[{"id":762,"date":"2026-08-19T18:58:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=762"},"modified":"2026-08-19T18:58:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:58:54","slug":"is-a-hog-on-the-ground-worth-less-than-two-in-the-trap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/is-a-hog-on-the-ground-worth-less-than-two-in-the-trap\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a Hog on the Ground Worth Less Than Two in the Trap?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hunters descend upon the woods every deer season with dreams of a full freezer and itchy trigger fingers. While they wait for their quarry, they may encounter a less welcome hoofed mammal that has been rooting its way through the United States \u2013 the wild hog. The resentment felt towards these animals may lead a hunter to aim their rifle at them and pull the trigger. At first, this dead hog may represent a decrease in the population and a step towards managing the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
When possible, trapping whole sounders is the best way to manage wild hog populations, Andrew Jamison, \u00a92026 Clemson Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

However, hogs have the biological advantage of rapid reproduction, allowing them to quickly replace fallen kin in just a few months. Worse still, any hogs present at the time that avoided a similar fate may become more skittish. A skittish hog is a hard hog to trap. That is not to say that shooting them has no value; shooting is an appropriate method of removal in some cases. Shooting may be necessary or more practical depending on the situation. For example, a lone boar may not warrant the effort of setting up a trap. Hogs that are trap-shy may also need to be deterred by shooting; just know that shooting at hogs won’t be enough to make a dent in their numbers overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n When the goal is managing hog populations, trapping is the most effective strategy. Trapping with the goal of whole sounder removal is even better. Whole-sounder removal requires patience and an understanding of the hogs present in an area to ensure all hogs in a sounder are removed. The key is removing every hog in a sounder to prevent them from rearing their offspring. While there are some serious marksmen in the woods, shooting every single member of a sounder in areas where they can disappear into thick brush is not realistic. Trapping them ensures they are all removed and reduces the risk of missing any. Consider trapping them to avoid seeing them during deer season next year. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Jamison<\/a>, Wildlife Damage Management Associate, Clemson University<\/strong> \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hunters descend upon the woods every deer season with dreams of a full freezer and itchy trigger fingers. While they wait for their quarry, they may encounter a less welcome hoofed mammal that has been rooting its way through the United States \u2013 the wild hog. The resentment felt towards these animals may lead a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91446],"tags":[91449,91451,91450,91452,91270,91447,91448],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-andrew-jamison","tag-boar","tag-sounder","tag-sow","tag-trapping","tag-wild-boars","tag-wild-hog","tag-wild-pig"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=762"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":766,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/762\/revisions\/766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=762"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":757,"date":"2026-08-19T17:59:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T17:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=757"},"modified":"2026-08-19T17:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T17:59:55","slug":"fewer-deer-more-deer-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/fewer-deer-more-deer-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Fewer Deer, More Deer Problems?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n South Carolina has fewer deer than it did during the early 2000s, but many landowners, farmers, homeowners, and drivers are experiencing more deer-related damage than in previous years. That may seem contradictory, but the issue is not simply how many deer are on the landscape. The issue may be that deer are increasingly being funneled and concentrated into sensitive areas such as roadsides, crop fields, gardens, landscaped yards, and suburban green spaces.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n South Carolina\u2019s deer population peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s at about 1.1 million deer. Today, the statewide estimate is closer to 700,000 deer, and recent harvest trends suggest the population has started to stabilize. However, deer conflicts have not declined in proportion to that population reduction. Deer-vehicle collisions increased from 5,904 in 1996 to 6,628 in 2024 (+12.26%), Clemson researchers estimated that deer-related losses to cotton, soybean, and peanut farmers totaled roughly $114 million in 2022, and, in some counties, local density reports have exceeded 100 deer per square mile.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A
