missouri department of conservation Resource Forester Michael Norris had difficulty nominating the 2008 Missouri Logger of the Year Award winner. The problem was not lack of qualified nominees. He simply ran out of superla-tives to describe the work of Larry Young of Winona.

Young became Missouri’s second Professional Logger of the Year. He edged out other regional logger of the year winners for the honor, taking home a top-of-the-line chainsaw for his exemplary professionalism. Forests in the Ozarks are better-managed as a result of this dedicated logger’s example.

Young operates a two-person crew consisting of himself and log cutter David Minich. He completed Missouri’s Professional Timber Harvester Training in 1999 and kept his qualifications current.

“Larry’s operation is small-scale,” said Norris. “He finds markets for small-diameter material, cull

Missouri Logger of the YearBy Jim Low, News Services Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation

spring 2009

inside issue:this

2 Feral Hogs

3 Featured Species

Treevia

Q&A

4 Welcome New Members

Spring Activity: Bursting Buds

5 Understanding Missouri Streams

7 Strange & Extraordinary Trees

8 Mark Your Calendar

Spring Reports Due June 15th!

continued on page 2

trees and shortleaf pine, materials that many other logging crews would not be interested in. He has made them profitable.”

Norris said the effects of Young’s dedication to efficiently using every tree possible go far beyond his own bottom line. “Efficient utilization allows Larry to give private forest owners higher bids for low-quality timber,” said Norris. “When he is done, they don’t have to hire someone else to come in and do timber stand improvement cuts, remove slash and generally clean up after him. That makes landowners more likely to manage their forest land, keeping it at maximum productivity. They also tell other landowners about their experience, making others more likely to actively manage their forests. Larry and David are walking recommendations for good forest management.”

Young’s qualifications as Professional Logger of the Year do not stop there, however. Norris said his commitment to “sale aesthetics” is unparalleled.

“They complete most of the clean-up work as they do the job. Spring poles (dangerously bent tree trunks) are cut, and skid trails and log landings are located in the most efficient manner possible. The landings are so thoroughly cleared of woody debris that at least one landowner has used them to plant food plots. Many private landowners have commented on the lack of residual tree damage after the harvest is over. His work sites are just unbelievably clean,” said Norris.

The Conservation Department, with the help of the Missouri Consulting Foresters Association and the Missouri Forest Products Association, selects state logger of the year award recipients.

Larry Young, receiving the 2008 Missouri Logger of the Year award from Lisa Allen, State Forester.

We have feral hogs in Missouri?! Yes, we do, and they are a serious concern! Their rooting and feeding behavior contributes to soil erosion, reduced water quality, and damages agricul-tural crops and hay fields. It also destroys sensitive natural areas such as glades, fens and springs. Feral hogs are a direct threat to natural resources and native wildlife, including endangered plants and animals.

Hogs have a keen sense of smell and are opportu-nistic feeders. They forage heavily on acorns, competing with native species such as deer and turkeys for this important fall food. They com-monly eat the eggs of ground nesting-birds and have been reported to kill and eat fawns.

The spread of disease by feral hogs is another major concern and there is potential for these diseases to jeopardize people, pets and livestock and, in particular, the private pork industry in Missouri.

where did they come from?

Several counties south of I-44 have had feral hogs roaming the countryside since the days of open range. These populations were isolated and kept in check by local hunting efforts.

The situation took a wrong turn in the 1990s when hog hunting for recre-ation began to gain popularity. Groups started raising and promoting European wild boar as a form

of alternative agriculture and for

hunting on licensed shooting areas. It

wasn’t long before many of these hogs escaped or were intentionally released on public land.

Because feral hogs are highly adaptable and prolific breeders, their numbers started growing at an alarming rate. By 2000, the Conservation Department was receiving damage complaints from private landowners.

Today, feral hog populations are established in over 20 southern counties and sightings of feral hogs occur across the state. While no population studies have been conducted, it is believed there are between 5,000 and 10,000 feral hogs, as a conservative estimate, in Missouri. Adding to the problem is a growing occurrence of illegal hog releases across the state.

