65-70 folks from across the state showed up for the State Forestry Field day on Henry and Nancy Duncan’s farm in Logan County on Monday, November 2d.

Everyone seemed to enjoy walking the woods and riding on straw bale seat trailers across the farm.

This farm was named the KY Tree farm of the year. Various agency representatives shared forestry management tips and many participants just appreciated the warm sunny dry day and the multicolored tree leaves….. just a good autumn day to be out. Duncan pointed out that there are no pristine forest or virgin timber to be seen here but this farm may represent a typical diversified farm in Kentucky with a multicultural of hardwood in the woodland. This farm contains 200 acres of hay and pastureland for cattle, 100 acres for grain and 150 acres of woodland. “We try to manage the timber with the same degree of emphasis as we do the other farm commodities and it will eventually pay off in several ways,” reported Duncan.

There are many reasons to appreciate our woodlands: its beauty, temperature stability, carbon sequestration, landscape decoration, erosion control in addition to the economic value of timber to Kentucky landowners and wood processors. Many of these reasons were discussed during the Tree Farmer Field Day.

This forestry field day is an annual event sponsored by the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee and coordinated by Billy Thomas and the University of Kentucky Forestry Department. The Kentucky Woodland Owners Association and the Kentucky Forest Industry Association were also supporters of the program

Speakers from KY Division of Forestry, KY Fish and wildlife, NRCS, Sawmill Owners and Consultant Foresters lead the discussions during the sunny November afternoon.

James Morris, Service Forester with the Kentucky Division of Forestry discussed timber management techniques while pointing out the various species of trees and their contribution to the woodlands.

Division of Forestry technicians are available to assist landowners with preparing a long range management plans. Timber stand improvement techniques were demonstrated by James in a 30 year old walnut stand. The desired trees are released by cutting out and girdling the undesirables.

Woodland owners are encouraged to become a certified tree farmer. This is a free service that includes a professional woodland management plan being prepared followed by periodic forest surveys. With a listing the tree species and board feet by species the woodland owner has tools to make informed decisions about managing, marketing and improving the timber stand.

Kraig Moore, Consultant forester form Bowling Green discussed the process of marketing and selling timber. With the listing of board feet available, bid sheets can be advertised soliciting bids from the loggers and potential buyers. Direct negotiation with a logger/buyer while keeping considerations from the landowner and logger in mind is another selling process. Written sales contracts should be prepared and signed by all parties. Payment is usually received up front and a time limit is placed on the duration of the harvest. A one year harvest time limit is desired by the landowner but up to a three year harvest date may be requested by the logger to account for undesirable weather conditions, etc.

Sonny Young a sawmill owner/operator from Ohio County offered several first hand comments from the loggers viewpoint. He pointed out that legitimate master and certified loggers are interested in sustainable harvest, whereby growing timber remains following a harvest. This will providing for timber supplies over an extended time. Sonny remarked that he has been able to cut over managed woodland plots five or six different times during his career by following the selective and sustainable harvesting procedures.

Bill Lynch, Biologist with the KY Fish and wildlife Division related how the recommended woodland management practices improve wildlife habitat. Nesting trees and underbrush provide good environments for wildlife. There is also a need to provide wildlife corders, a connection of overgrowth, to protect wildlife while moving across expanded areas. Livestock and grain farming can also work in cooperation with providing feed and improving the environment for wildlife habitats. Native warm seasonal grasses is an important consideration in attracting quail, rabbits and other small game species.

Craig Givens, NRCS Conservation Technician, discussed the stream riparian area, a stream which had been fenced off from livestock and where nut bearing trees are planted. Fenced off streams keep livestock from scouring off the stream banks thereby polluting the running water. Designed stream crossings and restricted livestock watering areas in the streams were demonstrated. Several USDA cost share programs were discussed to assist the woodland owner in fencing off the woodlands from livestock, sustainable woodland practices and timber stand improvement practices.

Submitted by Henry Duncan, KWOA Vice President

There were several Agency educational displays back at the County Extension office that provided additional information about specific programs.

The Logan County Cattlemen Association fed the field day participants steak dinner back at the new Logan County Extension Office Complex on the bypass in Russellville.

Henry Duncan and family thanked the participants and sponsors and we all look forward to next years KY Tree farmer hosted field day.