February 2013   
News from the Department of Natural Resources
Small Forest Landowner Office

Inside this Edition

Update from the Small Forest Landowner Office

Message from Tami Miketa, Manager of the SFLO

Small Forest Landowner Survey

"Don't Move Firewood!" What About Transporting Timber?

Tax Tips For Forest Landowners

Family Forestry Expo

Assessing Your Forest For Spring

Western Hardwood International Convention & Exposition

Where Cows Meet Clams

Improve Forest Health and Reduce Wildfire and Bark Beetle Risk

Woodland Fish & Wildlife Publications

Getting A Head Start On Spring

Update from the Small Forest Landowner Office 
 
The Small Forest Landowner Office would like to introduce Rick Kuykendall, the Family Forest Fish Passage Program Specialist. Rick graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Forest Management. He then worked for the United States Forest Service in California for 10 years before coming to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He worked for DNR for six years in State lands as a generalist - back in the good old days when you got to do a little bit of everything. He has also been an active part of the DNR Fire program as Task Force Leader and Fireline Blaster. Rick has been with the Small Forest Landowner Office for 13 years. He enjoys educating folks about forestry in general, and helping them achieve their management objectives. Rick and his wife are small forest landowners themselves, as they own 40 acres of forestland that they actively manage.   
Message from Tami Miketa, Manager of the Small Forest Landowner Office 
 

Hundreds of private owners of forestland who want to do their part for salmon recovery may be eligible for more help than they imagined was available.

Three state agencies - Washington Department of Natural Resources, Recreation and Conservation Office, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - have released a new video showing small forest landowners how they and their communities may benefit from a recently revitalized Family Forest Fish Passage Program (FFFPP). The state-funded program helps private forest landowners replace culverts and other stream crossing structures that keep trout, salmon, and other fish from reaching upstream habitat.

Thanks to a new round of funding from the Legislature, the program will complete about 100 projects during the next two years. Replacement projects create construction jobs in rural communities, help revive salmon and trout populations and are a great asset to the landowner's property. The video aims to increase the pool of applicants seeking funding so the most significant of the remaining stream barriers can be corrected.

See how local communities, fish, and small forest landowners benefit from the Family Forest Fish Passage Program. Watch the video at: www.dnr.wa.gov/fffpp or by clicking below!

 

   

Small Forest Landowner Surveysflo design
  

If you haven't already, please take just one minute to complete our Small Forest Landowner Survey. The Small Forest Landowner Office wants to better understand the people we work for and their forestlands. Your answers will help us direct our work to support your forest goals. The information will be used within the Small Forest Landowner Office.

 

Click here to take our Small Forest Landowner Survey. 

 

Please contact Michelle Peterschick at 360-902-1849 for further questions or additional information.

 

"Don't Move Firewood!" What About Transporting Timber?

by Karen Ripley, Forest Health Program Manager

Washington Department of Natural Resources

 

Many small forest landowners' have concerns that they have seen "Don't Move Firewood!" bulletins, but frequently see log trucks carrying trees from eastern Washington forests to mills located in western Washington. Should you be concerned about insects like the western spruce budworm (or worse) that could be carried on these logs?

 

Although the "Don't Move Firewood!" national campaigns advocate using wood gathered within a 10-mile radius, and avoiding firewood movement of more than 50 miles, the specific situation within Washington makes us comfortable with moving logs from eastern Washington forests to western Washington mills.

  

Click here to read more about transporting timber throughout Washington State.

Tax Tips for Forest Landowners

 

The Small Forest Landowner Office would like to share some resources for forest landowners regarding tax tips for 2012.

 

The National Timber Tax website was developed to be used by forest landowners, as well as a reference for accountants, attorneys, consulting foresters and other professionals who work with timberland owners regarding the tax treatment of timber-related activities.

 

Visit www.timbertax.org for more information.

 

Click below to view these timber tax publications:

 

Federal Income Tax on Timber: A Quick Guide for Woodland Owners

 

Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2012 Tax Year

Family Forest Expo  

March 23, 2013 at Green River Community College

Chainsaw safety and maintenance are among the topics being taught at the Family Forest Expo. Photo: WSU Extension.

The Fourth Family Forest Expo is a hands-on, interactive educational event for families who own forestland in Washington. Whether you live on your land in the Puget Sound area, or are absentee owners with land in eastern Washington, this is a great opportunity to learn how to gain more benefits from your family forest no matter where it is located in the state.

The Washington State University Extension educational event will be held on Saturday, March 23, at Green River Community College in Auburn. Gates will open at 8 a.m. and presentations will begin at 9 a.m.

Come to the Expo and:

  • Attend six different expert presentations
  • Get practical, "how-to" advice on simple stewardship practices
  • Talk with agency and natural resource professionals from eastern and western Washington who are available to assist you in meeting your family's goals
  • Meet other landowners
  • See equipment displays and speak to vendors
  • Get your forestry questions answered at the resource center

Each hour, you can attend a different class, demonstration, or tour. Throughout the day, more than two dozen topics will be presented for you to choose from! By the end of the day, you will have attended six sessions.

Whether you are a "novice" to family forestry, or your family has owned land for many generations, there is something new for everyone to learn at the Fourth Family Forest Expo.

Click here to view a brochure about the event!