For more information, including hunting regula-tions, visit www.missouriconservation.org and enter “feral hogs” in the search box.

missouri forestkeepers monitor – spring 2009 page �

mission:To develop a network

of informed citizens working to conserve, sustain and

enhance Missouri’s urban and rural forest resources through

volunteerism, advocacy, and management.

editor:Nancy von Brecht

technical editor:Justine Gartner

assistant editor:Cathy Vaisvil

design:501creative, inc.

illustrations:Courtesy of the

Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Forestkeepers Network is a

statewide volunteer program administered by Forest ReLeaf of Missouri in

partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Membership is free.

for information, contact:Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

4207 Lindell Blvd. Suite 301

St. Louis, MO 63108

toll-free: 1-888-9-FOREST (1-888-936-7378)

information@forestkeepers.org www.forestkeepers.org

printed on recycled paper with 30% post-consumer waste

Missouri Logger of the Year continued from page 1

They choose from a field of regional loggers nominated by Conservation Department foresters throughout the state. Foresters are asked to nominate only outstanding loggers, so not every region has a nominee every year. Other 2008 regional recipients were: St.Louis — Shannon Jarvis, Potosi; Southwest — Jim Nelson, Oldfield; Southeast — Gregg and Joe Brinkley, Piedmont.

Nominees must have completed Missouri’s Professional Timber Harvester’s Training Program or equivalent training and be current with qualifications. They must practice sustainable forest management, best management practices, safe work habits, and have low residual tree damage. Production amounts do not matter, and nominees do not need to be members of any professional organization.

Feral Hogs – A Scourge to Natural Communities By Rex Martensen, Private Land Field Program Supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation

Wild plum is one of the first small trees or shrubs to bloom in the woods in our state. Its attractive and fragrant flowers appear before the leaves have unfolded. Wild plum is common along roadsides and other uncultivated habitats. It is fast-growing and relatively short-lived, but the fruit makes excellent jellies and preserves. The fruit is eaten by many species of birds, including bobwhite quail, as well as deer, raccoons and squirrels.

leaves: Simple, alternate, from 2½ to 4 inches long and 1½ to 2 inches wide; pointed tip with a round or wedge-shaped base; sharply toothed; firm and dark green.

bark: Smooth; dark brown to reddish-brown; breaks into long, scaly plates, with prominent horizontal pores.

Annual growth of forests in Missouri far exceeds the amount harvested, ensuring ample forests for future generations. Harvesting and processing trees into wood products gives thousands of people jobs and contributes about $6 billion each year to Missouri’s economy.

page � missouri forestkeepers monitor – spring 2009

wild plumfeatured species:

fun forest facts to know and tell!

TreeviaPrunus americana Marshall

Q: What kinds of trees are good to plant along stream banks?

A: A number of species don’t mind “wet feet” and are flood tolerant. They include: baldcypress, black walnut, cottonwood, river birch, sycamore, tulip tree, various oaks (such as swamp, bur, pin, and white), and many others.

Have a question about Forestkeepers, trees, or what you read in this issue? Contact us at information @forestkeepers.org or by mail to: Q&A, c/o Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, 4207 Lindell Blvd., Suite 301, St. Louis, MO 63108.

flowers: Showy, white clusters of two to five blooms; because the flower stalks and centers are red, the tree has a pink appear-ance, even though the petals are normally white. Due to its ornamental value, horticul-turists have created more than 300 varieties from this one species.

fruit: Ripens in July through September, in clusters with 15 to 30 fruits. They are globe-shaped and red, or sometimes yellow; the skin is marked with pale dots.

habitat & range: Found in woodlands, pastures and thickets throughout Missouri.

Grows with no special requirements and seems to thrive with neglect.

Compiled from Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr and Trees of Missouri by Don Kurz.

