Branching Out is the free, quarterly, forest stewardship newsletter
published by Maryland
Cooperative Extension to provide current information to forest
landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public. The newsletter
has a simple 4-page format that provides an in-depth story on a selected
topics, along with a calendar of events, information on new resources,
and short stories of upcoming educational programs.
To view the Summer 2003 issue of Branching Out
in pdf/printable format, click
here.
I Bought This Property, Now
What?
The Maryland landscape has changed dramatically over the last few
decades as people continue to move to rural areas. Statistics show
that Maryland is 41 percent forested, but who owns that land, and
for what purpose is changing. When asked, most people believe the
forests are owned by the government, but most forests (76 percent)
are owned by over 130,000 private landowners. Therefore, the future
of the forest depends on the individual decisions of many landowners,
not the government. Forest ownerships are getting smaller as larger
properties are subdivided and often are purchased by people who
have little or no understanding of natural resource management.
In Maryland, the number of landowners who own less than 10 acres
increased by 62 percent from 1977 to 1989 and this number represents
about 75 percent of all forest landowners.
This continual increase in small ownerships by landowners who may
not understand forest stewardship creates an educational and technical
challenge for the state forestry agency, Cooperative Extension,
and other organizations that have traditionally focused on larger
forest properties.
County Cooperative Extension offices regularly receive phone calls
from landowners who just purchased 5, 10, 15, maybe 20 acres of
forestland and wonder what they can do with it. Many come with preconceptions:
cutting any tree is bad; it should all be mowed and neat; just let
nature take its course; and/or there will be perfect harmony with
wildlife.
As an owner of forest land you are a forest steward by default
and you should feel a sense of responsibility, know the opportunities,
be aware of the consequences of your actions or inaction, and be
guided by objectives. How does a former urban or suburban landowner
learn about natural resource management? Unfortunately, there is
much misinformation in the pubic media placed by groups with an
agenda, but no sound science. It's best to start with research-based
education and information from university Extension services and
state forestry agencies. Take advantage of educational opportunities
such as workshops, newsletters, field tours, and relevant organizations.
Before you can make informed decisions regarding the management
of your property, you need to educate yourself. You are charting
the course for Maryland's forests on your few acres. Start by visiting
www.naturalresources.umd.edu to read past newsletters, fact sheets
and other resources.
Due to state budget shortfalls, the Maryland Cooperative Extension
printshop that prints this newsletter has been shut down. We are
currently researching new ways to continue educating forest landowners
through this newsletter. We may resort to sending an "e-newsletter"
over the Internet or posting it at www.naturalresources.umd.edu.
If you would like to receive this newsletter online or have other
comments regarding its value to you, please e-mail Lori Bittenbender
at lb203@umail.umd.edu.
Correction
In the last issue of Branching Out we incorrectly cited the sponsor
of the Inspector of the Year as well as the Tree Farmer of the Year.
These titles are awarded by the Maryland Tree Farm System. The editors
of Branching Out apologize for this error.
The Way of the Grapevine
Wild grapevines are common in many woodlots. The fruit produced
in late summer to early fall feeds a variety of wildlife. Black
bears, cardinal, fox sparrow, gray fox, mockingbird, ruffed grouse
and wild turkey are among at least 53 different wildlife species
that use the plant for food. Wild grapevines also provide cover
and rest sites for many birds and small mammals. Grapes in your
woodlot can enhance its value for wildlife but, grapevines left
unchecked may also degrade the woodlot attractiveness to wildlife.
Grapevines have a very limited ability to grow "upward"
by themselves as trees do. Their reaching and climbing skills, however,
are exceptional. While wild grape can survive and grow in partial
shade, their life goal is to be at the top, in full sunlight. How
does a plant that can't support itself vertically grow tall and
reach the top? Grapevines use trees and other plants to reach tall
heights.
Foliage and vines of wild grape will completely cover tree crowns
as they greedily grab as much sunlight as possible. If vine growth
is left unmanaged, it's bad news for trees. Once a tree is overtopped
with grapevines, unless someone or something intervenes, damage
will occur. The most visible and common damage is mechanical. This
is a result of two factors. First of all, a tree usually can't compete
with grapevines for sunlight. Vine growth is usually very rapid.
An overtopped tree is weakened by receiving less sunlight. The second
factor is the sheer mass of vine entanglements. A weakened tree,
with weight hanging from its crown, will eventually break, often
resulting in permanent damage or death.
