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Sandy field where pine tree stand has been recently harvested
March 6, 2023 - Filed Under: Trees, Forestry, Forestry Impacts, Forest Management, Forest Soils

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- When planting loblolly pine trees on well-drained soils, landowners should heed two basic rules: Don’t do it during a freeze, and make sure to plant roots and seedlings deep.

To increase the chance of survival on well-drained soils, some Southern regeneration foresters suggest planting loblolly pine in a deep hole with the root collar several inches below the soil surface.

A stand of timber.
February 17, 2023 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Taxation

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Private timberland owners spend countless hours caring for and maintaining their property, and many are unaware that this investment can help lower their tax bills. One of the most overlooked timber activities that qualifies for a tax reduction is reforestation, said Curtis VanderSchaaf, forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

January 17, 2023 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Commercial Horticulture, Commercial Fruit and Nuts, Farming, Forages, Livestock, Natural Resources, Forestry, Wildlife

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Producers in Mississippi can provide feedback and input on the agricultural research and educational programs offered by Mississippi State University during the upcoming producer advisory council meetings. Hosted by MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station personnel, the Producer Advisory Council meetings will be held in February. These meetings allow producers to learn about current research and educational opportunities, as well as to communicate their needs in these areas.

Sunlight trickles through a stand of timber.
December 19, 2022 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

RAYMOND, Miss. -- An increase in both the amount of timber harvested and delivered wood prices landed Mississippi’s forestry industry in third place among the state’s agricultural commodities. At an estimated production value of $1.3 billion, timber is up 15% from 2021. Poultry and soybeans ranked first and second, generating an estimated value of $3.8 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, in 2022.

A pine stand has small branches laying on the ground near trees.
November 11, 2022 - Filed Under: Forestry, Forest Pests

A variety of pests threaten Mississippi forests, presenting a challenge to landowners who lack experience in managing land or even knowing what problems to look for. Brady Self, a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said that good first step is to simply do a walkthrough and look for things out of place.

Success Stories

An older man squats next to a brown and white cow lying on the ground.
Agriculture, Livestock, Natural Resources, Forestry
Volume 8 Number 2

The benefits of prescribed burns on Jim Currie’s longleaf pine land in Hancock County were short-lived. He needed something extra to keep the understory vegetation from growing back so quickly.

A man wearing a bright yellow button-up shirt leans against a large truck and rests one hand in his blue jean pocket.
Trees, Natural Resources, Forestry, Forestry Impacts, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest
Volume 8 Number 1

Annual forestry show gathers industry, highlights best logging practices

Year after year, the Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show attracts thousands of visitors. Canceled in 2020, as most large gatherings were because of the COVID pandemic, the show opened in 2021 with about 3,500 former and new attendees ready to discover the latest forestry equipment, safety guidelines, and timber-harvesting methods.

A man wearing a yellow hard hat and holding a chain saw stands in front of a trailer holding harvested timber.
Natural Resources, Forestry, Timber Harvest
Volume 7 Number 3

Training a priority for third-generation logger

Logging can be a dangerous profession, but Brian Smith makes safety a priority.

A man in a blue shirt stands in front of an orange semi-truck with another man in the driver seat.
Forestry, Timber Harvest
Volume 3 Number 1

Flora brothers bring small-town values to big industry

Jason and Jeremy Flora have been logging so long, they may have sawdust in their veins.

A man and woman sit at a table.
Forestry, Timber Harvest
Volume 2 Number 2

Tree farmer of the Year collaborates with Extension 

Bobby Watkins’s selection as the Mississippi Forestry Association’s 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year was the culmination of a career in forestry and a lifetime commitment to his family tree farm in Aberdeen. The Mississippi State University alumnus and retired forestry technical specialist for BASF now dedicates most of his time and resources to overseeing and maintaining Coontail Farm.

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ECTO Apps

Filed Under: Forestry, Forest Management, Longleaf Pine, Timber Harvest
App type: Android
Stand Density Index (SDI) is used to help determine if a pine planation is in need of thinning. Pine Thin uses the average number of trees per acre and the average diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees in your plantation to determine if a thinning is needed. Specific density management diagrams have been developed for each of the four major southern pine species (loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, longleaf pine, and slash pine).

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Your Extension Experts

Portrait of Mr. Butch Bailey
Extension Associate III
Professor and Head
Portrait of Dr. Brady Self
Associate Extension Professor
Portrait of Dr. Curtis L. VanderSchaaf
Assistant Professor