South Carolina may have fewer deer statewide, but deer are increasingly concentrated in agricultural and other sensitive areas. Jacob Murray, \u00a92026, Clemson University.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Several factors help explain this pattern:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the nation from 2024 to 2025 and added ~80,000 residents, representing a 1.5% increase in the total population to about 5.57 million people. The continued increase in South Carolina\u2019s human population is increasing development pressure, expanding the wildland-urban interface, and is intensifying wildlife conflicts in rural and suburban areas.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Closed canopy forests and unmanaged stands may produce only 50 to 100 pounds of browse per acre, while low-density woodlands or early successional habitat may produce 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per acre. When native forage is scarce, deer are more likely to concentrate in early successional environments that are heavily trafficked by people (e.g., crop fields, roadsides, landscaped yards, food plots, suburban green spaces). Food is easier to find, but more human-wildlife conflicts occur.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Feral hog populations in South Carolina have increased over the last several decades, with a statewide estimate of approximately 150,000 animals. Feral hogs destroy native habitat, outcompete deer and other wildlife for resources, and opportunistically prey on fawns and other young wildlife. As hogs degrade or occupy native habitat, deer and other wildlife may shift into more sensitive areas such as crop fields, roadsides, food plots, and landscaped areas where conflicts and damage are more visible.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Damage is often driven by highly localized deer pressure. High-nutrition crops such as soybeans, corn, peanuts, small grains, and clover can improve deer body condition, fawn survival, and artificially prop up local carrying capacities, especially where abundant food, nearby cover, and limited hunting access overlap.
    <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \n South Carolina may have fewer deer statewide, but deer are increasingly concentrated in agricultural and other sensitive areas due to a complex mix of spatial, seasonal, and landscape-level factors beyond those discussed here. Reducing conflicts requires managing both deer and habitat through regulated harvest, forest stewardship, crop protection, attractant reduction, feral hog control, and targeted prevention of deer-vehicle collisions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n For more information on human-wildlife conflicts and wildlife damage management, please visit the Clemson Cooperative Extension Wildlife Damage Management website (https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/extension\/wildlife\/<\/a>) or contact us directly at wildlifedamage@clemson.edu<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Citations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Jackson, D. R. (2024, September 3). Enhancing browse: A better way to feed deer<\/em>. Penn State Extension. https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/enhancing-browse-a-better-way-to-feed-deer\/<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ruth, C., & Cantrell, J. (2024). 2024 South Carolina deer harvest report. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Deer Research & Management Project. https:\/\/www.dnr.sc.gov\/wildlife\/deer\/pdf\/2024harvest\/2024DeerHarvestReport.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Smathers Jr, W. M., Smith, M. R., & Wilkie III, G. R. (2001).\u202fCausal Factors and Possible Solutions to Reduce Highway Accidents Caused by White-tailed Deer in South Carolina, Phase I\u202f(No. FHWA-SC-01-10,). \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (2022). South Carolina drivers should watch for deer on state roads. https:\/\/www.dnr.sc.gov\/news\/2022\/oct\/oct17-drivers.php<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. (n.d.). Population estimates by county, 2010\u20132020, 2000\u20132009. South Carolina Census State Data Center. https:\/\/rfa.sc.gov\/data-research\/population-demographics\/census-state-data-center\/population-data\/population-estimates-counties<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Stalnaker, L. (2025). 2024 population estimates: Migration drives rapid growth in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. https:\/\/dew.sc.gov\/labor-market-information-blog\/2025-05\/2024-population-estimates-migration-drives-rapid-growth-south<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sullivan JM (2011) Trends and characteristics of animal-vehicle collisions in the United States. J Saf Res 42:9\u201316. https:\/\/doi.org\/https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jsr.2010.11.002<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). County population totals: 2020\u20132024 [Data set]. U.S. Department of Commerce. https:\/\/www.census.gov\/data\/tables\/time-series\/demo\/popest\/2020s-counties-total.