Georgia Forestry Sept-Oct 2012

A BIMONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR THE FORESTRY COMMUNITY OF GEORGIA

Georgia

FORESTRY TODAY September | October 2012 Volume 8, Issue 5

Why You Need Deer Harvest Guidelines for Your Property or Hunting Club

See story on page 8

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September | October 2012

Georgia Forestry Today

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On the Cover:

GEORGIA FORESTRY TODAY Printed in the usA

Publisher: A4 inc. eDiTOr-iN-ChieF Alva hopkins ahopkins@a4inc.com it is the responsibility of hunters, clubs, and landowners to establish deer management objectives on the property they own, lease, or hunt.

See story on page 8.

LAMAR CANTRELL

CANTRELL FOREST PRODUCTS INC.

We buy all types of timber.

Bio-fuel producer cantrellforest@earthlink.net 1433 Galilee Church Road Jefferson, GA 30549 Office: (706) 367-4813 Mobile: (706) 498-6243 Home: (706) 367-1521

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PrODuCTiON MANAger Pamela Petersen-Frey p.frey@a4inc.com

eDiTOriAl bOArD Wendy burnett Alva hopkins Jesse Johnson stasia Kelly sandi Martin roland Petersen-Frey brian stone steve McWilliams

GEORGIA FORESTRY TODAY is published bi-monthly by A4 inc., 1154 lower birmingham road, Canton, georgia 30115. recipients include participants of the Forest stewardship Program and the American Tree Farm system.

Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the publisher, A4 inc., nor do they accept responsibility for errors of content or omission and, as a matter of policy, neither do they endorse products or advertisements appearing herein. Part of this magazine may be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher. Correspondence regarding changes of address should be directed to A4 inc. at the address indicated above. Advertising material should be sent to A4 inc. at the e-mail address: p.frey@a4inc.com. Questions on advertising should be directed to the advertising director at the e-mail address provided above. editorial material should be sent to A4 inc. or to Alva hopkins.

GEORGIA FORESTRY TODAY 1154 lower birmingham road, Canton, georgia 30115

September | October 2012

Volume 8, Issue 5

September | October 2012

Georgia

FORESTRY TODAY P.08

P.11

Why You Need Deer Harvest Guidelines for Your Property or Hunting Club

P.20

Should You Plant Nut and Fruit Trees for Deer?

Message from the Georgia Forestry Commission Director

P.24

A Growing Effort: UGA Professors Receive $2 Million to Speed Biofuel Development

P.26

GFT News

P.28

The Thief in the Night

P.12

GFC News

P.13

Tree Improvement Word to the Wise

P.16

P.18

Georgia Earns Firewise USA’s Top Ten Ranking Georgia Legacy Making the Economic Case for Land Conservation

Forestry Calendar If you have a forestry event you’d like to see on our calendar, please contact Alva Hopkins at ahopkins@a4inc.com with the subject line ‘Calendar Event.’

September 20 2012 Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day ~ Griffin, GA

September 22 Arborjam ~ Kennesaw House/Marietta Museum of History ~ Marietta, GA

October 3-4 2012 Forest Landowners Association Advocacy Day (Postponed) Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Washington, DC Aer thoughtful consideration about the 2012 Advocacy Day, it was decided to postpone the full Advocacy Day event for the FLA membership and focus the time on Executive Committee meetings and Board meetings.

October 19-21 2012 American Chestnut Summit ~ Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville, NC

Georgia Forestry Today

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September | October 2012

LiST of ADvERTiSERS Abraham baldwin Agricultural College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

hei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

American Forest Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

international Forest Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Arborgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

landMark spatial solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

beach Timber Company inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

lanigan & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

blanton’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Meeks’ Farm & Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside Front Cover

Canal Wood llC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

M & h Pinestraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Cantrell Forest Products inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Morbark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Davis - garvin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Outdoor underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

F2M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Plum Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Farm Credit Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Prudential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Flint equipment Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Quality equipment & Parts inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Forest resource Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

smith, gambrell & russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Forest resource services inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

uPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back Cover

Forestar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Weyerhaeuser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

F&W Forestry service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Vulcan on board scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

gillis brothers inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Yancey brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside back Cover

Georgia Forestry Today

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Why you need

Deer Harvest Guidelines for your property or hunting club

by John bowers & Charlie Killmaster | georgia Department of Natural resources

eorgia is blessed with a healthy white-tailed deer population that provides diverse recreational opportunities and generates significant economic vitality. however, georgia’s deer herd can present diverse management challenges as we strive to maintain a sustainable deer population within appropriate biological, ecological, and sociological limits.

Properly managing this important resource is critical. hunting is the primary tool for managing white-tailed deer and has reduced the statewide population from 1.4 million deer in the 1990s to about 1.1 million today.

This reduction decreased or stabilized the herd across much of the state, resulting in improved habitat conditions, healthier deer, and substantial increases in antler quality.

This success is consistent with the goals established in georgia's Deer Management Plan (www.georgiawildlife.org/hunting/ game-management).

Despite the statewide success, localized 8

areas may experience either an overabundance or a scarcity of deer. Further complicating this is the scale at which deer density varies. There may be extreme variations within a single county, making this issue difficult or impossible to solve through regional or county level regulations on deer harvest. Thus, responsible deer management by landowners, hunting clubs, and hunters is essential, especially regarding proper doe harvest rates. it is the responsibility of hunters, clubs, and landowners to establish deer management objectives on the property they own, lease, or hunt. These objectives will be diverse, and there is no statewide season and bag limit scenario that will satisfy each site. statewide regulations provide a framework for landowners and hunting clubs to use when establishing a harvest regime for their property. This framework is not site-specific and should not be viewed as such. however, statewide regulations do provide landowners and hunting clubs extensive flexibility in meeting their deer management objectives.

September | October 2012

Observational records including the number of fawns, does and antlered bucks seen are useful in generating management recommendations.

Georgia Forestry Today

When determining those objectives, it is critical to consider property size, habitat conditions, and management of adjacent properties. hunters might set management guidelines on property they hunt using individual bag limits that can, if hunter density is high, result in overharvest. For example, a 1,500-acre club with 50 members has a density of one hunter per 30 acres.

With a bag limit of two bucks and three does, overharvest will likely occur. With this level of hunting pressure, a more restrictive harvest regime is likely appropriate.