The nature of grapevine growth in a woodlot is often destructive,
yet this plant provides certain benefits. You can have the best
of both worlds. A landowner who values his or her property for attracting
wildlife may want to allow wild grape to grow in a designated area.
A 1/4 to 1/2 acre area is large enough to grow a healthy plot of
grapes to yield many benefits for wildlife, yet small enough to
manage.
Wild grapevines are fairly easily controlled. Minimum requirements
are a sharp pruning saw, medium-sized squirt bottle, and a dose
of perseverance. Grapevines needing control should be cut in two
places. Sever the vines three to five feet from the ground. The
first cut should be made just above the ground and sprayed with
an appropriate herbicide. Greater control of resprout is achieved
when spraying the cut stump. Coat the surface of the stump with
an approved herbicide as soon as possible after making the cut.
Timing is important when undertaking a grapevine job. If you are
considering a timber harvest or thinning, and grapevines are prevalent
in your woodlot, they should be controlled before any of these activities.
Time of year is also important. Mid-summer through early fall is
the best time to control vines with or without herbicides. The worst
time of year to control grapevines with the cut and spray method
is early spring when the sap is flowing. A cut made this time of
year will "bleed" so much that the herbicide will literally
be flushed out and made unavailable for uptake by the plant.Written
by Adam Downing for "The Woodlander," March 2001.
Mid-Atlantic Forest Stewardship Seminar
Maryland Cooperative Extension and Frederick Community College
invite you to attend the Mid-Atlantic Forest Stewardship Seminar
on Saturday, November 1, 2003, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. A tradition for over
17 years, this annual conference offers the opportunity to learn
from experts and other forest landowners. The cost is $30 which
includes coffee, donuts, lunch and educational materials. After
October 25, the registration cost will be $35.
The theme to the keynote address is "Making Your Voice Heard
in Forest Conservation." Workshop session titles include "Hands-on
Forest Stewardship Planning," "Deer Management in the
Suburban Landscape," "Incorporating Forest Stewardship
into Conservation Easements" and "How to Watch and Photograph
Wildlife." For a registration form or more information, contact
Wilma Holdway at 301-631-3576 or wh89@umail.umd.edu.
2003 MFA Annual Meeting
Focuses on Conservation Easements
The Maryland Forests Association invites you to attend their 2003
annual meeting on October 24 and 25 at the Clarion Resort Fountainbleau
Hotel in Ocean City, MD. This year's theme is: Conservation Easements:
Key to the Future or Lock on the Land?
Friday's events include a field trip on Wetlands Ecology, "Life
in the Coastal Bays," which will be led by representatives
of the Maryland Coastal Bays program. Saturday will provide a panel
discussion offering five views of conservation easements. The session
will offer easement perspectives from government, land trusts, hunt
clubs and forest landowners.
For more information, contact MFA at 301-895-5369, mdforests@hereintown.net,
or visit their website at www.mdforests.org/AM2003.htm.
For more information on conservation easements, check out the Extension
publication titled, "Working Forest Conservation Easements:
A Primer for Forest Landowners." You can download a free copy
from the "Publications" section at www.naturalresources.umd.edu.
Getting the Most Out of Your Woodland Property
- Forestry Short Course
This six-week course is targeted for new and established forest
landowners in and around Harford County . It takes place on Thursday
evenings, October 2 - November 13, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Harford
County Cooperative Extension office. One field tour will take place
on Saturday, October 25. Course dates and titles are:
• Oct. 2: How Do I Become a Steward of My Woodland Property?
• Oct. 9: Identifying Trees on My Property and How They Grow.
• Oct. 23: How the Forest Works: Principle & Practice
of Forest Ecology and Management.
• Oct. 30: Managing Wildlife in Your Woodlot: Principle and
Practice of Wildlife Ecology and Management.
• Nov. 6: Forest Stewardship Plans and Practices from My Woodlands.
• Nov. 13: The Forest Enterprise: How to Earn Income and Rewards
from My Woodland.The cost is $60, which includes a course notebook
and refreshments. For more information, contact Tammy Harward at
410-638-3255 or at tharward@umd.edu.
Forestry Cooperatives:
What Today's Resources Professionals Need to Know
Maryland Cooperative Extension will host a satellite conference
for natural resource, Extension, and development professionals.