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Jacob Murray<\/a>, Wildlife Damage\u00a0Management\u00a0Associate, Clemson Extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    South Carolina has fewer deer than it did during the early 2000s, but many landowners, farmers, homeowners, and drivers are experiencing more deer-related damage than in previous years. That may seem contradictory, but the issue is not simply how many deer are on the landscape. The issue may be that deer are increasingly being funneled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91444],"tags":[90533,91445,91360],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jacob-murray","tag-deer","tag-white-tail-deer","tag-white-tailed-deer"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=757"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":761,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757\/revisions\/761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=757"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":749,"date":"2026-08-17T19:57:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=749"},"modified":"2026-08-17T19:57:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:57:34","slug":"outdoor-safety-notes-plants-poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/outdoor-safety-notes-plants-poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac\/","title":{"rendered":"Outdoor Safety Notes \u2013 Plants – Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    We all enjoy the outdoors. But when working or playing there are potential dangers you should be aware of. These potential dangers are natural, and you should be able to (1) recognize and avoid these hazards, (2) protect yourself against or control the hazards, and (3) take actions if hazards are unavoidable. This publication covers natural hazards that are most commonly encountered or commonly misunderstood. In an emergency situation, your first action should be to call an emergency room or the poison control center (1-800-222-1222 in South Carolina).<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A
    While the old saying \u201cleaflets of three, let it be\u201d is good advice but should not be your only defense. Make sure you know how to properly identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Tancey Belken, \u00a92026, Clemson Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Recognition and Avoidance\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac contain irritants called urushiol oil that occur in the leaves, flowers, pollen, berries, stems, and roots of these plants. The oil causes the rash that irritates many of us. The oil can stay active from 4-12 months after it is picked up on clothing, boots, equipment, tools, and animal fur. Some people may not show a reaction to contact with these plants for years. Suddenly, however, these same people may lose their resistance and suffer the typical irritating rashes. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n The best way to avoid suffering from the itchy, irritating rash is to avoid these hazardous plants. The old saying “leaflets of three, let it be” is good advice but should not be your only defense. Poison ivy is recognized in spring and summer by three bright green, waxy-looking, leaflets. Often clusters of white flowers are present in late spring and early summer. In the fall, leaflets turn yellow to red, and milk-colored berries may be present. In the winter, lifeless-looking twigs and reddish-brown hairy vines can still cause the itch. Poison oak also has three leaflets but with uneven margins and tan berries in the fall. Poison ivy and poison oak can occur as climbing vines, shrubs, thickets, and as ground cover. Poison sumac is a shrub-like plant with green compound leaves divided into 7-15 leaflets. It has greenish flowers and greenish white berries and is difficult to distinguish from other sumacs. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Protection and Control <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Try to avoid contact with these plants. Wear clothing that will reduce your chance of contact. Boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves will help protect you from exposure to these plants. They will also protect you from other outdoor hazards like plants with thorns, sunburn, and insects. Be careful when you remove these protective articles of clothing, because again you risk touching the irritating plant oils. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Never burn poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Burning these plants releases urushiol oil into the air and can cause severe lung irritation if inhaled. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n These poisonous plants may be chemically controlled by herbicides with active ingredients like glyphosate triclopyr, 2,4-D, dicamba, and others. Sometimes these plants need multiple treatments for complete control. Be sure not to spray onto desirable plants, and to treat when directed to by the label. Whenever you use any pesticide, read and follow label directions carefully. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Visit HGIC 2307<\/a> for more information. \n<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A