Considering deer harvest per land area can be an effective way to avoid an undesired decline in deer density. general guidelines for appropriate doe harvest rates across much of georgia are: one doe per 75 acres will decrease density, one doe per 150 acres will stabilize density, and one doe per 200 acres will increase density. Keep in mind that these guidelines may not be applicable in all areas and are not a substitute for population monitoring and management, critical elements of any successful deer management program. biological advice and technical assistance establishing a management program are available to all georgia hunters. biologists with the state’s Wildlife resources Division can provide technical guidance on managing deer, or a private biologist can be hired to develop a management strategy and monitor harvest. biological recommendations, however, are only as good as the information provided. better and more extensive objective data result in better recommendations. effective management also requires more effort than simply killing deer. At a minimum, records should be kept on each deer harvested (i.e., sex, age, weight, antler measurements). Also, although not generally required, fetal data from does harvested late in the season and observational records including the number of antlered bucks, does, and fawns seen add greatly to the information used to generate advice and recommendations. such data can help establish baselines, monitor the population, and adjust property-specific harvest strategies to achieve a desired goal. in some instances, the local harvest strategy will be more re-

strictive than the statewide framework.

One caveat is that decreases in deer sightings may not always mean a decrease in deer density. Deer movements and behavior are affected by hunting pressure, habitat conditions, predation, and weather. The best advice for hunters is to hunt where the deer are rather than where hunters want them to be. rainy summers often make it a good year to be a deer but a bad year to be a deer hunter. Failure to adapt to deer movement and feeding patterns influenced by abundant rainfall can cause some hunters to believe there is a serious decline in deer numbers in their area.

Wet growing seasons generally produce abundant natural forage and good acorn crops. Deer movement can be very limited when natural forage and acorns are abundant. Deer spend very little time, if any, in and around managed wildlife openings under these conditions. To be successful, hunters must spend more time hunting where the natural browse and acorns are, or along travel routes leading to and from these natural feeding areas. it is also worth considering whether feeding deer has altered deer activity patterns, especially when combined with hunting pressure, so that deer are more nocturnal, move less frequently, and are less exposed to harvest. because they do not have to find natural food sources, deer remain largely sedentary and hidden during legal shooting hours, getting their fill by feeding for a short period of time during the night. This can reduce the number of deer seen and the exposure of deer to harvest.

Deer always adapt to their circumstances— hunters should, too! in summary, statewide regulations provide a framework within which landowners and hunting clubs establish a harvest regime for the property they hunt. either-sex days and bag limits are effective at protecting statewide and regional populations from over-harvest, but they cannot protect every single property from over-harvest. This is the reason why site-specific, property-level deer management is critical to a successful deer management program. ultimately, the solution rests in the hands of georgia’s deer hunters and their 9

Golden Opportunity: Save up to $275, Count for Hunting for a Lifetime!

Georgia hunters ages 60-64 have a golden opportunity to ensure a lasting contribution to conservation and the continuation of our sporting heritage by purchasing a $95 Senior Discount Lifetime License. Purchasing this license now can save you up to $275. It also confirms your status as a paid sportsman for the rest of your life!

Did you know that once you turn 65 and receive an honorary (free) hunting license the state can no longer count you as a paid license holder? As a result, hunting and wildlife conservation programs in Georgia lose money, because the state can only count paid liResponsible deer management by landowners, hunting clubs, and hunters is critical, especially regarding proper doe harvest rates for a site. willingness to practice voluntary restraint and responsible deer management.

John bowers is an assistant chief of game Management for the georgia Department of Natural resources' Wildlife re-

sources Division. Charlie Killmaster is the state deer biologist. A version of this article is available in the 2012-2013 hunting regulations booklet.v

cense holders for the purpose of obtaining critical Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration (i.e., Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson acts) dollars. Those funds come from federal excise taxes placed on fishing gear and sporting arms and ammunition.

In Georgia, this means we cannot count at least 270,000 honorary license holders, representing a loss of at least $4 million a year in Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration funds.

Secure your investment in the continuation of hunting and fishing for the next generation and ensure that your tax dollars are returned to Georgia by purchasing a Senior Discount Lifetime License for $95.

Applications

are

available

at

www.gohuntgeorgia.com and Wildlife Resources Division offices (www.georgiawildlife.com/ about/contact).

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September | October 2012

Georgia Forestry Commission

Message from the Director Dear gFT reader, s summer hints that it may soon yield to fall, and seedling sales crank up again, a forester’s thoughts turn to planting.

Tractors cutting rich georgia soil to make way for hearty green seedlings is an image to which we all can relate. Yet sometimes, a swarm of numbers and question marks mar the mental picture. sometimes, we wonder if reforestation is worth it after all.

A couple of compelling reports say it is.

The usDA Forest service’s southern research station recently released its updated Forest inventory Analysis (FiA), which shows georgia contains the largest area of forest cover of any state in the south.

Forests make up 67 percent of land cover or 24.8 million acres. Commercial timberland makes up 98 percent of total forest land area in our state, and most of that land is privately owned. in fact, georgia has the most privately owned timberland in the nation.

Private individuals own 91 percent of georgia timberlands, according to the report.

That's about 22.2 million acres, with individual or family forests making up 13.5 million of these acres. For the past 50 years, forest area in georgia has remained relatively stable, while timber inventory more than doubled during the same period, suggesting georgia’s forest landowners are engaged in long term strategies to improve sustainability of their forests. (see the full report at www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/40936.)

At the georgia Forestry Commission, we might be tempted to say “told ya so!” Our team of forestry professionals across the state works daily with private landowners to manage and enhance timberlands so that maximum potential can be reached according to individual goals. A host of cost share and incentive programs is available to help, from

A

Georgia Forestry Today

the southern Pine beetle Program, which provides funding for minimizing sPb infestations and restoring affected areas, to other forest and natural resource, wildlife, and wetlands conservation programs, and more.

This issue of Georgia Forestry Today focuses on seedlings, and as you prepare for the planting season ahead, you’re sure to find fresh information that’ll help you make wise decisions about your business or property. in the gFC profile about tree research, you’ll learn more about the tremendous work being accomplished by tree cooperatives and the investments needed to keep pace with the rapid rate of genetic improvements in southern pines that we’ve been enjoying. As forest ownership has changed over

Robert Farris

the past few decades, however, so has the commitment to research and continuous genetic improvement. Quite simply, we’ll be losing ground if we (the entire forestry community) don’t maintain our involvement in supporting these ongoing efforts.