Consultants, service providers, and researchers will provide a framework
for better understanding forestry cooperatives and their potential
role in helping private forest landowners achieve their objectives.
The agenda will define cooperatives and their functions, provide
success stories and will give guidelines in organizing a forestry
cooperative. Registration is $5 for the conference set for November
18, 2003, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., EST. The two satellite viewing
locations are: 1) Western Maryland Research & Education Center,
Keedysville, MD. Contact: Cindy Mason 301-432-2767, ext. 301; and
2) Wye Research & Education Center, Queenstown, MD. Contact:
Nancy Stewart 410-827-8056. Please call your choice of viewing location
by November 12 to register.
A Guide for Forest Owners, Harvesting Practitioners and Public Officials
The State of Connecticut has recently published a forest regeneration
handbook that provides an appreciation of how Connecticut forests
developed and fosters an understanding of forest regeneration concepts,
including the importance of disturbance. The handbook provides readers
with sufficient information to make decisions about forest regeneration
options tailored to their management objectives. To obtain your
copy, contact Steve Broderick at 860-774-9600 or stephen.broderick@uconn.edu.
Rural Enterprise Fact Sheets
Available
Eight new facts sheets are available at the natural resources website.
These fact sheets explore various forest income opportunities. They
briefly describe the enterprise; provide lists of supplies needed;
and discuss time requirements, marketing tips and legal requirements.
Each fact sheet also features a handy sample budget detailing expenses
and projected income. Fact sheet topics are basket making, holiday
greenery, vacation cabins, aquaculture, hunting leases, sawmills,
shiitake mushrooms and horse boarding. You can download your free
copies from the "Publications" section at www.naturalresources.umd.edu.
Riparian Forest Buffer
Series
Understanding the Science Behind Riparian Forest Buffers Series
by Julia Klapproth (Maryland Cooperative Extension) and James Johnson
(Virginia Cooperative Extension) is a set of six bulletins detailing
the benefits and management of streamside (riparian) forests as
buffers for land management activities and wildlife and fish habitat.
To download your copies, log onto www.ext.vt.edu/resources.
Timber Sale Publication
Conducting a Successful Timber Sale: A Primer for Landowners,
PUB-FR-254 2003, by Mark G. Rickenbach outlines both the timber
sale process and identifies the key individuals in the process.
It is available through the University of Wisconsin Cooperative
Extension Publications by calling 877-947-7827 or on the Internet
at http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/timbersale.
Forest Stewardship Case Studies
The Massachusetts Forest Stewardship Program recently published
Stewardship in the Public Eye: How and Why Six Massachusetts
Towns Actively Manage Their Forests, by Susan Campbell. The
case studies portray the experiences of several towns that are making
connections in their woods and they also relay strategies for success
and potential pitfalls and provide resources for getting started.
Contact the MA Forest Stewardship Program for further information:
413-256-1201.
Invasive Plants Publications
Biological Control of Invasive Plants in Eastern US reviews the
biology, impacts and biological control of 30 invasive species.
To request a free copy, contact Richard Reardon of the U.S. Forest
Service in Morgantown, WV at rreardon@fs.fed.us
or call 570-945-8095.
The following fact sheets are available from the Pennsylvania Forest
Stewardship Program: Autumn Olive, Japanese Barberry,
Tree-of Heaven, Japanese and Giant Knotweed, Bush
Honeysuckles, Multiflora Rose, Oriental Bittersweet,
and Mile-a-Minute. To request a free copy of any of these
publications, call 800-235-WISE or e-mail RNRext@psu.edu.
You can also download copies at http://rnrext.cas.psu.edu/.
Branching Out - Vol. 11, No. 3, Summer 2003
Editors: Jonathan Kays, Lori
Bittenbender, Denni Johnson
Supported by the Maryland Tree Farm Committee.
Published four times a year and distributed to forest landowners,
resource professionals, and other interested in forest stewardship.
Issues are posted online at www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut.cfm.
To sign up for online updates, e-mail listserv@listserv.umd.edu.
In the body of the message, type SUB branchingout your name (ex: SUB
branchingout John Doe). For a hardcopy subscription ($10 per year
- make checks payable to University of Maryland) or to send news items,
e-mail cmason@umd.edu; call 301-432-2767x338;
or write
Branching Out
Maryland Cooperative Extension
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD 21756-1104.
The sponsoring agencies' programs are open to all citizens without
regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual
orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.
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