Maturing Forests and Wildlife Vol. 17 No. 4; Fall, 2009 Forests On The Rise! Changing Forests Series: Adapting to the Smaller Woodlot by Jonathan Kays, Extension Specialist, Natural Resources, University of Maryland Extension Previous articles in Branching Out have shown that the Maryland landscape has become more fragmented (smaller woodland areas), and more parcelized (smaller ownerships), over the past decades. But what about the distribution and composition of woodland on wildlife habitat and populations? This article will investigate these issues. Woodland cover in Maryland has declined steadily since the 1960s when 47% of the state was woodland, to the present day where 41% or 2.6 million acres is forested. Given the rapid population increases in Maryland, this is a significant percentage of land still in forest. Some of the reasons forests are still widespread is that much of the population increase has been concentrated around the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, leaving much of the state fairly rural. Another reason is that the sizable loss of farmland to development has meant that some of that land reverted to forest cover. The focus of conservation programs on protecting forests has also been a factor. (Figure 1) The average amount of forest across the state is 41%, but it is not evenly distributed (Figure 1). Allegany and Garrett counties are the most heavily forested counties (78% and 72%), and Kent and Queen Anne’s are the least forested, together averaging 24%. Heavily forested areas are also found in southern Maryland and the lower Eastern Shore. The forest industry is more concentrated in those areas because a greater amount of the resource is closer at hand. Page 1 of 8 Most people think the more mature the forest the better because it provides better habitat for wildlife species. There are a number of wildlife species that benefit from mature forest habitat but there are many other wildlife species that will only live in younger forests, known as early successional forests. All forests start with bare ground, typically an abandoned farm field. The grasses grow first and then small shrubs and trees are brought in by birds, wind, and animals (Figure 2).
(Figure 2) Over time the trees mature and a forest develops. The key principle to understand is that different types of wildlife require different habitat. Some wildlife species require mature forest habitat, some require younger forest, and some require a mix. Turkeys are a good example. Older turkeys require mature forest to roost and find acorns and other food, but fields are needed for the young birds (called “poults”) to forage for insects in the spring. The size of the forest is also important. There is a great deal of concern about forest interior dwelling species of birds that require large areas of unbroken mature forest. However, many people are unaware of the group of wildlife species that require young forest or old field to thrive. The problem is that Maryland’s forests are maturing, resulting in fewer stands of young trees and the habitat they provide. The U.S. Forest Service does periodic inventories of Maryland forest to determine the percentage of forest that is of saw timber size (greater than 12 inches in diameter), pole timber size (5‐11 inches in diameter), and sapling and seedling size (less than 5 inches in diameter). Many private forest owners value mature forests for their wildlife, recreation, economic, and spiritual value. However, diversity of habitat for wildlife is important and requires regular management to create or sustain early succession habitat for wildlife. By working with a natural resource professional, forest landowners can use forest management techniques to enhance habitat. For example, creating a small clearing in the woods or killing the trees that are invading an old field. Volume, Composition, and Growth of Forests (Figure 3) In 1976, 20% of Maryland forest was in young forest (seedling/sapling), but that declined to 12% in 1999 (Figure 3). Likewise, mature forest (saw timber) has increased from 55% of the forest land to 67%. The reason for the continuous maturing of the forest is the recovery from widespread harvesting in the early 1900s and the regrowth of land after agricultural abandonment in the 1930’s and 1950’s. In addition, increasing emphasis on nature conservation and protection have resulted in new policies and trends to save trees and forests. Wildlife that relies on young forest and fields has suffered as a result. They include species such as bobwhite quail, woodcock, eastern loggerhead shrike, and common yellowthroat, as well as other mammals and invertebrates. One tool to assess the population abundance of early successional bird species is the singing‐ground survey, which was developed to exploit the conspicuous courtship display of the male woodcock. Woodcock is a species that relies on early successional habitat to thrive. Early studies demonstrated that counts of singing males provide an indicator of woodcock populations and could be used to monitor annual changes. Figure 4 (left) shows that the number of singing males per route has declined dramatically since 1968 and continues through 2004, a trend that continues to this day. The dramatic declines are attributed to the maturing of forests, and the lack of management that creates a balance of early succession forests through forest harvesting and maintaining old field areas. The result is that woodcock populations suffer and the overall diversity of wildlife is diminished. Page 2 of 8 Maryland’s forests contain a rich mix of species. The forest