Interesting Research News and Tools for Landowners – April 2019

April 15, 2019

Throughout the month we receive notice of interesting and relevant research and items. These items come from partner organizations. We'll use this space to share these items with you.

Looking to the Future: Improving Woodlands and Finding Creative Uses for Low-value Wood

March 31, 2019

There are many types of woodland stand improvement activities that yield small diameter and low-value wood; however, one may be left wondering if there is some creative use of these materials. As it turns out, there are some existing and emerging markets for low-value wood.

Forests and Water Belong Together

February 26, 2019

In Pennsylvania, forests serve many functions that affect both water quantity and quality.

Join the Women and Their Woods for a spring chainsaw safety workshop

February 21, 2019

Saturday, May 4, 2019. Space is limited. Hosted by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Ramps: an important forest resource and emerging forest “crop”

February 21, 2019

Pennsylvania forestlands are home to a unique forest plant sought for its pungent onion-like taste: ramps or wild leek (Allium tricoccum).

What Does Your Forest Look Like? Understanding the Impacts of High-Grading

February 21, 2019

Despite the importance of forests in PA, many forests have become degraded due to past timber harvesting practices that have mainly removed the largest and most valuable trees from the forest and left behind the smaller, lower-quality ones.

The Woods in Your Backyard online course - Spring 2019

February 21, 2019

Hosted by the University of Maryland, Wednesday, March 13 to Tuesday, May 28, 2019, Online - registration is now open!

Interesting Research News and Tools for Landowners – February 2019

February 21, 2019

Throughout the month we receive notice of interesting and relevant research and items. These items come from partner organizations. We'll use this space to share these items with you.

Forest? Woodland? - The Importance of Small Acreages in Stewardship

January 29, 2019

Smaller-acreage woodlands can play an important role in providing diversity of age and structure in forest habitat.

Seasonal Forest Health Note: Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

January 11, 2019

We’ve now traded the growing season’s lively buzz for the still, quiet woods of winter, but even during this time of year, we can be proactive and vigilant in monitoring and managing forest health threats.

Update: Forestry and Conservation Programs in the 2018 Farm Bill

January 11, 2019

As of December 2018, after months of negotiations, the US House and Senate have reached agreement and will soon be sending the 2018 Farm Bill for final approval by the President. The Farm Bill continues to support farmers in producing food while also improving the natural resources upon which we all depend. The Farm Bill has played a significant role in helping people care for their woodlands since the bill’s Forestry Title was first created in 2002.

Pennsylvania Forestry Association News

January 11, 2019

Winter 2017 updates from PFA

Tree Farm Activities across Pennsylvania

January 11, 2019

Updates on inspections and a recap of summer events.

Pennsylvania SFI Implementation Committee Update

January 11, 2019

Woods in Your Backyard Webinar Series Will Help Landowners Care for Their Woods

January 11, 2019

Do you have woods in your backyard? Interested in learning more about them?

The Importance of a Forester

December 19, 2018

If a landowner is ready to act to care well for their woods, we can’t overstate the importance of a forester to help with the process.

Webinar series offered on using herbicides to manage unwanted forest vegetation

December 14, 2018

Out of necessity, forest landowners and resource managers are increasingly turning to herbicides to manage undesirable vegetation. The “Herbicides and Forest Vegetation Management Webinar Series” will teach participants how to use herbicides safely and effectively to manage problem vegetation through a series of three one hour “live” online lectures that can be viewed from the convenience of your home or work computer. Sessions run for three weeks on Wednesdays, January 2, 9, and 16, 2019 from 2:00-3:00 PM. All lectures will be recorded and can be viewed later if “live” sessions are missed. The series is brought to you by Penn State Extension and Arborchem Products. Please register by December 28, 2018.

2018 Tax Tips Bulletin Available

December 14, 2018

Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, has finalized Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2018 Tax Year. The Federal income tax provisions that apply to timber have changed for the 2018 tax year from the December 2017 new tax legislation. To help family timber owners, foresters, and their tax preparers in filing their 2018 tax returns, this bulletin provides income tax guidance that is current as of September 30, 2018.

Timber and Taxes: Income Tax Deduction on Timber and Landscape Tree Loss from Casualty

December 14, 2018

Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, shares information about Income Tax Deduction on Timber and Landscape Tree Loss from Casualty. This article provides guidelines for tax deduction issues, including the new tax law changes affecting the 2018 tax year. According to Dr. Wang, timber or landscape trees destroyed by hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, ice and hail storms, tornadoes, and other storms are "casualty losses" that may allow you as a property owner to take a deduction on your Federal income tax return. The key for most cases is to figure out the "adjusted basis" of the timber.

Interesting Research News and Tools for Landowners – December 2018

December 14, 2018

Throughout the month we receive notice of interesting and relevant research and items. These items come from partner organizations. We'll use this space to share these items with you.

Firewood: Getting Ready for Winter 2019-2020!

November 20, 2018

After a long, hot, and, in some places, a wetter than normal summer, it seems autumn has finally arrived. Perhaps your thoughts are turning toward evenings warming in front of the fireplace or cozying up to the woodstove.

Eating and Hoarding—How Do Animals Influence Woodland Regeneration?

October 30, 2018

Unlike many understory plants whose small seeds can adhere to fur or feathers and be passively dispersed that way, trees typically have larger seeds, which animals disperse through frugivory or scatter hoarding.

2018 Walk in Penn's Woods a Resounding Success!

October 17, 2018

People all across the state came out to explore and celebrate the benefits, resources, and wonders that Pennsylvania’s forests provide us during the second annual Walk in Penn’s Woods on Sunday, October 7.

Identifying Tree-of-Heaven and Some Native Look-alikes

October 17, 2018

This article covers the key characteristics on how to identify tree-of-heaven and distinguish it from a couple of common native look-alikes.

The IPM Toolbox: "What You Need to Know about the Spotted Lanternfly" – Webinar Recording

October 17, 2018

Spotted lanternfly is a new invasive insect found in southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, and western New Jersey. It is a voracious insect that can feed on over 75 plants, including economically important crops like grapes, hops, apples, and other tree fruit. It also feeds heavily on deciduous trees like black walnut, maple, and poplar, having potentially significant impacts on the timber industry. Its preferred host is an invasive plant, tree-of-heaven, that is currently being targeted for spotted lanternfly control and monitoring throughout the northeast region.

Updates to Pennsylvania’s Timber Harvesting Erosion and Sedimentation Plans

October 17, 2018

Pennsylvania's Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee worked closely with the Pennsylvania Department for Environmental Protection to update the plans to comply with current regulations.

2019 Forest Landowners Conference Registration Now Open

October 17, 2018

Registration is now open for the 4th Biennial Forest Landowners Conference, slated for Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, 2019 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA.

Pennsylvania Forestry Association News

October 17, 2018

2018 Tree Farmer of the Year and Outstanding Inspector of the Year Awards

October 17, 2018

The 2018 Pennsylvania Outstanding Tree Farmer and Inspector Awards were revealed at the 132nd Annual Pennsylvania Forestry Association Meeting on October 6.

Forest Land and Comprehensive Plans

October 17, 2018

New Publication Encourages Counties and Municipalities to Consider the Importance of Pennsylvania’s Forest Land in Comprehensive Plans

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