Assessing Your Forest for Spring

by Mike Nystrom, Dept. of Natural Resources Landowner Assistance Forester

 

Sam Comstock and Mike Nystrom talk about forest seedlings. Photo: Lelde Vilkriste

March is right around the corner. If you need to plant this year it should be done soon. Planting tree seedlings at the right time of year will help avoid some post-planting problems, such as drought and transplant shock. It is best to plant when seedlings are in dormant condition, generally December 15 to April 15. The sooner seedlings are planted, the sooner root growth starts and the plants can begin adjusting to their new environment. Never plant in frozen ground during freezing temperatures. The fine root hairs will freeze.

 

This is also the time of year for forest landowners to assess the health and vigor of the trees you planted in the last five years. With the leaves off the brush, early March is a great time to walk through your young forest stands. You should assess your seedling survival and anticipate what needs to be done to keep those young trees free to grow. As you walk, see if you can find trees surviving. If you planted 300 trees per acre you should find trees roughly 12 feet apart. Keep some notes of what you see. In particular, are the trees still above the brush? If they are being overtopped, take note of the species that is beginning to crowd them out. Next, formulate a plan to keep your crop trees growing. Get help from a landowner assistance forester if you are uncertain about what to do next.

 

Click here to continuing reading this article!

Western Hardwood International Convention & Exposition

by Jim Freed, WSU Extension Forester 

 

The Washington Hardwoods Commission (WHC) was established in 1991 by the legislature to promote the general welfare of the state through hardwood related industries.

 

The WHC works with researchers to develop programs to improve hardwood management and health. Their main focus is on red alder with additional focus on bigleaf maple, cottonwood, birch, aspen, Oregon ash, Oregon white oak, and bitter cherry.

 

The commission also conducts research and educational programs with the hardwood industry in Washington State. The main priorities for these programs are to improve the marketing opportunities for Washington's hardwoods. The commission organizes educational programs in cooperation with Washington State University for forest landowners who wish to grow hardwoods as part of their forest management plan.

 

The WHC annual meeting will be in conjunction with the Western Hardwood Association International Convention and Exposition in Portland, Oregon, April 30 to May 2. The WHC annual meeting will be held on May 1. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the research and marketing programs the commission is conducting. The International Convention and annual meeting are open to forest landowners and companies working in the hardwood industry in Washington state.

   

Click here to view the program schedule and online registration information.

Where Cows Meet Clams

  

Where Cows Meet Clams is a workshop designed to help forest owners build longevity and success with their resource businesses while protecting important natural assets using tools, trends, and practices that have been demonstrated to work.

 

Topics include water and habitat enhancement; forest inventory and management plans; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and marketing; cost-share opportunities; incorporating stewardship into outreach and education; low-impact development (natural landscaping); marketing tools and how tourism and economic development trends can generate new revenue.

 

Click here for more information about the workshop!

Improve Forest Health and Reduce Wildfire and Bark Beetle Risk

  

Cost-share funds are currently available to help eastern Washington forest owners implement practices to improve forest health and reduce wildfire and bark beetle risk. Eligible practices include thinning, pruning, slash disposal, and preparation of a Forest Stewardship Plan by a private consulting forester. Landowners can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of their costs. Formal written approval is required before any work begins. The application is quick and easy to complete, it can be filled out online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/dnrcostshare.

 

Click here to view a brochure about the program.

 

For more information contact Steve Gibbs at 360-902-1706.

 

This program is funded by grants from the USDA Forest Service.

Woodland Fish and Wildlife Publications

   

 Are you interested in learning how to manage your woodland for grouse, quail, elk, deer, or migrant songbirds? These and numerous other "how to" articles on woodland fish and wildlife habitat are available in The Woodland Fish and Wildlife publication series. This popular information source for Pacific Northwest family forest owners has a new web address: www.woodlandfishandwildlife.com. Due to a technical registration problem, the old address www.woodlandfishandwildlife.org is no longer operational. In short, the address remains the same except that it now ends in  .com instead of .org.

Getting A Head Start On Spring

by Jim Freed, WSU Extension Forester 

  

The groundhog didn't see its shadow this February, which means spring is just around the corner! If you can't wait any longer for the first flush of flowers on the willow or dogwood, the process of forcing them to bloom indoors could give you a head start on spring.

  

What is forcing anyway? Forcing describes the process of coaxing flowers to bloom indoors, after they have completed their winter dormancy requirement. Materials cut after January 15 usually open well when brought indoors.

 

Some of the best trees and shrubs to use for forcing are: Pacific dogwood, willow, red osier dogwood, cherry, honeysuckle, serviceberry, crab apple, and hawthorn.

 

Click here to learn the steps to successful forcing!

SFLO Wants to Hear from You!
  
The SFLO takes the lead on serving as a focal point for small forest landowner concerns and policies. We are here to answer any and all questions you may have!
  
 
We are dedicated to providing you with useful and focused information about managing forestland and opportunities for learning. Please send us topics that you would like to be included in our SFLO News editions.
   

Contact Us: 360-902-1849 or [email protected]


Visit our webpage at:
www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo

 

  


The SFLO at DNR takes the lead on serving as a focal point for small forest landowner concerns and policies. We strive to equip landowners with all of the necessary tools and information they may need. Please contact the SFLO for any and all questions or concerns regarding your forestland. We will provide you with the information you need and look forward to answering your questions. We recognize the importance and significant contributions you make to our communities and want to serve as a valuable resource for you.

  

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SMALL FOREST LANDOWNER OFFICE

Washington State Department of Natural Resources | 1111 Washington St. SE | PO Box 47001 | Olympia, WA  98504-7001 360-902-1849 |  [email protected]