Sunday, December 23, 2018

A Wet Fall and Early winter

As 2018 comes to a close it has been really wet.  The hunting has been lousy. Roads are too wet to travel and prescribed burning is nearly at a stand still.  I did get one of the main roads worked last week and just over a week ago we got a burn in under 12 year old longleaf pines.  

All this rain and wet weather has been good for mushrooms though.  I just inoculated some oak logs with shiitake spores for mushrooms in 2019.  Got to go with the  flow!


Monday, November 26, 2018

2018 Alabama Treasure Forest Association President

I recently completed my term as President of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association.  I conducted the business at our final state business meeting for 2018 in Pratville at the Alabama Landowners Conference.  This was such an honor for me to be in a line of great presidents that have guided our organization down through the years.  Our next president, Gary Cole, will be a great president for our organization.  
People usually serve two annual terms in this position but I agreed to serve only one because in November I became the State Chairman for the Alabama Tree Farm Committee.  I had already made this commitment to Tree Farm early and had been serving as vice-chair for the past four years.
These are two great organizations for forest landowners having different objectives but both do great work for those they represent!

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Classroom in the Forest 2018


Well, today we completed the 2018 Classroom in the Forest sponsored by the Clay County Forestry Planning Committee/Treasure Forest.  This program is offered to all fifth graders in Clay County.  Part of the counties students went thru the program Wednesday and the other part on Thursday.  We offer our property to educate the students on environmental education.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Visit by Congressman Rogers

We met with Congressman Rogers yesterday to discuss the Farm Bill and its impact on Rural America here in Clay County.  It is so important to all rural people in ways we have not thought of.
We looked and talked about how the bill helps keep our water safe and pure; how it effects jobs in our community; and how wildlife habitat is protected.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Fall Plantings

I worked on fall plantings for wildlife yesterday.  It was good to have my dad, 81, helping me!  I love to hear him talk about where the deer will come from to these fields and stories about deer he has taken on our property through the years.  We have this transmission line across the property and we try to use it to our advantage.

Monday, July 23, 2018

The Longleaf Leader Magazine


It was such an honor recently being recognized in The Longleaf Leader Magazine.  We strive to manage our longleaf to be productive and provide the best possible longleaf habitat for wildlife. 



Monday, June 25, 2018

Clear Forest Stream: Great Place to Play


Had a great week last week with our Grandchildren. I had all five one day and we headed to Dewberrylands.  They love being on the property and this day we played in the branch.  They dammed up the stream and piled rocks in front of the wood to make it deeper.  When we left they wanted to know when we would go back!


They all joined in the work: from four year old to eleven.  Some got wetter than others, some thought they may have found gold and some got a little mud on themselves.  


There were no electronics with us, just cool clear forest water.  I wish every child could play in a branch.  There would be no need for children having video games if they had a stream to play in.

We had five little gnomes come out to see us before we left. 

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Prescribed Fire on Longleaf Pines

Back in February we did a burn on two year old longleaf pines.  The purpose of the burn was to help control loblolly pines that had come up in the stand from seeds.  Below are some of the pictures from the burn.








Honor From Longleaf Alliance





Felicia and I were recently featured in a web presentation by the Longleaf Alliance called Longleaf Pine: A tough tree for tough sites.  There is lots of information here for those wanting to learn more about the Mountain Longleaf Pine.  We are featured on the part Longleaf-A better choice for these sites. The bullet points on the left of the page show the titles.
Longleaf Alliance came to our property and did an interview with us and developed this story.

The Longleaf Alliance does a great job promoting and bringing to the forefront the importance of this great southern tree.
In May we will be hosting an event for the Longleaf Alliance at Ekun Duts Ke Lodge.  The session will be about converting a Loblolly stand to a Longleaf Forest.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Ladies Workshop A Success

Below are pictures from the two day event where women left after a great learning experience with the goals to improve their forest land.  There were many great presenters and the outdoor activities were enjoyed by all, by being out in the beautiful early spring weather in the forest.












Thursday, January 25, 2018

ForestHer Workshop

In February we will be hosting a workshop for women that are interested in forestry. If you want to register for this workshop go to https://tinyurl.com/forestherFeb2018
Hope to see you there!

Monday, January 1, 2018

A New Year

This is a welcomed sign on Dewberry Lands but it also means many task will have to be completed this year: site prep work for planting longleaf pines. This includes road work, firebreak construction, applying herbicides, prescribed burning and planting.
These two loads, one with 12 inch tops and the other with 9 inch tops will help pay the way for reforestation cost where they are being harvested from.