Illustrations courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

missouri forestkeepers monitor – spring 2009 page �

Welcome New MembersWe would like to welcome the following new members to the Missouri Forestkeepers Network:

Duane V. AckermanMark AckersonAll Saints – 4th GradeKaren AllenBetty AndersonClaude AndrewsRick AndrewsJason AsherMel & Mary BeverlinTim & Diane BowmanKevin BuergeW.D. ByselJohn & Marilee CarmanMichael & Susan ChieppoEric & Diane ChristensenSue ClonesBob CoffingSteve & Cindy CoheeRichard CoonsJenny CoxDick CullTom DabbsKathy & Kent DrewMichael Dryden

Enchanted ForestSteve EvrardRichard & Karen FerlingMike GappBrenda GoodnightJohn GrimmTony HarrisMr. & Mrs. Dale HarrisonJay HartzlerRon HighleySam HodgeCraig W. & J. Marie HolcombWilliam H. HonJuan Aviles Rain GartenJowler Creek WinerySue KeenaDan KellerMatt KernTom & Alice KingPatty LaydenJohn & Blanche LitleRob LoudermilkDoug MalloyThomas H. Marshall

William B. MawbyDan McCaffreyJames MeyerTerry MooreHarold MyersPhil & Shelley NeedhamJames NorwoodPatrick J. OrtnerKeith & Lynne OstrandThe Palmer’sPeculiar Park Place RV ParkBetty PetrechkoBob & Martha PhillipsR.L. Phillips & Lindi SnyderGary J. PoeppingSteve PorterNorman PrewittSherry ProchBobby ProffittBeth RankinMichael RichardsBob RobertsJane V. SaundersDale Schmick

Sherri SchmidtChrista Kelly ScottAllan SelburgLee & Bill SheltonJody ShewmakerJill SiegertHank StelzerStevens FamilyWilliam C. ThomasWil TurnerFred W. ViarRick WestbergKerry WolfeRichard Wright

Do you know someone who might be interested in

becoming a Forestkeeper? Call 1-888-9-FOREST or visit

www.forestkeepers.org for details on joining our Network of over 2,000

citizens who are working to conserve, sustain, and

enhance Missouri’s urban and rural forest resources.

Spring ActivityA seasonal project to enjoy with the whole family

In early spring, the tiny, bright green leaves of many trees burst forth. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? Find the answers to these questions by observing tree buds throughout the year.

By the time a tree’s leaves drop in the fall, leaves for next spring are already formed. Tiny leaves, stems, and sometimes even the flowers are located on the twig in packages called buds. These buds are made of tough scales that form a waterproof case around the miniature tree parts. In spring, as the temperature warms and days become longer, sap rises from the roots to the branches, the scales fall off the buds, and the

Bursting Budstree’s leaves, stems and flowers begin to unfurl and grow. During the summer, the tree begins to develop new buds for the following year.

Take time this spring to look closely at tree branches. Have children point out the different features they notice on the branch (such as bark pattern, leaf scars, buds, and thorns). Split a bud in half lengthwise to reveal the tiny leaves tucked inside. Visit the tree and observe the twigs and buds throughout the year. Note the changes that are observed.

Adapted from Project Learning Tree Activity 65 – Bursting Buds.

most people enjoy the captivating qualities of flowing water. But streams are much more to us than enjoyable places to visit. We rely upon them to supply drinking water, irrigate our crops, drain the land, and provide fishing and other recreational opportunities.

The careful treatment of our streams is essential. To protect them we must understand how they work and what we can do to ensure that they will continue to function properly.

Understanding begins with the realization that a stream is not just flowing water in an earthen channel; it also includes the watershed, which is comprised of several key landforms. Much like the parts of a clock, each of these landforms play a role and all must work together for the stream to function properly. Protection and management of each is vital to a healthy stream.

the watershed

The watershed is an area of land that drains into a stream. If the land is misused or pollutants are spilled, the receiving stream will be degraded. The simple, most important concept in stream management is that every stream is the product of its watershed and each of us lives in a watershed. How we use the land is ultimately reflected in the condition of the stream.