    Poison ivy and poison oak can occur as climbing vines and sometimes blend in with other vines along tree stems. Tancey Belken, \u00a92026, Clemson Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Action if Hazard is Unavoidable <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Wash your hands and any contaminated skin with plenty of strong soap and water immediately after any known contact, after being outdoors, and after removing clothing. Wash contaminated clothes thoroughly in heavy-duty detergent. If soap is unavailable, use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is more effective than water for removing oils. Wash exposed pets with a pet-safe soap. Commercial urushiol oil removers, often marketed as poison ivy scrubs or washes, are also effective for cleansing your body, clothing, and other exposed items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Allergic reactions result in inflammation within a few hours to five days, though sometimes take longer to show with the first reaction. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Early symptoms include slight itchiness and swelling, followed by pink\u00ad colored inflammation and tiny pimples. Blisters then form in the inflamed area and may fuse together as a chain. The rash itself is not contagious and will not spread unless urushiol oils are still present on the body or clothes. Minor cases of a rash will last up to 2 weeks, and initial exposures and severe reactions can last up to 30 days. Severe cases should be seen by a doctor who may administer corticosteroid therapy topically, orally, or through injection. For mild reactions, temporary relief from itchiness can be had by running warm water over the inflamed area, oatmeal baths, or by applying non-prescribed topical creams or lotions which contain calamine or cortisone. Drying agents which temporarily stop the ooze and provide some relief are also available. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations because there are many products available. Avoid itching the rash or draining blisters since this can cause secondary infection or further irritation. Seek emergency help if you are having difficulty breathing, swallowing, or sleeping, swelling in the face or eyes, the rash is around your eyes, mouth or genitals, the rash is on most of your body, or you develop a fever. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Author (s)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Tancey Belken<\/a>, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent, Clemson Extension\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Christina Huss<\/a>, Area Urban Horticulture Agent, Clemson Extension\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We all enjoy the outdoors. But when working or playing there are potential dangers you should be aware of. These potential dangers are natural, and you should be able to (1) recognize and avoid these hazards, (2) protect yourself against or control the hazards, and (3) take actions if hazards are unavoidable. This publication covers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91304],"tags":[898,91440,91442,91443],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tancey-belken","tag-forestry","tag-poison-ivy","tag-poison-oak","tag-poison-sumac"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":755,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions\/755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":744,"date":"2026-08-17T19:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=744"},"modified":"2026-08-17T19:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:31:03","slug":"testing-food-plot-forages-taking-it-to-the-next-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/testing-food-plot-forages-taking-it-to-the-next-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing Food Plot Forages – Taking It to the Next Level"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    Hunters and landowners are always looking for ways to improve their food-plot management. Forage grown in food plots provides essential energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed by many wildlife species when natural browse and food are in short supply or of poor quality. Forage testing is a common practice used by many livestock, hay and forage producers to evaluate forage nutrient content. Forage testing can also be used to detect nutrient deficiencies and trouble spots in a food plot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    High forage quality and high production are two elements of good food plot management. White-tailed deer have different nutritional needs at different times of the year and across life phases. Does need a higher level of nutrition during gestation and after the birth of fawns until weaning time. As milk intake drops and solid food consumption increases, forage quality becomes more important in the diet of a fawn. From about three and a half to five months of age, fawns can add about a half pound of body mass each day, less from lactation and more from browse and forage they begin to consume. Bucks benefit from higher nutrition levels, including protein and essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, during spring antler development and after the rut to regain lost body fat and restore muscle mass.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"
    Cowpeas can provide great nutritional value, but the only way to be certain is through a nutrient analysis. Marion Barnes, \u00a92026, Clemson Extension. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    I have always wondered why food plot managers go to all the effort and expense to plant, fertilize and control weeds and pests in their food plots, yet seldom submit a forage sample for nutrient analysis. For a nominal fee, you can have your food plot forage analyzed for standard minerals, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). These laboratory tests are used to help measure forage quality. Remember, not all forages are created equal. The only way to determine their nutritional value is to conduct forage analysis.