The gFC publication “Does reforestation Pay?” is another worthwhile read that provides affirmative answers—and proof. (www.gatrees.org/utilization/economic-impacts/DoesreforestationPayloblollyPineforTraditionalProducts-Mar2011rev.pdf ). The analysis, prepared by gFC’s utilization Department, compares six loblolly pine man-

agement scenarios for net present value, land expectation value, annual equivalent value, and internal rate of return. Comparing sites that produce only traditional products to others that utilize pine straw and hunting lease revenue, the report clearly proves that non-industrial private landowners continue to have attractive options for pine plantation management and income generation in georgia. remember, our folks are here to help you with your reforestation challenges, so contact your local gFC office when needs arise. And enjoy those matchless sights, sounds, and fragrances that the upcoming planting season holds for us all.

sincerely, Robert Farris v 11

GFC News Answers to questions about Georgia’s forestry biomass supply chain can be found in a series of detailed manuals now available. The three volume “Developing Forest resource and biomass Markets in the south” handbooks contain information designed by the gFC’s Forest utilization department to assist private firms in the development, operation, and financing of renewable energy facilities using biomass from sustainable forests as feedstock. They are available for download at gaTrees.org. e

it’s time to plan for planting GfC seedlings, and two new species have been added to the list of those available for the 2012-2013 season. One is river birch, a popular ornamental with distinctive bark, whose native range extends across the state. sawtooth-gobbler oaks, which produce a large number of acorns at an early age, are also being stocked for wildlife enthusiasts seeking to attract turkey, deer, and other species.

Order while supplies are plentiful at gaTrees.org. Deliveries begin the first week of December. e

New statistics released by the USDA forest Service Southern Research Station show Georgia contains the largest area of forest cover of any state in the South. Forests in our state make up 67 percent of the land cover, or 24.8 million acres, according to the most recent Forest inventory Analysis. While these figures have remained relatively stable over the past 50 years, data shows timber inventory has increased. Private individuals own 91 percent of georgia’s timberland, some 22.2 million acres, with individual or family forests making up 13.5 million of those acres.

Access the full analysis at http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/40936.

The Georgia forestry Commission has launched a new bi-monthly electronic newsletter! GfC’s e-Update provides a succinct overview of some of the timeliest issues on which the agency is working. The current issue includes the latest news on southern Pine beetle predictions, arson in georgia, wetlands and forest roads developments, and more. sign up to receive gFC’s e-update in your e-mail inbox quarterly at gaTrees.org. e 12

September | October 2012

Tree Improvement Word to the Wise

By Stasia Kelly

uss Pohl has been seeing the forest for the trees for a long time. With 30-plus years of professional forestry training and work under his belt, he more than qualifies as a trusted observer and predictor of tree trends. And when those trends garner his concern, it pays to listen. “e last ten to 15 years have brought a lot of changes to the forest industry,” said Pohl, Reforestation Chief for the Georgia Forestry Commission. “Mergers, consolidations, and restructuring have transformed our industry. Large, vertically integrated forest products companies that owned both land and mills are no longer the norm, and organizations that breed trees for their own lands to feed their own mills are few and far between.”

Pohl said that these changes, coupled with reduced support for federal and state agencies, are beginning to have an effect on important research that feeds forestry’s future. “e number of organizations now operating tree improvement, seed orchard, and nursery programs has decreased dramatically,” Pohl said. “In the past 20 years, the number of companies and state agencies actively involved in cooperative breeding programs has been cut by more than half. at means we’re already slipping behind, and the threat to continuing current rates of genetic gain is very real.”

GFC Reforestation Chief Russ Pohl checks growth progress on genetically improved pine seedlings.

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A history of success In the South, tree breeding in slash and loblolly pines began in the mid 1950s. Gains produced through the efforts of e Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program at the University of Florida, the Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program at the Texas Forest Service, and the North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program have greatly impacted Southern forestry. Southern landowners plant close to 1.1 million acres of pine seedlings each year, and virtually every one of them has been developed by one or more members of these cooperatives.

“We’re talking tens of thousands of parent trees,” said Pohl, “that have been selected and their progeny tested in field trials.

Tree breeders have developed families, varieties, and clones that produce 30 to 50 percent more wood per acre than what was available 40 years ago. ese pine trees are more resistant to fusiform rust disease, they’re straighter, less frequently forked, and are adapted to a wide range of sites and forest management regimes. ese are achievements that truly impact a landowner’s bottom line.”

Pohl explained that when the best genetic material is planted and given all the necessary resources, growth rates of 300 cubic feet per acre per year, or about eight tons per acre per year, have been recorded. Silvicultural systems that utilize intensive site preparation, fertilization, weed control, thinning, pest management, and use of genetically improved planting stock are having a major impact on plantation productivity.

“Plantations today are growing much more rapidly than those of the previous rotations,” said Pohl. “ere’s no doubt that continued improvement in pine genetics will produce even greater increases in the potential productivity and quality of forest plantations.”

In fact, from a biological standpoint, the potential for genetic gain is virtually boundless. Compared to breeders in agronomic crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat, “we’ve just begun,” Pohl said.

“Tree breeders have barely started taking advantage of the huge genetic potential that pines offer,” Pohl said. “Significant gains will continue if we continue to invest in the selection and breeding of superior genotypes, which in turn will increase the growth and economic value of growing trees.”

Bottom lines at risk While Pohl admits it’s unlikely that tree improvement will come to a grinding halt, he said there is no question that tree improvement progress could slow down due to reduced funding or further loss of breeding programs. And that could have an astounding financial impact on our forests, because of the nature of tree improvement. Advancements in tree improvement aren’t applied to single locations for limited durations, as are most silvicultural treatments. In fact, the benefits from genetic improvement are shared across all reforested acres through readily available improved seed and seedling stock. In turn, improvements will be compounded year aer year and by future breeding efforts that build upon the gains of previous generations.

GFC and the USFS Resistance Screening Center in NC work together closely to breed trees that are highly resistant to fusiform rust disease, which has infected this loblolly test seedling.

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September | October 2012

Forestry Commission is a member (similar activities occur at all the cooperatives): • Breeding, testing, and selection - the backbone of the cooperative and the primary reason each member participates in the program; to combine resources to be more efficient at realizing genetic gains.

