An Introduction to the American Chestunut

February 15, 2021

An online, interactive course on the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) (use Edge or Chrome) is now available from the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station. The course is available for free to anyone through a simple registration process.

Continuing Series: Imagine the Opportunity of a Smaller Carbon Footprint: Article 5: Foresters, Loggers, and Trees

February 15, 2021

The forest products industry begins in the forest with foresters and loggers. Foresters help forest landowners implement practices that lead to healthy, well-managed, sustainable forests. It is the Loggers job to harvest the trees the foresters indicated should be cut. Loggers are an essential link in helping to enhance the health of our forests, improve wildlife habitat, and provide the industry with raw material.

Less Mowing, More Growing

January 8, 2021

Wanda points to places they used to pasture pigs, plow potatoes, and pick apples. The former farm, tiny by today’s standards, fed five generations of her family before groceries eclipsed gardens. It’s where she’s lived all her life. Lately, she’s wrestling with how to stay put and care for a place so special to her.

Here’s What Is Happening at the Center for Private Forests

January 8, 2021

As we move into a new year, it’s a time of hope and transition: hope for a successful vaccination program and opportunity to communicate forest stewardship face-to-face again, sharing programs and resources for woodland owners and stakeholders, while remembering those we’ve lost to COVID-19 and other diseases; and transition into new strategies for programming and engagement to help landowners care well for their woods.

2020 Walk in Penn’s Woods a Month-long Success!

January 8, 2021

The 2020 Walk in Penn’s Woods carried on despite the restrictions of a worldwide pandemic.

Uncovering Hidden Treasure in PA’s Forests: Don’t Count the Seed Bank Out!

January 8, 2021

Seed banks are usually thought of as cryptic pools of buried seeds waiting for their “moment in the sun.” The scientific consensus on forest seed banks reveals a disappointing picture of an underground soil desert inhabited by weedy plant species that nobody cares about. This perspective is almost certainly false, and recent research reveals why we may have gotten it wrong … there’s far more to seed banks than we ever suspected.

PA SFI Implementation Committee Partners to Equip Inmates with SFI Qualified Logging Professional Status

January 8, 2021

Well-educated and prepared timber harvesters are critical to the sustainable management of our forests. That is why logger training has been a foundational principle of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program since its start in 1995.

Our October Walk in the Forest: A Four-Generation Family Tradition

January 8, 2021

Many years ago my wife and I started a family walk in the forest we owned with our four small children. In the course of the walk they asked many questions about the forest and we tried to answer the questions as best we could. When we completed the walk and went back to the house, we ended our family adventure by treating the children to pizza.

Continuing Series: Imagine the Opportunity of a Smaller Carbon Footprint: Article 4: How Carbon Stacks Up

January 8, 2021

Many people believe that after a forest is harvested the carbon sequestering capacity of that area is reduced. This is a narrow viewpoint and does not accurately depict how the forest carbon cycle works. When looking at the forest carbon cycle it is important to take a “broad” view. A broad view of the forest carbon cycle considers a larger geographical extent, a wider range of activities, and reflects a longer time scale.

Woods and Wildlife News and Notes: The Latest News from the Forestry and Wildlife Extension Team

January 8, 2021

Last September, Penn State Extension’s team of Forestry and Wildlife experts launched an e-newsletter, Woods and Wildlife News and Notes, a curated list of the most recent information, events, demonstrations, partnerships, and activities coming from the team. Forest Leaves shares the title and a thumbnail of these articles with you each quarter.

Webinar Series Will Help Landowners Care for Their Woods

January 8, 2021

Do you have woods in your backyard? Penn State research estimates that nearly half a million Pennsylvanians own a small patch of woodland—something fewer than 10 acres in size. In fact, the majority of Pennsylvania landowners have fewer than 10 acres. These small patches add up to about a million acres, or about 10 percent of our state’s privately-held woodlands.

Pennsylvania Forestry Association: Events and Programs Update

January 8, 2021

As many groups have, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) has had to take our usual slate of events and programs into the virtual realm. And we’ve met with a strong measure of success.

Pennsylvania Tree Farm Highlights 2020 Tree Farm Award Winners

January 8, 2021

The 2020 Pennsylvania Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award was given virtually during the PA Forestry Association’s (PFA) 134th Annual Symposium to Rebecca Trigger and her son Mark Foley for their tree farm, Keystone Woodland and Field, in Greene County in the far southwest corner of the state.

Gratitude for Growing Trees

December 15, 2020

One of the things that is certain about this crazy year, we can all find things to be grateful for.

Continuing Series: Imagine the Opportunity of a Smaller Carbon Footprint - Article 3: What is a Carbon Neutral Fuel?

November 24, 2020

A carbon neutral fuel is one that does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) cycling through the atmosphere. For example, burning wood is considered carbon neutral. When burned, it does not increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Allyson Muth Named Director of the Center for Private Forests

November 24, 2020

The Center for Private Forests at Penn State is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Allyson Muth as the Center Director.