inventory in 1999 identified 94 species, though many are uncommon. The 12 most common species and species groups make up 88% of the total forest volume. Yellow poplar has the highest volume of all the species, followed closely by red maple. However, there are wide regional differences depending upon where you live. The composition of our forests continues to change. The combined oak species represent 28% of the total volume of wood in our forests but that is down from 45% in 1950. Meanwhile, red maple has increased from 8 to 13%. The decrease in the proportion of oaks has been attributed to many factors, including the high mortality of oak species following gypsy moth infestations, loss of oak reproduction due to deer browsing, and selective harvests that favor oak species for their value. During the last 50 years in Maryland, the growth of trees has outpaced removals by a wide margin. The surplus of growth has meant an annual net increase of 0.2% in the volume of wood. However, there are some differences between species. The growth of yellow poplar is 4.5 times faster than it is being removed, either due to harvesting or land use changes, while the growth of loblolly pine has just kept pace with removals. The removal of wood from our forests is attributed largely to harvesting and land use changes. Forest Health Concerns Monitoring forest health through specific measures is a developing science. One thing we do know is there are imminent threats to our forest such as the emerald ash borer (EAB) and overabundant deer populations. EAB has the potential to kill all ash trees and despite quarantined areas issued by the Department of Agriculture in southern Maryland, EAB continues to spread throughout the state. This is in addition to other sightings found just outside the state borders in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Deer continue to have a detrimental impact on forest regeneration and ecology. If you own woodland, it is worthwhile to contact a professional forester to develop a forest stewardship plan for your forest to deal with inevitable changes that will occur. As the forest matures, wildlife habitat is impacted and depending upon your objectives, management practices can be implemented to improve habitat for a diversity of species. USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. Trends in Maryland's Forests (NE‐INF‐152‐02) Kelley, J.R., Jr., and R.D. Rau. 2006. American woodcock population status, 2006. U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Service, Laurel, Maryland. Available at: http://library.fws.gov/Bird_Publications/Am_woodcock_p
opulation06.pdf Picone, P. M. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Wildlife Division. Enhancing Your Backyard Habitat for Wildlife. Available at: www.ctdepstore.com Congratulations to Maryland Woodland Stewards Class of 2009 University of Maryland Extension has just increased its numbers by 14. Marylanders from nine counties across the state participated in an intensive three‐and‐a‐half day workshop geared at improving the stewardship of Maryland’s forests. The Maryland Woodlands Stewards Program teaches Maryland forest owners, managers, and environmentally concerned citizens how sound forest management practices can be used to make wildlife healthier, more diverse and abundant, while enhancing other forest benefits. Ten guest natural resource professionals and one landowner shared their knowledge with participants, both through classroom sessions and field sessions. Topics covered in the classroom included forest history in Maryland, wildlife ecology and management, forest ecology and management, sources of technical assistance, and a workshop on outreach and event planning. Participants saw the lessons learned in the classroom in action at four field sites managed for a diverse range of objectives, including two large commercial operations and two smaller forest properties. Several stops at the Chester River Field Research Center generated much discussion as University of Maryland professor Doug Gill explained several of his theories. These included his conclusions that the extent of grassland present throughout the Central Atlantic region before European colonization was likely quite vast, and the relatively low pressure of invasive species on natives when compared to the impact of deer. He also shared the surprising results of his research on grasses and pink lady slipper orchids that reveal the large diversity of seed and root stock laying dormant in soil, awaiting the appropriate meadow conditions for emergence. One participant called the workshop “a pleasurable and truly instructive experience.” After the training, participants, called Maryland Woodland Stewards, agree to return to their communities and actively serve as UME volunteers for one year, advocating wise forest and wildlife management, and also to develop a Page 3 of 8 forest stewardship plan for their land if they don’t already have one. Almost all strangers upon arrival at beautiful Camp Pecometh on the Chester River, the diverse group left tightly knit, brimming with new knowledge, and full of enthusiasm for the work that lies ahead. To date, 417 participants managing over 70,000 acres have learned about sound forest stewardship, 74% of whom have taken steps to actively manage their land. A survey of 34 participants from past workshops shows that they spent a total of 450 hours per year in outreach‐related activities, and shared information with a total of 1,842 people. Visit the Forest Stewardship Education website at http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/EducationalMWS.
