Forest Stewardship Notes for Small Forest Landowners

Forest Stewardship Notes is a quarterly e-newsletter published by Washington State University Extension and Washington State Department of Natural Resources. We hope you enjoy our updates and share them with your friends.

Western spruce budworm: A spectacular year Sprice Budworm damage

Because of the visible damage it leaves on trees, a small brown caterpillar -- the Western spruce budworm -- kept telephones ringing throughout the summer at DNR, WSU-Extension, and USFS forestry offices. A DNR forest health expert explains what the latest outbreak means for landowners.

Pacific Northwest Christmas greenery

forest greenery

The sense of smell is the strongest stimulator of memories and, for many people, the scent of fresh evergreens during the winter holiday season brings up a host of memories. But Pacific Northwest evergreens have been used throughout history for much more than seasonal decorations.

Landowner's Voice: Keeping the magic of forestland ownership alive through outreach

School Field Day What were more than 100 middle school students, plus teachers and parents, doing at the small working forest owned by Fernne and Roger Rosenblatt last May? Fernne explains how hosting annual school field days on their property has become an way to share the heritage and knowledge of forest management.

'Ties to the Land' is a workshop for the entire family

Will the next generation want to continue your legacy of caring for your farm or forestland? Maybe the answers can be found through succession planning. A new workshop, 'Ties to the Land,' is coming to several locations around the state in 2012.

Lumber, log and housing markets
Log and Lumber Price Trends Since May, lumber prices have increased relative to log prices, a good sign for saw and pulp mills but this relationship may not continue if lumber prices fall back as many economists expect. DNR's latest economic forecast expects more of the same for the nation's housing and timber markets.

Fungi evaluated for increasing habitat diversity in managed conifer forests

Cross section Why are foresters inoculating living trees with wood-rotting fungi? Karen Ripley, DNR's Forest Health Program Manager, explains that it's all part of a research project to figure out ways to quickly and reliably produce habitat for birds and other wildlife that rely on nests and shelter in tall trees.

Tree topping: Why it's almost always a terrible idea

When it comes to topping trees, WSU Extension tree expert Kevin W. Zobrist has three words of advice: Don't do it. He explains how topping just produces a weaker and less valuable tree. If a tree is blocking a great view or interfering with power lines, then it's usually better to remove the tree and plant something else.

The rights, wrongs, and realities of pruning

Tree pruning

Tree pruning is one of the most important tasks a forest owner can do, yet the one task most people put off. WSU Extension's Andy Perleberg taps into the knowledge of tree experts and experienced tree growers to help end procrastination and get into gear to tackle pruning tasks in 2012.

Fall 2011

Spruce budworm

Christmas greenery

Landowner's Voice

Family workshops

Economic forecast

Fungi and habitat

Tree topping

Pruning trees correctly

Featured Links

Snags: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife explains how to create snags for wildlife habitat.

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