From the Stream Unit/Fisheries Division, Missouri Department of Conservation

The graphic at left shows a straightened stream with unprotected banks, which allow for excessive soil erosion. Valuable land is lost annually and increased sedimentation occurs in the stream channel.

this information is brought to you by the missouri department of conservationc

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Understanding Missouri Streams

the floodplain

This is the relatively level area on both sides of the stream channel that carries flood waters the channel cannot handle. During a flood, the floodplain does much of the work for the channel. If a floodplain is not allowed to work properly and the channel is forced to handle more of the flow, the channel will erode to a larger size. Missouri streams use their floodplains frequently.

stream corridor

The strip of land bordering a stream channel is called a stream corridor. This is actually a part of the floodplain, but because it is so important to the stream system it deserves special consideration. A well-functioning stream corridor is approxi-mately 100 feet wide and forested.

This wooded border benefits the stream corridor by slowing water, allowing sediment, gravel and sand to drop out. It also traps woody debris that would otherwise end up in the fields and minimizes bank erosion.

the stream channel

Most Missouri streams have two basic habitat types: pools and riffles. Good pools are deep, slow moving, and provide fish with cover and resting areas. Riffles are shallow, with a faster flow. These

are the natural ways in which water flows through Missouri streams.

Streams wind their way across the countryside. As they do so, meanders or bends are common. Meanders are constantly changing because the force of the flowing water moves soil and gravel from the bank and deposits it downstream. Channels develop over a long period of time, and relatively small amounts of bank erosion occur during each flood.

When a major change is made to any part of the stream system, the channel must adjust and becomes unstable. We often see these adjustments in the form of severe bank erosion, large deposits of gravel, or erosion of bottomland fields.

Shaping stream channels is often seen as a solution to these problems, but this approach usually causes more problems than it solves. Straightening stream channels, pushing gravel against eroding banks, and dumping old cars and debris on banks are some other ineffective methods.

Channelization, or stream straightening, seems logical because eroding bends are totally removed. However, the removal of the bends shortens the length of the channel, making it steeper than the original channel. The water flows faster, causing the banks and the bottom to erode. Additional erosion will result from this vicious cycle. The stream can take years to re-establish its natural meandering pattern.

what can you do?

There is no doubt that streams can cause problems for landowners, but here are some solutions that usually work well:

Maintain streamside vegetation:Often stream problems result from clearing stream-side trees. In most instances, a timbered corridor of 100 feet on each side of the stream will stabilize a stream’s channel and banks. The root systems of trees growing near the water’s edge bind the soil together to control bank erosion. Trees and other

Understanding Missouri Streamscontinued from page 5

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previous technical bulletins:  #1 Our Upland Oak- 

Hickory Forests

  #2 Bottomland Forests

  #3 Missouri’s Coniferous Forests

  #4 Urban Forests and Plantations

  #5 The Gypsy Moth

  #6 Dogwood Anthracnose

  #7 The Japanese Beetle in Missouri

  #8 Butternut Canker and  Its Dwindling Host

  #9 Asian Longhorned Beetle

#10 Chip Mills in Missouri

#11 Community Forestry

#12 Proper Pruning

#13 How to Hire an Arborist

#14 Can These Trees Be Saved?

#15 Maintenance of Backyard Trees

#16 Selecting Professional Tree Care

#17 Tree Protection During Construction

#18 Poison Ivy

#19 Tick-Borne Diseases

#20 Chiggers

#21 Snakes of Missouri

#22 Managing Your Forest

#23 Are You Protecting  Missouri’s Water?

#24 Selling Timber the Smart Way

#25 Timber Stand Improvement

#26 Benefits of Livestock Fencing

#27 Edge Feathering

#28 Managing for White-Tailed Deer

#29 Turkeys & Woodlands

#30 Underutilized Trees for  Missouri Landscapes

#31 Managing Your Yard for  Trees and Grass

#32 Windbreaks: Protection  That Grows

#33 Evergreens: Selections for  Your Landscape

#34 Specialty Products

#35 Heating with Wood

#36 Utilizing Eastern Red Cedar

#37 Black Walnut: Missouri’s  Most Valuable Tree

#38 Those Pesky Insects

#39 Diseases and Healthy Forests

#40 I Hurt My Tree?