html to see Maryland Woodland Steward active cooperator counts by county. For more information or to be notified of the next training, contact Nevin Dawson at ndawson@umd.edu or 410‐827‐
8056. Plans for a 2010 workshop are currently on hold, as funding has not yet been secured. Photo: From left to right. Top: Nevin Dawson, Jim Blaine, Heather Burnham, George Willingmyre, Chris Golley, John Bousquet Jr., Steve Wehrly, Sandra Frazier, Luis Mispireta, Jonathan Kays. Bottom: Carla Porter, Jen Powers, Ruth Chamelin, Emory Givens, Fred Seitz. Winter Tree Identification by Nevin Dawson, Forest Stewardship Educator, University of Maryland Extension (Previously printed in the Delmarva Farmer) As broadleaf trees begin to drop their leaves, it may seem that they are also losing their identity. Leaves are certainly the easiest way to identify a tree, and tree ID is certainly more difficult without them, but most species provide plenty of clues to their identity throughout the winter months of dormancy. Winter is a great time to plan your spring and summer forest management, but a good management plan must consider the needs and benefits of each species. If you’d like to improve wildlife habitat, for example, you wouldn’t want to remove all of the oaks and hickories, which are a great food source. Winter tree ID is also a great way to get to know the characteristics of each species that are usually hidden when the leaves are in place. This article will give you an idea for what you should be looking for when trying to identify a dormant tree, but in order to match up a tree’s characteristics with its name, you’ll probably need a guide of some sort. Peterson Field Guide—A Field Guide to Eastern Trees is a favorite for its clear illustrations and helpful layout. Winter Tree Finder by Watts and Watts is a cheap and simple dichotomous key that specializes in the identification of dormant trees. Virginia Tech University has an excellent website, http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/idit.htm, with several free interactive keys for tree identification. The first place to start is from a distance. Decide whether the plant is really a tree or if it might actually be a shrub. Generally if its mature height is greater than 15 feet it can be classified as a tree. Take a look at the overall shape of the tree. Does it have a tall straight and clear trunk like a tulip poplar or does it still have the stubs of dead branches and a crooked trunk? If it’s growing out in the open, what shape does the crown resemble? Is it oval like a sugar maple, vase‐shaped like an elm, or pyramidal like a pin oak? Also look for remnants from the growing season. Are there dead leaves still hanging on like willow oak? Maybe you can find some dried fruit in the crown like dogwood. Now take a few steps closer and examine the bark. Look for distinctive patterns like the smooth white bark of beech or the shaggy orange bark of river birch. Most trees have alternate branching, meaning that the branches tend to take on a slightly zigzag shape, with twigs emerging first from one side and then from the other, like hickory. If you look closer, you’ll see that the scars left by dropped leaves follow the same pattern. There is a small group of species, however, that have opposite branching. This forms a herringbone pattern, where each twig has another twig or twig scar directly across from it on the branch. The leaf scars also follow this pattern. You can remember the species that form this group with the phrase “MAD‐Cap Horse.” This stands for maple, ash, dogwood, the Caprifoliaceae family—including honeysuckle, viburnum, and elderberry—and horse chestnut. your summer forest management while getting to know your trees a little bit better. Recommended Reading—Safely Using Farm Tractors in the Woods Injuries and fatalities involving tractors in the woods occur each year. So before you head out into the woods with your tractor this fall and winter, you should read a new publication provided by Penn State. Safely Using Farm Tractors in the Woods is an excellent resource for both experienced and inexperienced farmers. Because farm tractors are not equipped for woodlots, the fact sheet addresses unique hazards. The fact sheet also addresses best practices for farm tractor use in the woods when performing common tasks such as dragging and pulling stumps, logs, and limbs. Use this new publication to recognize the hazards and keep you safe while working in the woods this fall and winter. Penn State Fact Sheet; Safely Using Farm Tractors in the Woods (EB50); Dennis J. Murphy, Extension Safety Specialist, Lee R. Stover, Wood Products Extension Specialist, William C. Harshman, Instructor, Turf and Ag Equipment Program. http://www.agsafety.psu.edu/Factsheets/E50.pdf Other Resources: This would also be a good time to look for any unique features, like the spines of a wild honey locust or the corky ridges on sweetgum twigs. 