    The most important step in forage testing is taking a representative sample. Remember, deer are picky eaters (concentrate selectors) and tend to select the most nutritious plant parts. Therefore, you want the sample to accurately represent what deer are actually consuming. Pick the most tender leaves or plant parts that deer or turkey will browse. Most food plots consist of a mixture of forage species, so it would be wise to sample each species separately for a more accurate picture of the nutritional value of your food plot. If you are testing forages for suspected nutrient deficiencies, submit two samples, one from normal growing plants and one from plants that appear to be having problems. That way, you can compare the analysis from healthy plants versus poorly growing plants. Forage testing food plots is not for everyone. But if you want to maximize your food plot production and the quality of your forages, submit a forage sample for analysis. The results may surprise you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Marion Barnes<\/a>, Agronomy and Natural Resources Agent, Clemson Extension\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hunters and landowners are always looking for ways to improve their food-plot management. Forage grown in food plots provides essential energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed by many wildlife species when natural browse and food are in short supply or of poor quality. Forage testing is a common practice used by many livestock, hay and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[522,91357],"tags":[91436,91439,777,91437,91438],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fall","category-marion-barnes","tag-food-plot","tag-forage-testing","tag-wildlife","tag-wildlife-forage","tag-wildlife-nutrition"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=744"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":752,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/744\/revisions\/752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=744"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":738,"date":"2026-08-17T18:15:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=738"},"modified":"2026-08-17T18:22:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:22:43","slug":"katy-did-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/katy-did-what\/","title":{"rendered":"Katy did what?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    When the evenings start to warm up, I like to grab a glass of tea and sit on the back porch and listen to the crickets. Then something changes. It typically starts later in June and peaks in July, although some hold on until frost. The incessant nighttime calls let me know that summer has truly arrived. Sometimes it even seems like they are talking to each other, even singing together in a chorus, or maybe talking to me. Early settlers were scared by the mysterious noise made by something in the trees they could not see. They didn\u2019t realize the noise was just coming from a small green insect called katydid. Katydids are in the Family Tettigoniidae and are related to grasshoppers and crickets, but katydids have antennae longer than their body\u2019s. The long antennae are useful for navigating trees at night. Although there are at least 12 species of katydids in the Carolinas, the one that sings nightly and sounds somewhat like \u201ckatydid\u201d is the true katydid (Pterophylla camelliafolia<\/em>). The true katydid\u2019s genus name, Pterophylla<\/em>, means wing leaf because the insects look like a leaf. Even the veins of the leaves resemble the veins of leaves. Great camouflage for an animal that spends most of its life amongst the leaves. Apparently, someone thought they looked like a camellia leaf, thus the specific epithet camelliafolia<\/em>. Other members of the family Tettigoniidae include common coneheads and meadow katydids, but they do not have the impressive, some people may call it obnoxious, nighttime call. <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A
    The green coloring and shape of the katydid provide camouflage. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    \n Although both sexes can sing, it is usually the male that is heard on summer nights as they try to impress the females. They don\u2019t really sing, they stridulate. Stridulation is similar to a violin but produces a raspy staccato noise that sounds somewhat like \u201ckatydid.\u201d They rub the rough edges of their forewings together to make noise. The wings bend outward slightly creating a chamber that increases the volume of the sound, somewhat like an echo chamber. Although they have wings, they are poor flyers and usually walk or hop. When there are large numbers of males in an area, they can synchronize their songs together to further increase volume. The females choose their mate based on the quality of the male song which is detected with hearing organs on their front legs. The song is more rapid on warm evenings and slows when temperatures drop. Depending on where you live, the song can be slightly different with the northern dialect more clearly saying \u201ckaty did.\u201d\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Katydids are rarely seen and are most active at night. During the day, they rest motionless, so they appear to be a leaf. When katydids aren\u2019t resting or singing, they may be feeding on leaves, but they rarely cause major damage to the plant. Mammals, birds, and lizards consume katydid, but the great golden digger wasp captures and paralyzes katydids and grasshoppers. It then buries the paralyzed victim and lays an egg on it. When the egg hatches, it feeds on the still living katydid. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n True katydids are about 2 inches long with the females larger than males. They are green, but sometimes katydids are born pink. These pink katydids are easy to find and quickly eaten by predators. Females have an ovipositor at their rear for laying eggs in the soil or on plant stems or bark. When laid on a stem, the flattened eggs are laid in rows. In the spring, the eggs hatch into nymphs. Nymphs look like tiny versions of adults. The nymphs will go through several molts as they grow. At later nymph stages, they will form wings and an ovipositor if female. The ovipositor is sickle shaped in the true katydid but can be longer and saber-shaped in other katydid species. When they mate, the male provides a sperm package called a spermatophore. Attached to the spermatophore is protein the female can eat to increase egg development. I guess it is kind of like a dinner date. Males that offer large food gifts may mate several times. Males with smaller food gifts are less likely to mate. A larger food gift is an indicator of better male health and genetics.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n More information on katydids can be found here: \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/songsofinsects.com\/katydids\/common-true-katydid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/hort.extension.wisc.edu\/articles\/katydids\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/great-golden-sand-digger-wasp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/kanecountyconnects.com\/article\/katydids-insects-kanecounty-environment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n Cranshaw, W., and D. Shetlar. 2017. Garden insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs (2nd ed.). Princeton University Press.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Robert Carter<\/a>, Cooperative Extension, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Posted in Robert Carter<\/a>Tagged Forestry<\/a>Edit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When the evenings start to warm up, I like to grab a glass of tea and sit on the back porch and listen to the crickets. Then something changes. It typically starts later in June and peaks in July, although some hold on until frost. The incessant nighttime calls let me know that summer has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91362],"tags":[91435,898,91434,777],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-robert-carter","tag-forest-insects","tag-forestry","tag-katydid","tag-wildlife"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=738"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":743,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738\/revisions\/743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=738"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":717,"date":"2026-05-26T13:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T13:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=717"},"modified":"2026-05-26T13:44:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T13:44:47","slug":"how-trees-work-and-the-impacts-of-drought-on-south-carolina-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/how-trees-work-and-the-impacts-of-drought-on-south-carolina-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"How Trees Work and the Impacts of Drought on South Carolina Trees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    It\u2019s been a dry spring in South Carolina, and as of mid-May the entire state is experiencing some level of drought, with over 70% of the state under extreme drought conditions (Figure 1). This, of course, isn\u2019t great for the flora of our state \u2013 including our trees!<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Map
    Figure caption: Status of drought in South Carolina as of mid-May 2026 (from https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    We are fortunate to have trees growing throughout our state, from the middle of urban areas to vast rural acreages. Trees in managed landscapes may benefit from supplemental irrigation during droughty times, while those in more rural areas are at the whim of Mother Nature. Regardless, trees typically respond the same when under drought stress and undergo the same general process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When drought occurs, the lack of available water is sensed by the tree. Then two things happen: first, the tree essentially shuts down food production by closing stomata (small openings on the leaves which are essential for photosynthesis) to prevent water loss. This, unfortunately, also ceases the ability of that leaf to make food. Second, the tree pulls food reserves from the storage roots and stump and uses them to produce additional fine roots. Growing additional fine roots is a strategy to attempt to find water. If this doesn\u2019t work, the tree more or less shifts into survival mode and begins to allow tissues to die in an attempt to save the tree as a whole. Typically, this starts with some foliage (e.g., tulip poplars are notorious for dropping leaves at the first hint of summer dryness), but smaller twigs and roots might also be \u201csacrificed.\u201d If water is still not available or found, then larger parts of the tree begin to die and we see the typical tree decline that precedes tree death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Taking a step back, understanding how trees work can help us understand why drought often leads to insect and fungal issues. Trees use the energy they make (through photosynthesis) in certain ways. There are 7 main things trees use energy for, and they are (in order of priority):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Maintain respiration \u2013 this just means to \u201cbreathe\u201d and stay alive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Produce fine roots and leaves \u2013 this means to make the tissues that gather the water (i.e., fine roots) and make the food (i.e., photosynthesize).