Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners


Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners

The first step in being able to effectively manage your forestland is to know what you have.  To do that, you need to be able to identify the tree species on your property.  If this is the kind of challenge that interests you, then plan to attend the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015.  That evening, Annette MaCoy, Penn State Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator, will conduct a “Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners.”  The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

There are many reasons people need to identify trees.  Knowing which trees are growing on a site can provide information about the soil, climate and other environmental conditions there. Certain trees make good lumber, paper, medicines, food or other products that people need.  Some animals depend on particular trees for food or shelter. Other plants in a forest may grow best in the shade of certain types of trees. Sometimes trees from other areas become invasive and need to be removed. If you are choosing a tree to plant in your yard, you want to know which trees might grow best there, and what their needs are, so that you can take the best care of your tree. In all of these examples, being able to identify trees correctly is very important.  Common factors that can be used to identify trees will be covered at the workshop.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

 

NOTE:  There will be a contest to identify different cuts of wood. Prizes will be awarded to the top three people that can identify the most woods. Re: Red oak, White Oak, White Pine etc.