GFC eUpdate [Mar. 23, 2016]

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GFC eUpdate

Contents
Forest Management Acorns
Forest Protection Update
Forest Utilization Updates
Reforestation Matters
Upcoming Events
Certified Arborist Review Class
03/30 - 03/31/16 Rome, GA
Wood Bioenergy Conference & Expo
04/05 - 04/06/16 Atlanta, GA
Worth County Forest Management Meeting
04/07/16 Sylvester, GA
GA Master Timber Harvester Introductory
Workshop 04/13 04/14/16 Tifton, GA
National Arbor Day 04/29/16
Prescribed Fire Certification Class
05/10 - 05/11/16 Dahlonega, GA


Forest Management Acorns
People from 22 mostly coastal Georgia counties recently got better understanding of tree risk management strategies to use in their communities. More than 60 participants gathered for a GFC Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) tree risk management workshop in Savannah that covered the importance of being proactive in dealing with tree liability. Susan Granbery and Mark McClellan of the SCFP shared reasonable, practical and defensible strategies designed to demystify the complex nature of working with trees and to make them safer for the general public. The session was very well received and may be repeated in the future as community needs dictate.
Forest Protection Update
Some growing season burning will continue after Georgia's prescribed fire burning season winds down at the end of April, but the action never stops at GFC's top notch Fab(rication) Shop. Located on our Dry Branch campus, the facility is equipped with a wide variety of metal-working equipment and tools, along with an expert team of welders and fabricators. These professionals construct and repair wildland fire equipment used by the GFC and fire departments to suppress wildland fires in forested areas. As you might imagine, the equipment takes a beating and has to be ready at a moment's notice for the toughest duties. Firefighters who operate the equipment perform field repairs and the Fab Shop provides maintenance and specialty services, including the construction of:
Fire line plows that are pulled by crawler tractors to cut through vegetation and create fire lines to stop the spread of wildfires. Front-mounted V-blades to attach to crawler tractors; fire line harrows to create fuel breaks. Water protection tanks to assist tractors that may become disabled on a wildfire. External toolboxes containing hand tools and wildland fire supplies.
The GFC Fab Shop also constructs and repairs fire engines for the GFC and local fire departments. Its services include:
Constructing and installing water tanks with 100-3500 gallon capabilities. Installing and repairing fire pumps and plumbing, and fabricating specialized compartments for fire suppression tools.
The commitment of the pros at the GFC Fab Shop truly make a difference for the safety and protection of Georgia's firefighters and citizens.

Forest Utilization Updates
The 2015 Georgia Wood-Using Industries Directory is now available. It is designed to serve as a reference for producers seeking to market their wood products and for wood users looking for suppliers. This marketing guide helps maximize global competitiveness of Georgia grown and manufactured wood products, and is as up-to-date as possible. Data was collected in 2014, data entry and editing occurred in late 2015 and early 2016, and publication took place in February of this year. The directory contains information on primary industries only, ie: mills that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. A Georgia Counties Map and Mill Location Map are provided to assist with referencing mill locations. Click http://bit.ly/1Z999nf to see the directory. The Georgia Forestry Commission invites new and existing Georgia forest product industries to be included in future editions of this directory by contacting us at 1-800-GA-TREES. A new series of wood-using industries maps (by mill type) has been uploaded on the GFC website. These maps complement the master map of all mills. The new maps can be accessed at: http://bit.ly/1UaCfDI.

Reforestation Matters
On June 1, we'll begin taking orders for the upcoming 2016-2017 bare-root tree seedling planting season. In order to meet the needs of our landowners and to stay current with changing markets, the GFC Reforestation program will offer some new varieties of seedlings!
From our genetically superior seed orchards, we will be offering Super Premium Slash. The southern pine selection, which is suitable for planting in the coastal plain, will produce an astounding 58% more volume per acre over unimproved slash at 15 years old! It also has a superb resistance to fusiform rust. This selection will be available in limited numbers, so hurry and get your order in. We are also offering another high volume producing loblolly pine. This coastal variety of loblolly is second only to our famous Georgia Giants in volume production at age six, producing 48% more volume per acre. There will also be two new high quality hardwoods available, scarlet oak and willow oak. Willow oak has become a favorite for more urban settings such as offices and industrial parks, and are also popular shade trees. The scarlet oak is valuable for wildlife and aesthetics as well. We will also continue to offer all of the other favorite shade, wildlife and ornamental trees to match your needs.
To make sure you can get these very popular seedlings for next planting season, it's really not too early to order, and the deadline, June 1, will be here before you know it!
Copyright 2005 Georgia Forestry Commission, all rights reserved 1- 800- GA- TREES
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Georgia Forestry Commission, 5645 Riggins Mill Road, Dry Branch, GA 31020
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