of
Upcoming Events
North GA Forest Landowner Field Day
10/17/14 Elberton, GA
GA Division SAF-ACF Annual Meeting 10/20/14 Tifton, GA
Forestry for NonForesters
10/21 - 10/23/14 Athens, GA
Southeastern Regional Forest Owner and Manager
Conference 10/28 - 10/29/14
Valdosta, GA
Pine Straw Production - Stand Management
and Economics 11/5 - 11/6/14 Statesboro, GA Berrien County
Forestry Seminar 12/4/14
Nashville, GA

Georgia's Burning Season Begins
Fall is here and that means the annual EPD Summer Burn Ban ended on September 30 in 54 Georgia counties. Burn permits for hand-piled natural vegetation are available online at www.gatrees.org or by calling GFC's toll free burn permit line at 1-877-OK2-BURN (1877-652-2876). For all other types of burning for agriculture, silviculture and land clearing, call the GFC office that services your area. Smoke management is always a primary consideration and GFC's burn permitting systems are closely managed for current and forecasted fire danger, fire weather and smoke dispersion factors. There may be days and periods of time when burn permits aren't available and open burning is discouraged based on these parameters. When burning is allowed, vigilance is mandatory to prevent escaped fire and residual smoke that may become a nuisance to nearby homeowners or a hazard to motorists. Now is a good time to plan for prescribed burning, which remains the most cost efficient and desirable means of reducing hazardous forest fuel to prevent and decrease the threat of wildfires. Benefits of prescribed burning include reforestation site preparation, enhanced wildlife habitat, improved woodland access and aesthetics, and insect pest and disease control. To schedule assistance with your prescribed burn, call your local GFC office.
Forest Management Acorns
Forest Management Chief James Johnson retires from the Georgia Forestry Commission this month after 28 years of service to the agency. Johnson joined the GFC as a forester in 1986, was promoted to Forest Health staff forester in 2004 and has been chief of Management since 2010. Johnson is succeeded by Gary White, who joined the GFC in 2001 and most recently served a dual role as associate chief of Forest Management and program manager of the Sustainable Community Forestry Program.
Emerald Ash Borer update: This insect was first detected in Georgia in 2013 and it has now spread to additional counties.The GFC has consequently widened the quarantine to include these counties and has regulations regarding the movement of unprocessed ash logs and firewood from this area.The quarantine now includes: Carroll, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Rockdale, Walton and Whitfield counties. For specific information on the quarantine, please visit our website.
Numerous economic studies are projecting housing starts will increase, which will mean an increase in demand for timber in Georgia. Landowners planning a timber harvest are strongly encouraged to educate themselves so that management goals can be achieved. If you are conducting a final harvest, plan on reforestation as the last step. Let's keep our forests productive!

Reforestation Matters
GFC's Reforestation Department has been busy processing seedling orders as Georgia's forestry community prepares for the 2014-2015 planting season. Visit www.gaseedlings.org to ensure your top choices are available for your needs! This is also the time of year when our professionals are collecting cones and seeds that will produce future crops. The Georgia Forestry Commission sells genetically improved seedlings and seed from its own orchards at the Flint River facility in Byromville and the Arrowhead facility near Cochran. Premium Slash, Select Premium Slash and our Pitch Canker Resistant Slash seeds have just been collected from GFC's Flint River Seed Orchard, and Coastal 3rd Cycle Loblolly seeds will be gathered next month. At Arrowhead, cones and seed will be collected for our Select Rust Resistant 3rd cycle loblolly and Select Piedmont 3rd cycle breeds. High quality hardwood seedlings including white oak, northern red oak, crabapple and persimmon, as well as beautification species such as dogwood and redbud, are also grown from acorns and seed collected at both facilities. In just one year in the nursery, these seedlings will grow from two to five feet tall on average. The Arrowhead Seed Orchard is being used as the Southeast breeding center for 4th cycle selections by the North Carolina State University Tree Improvement Co-op. As a result of these breeding and testing efforts, the GFC continues to be pivotal in the future of loblolly pine regeneration in the Southeast, which has a significant impact on our state and region. To learn more about these efforts, contact your nearest GFC office or call the Flint River Nursery at 229-268-7308.

Forest Utilization Updates
The Georgia Secondary Wood-Using Industries Directory 2014 is now available for download at www.gatrees.org. The publication lists secondary manufacturers of forest products in Georgia and benefits all sectors of the industry. Some features of the directory include: alphabetical listing and county location of all firms, species of wood or materials produced, type of products produced and exported, certified wood products purchased and sold, mill business type listings by the NAICS (No. American Industry Classification System) and much more.
Growth and development -- Gilman Building Products Company has begun operation of its secondary mill in Pierce County. The fully automated, one of a kind fingerjoint mill uses tree remnants and other recovered waste fiber and, through a patent-pending process, converts it into value-added products. Visit http://tinyurl.com/mtuz4a9to learn more. The Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority has approved a resolution giving tax considerations for the proposed construction of a $230 million heat/biomass renewable energy facility on the Proctor & Gamble Albany campus. Albany Green Energy LLC and seven partners are involved in the project that would create up to 35 new jobs, close to 200 construction jobs over a two year period and generate nearly $8 million in tax revenue over 23 years. Visit http://tinyurl.com/ouqksz8 for full details.
We've Moved ... Sort of
The Georgia Forestry Commission is no longer using a post office box for mail deliveries. When sending letters and packages through the US Mail to the GFC, please use this address:
Georgia Forestry Commission 5645 Riggins Mill Road Dry Branch, GA 31020
Copyright 2005 Georgia Forestry Commission, all rights reserved 1- 800- GA- TREES
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