Russ Pohl determines if these flowers are mature enough to receive genetically improved pollen.

“But here’s the fly in the ointment,” said Pohl. “If that rate of improvement is compromised or slowed, even a little, then it will result in a significant reduction in financial benefits. Here in Georgia, we’re talking a possible loss of 50 million dollars in the present value of reforestation.”

Pohl explained the math, saying it is generally accepted that genetic gains for pines are advancing by about one percent per year. If efforts are scaled back so that genetic gain is reduced to just 0.9 percent per year, the calculated loss in present value would be as high as $232 per acre planted per year. For the South, where about 1.1- million acres of pines are planted annually, the loss in present value to all landowners from this slight reduction in the rate of improvement would be about $255 million, $50 million of that in Georgia.

“On the other hand,” Pohl continued, “there is a strong economic incentive to ramp up efforts to increase the rate of genetic gain per year. If we kick it up from one percent to one-point-one percent, it could increase the present value of forest plantations by an additional 300 million dollars. at's a healthy return, even at the individual landowner level.”

So what’s at risk? ese efforts are currently in progress at the NC State Tree Improvement Program, of which the Georgia Georgia Forestry Today

•

Genetic variation studies - the basis of genetic gain; the description and use of this variation determines what can be efficiently and effectively accomplished.

•

Wood quality research - to produce more wood with targeted characteristics more effectively for wood quality, bioenergy, and climate change situations.

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Propagation studies - the very best genetic material is always in high demand and short supply; improving our ability to propagate this material more efficiently and effectively is critical.

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Seed orchard research - to increase production of cost-effective, genetically improved loblolly pine seed.

•

Longleaf pine - in collaboration with the US Forest Service, 140 different longleaf families are being tested for genetic differences related to growth traits, disease resistance, and geographic adaptability.

ere’s no argument that all landowners benefit from continuously improved stock made possible by the research and testing of decades past. e conundrum is how to provide necessary funding for tree improvements in volatile economic times marked by changing business models.

“Because all forest landowners reap the benefits of these efforts, they have a stake in continuing these programs,” said Pohl.

“Many large landowners do contribute to the tree breeding cooperatives as associate members, but now is the time for every landowner to consider making that commitment on some level. ey should support state agencies and universities that participate in tree improvement activities. And of course, search out and purchase high quality, genetically advanced planting stock that provides the best opportunity for their lands.”

As landowners endeavor to do the right thing for their businesses, their families, and their land, we are reminded again that foresters truly help determine the future—one seedling at a time.v visit the Web sites of the South’s tree cooperatives to find out more about their work and ways you can invest in continued advances for our future forests: www.treeimprovement.org www.sfrc.ufl.edu/CfGRP www.texasforestservice.tamu.edu

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georgia earns Firewise usA’s Top Ten ranking

T

wenty-five georgia communities have taken explicit measures to protect their property owners from the ravages of wildfire, moving georgia into the ‘Firewise Communities usA’ program’s group of top ten states. Five new georgia communities have earned Firewise status in 2012 alone.

“This is quite an achievement,” said eric Mosley, Community Wildfire Protection specialist with the georgia Forestry Commission and manager of georgia Firewise Communities usA. “it places georgia among the top ten Firewise states in the nation with the most member communities.

That means more residents are becoming aware of the steps they can take to prevent wildfire from destroying their homes and property.”

The five georgia communities that have earned Firewise Communities usA recognition in 2012 are: Currahee Club on lake hartwell, stephens County; belvedere island

Plantation, Mcintosh County; skylake, White County; Turtle Cove, Jasper County; and the city of Nashville, georgia, in berrien County.

The Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, public safety officials, and local forestry offices in creating fire-adapted communities—places where people and property are safer from the risk of brush, grass, and wildfires.

“Firewise tactics are critical for homeowners, especially in the wildland urban-interface areas outside of populated centers,” said Mosley. “emergency help may be less accessible where homes are nestled more closely into natural forest land. A wildfire can wreak havoc in these areas, so homeowners need to be proactive.”

Firewise guidelines recommend regular landscaping as an important first step in reducing the risk of wildfire damage. specific strategies include: clearing leaves and debris

from gutters, eaves, porches, and decks to prevent embers from igniting the home; thinning vegetation surrounding the home to at least 30-100 feet; keeping lawns well hydrated and maintained; and landscaping with native, less flammable plants.

When building or updating, Firewise guidelines suggest using Class-A roofing materials and double-paned or tempered glass windows, among other construction strategies.

“There are so many low to no cost things a homeowner can do to minimize the risk of property damage from wildfire,” said Mosley. “Firewise usA has done the legwork, and it’s easy to log on and get all the information needed to protect your home, your property, and your family.”

For more information about the georgia Firewise program, visit www.georgiafirewise.org. e-mail specific inquiries about Firewise to georgiafirewise@gfc.state.ga.us.

Visit the georgia Forestry Commission at gaTrees.org v

Currahee Club on Lake Hartwell recently became the 25th community in Georgia to earn recognition in the Firewise Communities USA program. Pictured l-r are: Eric Mosley, Firewise Program Manager; Shannon Dean, Stephens County Chief Ranger; Anne Sherley, Community Manager; Tom Rodgers, Director of Development

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September | October 2012

Georgia Forestry Today

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Georgia Legacy

By Georgia Legacy Land Conservation Partners

Making the Economic Case for Land Conservation 18

September | October 2012

n America in the 1920s, an expression became popular: What's that got to do with the price of eggs? in georgia in 2012, one might ask these questions instead: What does a forest in emanuel County have to do with the unemployment rate? What do Chatham County's wetlands have to do with my grocery bill in bibb County? What does a Fulton County park have to do with the price of houses? What connects the bank of a stream in union County with my family's drinking water, flood insurance premiums, and health care costs? lawmakers and business leaders know quite well the answer to the egg question—just about everything affects the price of eggs. And many know the answers to the questions above. The forest industry is the state's second largest employer. Wetlands act as nurseries for fish and other marine food species. More than 30 studies have shown that parks have a positive impact on residential property values. riparian vegetation—plant life along waterways—acts as a buffer against flooding, erosion, and water contamination, thus making our water cleaner. in short, the answer to all of these questions is land and water conservation. What is done with georgia's land and water affects the vitality of the state's economy and its people. Dependence on natural resources helps georgians understand the need to use them wisely and with forethought.