If you’ve gone through these steps and the tree still seems nondescript, it’s time to look more closely at the twigs. Take another step closer and grab a twig if you can. Look closely at the terminal buds on the tip of the branch. Are they clustered together at the tip like oak? Are they large and fuzzy like magnolia? The leaf scars can also give clues. They can be crescent‐shaped like blackgum, or large and shield‐shaped like hickory. Look for the small dots inside the leaf scar called bundle scars. These were the hookup points for the plumbing between the tree and the leaf, and the pattern and number of them can give you more clues. Tree of heaven has many bundles, while blackgum only has three. 
Check for dots or lines called lenticels on the twigs. Black cherry has elongated lines, while choke cherry lenticels are round. Slice diagonally through a twig with a knife to expose the pith, the inner core. Several species, like black walnut, have chambered piths with many lines crossing the grain of the twig. Although much more challenging than summer tree ID, winter tree ID can be a rewarding way to help you plan Page 4 of 8 
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Farm Tractors and Woods. Agricultural Safety and Health News; Penn State. http://www.agsafety.psu.edu/newsletters/Septoc
t09.pdf Tractor Overturn Hazards (Fact Sheet E34). Penn State Agricultural and Biological Engineering http://www.agsafety.psu.edu/Factsheets/E34.pdf When Two's a Crowd: Dangers of Extra Riders on Tractors. University of Florida Extension. http://www.nasdonline.org/static_content/docu
ments/185/d001588.pdf Ready or Not? Get Ready with a Tractor Operator Checklist. University of Florida Extension. http://www.nasdonline.org/static_content/docu
ments/190/d001593.pdf Agricultural Safety and Health. Penn State http://www.agsafety.psu.edu The Green Menace—Emerald Ash Borer in Maryland by Michael J. Raupp, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive wood boring beetle from Asia, was first detected in Michigan in 2002. It has now killed tens of millions of ash trees in thirteen states in the U.S. and two provinces in Canada. EAB is a major threat to the sustainability of urban forests in North America. EAB came to Maryland in an illegal shipment of green ash trees from Michigan delivered to a nursery in southern Prince George’s County, MD, in spring of 2003. Fortunately, a nursery inspector with Maryland Department of Agriculture noticed several unusual exit holes on ashes in the nursery in August 2003. EAB was confirmed in a matter of days and of the original 121 trees shipped from Michigan, 119 were recovered at the nursery or were retrieved from landscapes where they had been installed. All infested trees were destroyed including several newly infested trees at the nursery. MDA also established a half‐mile buffer zone around the nursery and all ash trees within this zone were removed and destroyed by March of 2004. Recently, there have been great advances in discovering insecticides that can protect trees from EAB. However, these insecticides are expensive and it will be impossible to treat billions of ashes in natural settings with insecticides. Fortunately, federal and state agencies are cooperating to rear and release several natural enemies such as species of parasitic wasps that help suppress populations of EAB in its native range in Asia. At this point in time biological control through the use of imported natural enemies offers the best hope for saving our ash trees in natural settings. To learn more about EAB, how to manage it and the threat it poses to Maryland and the U.S., please visit the following websites. 