#41 Exotic Forest Pests Are Becoming A Common Threat

#42 Trees Pay Us Back

#43 How Is Your Habitat?

#44 Who Owns Missouri’s Forests?

#45 Managing Invasive Plants

You can access these bulletins online at www.forestkeepers.org by clicking on “Newsletters” on the homepage.

missouri forestkeepers monitor – spring 2009 page �

vegetation also slow flood waters causing soil and sand to drop out before reaching bottomland fields.

Consider selective debris removal:Stream bank erosion problems are often caused when water is directed into the bank by debris lodged in the channel. Selectively removing problem debris can eliminate obstructions. Be careful to remove only the problem obstructions; removing all in-channel structures will result in fish leaving the area.

Use bank stabilization methods:When stream bank erosion problems are not caused by obstructions, a structural approach may be needed. Bank protection measures, such as planting trees to anchor stream banks or placing large rocks (called “riprapping”) on eroding areas, can minimize the problem. Inexpensive techniques, such as tree revetments or barricades, can help prevent a big problem if you start early. An eroding bank on a straightened stream can rarely be repaired cheaply.

Practice soil and water conservation:Many stream problems are caused by sediment choking the stream channel, or by runoff that is too excessive for the channel to carry. Soil conservation practices (terraces, strip-cropping, etc.) and gully stabilization structures will decrease sedimentation, delay runoff, and reduce the damages that excess water and sediment create.

The overriding guideline to follow on stream channels is simple: protect them in their natural condition by keeping heavy equipment out of the stream and addressing stream bank erosion when possible.

For more information, contact the nearest Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Division office or your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office, or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/improve.htm .

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4th Annual Hunt for Strange & Extraordinary Trees Thanks to all the members who participated in this year’s tree hunt! You “caught” some truly strange and extraordinary trees. Here is a sampling from this year’s hunt, including captions from our “slightly twisted” team of judges. Visit www.forestkeepers.org to view the complete gallery of images. Enjoy!

Maybe I should stop and ask for

directions.Dent County;Submitted by

David Dawson

Yum - my favorite flavor!Dent County; Submitted by David Dawson

Tree detour Adair County; Submitted by Karen Armstrong

Thank you and now for my next number...

St. Charles County; Submitted by Lorri Grueber

Time for a group hug.Wayne County;Submitted by Nicky DeVoto

Tiptoeing through the forest

Butler County; Submitted by Nicky DeVoto

Maybe it is time to cut back on the starches.St. Louis County;Submitted by Jody Vogler

Friends forever; Warren County; Submitted by Travis Hambach

How degrading!Butler County; Submitted by Nicky DeVoto

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSt. Louis, MO

Permit No. 3900

missouri forestkeepers monitor – spring 2009 page �

c/o Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

4207 Lindell Blvd., Suite 301

St. Louis, MO 63108

Return Service Requested

Mark Your Calendar!Spring 2009 Workshops & Events Tree Identification Workshops El Dorado Springs – May 19 Joplin – May 21 Both workshops begin at 6:30 pm. Call 417-629-3423 to register.

Forestkeeper Annual Conference St. Charles – May 30 Join fellow Forestkeepers at August A. Busch Conservation Area from 9 am – 1 pm. Get tips and practice your tree identification skills, learn about the latest invasive pests, and enjoy fun activities, including new awards for members! Register by May 22nd.

Call 1-888-9-FOREST or check the website at www.forestkeepers.org for more information on these free events. We hope to see you this spring!

Spring Reports ReminderSpring is a great time to get out and do some Forestkeepers activities! If you are not sure where to start and have never submitted a report, just give us a call or email us at information@forestkeepers.org for a copy of the brochure,

“Now That I’m a Forestkeeper, What’s Next?”

Send us your activity report or submit it online by June 15, and you can select from one of the great incentives we offer members as our way of saying thank-you for reporting back. You can view these incentives on the website, where you can also print out extra report and observation forms!