Perhaps forest landowners understand this better than most. A 2011 university of georgia study for the georgia Forestry Foundation found the value of ecosystem services provided by georgia's privately owned forestland to the public is over $37.6 billion per year, much of it linked to water regulation and supply.

Further, forest area in georgia has remained relatively stable over the last 50 years. According to the u.s. Forest service Forest inventory Analysis for 2011, georgia contains the largest area of forest cover in the south with 24.8 million acres, accounting for 67 percent of the state's land area. Although total acreage has remained steady, the number of individual-owned tracts of more than 500 acres has decreased by more than a third. At the same time, there has been an increase in individual-owned tracts under 100 acres, suggesting that larger tracts are being divided for financial need or opportunity, or as a result of estate transfers within families.

This matters because intact forestlands supply timber products, wildlife habitat, soil and watershed protection, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities. however, as these areas are fragmented and disappear, so does the infrastructure they support and the irreplaceable benefits they provide. georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi river, yet only nine percent of the land is managed for conservation and has some level of protection. Conservation is not about setting aside these forests never to be touched; it's about creatively and intelligently managing these areas that we rely on for so much of our prosperity. in georgia, a robust land conservation program involves providing incentives to private landowners to protect the conservation features of their land while keeping it in private hands just as much as maintaining current or acquiring more public land. since 1990, the georgia Forestry Commission has administered the Forest legacy Program. The program protects environmentally important working forests threatened by conversion to non-forest

I

Georgia Forestry Today

uses. The program allows for the donation and/or purchase of conservation easements or land from willing participants who wish to keep the land in forestry use.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a nonprofit land trust or governmental entity that permanently limits the amount of development and types of activities on the land in order to protect specified conservation values. Working forest conservation easements protect forest values by assuring sustainable forest practices and encouraging long-term land stewardship. The benefits of a conservation easement include: 1) leaving the property in the ownership of the private landowner; 2) providing significant tax benefits or direct payment for the private landowner; 3) flexibility so they can be written to meet the landowner's needs; and 4) giving forest landowners a means to control the future use of their own private lands—independent of government agencies and the local planning and zoning process. unfortunately, georgia lacks a stable source of state land conservation funding. Funds that could help pay private landowners for placing working forest conservation easements on their land have been virtually non-existent. Annual per capita state spending on land conservation in georgia averaged just $1.00, far less than what has been appropriated in south Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.

Not only are we falling behind our neighbors, but we are losing out on opportunities to leverage available federal matching funds to protect working forests and achieve other land conservation goals.

That's why the georgia legacy coalition was recently formed. georgia legacy partners include the Association County Commissioners of georgia, The Conservation Fund, georgia Conservancy, Park Pride, georgia Wildlife Federation, The Trust for Public land, and The Nature Conservancy. georgia legacy's mission is to improve the quality of life in georgia through stable, enduring, and sustainable funding for land conservation, management, and stewardship. specifically, the coalition is working to conserve working farms and forests, safeguard drinking water, protect wildlife habitat and historic resources, and create and maintain community parks and trails. georgia legacy understands it is critical to build a strong team of advocates with diverse perspectives and experience. That's why the coalition is engaging stakeholders, like the georgia Forestry Association and corporate and individual forest landowners, as well as others in the corporate, agriculture, and health care sectors. At regular meetings throughout the year, georgia legacy is discussing programs and funding mechanisms being utilized by other states and asking for input to jointly determine what makes sense for georgia.

The value of the services, goods, and products provided by our working forests is clear. how well we protect them in the long term has yet to be determined. if you would like to learn more about what is being discussed, don't hesitate to contact georgia legacy. You can learn more and watch a great video about georgia legacy online at www.galegacy.org.

For more information, contact georgia legacy Project Director Jill Johnson at jilljohnson236@gmail.com. v 19

Should you plant nut and fruit trees for deer?

By John Trussell

The first cool days of fall put a spring in my step and the whole world seems a little brighter - hunting season is here!

Hopefully I will soon be trekking in the acorns and fallen leaves of that big oak tree that I love.

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September | October 2012

As fruit trees mature, if fencing is removed, deer will heavily browse the fruit and leaves below 4-5 feet.

(Photo by Kent Kammermeyer)

Prescribed burning removes dead growth and brings out young nutritious shoots, beneficial to wildlife. (Photo

by Georgia Forestry Commission) Georgia Forestry Today

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Timber thinning, coupled with frequent prescribed fire every two-to-three years, is one of the most effective management practices for enhancing habitat for deer and wild turkeys. burning off old dead ground clutter gets more sunlight to the ground and new, nutritious vegetation will spring forth. Furthermore, two acres or larger fallowing openings can be maintained by combinations of rotational late winter disking, fire, selective herbicide application, and spring - fall plantings. These activities can improve the carrying capacities for deer and turkeys far above that resulting from food plots alone. expert help is only a phone call away for most landowners, says bobby bond, Wildlife biologist with the georgia DNr’s Ft. Valley office. Time permitting, state biologists will talk with you about any questions you may have about wildlife management on your land and, if desired, they will tour your land with you and make suggestions to better manage wildlife populations. Thackston says that setting goals are very important because the requirements for good quail hunting are much different than for deer hunting, for example, and the habitat requirements are different.

Thackston says that having a good variety of habitat is the key to good wildlife management. A tract of land with trees in different stages of succession, with many types of hardwood trees producing a wide assortment of acorns and containing some old fields offers a good diversity where wildlife will thrive. he also suggests that rather than planting one or two food plots, landowners might consider planting strips of food plots along roadsides which would help distribute grazing pressure. Another suggestion is to

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manage existing foliage on your land to its full potential.

For example, native green briar, blackberries, and muscadines can also be trimmed and fertilized to improve their growth. Native persimmons are a great soft mast for deer, especially during bow season, and they also can be fertilized—but make sure the tree is female, as male trees do not produce fruit.

Also you can select your best white oak and red oak trees for fertilization to increase their production of acorns, says Kent Kammermeyer, a retired gA DNr biologist and wildlife consultant. both Kammermeyer and Thackston are the authors of the excellent new book, Deer and Turkey Management, Beyond Food Plots. This book is an excellent guide to forest management, oaks, fruits, minerals, predator control, and much more.