Between 2004 and 2006, MDA established an ambitious monitoring grid of trap trees and an aggressive public education campaign to track and limit the spread of this killer. With no detection in 2004 and 2005, everyone hoped that EAB had been stopped, but in August 2006, EAB was found in two trees near the nursery. Monitoring efforts were redoubled and it was determined that EAB had escaped the eradication attempts. Despite removal of tens of thousands of ash trees, thousands of detections of EAB were made in Prince George’s County between 2006 and 2008. In August of 2008, EAB was discovered in Charles County, more than four miles from the infested nursery in Prince George’s County. With respect to EAB, ash species known to support infestations in North America include F. pennsylvanica, F. americana, F. nigra, and F. quadrangulata, and horticultural cultivars of these species. At the present time, the entire native and cultivated ash resource in North America is considered at risk. This includes at least 16 endemic ash species, as well as naturalized species and cultivars used in landscapes. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that there are 80 billion ash trees in U.S. timberlands. USDA predicts that EAB may kill between 30 and 90 million trees in urban forests at a value of up to $60 billion dollars. These losses will be devastating throughout our country and in Maryland as well. For example, it is estimated that the Baltimore–metropolitan region is home to more than five million ash trees. What can be done to stop this pest? An analysis of rate of spread of EAB in Maryland indicates that quarantine and eradication programs and educational efforts may have slowed the spread of this pest relative to its movement in other states. However, EAB is still moving away from its initial site of establishment into surrounding areas. Through a grant from USDA APHIS, we are investigating how rapidly the infestation is advancing and working with communities to inventory their street trees. This will help communities plan how long they have until EAB reaches them and understand costs associated with protecting trees with insecticides and estimate losses if trees cannot be protected. Page 5 of 8 
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University of Maryland Extension, Forest Stewardship Education http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/YourWoo
dlandThreatsEAB.html EAB in Maryland http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants‐pests/eab/ EAB threats to urban forests http://joa.isa‐
arbor.com/request.asp?JournalID=1&ArticleID=2
970&Type=2 EAB National Information http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ University of Maryland Department of Entomology, Integrated Pest Management Pest Threats Web Site http://pestthreats.umd.edu/ 2009 State of Maryland Forestry Summit Update The 2009 State of Maryland Forestry Summit was held on Monday, October 5, 2009, at the Conference Center at The Maritime Institute, Linthicum Heights, MD. Attending were nearly 100 individuals from various sectors including federal (1), state (21) and local (13) representatives, industry professionals (21, including loggers), environmental representatives (14), academia (12), and private landowners (13). The objective of the forestry summit was to hear presentations on four major forestry issues and then to collaborate, discuss, and prioritize information in small group format. See Summit Agenda. Leading up to the Summit, 155 leaders and stakeholders were invited this past spring to complete the Maryland Forestry Opinion Poll. Opinion Poll results were used to spark discussion during five listening sessions across Maryland in June. The listening sessions were held in Harford County, Salisbury, LaPlata, Urbana, and Frostburg. A 45‐page document was created—a collection of feedback from the listening sessions. The theme question was, “How can we best focus limited resources on the most important issues facing forestry and what recommendations should be made to refine existing State policy and to position Maryland for new non‐traditional markets for environmental services?” Using the feedback from the listening sessions, four major issues were presented at the Summit held in October. The issues were presented by forestry and environmental professionals working both inside and outside of Maryland. The issues and presenters were: Morning Presentations: 
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Issue 1: Viable Timber Industry – Presented by Robert W. Slocum Jr., Executive Vice President, North Carolina Forestry Association Issue 2: Demographic, Social, Cultural and Economic Trends as Impediments to Forest Retention – Presented by Don Outen, AICP, Natural Resource Manager, Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, Baltimore County Afternoon Presentations 
