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Top Forestry Stories
UK research highlighted at reforestation conference
The typical reclamation process for surface mine lands includes tightly compacting leftover rocks and debris known as spoil and turning once-forested land into grasslands. The loss of forests raises several environmental concerns including loss of wildlife habitat, water quality, flooding and erosion.
Using cutting-edge research, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture scientists showed participants at the Appalachian Region Reforestation Initiative Conference that successful reforestation of reclaimed surface mine lands is possible and beneficial for the environment.
During the three-day conference, more than 200 participants toured UK reforestation research projects at Star Fire Surface Mine in Perry County and Bent Mountain Surface Mine in Pike County. At both of these sites, UK researchers used loosely dumped rocks and native tree seedlings to conduct several reforestation studies including determining which type of rock is more conducive to tree growth, which drains the best, which stores more water...
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UK All Commodity Field Day returns to Princeton in July
It's time for the biennial showcase in Princeton of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's latest research and extension work - work that is not only conducted on its western Kentucky research station, but throughout the entire college. This...
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Woodland Owners Short Course tailored to families
The management of privately held woodlands is a family affair. The 2009 Woodland Owners Short Course reflects that view by offering, for the first time, beginners and advanced programs based on an individual's or family's experience and interest level. A youth program will run concurrently with the day-long adult programs. The course also has moved to Saturdays to accommodate people's busy schedules.
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Woodlands financial advisors can help weather economic storm
Kentucky woodland owners are feeling the pinch from this tough economy just like many others, but owners who are actively involved in a sound woodland management plan are seeing continued growth rates in their investments in trees during these turbulent times.
Nature doesn't pay much attention to Wall Street, so trees continue to grow in diameter and height, no matter what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is. However, optimum growth rate often is the result of woodland owners working closely with their "woodlands financial advisor," a professional forester...
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Planting the right tree can prevent bad breaks
Thousands of Kentuckians went without power for days and weeks because of this winter's ice and wind storms. Because of that, many might be reconsidering their decision to plant that oak or ash tree near power lines. According to a forestry professor in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, some forethought when choosing landscape trees can prevent a lot of problems in the future.
"There's...
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Hemlock woolly adelgid spreads further west
The hemlock woolly adelgid has moved farther west and recently was found on trees at Natural Bridge State Park in Powell County and the Big South Fork in McCreary County. University of Kentucky Entomology Professor Lynne Rieske-Kinney is working to monitor, study and control the spread of the insect that can devastate Eastern hemlock trees.
"We are trying to learn to manage the hemlock woolly adelgid to preserve the Eastern hemlock because without intervention, this insect could certainly cause the loss of that tree species in Kentucky's forests," she...
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Ice-damaged woodlands will benefit from professional assessment
To many Kentuckians, the memory of the 2003 ice storm was still fresh when the 2009 storm struck in the final days of January. Once again, vast areas of the state were subjected to a severe winter storm resulting in the loss of power, water and communications and, in many instances, serious property damage.
After nearly 36 storm-drenched hours, the state experienced .25 to 1.5 inches of ice on tree limbs, compounded...
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Master Tree Farmer series on risk management to start in March
Risk is often inevitable no matter what the circumstances, but the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is helping woodland owners and natural resource professionals mitigate risk by offering the Master Tree Farmer series, "Forest Risks and Risk Management."
UK Extension Forestry Professor Jeff Stringer will lead the three-part series from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET, March 2, 9 and 16. The program will be offered simultaneously at various county extension offices in the state, with each site's participants connected with the others through...
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Decrease the waistline, expand the mind
In its former heyday, Buttermilk Falls in Meade County served as a "refrigerator" for local families wanting to keep their dairy products cold. Today, the falls, spring fed and bubbling down a wooded hillside toward the Ohio River below, is one of the attractions on the newly-developed Buttermilk Falls Heritage Trail in Brandenburg.
Jennifer Bridge and Andy Mills, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agents in Meade County, have been working closely with others in Meade County to create a scenic exercise trail for their community. The 2.5 mile...
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Kentucky farm economy to see record cash receipts for second consecutive year
Though the increase in farm cash receipts for 2008 won't match 2007's double-figure increase, it will rise 7 percent to $4.7 billion, continuing a two-year record-breaking trend. Agricultural economists with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture predict the overall cash receipts for 2009 will decline slightly.
"What we've seen this year is that gross income improvements are being driven from...
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