Kammermeyer says that fruit trees can be a significant food source for deer. he prefers low maintenance apples that thrive without spraying, such as Arkansas black, Jonafree, and Yates. Pear trees are a great choice for your deer orchard, and Kammermeyer says deer sometimes check daily for falling fruit. Top varieties are moderately resistant to fire blight and include Kieffer, Magness, Moonglow, Old home, Orient, Trophy, and Waite. good crab apple varieties are Craven, Whitney, hughes, and hyslop.

Ornamental crabapples make pretty flowers but poor fruit and should be avoided. some are so bitter that even deer avoid them, so be sure of your choice and buy from a reliable nursery. both apple and pear trees need to be planted in groups of at least three trees, with one being a pollinator. in addition to fruit trees, there are some

other tree choices to consider for deer use.

The sawtooth oak is a native of Japan, Korea, China, and the himalayan area, but very closely related to our native white Oak tree. it has been extensively planted and performs very well in many eastern states. it is a medium-sized tree that commonly reaches heights of 50-60 feet and diameters of two to four feet in its natural range. it has a medium to large acorn and is considered to be a moderate to fast grower. it has been widely planted as a wildlife food source due to its abundant acorn crops. Acorns are highly resistant to insects and disease, and production can begin as early as six years of age. saw tooth oak is adaptable to a wide range of sites; however, it prefers acid, welldrained soils. swamp chestnut oak is a well-formed tree with a massive trunk and narrow crown, averaging 60-80 feet in height and two to three feet in diameter. it is found on the best, well-drained ridges and loamy terraces in bottom lands throughout the Piedmont and coastal plain. swamp chestnut oak is intolerant of shade. The acorns are sweet and serve as a food for wildlife. Kammermeyer says that the swamp chestnut oak of middle and south georgia is a good producer of acorns, but the mountain chestnut oak is a spotty performer, thus should generally be avoided.

The white oak, a large, long-lived tree, is high on the list of preferred deer foods, says Kammermeyer. in the open it is characterized by a short stocky bole with a wide spreading crown. in forest stands, it develops a tall, straight trunk with a compact crown.

White oak generally has the reputation of being a slow-growing tree. it is found on a

September | October 2012

On another matter of interest, landowners, farmers or sportsmen who wish to increase the value and benefits of the land they own should attend Agro-forestry and Wildlife Day on Thursday, september 20, 2012, at the university of georgia campus in griffin, georgia. On this day, federal and state government agency officials and representatives of private business will provide management recommendations and demonstrate real-life techniques. More than 30 topics will be showcased, including: Wildlife Opening Management; Pond Management, Management for Wild Turkeys, Doves, Maintaining some open fields with low grasses, legumes, and seed producing crops is a great way to attract and keep wild turkeys on your land. (Photo by Reggie Thackton, Ga DNR)

wide range of soils and sites but more frequently occurs on rich, well-drained soils. growth is good on all but driest and shallowest of soils. White oak is classified as intermediate in shade tolerance. it produces large, sweet acorns providing an excellent food for wildlife.

The persimmon is a small to medium sized tree occasionally reaching 80 feet in height and one to two feet in diameter. Persimmon is found on a variety of sites ranging from deep, rich, moist, bottom land to welldrained uplands. its best performance can be found on bottom land soils. Though it is shade tolerant, it thrives in full sunlight, thus its performance can be improved by cutting back competing vegetation. The sweet, pulpy fruit is edible when fully ripe. Persimmon trees are often planted as a source of food for deer, hogs, and other wildlife. good sources for trees are edward Fort Nursery (866-295-tree), lawson Nursery (706-893-2141), Morse Nursery (1-800338-2105), National Wild Turkey Federation (800-the-nwtf ), and the georgia Forestry Commission (800-428-7337). For more information on this subject, i highly recommend the book, Deer and Turkey Management, Beyond Food Plots by Kent Kammermeyer and reggie Thackston, which is available from Kent Kammermeyer, 1565 shoal Creek road, Clermont, georgia 30537, or kentk49@yahoo.com for $24, including shipping.

Georgia Forestry Today

Quail, and Deer; and Prescribed burning. To register, call (770) 229-3477. v

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A Growing Effort: UGA Professors Receive $2 Million to Speed Biofuel Development

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By James Hataway | Public Relations Specialist | Office of the Vice President for Research | UGA

n the ongoing search for cleaner, renewable energy sources, biofuels derived from trees, shrubs and grasses have emerged as a strong candidate. But creating the next generation’s energy source is not as simple as growing a few crops; extensive research is required to ensure that these plants produce enough biomass and fuel per acre to make biomass farming economically viable.

Now, with the help of grants from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy, University of Georgia professors Chung-Jui Tsai and Andrew Paterson are conducting fundamental research to better understand the plants that may one day produce the fuel that powers our vehicles and homes.

Tsai, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, received $1.496 million to study the importance of plant proteins called tubulin, which play critical roles in many basic plant functions.

Her lab is particularly interested in how tubulin affects the development of Populus, a genus of woody plant that includes species like poplar, aspen and cottonwood trees. Tubulin proteins are thought to regulate the wood development and, based on their recent findings, plant water use, so if Tsai’s laboratory can modify tubulin levels, the researchers may be able to accelerate wood growth and make the trees more drought resistant.

“We are interested in traits that influence biofuel production, and the number one trait is biomass volume,” Tsai said. “So wood formation is something we are very interested in.”

Tubulin may help regulate the deposition of cellulose, an organic compound that accounts for up to 50 percent of poplar biomass.

If Tsai’s team uncovers the ways that tubulin influences the accumulation of cellulose, they may find ways to manipulate the genetic makeup to create trees that produce more cellulose, and, consequently, yield more biofuel.

Manipulation of tubulin could make poplar easier to process into products like ethanol. “It would be great if we could increase biomass, but we think tubulin manipulation is more likely to affect cell wall properties,” 24

Tsai said. “If we understand the system better, it might have the kind of properties that make it more amenable to biomass deconstruction.”

But tubulin also plays a significant role in controlling the movements of a special class of cells known as stomatal guard cells. As the name implies, these cells guard the tiny holes, or stoma, on the surface of plant leaves. e opening and closing of the guard cells allows the plant to take in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis.