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Produce flowers and seeds (reproduce).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Extend branches (get bigger and increase the ability to make leaves, which will increase the tree\u2019s ability to make food).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Store energy rich chemicals (adding carbohydrates to the large storage roots and\/or stump to help the tree repair after an injury or reflush after losing foliage).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Add wood to stems, roots and branches (grow larger).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Create anti-pest chemicals for defense (i.e., protect itself from herbivores and fungi).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Did you notice where trees prioritize protecting themselves from pests? LAST! Only after all those other physiological things, like staying alive, growing and reproducing, are satisfied do trees allocate energy to protecting themselves from pests. This is the main reason why anytime a tree is not getting enough resources \u2013 whether that\u2019s water, sunlight or nutrition \u2013 the tree becomes more susceptible to pests. Trees need resources to protect themselves, just like people need to eat a balanced, healthy diet to stay healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Considering all of this, it is a reasonable expectation to see an increase in impacts from pests during droughty times. Hardwoods may simply lose leaves, while pines typically turn yellow\/brown after a certain level of drought. There is not much we can do in natural areas, though managing (especially reducing) the basal area or competition can help \u2013 when there is less stem volume on a tract, there is more water for each stem. Trees in managed landscapes will benefit more from a thorough soaking once or twice a week rather than just a little water daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Proper management of your trees throughout their lifetime goes a long way towards creating a resilient forest. After all, we never know where, when or how long the next dry spell is going to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Additional resources include:
      https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/plants-that-tolerate-drought\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Dave Coyle<\/a>, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Specialist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      It\u2019s been a dry spring in South Carolina, and as of mid-May the entire state is experiencing some level of drought, with over 70% of the state under extreme drought conditions (Figure 1). This, of course, isn\u2019t great for the flora of our state \u2013 including our trees! We are fortunate to have trees growing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90004],"tags":[91425,91429,91427,91428,91426],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dave-coyle","tag-drought","tag-how-trees-grow","tag-tree-drought","tag-tree-drought-signs","tag-tree-stress"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=717"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=717"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":711,"date":"2026-05-22T12:41:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T12:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=711"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:29:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:29:32","slug":"importance-of-boundary-marking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/importance-of-boundary-marking\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of Boundary Marking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

      Boundary marking is the practice of establishing clear, visible markers that show the edges of a property. Normally, a professional surveyor uses equipment to set iron or concrete corner posts accurately. Surveyors also leave blazes or hack marks on trees between corner markers. Over time, these hack marks become very difficult to see. Paint is commonly used to reinforce these marks and must be reapplied every 5\u201310 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Defining boundary lines with paint is extremely important for protecting property rights by creating clear evidence of where one property ends and another begins. It also helps avoid disputes with neighbors over driveways, dog pens, buildings or other types of encroachment. In South Carolina, the purple paint law<\/a> states that marking property boundaries with purple paint is legally equivalent to posting \u201cNo Trespassing\u201d signs. This ensures your rights are protected and enforceable against hunting, trail riding or other unauthorized entry. While posting signs is still permissible, signs fade, weather and deteriorate much faster than paint applied to trees.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      The purple markings must be vertical lines that are at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide and must be between 3 to 6 feet off the ground. Stephen Pohlman, \u00a92026 Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      To comply with the purple paint law in South Carolina, the purple markings must be vertical lines that are at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide and must be between 3 to 6 feet off the ground. The marks must be on permanent objects, spaced no more than 100 yards apart and should be visible to anyone approaching the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Sustainable forest management also depends on clearly defined property lines. When harvesting timber, constructing and maintaining firebreaks and roads and setting up blinds or tree stands for hunting, it is important to know exactly where