Issue 3: Strengthening Forest Management by the Private Landowner – Presented by Jonathan Kays, Natural Resources Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Extension 
Issue 4: New and Emerging Markets – Presented by Eric C. Sprague, Program Director, Pinchot Institute for Conservation There were two small group break‐out sessions, one following the morning presentations and one following the afternoon presentations. Each small group discussed and then ranked sub‐topics for each issue in order of priority. Summit proceedings will be published and made available online by December 2009. The summit was sponsored by The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro‐Ecology, Inc., The Biophilia Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Program, Chesapeake Bay Trust, The Conservation Fund, Department of Natural Resources Forest Service, Forest Industry, Maryland Forest Association, The Nature Conservancy, The Pinchot Institute, Town Creek Foundation, University of Maryland Extension, and the Maryland Agriculture Council. For more information about the 2009 State of Maryland Forestry Summit, please contact Nancy Nunn at 410‐827‐
8056 x128 (nnunn@umd.edu) and visit the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro‐Ecology, Inc. website. In the News Smokey Turns 65‐Happy Birthday Smokey! Visit http://www.smokeybear.com to help Smokey celebrate his 65th birthday! And, learn how to prevent wildfires. Page 6 of 8 New Book Sheds Light on Landscape Problems Special Pre‐printing Offer Available Now! Broadleaved Shrubs and Shade Trees: Problems, Picture Clues, and Management Options (NRAES183), an invaluable resource for novice and experienced home gardeners, master gardeners, students, extension and college educators, landscape professionals, and horticultural consultants is set for publication by NRAES this spring. This easy‐to‐use, photo‐based guide illustrates over 125 problems that affect broadleaved shrubs and shade trees, allowing users to diagnose and remedy problems before it's too late. For a limited time, NRAES is offering a substantial pre‐
printing discount to those who order the book in advance. The anticipated list price is $35 per copy, but the pre‐printing price is just $24.50 (plus shipping and handling) for a single copy or $21 per copy for orders for 25 or more. NRAES is also offering pre‐printing sponsorship opportunities to companies and organizations. Sponsor funds will be used to help offset production costs resulting in an affordable list price. The book will be over 210 pages, with 430 color photos. Included are descriptions of 30 abiotic problems, over 30 diseases, over 55 insect pests, seven wildlife pests, and four miscellaneous organisms. The introductory chapter covers diagnostics and nonchemical management strategies. The book was authored by Mary Kay Malinoski and David L. Clement, seasoned experts who have fielded questions on landscape problems for 20 years at the University of Maryland's Home and Garden Information Center. For detailed information on the book and pre‐
printing opportunities, to download a two‐page flier, and to place a secure order, visit www.nraes.org. For more information, call NRAES at 607‐255‐7654. NRAES, housed at Cornell University, is an extension program sponsored by 11 Land Grant Universities, including the University of Maryland. For more than 30 years, NRAES has published practical, science‐ and experience‐based, peer‐reviewed books on a variety of subjects, including fruit and vegetable production, livestock and dairy, waste management, natural resources, landscaping, and personal finance. UM AGNR faculty and staff can purchase at a member state discount price that is available during checkout. Secure credit card purchases can be made. Congratulations to Maryland Forest Owner Kirk Rodgers! 2009 Forest Landowner Awards Reprinted from the Forest Landowner's Association, Inc. The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) honored families and distinguished members of the forestry community during the 2009 National Forest Landowners Conference, May 27 to 29, in Amelia Island, Florida. The family with the most members present at the conference, the Hall family of Meridian, Mississippi, with 10 family members present, was recognized. Other awards given were the Lifetime Achievement award, FLA Leadership award, Forest Landowner of the Year award, Young Forest Landowner of the Year award, and Extension Forester of the Year award. FLA's Executive Committee created a special award this year to recognize the achievements and contribution to forest