Woodland Solace: Finding the Quiet

November 23, 2020

As we close out 2020, we all have many personal and shared opinions and memories of this very different year. We hear much about how people are longing for companionship and family. Scanning your local paper or listening to the evening news, we read and hear much about the need for human contact and closeness.

More Than the Hunt: Mentorship of Others for Stewardship of the Forest

October 30, 2020

Whether you are someone new to the sport or are a lifelong hunter, you are probably familiar with the term “mentor.” This is because, here in Pennsylvania, before becoming a licensed junior or adult hunter, you have the opportunity to participate in the Mentored Hunting program.

The “Purple Paint Law”: A New Way to Post Your Property

October 9, 2020

A new law took effect in early 2020 that all of Pennsylvania’s landowners and everyone who spends time outdoors should know about.

Dispelling Myths About Pennsylvania’s Forests

October 9, 2020

There are many myths and misperceptions about forests and forestry in Pennsylvania. Before we examine them, we need to define what a “forest” is. Simply put, a forest is an area of land characterized by extensive tree cover and other associated resources such as meadows, streams, and wildlife. We often use other names to describe forested land including woods, woodland, and woodlot. We also have “urban” or “community” forests located within our cities. Pennsylvania‘s very name means “Penn’s Woods,” “Penn” after Quaker William Penn’s father, and “Sylvania” meaning woodland.

Continuing Series: Imagine the Opportunity of a Smaller Carbon Footprint - Article 2: What Is Your Carbon Footprint?

October 9, 2020

A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere because of one’s own energy needs. The choices we make every day and how we decide to live affect our carbon footprint. When determining one’s carbon footprint, transportation, electricity, food, clothing, and many other everyday products need to be considered.

Here’s What Is Happening at the Center for Private Forests

October 8, 2020

As for everyone, it’s been an interesting time at the Center for Private Forests at Penn State during COVID restrictions. Fortunately, we’ve been able to complete much of our work remotely and continue to engage at the intersection of people and forests.

Pennsylvania Forestry Association: Summer Musings, Upcoming PFA Activities

October 8, 2020

August has been hot and dry. The last few days of the month brought some relief after eight weeks of zero rain. We recorded 1.8 inches of nice gentle rain over the past few days, allowing it to soak in rather than run off. Each spring, we pull 600 gallons of water from the stream and store it in totes on the hill above our house for emergencies such as this. We are using those to keep this spring’s tree plantings alive. So far, only two of 40 have died. One of those had been ripped out by a bear and was too far gone when we discovered the damage; the other never took off.

Millennials Are Poised to Make Long-Lasting Changes to Sustainable Packaging

October 8, 2020

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Label Identifies Sustainable Packaging Millennials are changing the way we look at the world in many ways—including how we package the food and beverages we eat and drink every day. The EcoFocus Worldwide 2019 US Trends Survey shows millennials place a much higher value on sustainability than previous generations, and packaging is no exception.

New Paper Details the Opportunities and Challenges for Empowering Family Forest Owners to Address Climate Change

October 8, 2020

Programs that pay small acreage forest landowners for carbon sequestration are coming down the pike. The state of Maine is developing a program to pay forestland owners for managing their forests to increase carbon sequestration. In the US Congress, many bipartisan bills have been introduced to address carbon sequestration.

News from Penn State Extension

October 8, 2020

Penn State Extension’s team of Forestry and Wildlife experts has launched a new e-newsletter, Woods and Wildlife News and Notes, a curated list of the most recent information, events, demonstrations, partnerships, and activities coming from the team. Forest Leaves will share the title and a thumbnail of these articles with you each quarter.

Take a Walk in Penn’s Woods this October!

September 30, 2020

This year, the entire month of October is to celebrate Walk in Penn's Woods. Wear your blaze orange and get outside to experience all the the woods has to offer you.

Acorns: A Fickle Crop?

August 27, 2020

Much research has sought to predict masting years when big acorn crops occur and shed light on what leads to poor years or early acorn abortion (or abscission) like you may have seen this season.

Announcing New Invasive Plant Fact Sheets Series

August 18, 2020

With recent efforts to combat the threat of invasive plants in woodlands, Penn State Extension has released new resources to help with identification and control. A total of 14 invasive plant fact sheets are now up on the Penn State Extension web site. Art Gover, Penn State Wildland Weed Management Specialist, David Jackson, and Sarah Wurzbacher both Penn State Forest Resources Educators, and Sky Templeton, graduate of the Penn State Forest Biology program prepared the fact sheet.

The Bureau of Forestry Celebrates 125 Years of Conserving Penn’s Woods!

August 18, 2020

This summer the bureau celebrates a true milestone, our 125-year anniversary! Known as a ‘’quasquicentennial”, 125 years is a long existence for any organization.

James C. Finley Center for Private Forests

Address

416 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802

James C. Finley Center for Private Forests

Address

416 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802