During drought, stomatal guard cells close off the openings on the leaf to prevent loss of water to the atmosphere, and the process of photosynthesis slows. Tsai’s lab found that modification of tubulin proteins could alter the behavior of guard cells to allow photosynthesis to continue at high rates even when they do not receive optimal amounts of water. “is could translate into more biomass from trees grown in stressful environment, like the persistent drought many parts of the country is experiencing,” Tsai said. Ultimately, stress tolerance will be equally, if not more important than wood properties for developing perennial crops like poplars for bioenergy use.

“Tubulin offers a rare opportunity for us to tackle both traits at the same time,” she said.

Other collaborators on Tsai’s project include Scott Harding of Warnell, Michael Hahn at the UGA Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Shawn Mansfield at the University of British Columbia, and Gary Peter at the University of Florida.

Paterson, a Regents professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, researches grasses that show potential as high-biomass energy crops. He is particularly interested in discovering more about the genetics of what he calls ‘plant architecture,’ the number and size of stalks or branches that plants develop as they grow. Exploratory work conducted with graduate student Wenqian Kong provided the justification for his $575,000 award.

“A plant has choices to make as to how it invests its resources,” Paterson said. “We’d like to get a handle on genes that determine how plants allocate their resources across various

kinds of branches.” Once researchers identify and understand how these genes affect plant architecture, it will become possible to modify the plants so that they grow stalks, branches, and leaves that are ideal for biofuel production.

But a better understanding of plant genetics also allows researchers and farmers to create plants that will survive in different environments. Just like all plants, biofuel grasses alter their growing patterns based on a number of factors, such as the amount of rainfall, sunlight, and soil nutrients they receive.

Because food crops can generate more revenue than biofuel crops, farmers will likely reserve their best land for fruits and vegetables, Paterson said. So biofuel feedstock needs to grow well in less fertile soil.

“If we better understand the genetics of plant architecture, we can try to tailor the crops to fit the land that they are going to find themselves in,” he said. “We can tailor the foot to fit the shoe, if you will.”

Paterson’s research for this grant is focused on sorghum, a genus of grass that can produce high biomass yields, even under adverse conditions. However, Paterson expects their work to extend to other biofuel candidates as well. v

September | October 2012

Georgia Forestry Today

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Weyerhaeuser company establishes preference for American tree farm system-certified wood

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ne of the world’s largest forest products companies has announced a supply chain preference for certified material sourced from the American Tree Farm System (ATFS).

For more than 89,000 family forest owners sustainably managing 27 million acres of forestland in America, the Weyerhaeuser preference for their certified wood can make a real difference in the viability of the Tree Farms and the economic health of rural communities.

“Weyerhaeuser’s announcement is just what certified Tree Farmers have been waiting for,” said Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation. “Healthy forests need healthy markets because protecting your trees against pests, pathogens, and catastrophic fire can be expensive. ese landowners are hardworking people who want to keep their forests as forests, and keep them in their family.”

“Weyerhaeuser’s continued commitment to ensuring woodland owners have the tools to manage sustainably is laudable,” added Martin.

Weyerhaeuser’s corporate sustainability goals include demonstrating forest stewardship by certifying at least 99 percent of its timberlands in North America to sustainable forestry standards like those of ATFS. “Most of our customers want certified wood. ere’s a widespread understanding of the value of certification—encouraging corporate best practices remains by far the most im26

portant role for certification. Buyers want to know their wood comes from sustainably managed forests,” said Dan Fulton, President and CEO of Weyerhaeuser Company.

“To give our customers what they want, we need more ATFS certified wood,” added Futon.

Weyerhaeuser supports the use of internationally accepted sustainable forestry standards, including the use of independent, external auditors that verify a company’s commitment to responsible sourcing. Weyerhaeuser’s responsible fiber sourcing practices are guided by its wood procurement policy and implementation guidelines.

The preference for ATFS wood will be implemented at Weyerhaeuser through a number of measures, including: Incentives - Such as maintaining a priority market for Tree Farm certified material, especially when suppliers are put on quotas.

management to ATFS Standards of Sustainability.

“America’s forests need strong industry players like Weyerhaeuser to recognize the value that family forest owners are contributing to sustainable forestry. Giving preference to wood from American Tree Farm System-certified land means more woodland owners have the financial resources to continue their hard work and on-the-ground stewardship,” said Martin.v

Procurement decisions - Where a Vendor Management Plan is used (which scores wood suppliers on a number of metrics) Tree Farm certification will be added as a positive attribute.

Policy - Declaring support for Tree Farm in the company’s Wood Procurement Policy and tracking Tree Farm wood use.

Support expansion of the American Tree Farm System - Offering landowner assistance to encourage Tree Farm certification and September | October 2012

Deal order expands state’s ability to use Georgia forest products

“A

er nine months in discussions with Governor Deal’s Green Building’s office, the Georgia Forestry Association is pleased that Governor Nathan Deal has taken bold action in support of Georgia’s timber growing community and wood product manufacturers in citing the disadvantage that the LEED building design program creates for Georgiagrown wood. Anyone who is invested in timberland and construction-related wood products should express gratitude to the governor. Let’s hope other states’ governors follow suit and help build pressure for change.”

Steve McWilliams, President, Georgia Forestry Association Governor Nathan Deal has issued an executive order that directs new or expanded state buildings to incorporate ‘Green Building’ standards that give certification credits equally to forest products grown, manufactured, and certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the American Tree Farm System, and the Forest Stewardship Council.

“For the past 50 years, Georgia has led the nation in commercially available, privateowned timberlands and is a national leader in the growing and processing of wood con-

Georgia Forestry Today

struction materials,” said Deal. “e U.S. Green Council’s LEED rating system unfairly awards its wood certification credits only to products certified under one standard. Recognizing all forest certifications equally will promote sustainable forestry in our state and will help create thousands of jobs while maintaining our strong outdoor heritage.”

Georgia’s forestry industry, the second

largest in the state, injects $23.8 billion and more than 108,000 jobs into its economy. Of the state’s 37 million acres of land, 24.8 million acres is forest land, 24.4 million of which is available for commercial use, more than any other state in the country. e executive order also states that the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of any existing state building to be renovated will incorporate ‘Green Building’ standards in order to achieve significant energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Deal joins Maine Governor Paul LePage in the effort to equally certify the forests of North America. v

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e ief in the Night

By William P. Horkan | Associate | James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP

B

ernie Madoff silently and secretly stole billions from his investors like the proverbial thief in the night. e Ponzi scheme he created and managed is widely regarded as the largest financial fraud in the history of the United States. People who invested their life savings with Bernie Madoff suddenly discovered that everything they worked for was gone. eir financial plans, their retirements, their homes, and ultimately their visions for their futures were ruined. e Ponzi scheme wiped their lifetime investments from the face of the earth. Bernie Madoff ’s fraud ultimately cost his investors more than $18 billion.