landowners by a fellow landowner and leader in the forestry community. The Forest Landowners Association is pleased to announce Kirk Rodgers as the recipient of the Leadership Award. Past president Phil Hardin noted, "Kirk was responsible for much of the background work that helps FLA be the successful association it is. He introduced many of the structural improvements in the organization, and is primarily responsible for our long range planning process. In the time since he was president, Kirk has continued to be a valuable source of new ideas, good judgment, and wise counsel." A third generation landowner, Rodgers is president of his family's timber corporation, the largest family forest ownership in Maryland. He currently serves as an FLA regional vice president, and is a past president of FLA. He is also a past president of the Maryland Forestry Association and a past director of Sustainable Development and the Environment for the Organization of American States. Rodgers served as a consultant to international organizations, including the Commission of Environmental Cooperation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies for his lifetime achievements. Extension Unveils New Name and Logo to Better Reflect Mission and University Ties What’s in a name? Despite Shakespeare’s assertion that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” an organization’s name can mean a great deal in terms of its identity, marketing efforts, and ability to thrive. There’s no doubt that the University of Maryland (UM) is a well‐recognized name, or “brand.” And in an effort to strengthen public recognition of its university affiliation, the organization formerly known as Maryland Cooperative Extension has been renamed the University of Maryland Extension (UME). “Extension programs are based in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at the University of Maryland, College Park, and at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and are delivered to state residents in every county and Baltimore City,” says Dr. Nick Place, associate dean and associate director of UME. “Our new name formally recognizes this connection and Extension’s role as the outreach vehicle of university research and teaching throughout both campuses, the Page 7 of 8 University of Maryland System’s many institutions, and across the entire state.” With the new name comes a new look, including the logo featured at the top of this page. But don’t worry; we haven’t changed our focus: you. If anything, says Dr. Place, we’re working to keep UME even more responsive to the needs of the community, economy, and environment by focusing on four impact areas: 
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local food and agricultural systems, environment and natural resources, healthy living, and resilient communities. Unbiased, research‐based programs related to these impact areas are available through offices in the city of Baltimore and all 23 Maryland counties. The traditional Extension programs of 4‐H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sea Grant Extension, Agriculture, Home Horticulture, and Natural Resources will serve as keystones in this client needs‐focused effort. For more information about University of Maryland Extension programs, contact your county Extension office. Community Deer Management Options for Maryland Free Online Webinar Scheduled for January 14, 2010 Overabundant deer populations pose serious issues for Maryland homeowners, agricultural producers, woodland owners, as well as the public at large. Safety issues such as lyme disease and deer‐vehicle collisions have impacted most people to the point that a survey found that 1 in 6 citizens know someone who has had a deer‐vehicle collision. Many agricultural producers find that deer damage their crops to the point that it is not economical to grow the crop in some cases. Many homeowners have had thousands of dollars of damage to landscapes and deer have reduced the biodiversity of our woodlands due to their selective browsing of vegetation. What can be done? This webinar will look realistically at the deer issues in Maryland and the options for lethal and non‐lethal control. Many communities have worked together to educate citizens, stakeholders, and government officials to find options to reduce overabundant deer populations using managed hunts, sharpshooters, and more widespread use of legal hunting. After many decades of dealing with deer problems in Maryland this webinar will look at what works, what doesn’t, and the types of processes that are needed or to implement effective community deer management in a developing landscape. The speaker for the webinar will be Jonathan Kays, Extension Specialist