Forest Inventory Analysis
…to make decisions on development, commerce, wildlife and much more. Nationally, collected data is electronically compiled and forwarded to the U.S. Forest Service FIA program office in Knoxville, Tennessee. Based…
Forest Certification
There are several benefits to pursing certification, including: Some Georgia forest product companies show a preference for purchasing certified timber. Regions with more certified forestland attract new industries that require…
Forest Legacy – Assessment of Needs
This assessment documents the need for a Forest Legacy Program in Georgia; identifies and delineates the boundaries of forest areas meeting the eligibility
requirements for designation as Forest Legacy Areas; and provides details of recommended areas for inclusion in the Forest Legacy.
Program.
Report Card for Georgia’s Forestland Released
…our trees are an economic powerhouse,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams. “As they silently filter our water and clean our air, they’re working hard to give us thousands…
2012 Georgia Forestry BMPs for Forest Firefighting Dip Sites and Associated Spoils Material
In some instances, forest fire fighting activities dictate the need for adequate sources of water for use in forest fire suppression. Such water can be taken, through the use of helicopter dip buckets, from ponds, lakes, rivers, or other existing sources.
Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth) in Georgia
In March 2022, the Entomological Society of America adopted the common name “spongy moth” as the common name for the invasive moth Lymantria dispar (formerly known as “gypsy moth”). We…
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Georgia
…hemlock’s role in the forest. Identification/biology HWA is an aphid-like insect that uses its sucking mouthparts to feed on fluids from hemlock trees. From fall through early summer, they are…
Environmental Risks to Arthropods from Imidacloprid Applications for Hemlock Conservation
Managing hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) can involve use of insecticides. When it does, the non-target impacts (negative effects to other organisms) need to be thoroughly considered
and weighed against the environmental cost of inaction or alternative management approaches. Insecticides applied for HWA management are used for conservation purposes, which may seem counterintuitive. However, hemlocks are a key forest species, and so their loss can result in severe ecological consequences. To justify insecticide use against HWA, we have to ask: What are the possible negative consequences of using insecticides in the forest? We must consider these trade-offs in hemlock management. It is important to remember that there will be trade-offs in any kind of resource management discussion, even if it may not initially seem apparent. The negative environmental consequences of hemlock mortality must be weighed against the known consequences of insecticide use to preserve hemlocks.
Spring Tree Care
…do those trees need? There’s a formula for that! A tree needs extra water for as many growing seasons as its caliper measurement at planting. (Reminder: caliper is the diameter…
Proper Tree Mulching
Mulch is organic material placed on the soil’s surface around trees and plants to enhance their growing conditions. Mulch helps maintain soil temperature and moisture, reduce water loss from soil, reduce weed competition, improve soil structure, and give landscapes a clean appearance. Often overlooked, spreading mulch around your trees is one of the easiest and most beneficial techniques that can have great impact on the health and vitality of your trees.