Timber the accounts for a $1 billion annual loss for United States timber owners and goes relatively unreported. Yet the effects of timber the are the same as any Ponzi scheme.

Landowners carefully manage their timber crops with the understanding that they may only harvest their crop once or twice in their lifetime. Oen, these timber harvests are part of larger financial or business plans designed to provide retirement, college, or investment funds for the owners. Take for example Jim and Sarah Smith, Georgia residents who recently discovered that timber the can be just as secretive and devastating as Bernie Madoff ’s Ponzi scheme, and timber owners can find their investment gone just as quickly.

Jim Smith discovered the timber the late on a Saturday aernoon. A neighboring landowner on the backside of the Smiths’ property had harvested timber, and John decided to walk his property line and take a look at the cut. e scene he found put knots in his stomach. e logging crew had crossed onto the Smiths’ property and into a secluded bottom. e crew cut hardwoods, saw timber, and a section of pole timber the Smiths were saving for retirement. e total cut was 80 acres. e Smiths were devastated. ankfully though, the Smiths had taken steps necessary to ensure something could be done.

First, the Smiths maintained clearly marked boundary lines. In some places the boundaries were fenced or lined with fire28

breaks. However, Jim Smith meticulously maintained the paint markings placed by his surveyor to ensure the lines were clear if a fence should fall or a firebreak become overgrown. Second, the Smiths hired a registered forester who kept current cruise records and timber inventories of the Smiths’ property.

Additionally, the forester took the time to educate the Smiths about the different types of timber on their property and how to recognize each type. He also gave the Smiths a clear understanding of how to protect their timber investment from the various threats. ird, the Smiths maintained good relationships with their neighbors. e Smiths regularly discussed local news with their neighbors and provided an extra set of eyes to watch for trespassers or other issues. Finally, the Smiths frequented their land. e Smiths understood that well maintained and regularly visited property discourages thieves just as much as an occupied home discourages burglars.

Aer discovering the the, the Smiths acted immediately because they knew time was of the essence in pursuing a timber the case. e Smiths contacted their forester who came out first thing Monday morning and began assessing the true extent of the damages the Smiths suffered. He quickly determined the value of the lost timber, provided an estimate of the diminished value of the Smiths'

land, and provided an estimate of the costs of the tractor work needed to clean up the mess le behind by the thieves. e forester also began contacting local mills and getting all of the load sheets for the suspected logging crew. e Smiths also contacted their neighbor.

She was very understanding of the Smiths' situation, and provided all of the information she could to help the Smiths. She told the Smiths how much she appreciated the fact that they had always looked out for her interests and wanted to do anything she could to assist. She confirmed that only one logging crew had permission to enter her land. She provided the Smiths with the contact information for her forester. Also, she gave the Smiths copies of all of the loading dock and mill sheets she had received during the harvest.

Next, the Smiths contacted their local sheriff 's office. An investigator arrived on Sunday aernoon, made a report, and took pictures of the Smiths clearly marked boundary lines and the damage. e Smiths provided the sheriff 's deputy with the names of the owner and foreman of the suspected logging crew. Also, the Smiths gave the sheriff ’s deputy their forester’s contact information along with a copy of a recent timber inventory. is inventory allowed Sarah Smith to impress the true value of the loss upon the investigator and motivate him to follow through on their case.

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Chad Hipp

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chad@hippenterprises.com September | October 2012

The Smiths then contacted the Georgia Forestry Commission. Georgia Forestry personnel came out on the Wednesday following the theft and surveyed the damage. They took special note of some particulate run-off and stream encroachment issues created by the theft. They then assured the Smiths that the Georgia Forestry Commission would bring its full administrative authority to bear on the case.

Finally, the Smiths contacted their personal lawyer. He drove out on Monday and met with the Smiths and their forester. He immediately began amassing documentation so that he could begin his investigation and prove the value of the the in court if necessary. Additionally, he coordinated with the forester to ensure that the forester’s damage assessments would be admissible in court against the timber thieves. He also instructed the Smiths to take pictures of their clearly marked boundary lines, various stumps, and the scene in general so that a judge or jury could see what happened with their own eyes. en the Smiths and the attorney discussed the many different legal routes available to the Smiths. While the attorney would not guarantee any result, the

Georgia Forestry Today

attorney was able to provide the Smiths with some comfort, knowing they had several legal avenues through which to recover their investment. Finally, as the attorney le on Monday he told the Smiths that their preparation was going to save the attorney a lot of time as he pursued their claim. He also stated that very few of the landowners he represented were as prepared and that most paid for their poor planning with lost investments and legal fees.

Ultimately, the Smiths preparation paid off. e information the Smiths and their forester provided to the sheriff ’s investigator allowed law enforcement officials to quickly perform an investigation and arrest the culpable parties. e sheriff ’s deputy told the Smiths that the timber inventory they provided showed his superiors the true value of the case and allowed him to pursue the investigation despite the violent crimes and drug crimes which would normally take priority.

Also, the clearly marked boundary lines allowed the district attorney to prove that the the was intentional and make the charges stick. e Georgia Forestry Commission determined that the timber thieves were responsible for the particulate runoff issues and the

streambed encroachment and forced the thieves to return and repair the damage at their own personal expense. Finally, the Smiths’ personal lawyer quickly reached a favorable settlement with the timber thieves. e leverage provided by the information the Smiths had on hand at the time of the the and the forester’s damage assessment was insurmountable for the thieves who were forced to accept the Smiths’ terms.

Like Bernie Madoff ’s Ponzi scheme, timber the can catch landowners by surprise and turn their careful planning, management, and investment into wasted effort. However, unlike those victims, landowners, like the Smiths, who take proactive steps to protect themselves, can sleep soundly knowing they are ready for the thief in the night.

Will Horkan is an associate attorney in the Macon, Georgia office of James-BatesBrannan-Groover-LLP. Will joined the firm in 2009 aer graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Agribusiness at Mercer University’s Law School. v

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September | October 2012

Georgia Forestry Today

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