in Natural Resources, who has many years of experience dealing with deer issues. The webinar will start at 12 noon and end at 1:00 p.m. More information on managing deer and the webinar can be found at www.naturalresources.umd.edu. To register, contact Pam Thomas at 301‐432‐2767 x315 or pthomas@umd.edu. Open Enrollment for the Spring 2010 Semester of the General Forestry Course Begins January 4 The University of Maryland Extension will offer the General Forestry Course for the spring 2010 semester. Both the paper and online version will be offered. The course begins February 1 and runs until May 20, 2010. Registration opens January 4. To register, go to our website at http://www.mdforest.umd.edu. As there are no formal classes; you work from the comfort of your home using your own, a friend's, or a public woodlot. You will learn how to protect your trees from insects, diseases and fire; step‐by‐step procedures will walk you through a forest inventory and stand analysis; and the details of the forestry business will be presented, including tax nuances and the sale and harvest of forest products. Ultimately, the course exercises help you develop the framework for a management plan for your forest. The cost for the forestry course is $300.00. Included in the cost are copies of the supplemental readings (A Sand County Almanac, The Woodland Steward, American Forests: A History of Resiliency and Recovery, and a small pamphlet entitled What Tree Is That?). The paper version text and appendices are in binder form. Online users receive a CD of the text and appendices. A certificate of completion is awarded when all assignments are completed. But don't take our word for it. See it for yourself on our website at http://www.mdforest.umd.edu. There you can read a lesson from the text, view an interactive exercise, and read through detailed course information and FAQs. For more information, contact Nancy Stewart at the University of Maryland Extension, Wye Research and Education Center, P.O. Box 169, Queenstown, MD, 21658; phone 410/827‐8056, ext. 112; or email nstewar1@umd.edu. Remember, registration opens January 4. Check for details on our website today and mark the date for open enrollment on your calendar! DNR 2010 Seedling Catalog Available Online! Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Online Nursery Catalog for 2010. Supplies are limited, so order early! 
2010 Deciduous http://www.easycartsecure.com/MarylandDepart
mentofNaturalResources/Deciduous.html 
2010 Conifers http://www.easycartsecure.com/MarylandDepart
mentofNaturalResources/Conifers.html Contact the nursery by phone by calling 1‐800‐TREESMD or by email rgarrett@dnr.state.md.us. Page 8 of 8 MFA's 2009 Lifetime of Service Award MFA's 2009 Lifetime of Service Award was presented to Francis "Champ" Zumbrun of LaVale, Maryland for steadfast commitment to promoting the guiding principles of forest conservation and stewardship. Francis is a member of the Society of American Foresters. Read complete article in the Maryland Forests Association, Inc. Newsletter of November 11, 2009. Events 12/19/09, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Master Logger Core Course: Basic Forestry and Silviculture. Queenstown, MD (and online using high‐
speed internet connectivity). Presented by University of Maryland Extension. $30.00. Contact Carol Taylor at 410‐
827‐8056 or carolt@umd.edu. 1/4/10 Enrollment Begins: General Forestry Course (please see complete article in this newsletter). 1/14/10, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (tentative) Community Deer Management Options for Maryland. Online Adobe Connect webinar. Presented by University of Maryland Extension. Please see complete article in this newsletter. Contact Pam Thomas at 301‐432‐2767 x315 or pthomas@umd.edu. 1/30/10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hardwood Bucking Workshop. Cumberland, Maryland. Presented by University of Maryland Extension. $35.00. Contact Carol Taylor at 410‐827‐8056 or carolt@umd.edu. 2/17/10 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Woods in Your Backyard Workshop. St. Michaels, Maryland. Presented by University of Maryland Extension. Small lots, such as the one you may own, are a big deal. The vast majority of land owners have less than 10 acres. This land wooded or not is a vital resource for all. March and April, 2010 Maryland Master Naturalist Volunteer Training. Woodstock, Maryland. Cost: $200.00 Dates: March 2, 9 and 16; April 6, 13, 20, 24, and 27. Contact Tabby Fique: 410‐
465‐8877 or tabby.fique@hcconservancy.org 3/6/10 (all day) Landowner Conference. Snow Hill, Maryland. Details are being determined. Contact Katherine Munson at 410‐632‐
5651 or kmunson@co.worcester.md.us.