boundaries are located to avoid accidental trespass and potential damage to neighboring property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Well-maintained boundaries help reduce the risk of costly disputes, legal fees and disturbances during timber harvest or other forest activities. They also tend to improve relationships with neighbors and reduce the likelihood of fines or trespass-related complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author (s)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Mike Windhorn<\/a>, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Boundary marking is the practice of establishing clear, visible markers that show the edges of a property. Normally, a professional surveyor uses equipment to set iron or concrete corner posts accurately. Surveyors also leave blazes or hack marks on trees between corner markers. Over time, these hack marks become very difficult to see. Paint is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91384],"tags":[91421,91424,91422,90541],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mike-windhorn","tag-boundary-marking","tag-no-trespassing","tag-purple-paint","tag-timber-management"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=711"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/711\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=711"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":704,"date":"2026-05-19T16:38:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=704"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T13:04:00","slug":"felling-wedges-as-important-as-the-chainsaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/felling-wedges-as-important-as-the-chainsaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Felling Wedges \u2013 As Important As The Chainsaw"},"content":{"rendered":"

      \n
      \"A
      Felling wedges come in different lengths and heel heights. Jaime Pohlman, \u00a92026 Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      In this article, I\u2019m going to explain everything you need to know about felling wedges and why they are important in your chainsaw inventory of tools. The felling wedge might look like a simple tool of humble importance, but in actuality, it might be the difference between success and a terrible accident while felling a tree. Felling wedges are primarily thought of as being used during the felling process, but they are equally important when bucking logs to help keep the saw kerf open and prevent pinching a chainsaw\u2019s bar. Also, splitting wedges should never be used as felling wedges. Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      First, let\u2019s tackle some terminology. Felling<\/strong> is the act or process of cutting down a tree. A felling wedge<\/strong> refers to the object we are discussing in this article and its shape. Driving<\/strong> refers to the act of hitting a felling wedge with the flat part at the back of an axe or a sledgehammer. Hinge<\/strong> refers to the area of wood you leave connecting the stump to the tree\u2019s trunk to aid in guiding the tree to the ground. Saw kerf <\/strong>means the amount of wood removed or cut by the chainsaw\u2019s chain in a piece of wood. The phrase \u201cpinch<\/strong>\u201d means the chainsaw\u2019s bar has become stuck between the wood being cut as the saw kerf begins to close due to compression wood forces. Also, you will hear most people refer to felling wedges as \u201cwedges,\u201d but for this article, I will use \u201cfelling wedges\u201d as a descriptive term to discourage improvisation with homemade substitutes.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      Felling wedges should be inspected for wear and replaced when needed. Jaime Pohlman, \u00a92026, Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      Today, felling wedges are made of high-impact plastic instead of steel. This is due to numerous safety concerns. When metal contacts metal, such as when a running chainsaw chain hits a metal felling wedge or an axe or sledgehammer strikes it, there is a risk of metal fragments flying off and injuring an eye. This is another reason safety glasses (currently ANSI Z87.1-rated or higher) are important. Plastic felling wedges, on the other hand, are safer because the saw chain can cut through them and they tend to deform rather than shatter dangerously. Keep in mind that safety glasses are still necessary, as pieces of plastic can break off during repeated impacts that cause mushrooming of the heel area. Some brands of plastic felling wedges are harder and more durable than others. When a felling wedge becomes heavily damaged or deeply cut by a chainsaw, it is time to replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      Felling wedges come in different surface textures each with their own advantages to using them. Jaime Pohlman, \u00a92026 Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      Felling wedges come in different surface textures: smooth, textured and barbed or spiked. Smooth is exactly as it sounds: slick. Textured is best described as a smooth-to-the-touch sandpaper-like texture that doesn’t make it slick but is often described as being a smooth felling wedge when purchasing. Barbed or spiked (depending on the manufacturer’s choice of wording) has a surface with rows of raised bumps to better aid in gripping.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Felling wedges come in various lengths and heel heights. Most tree fellers carry three sizes: 5.5-inch, 8-inch and 10- or 12-inch wedges. For most forest landowners working with trees less than 20 inches DBH, the 5.5-inch and 8-inch wedges are used most often. Larger field and yard trees require longer wedges. The 5.5-inch wedge is commonly used when bucking logs to prevent the chainsaw bar from being pinched. Most felling wedges have a 1-inch heel, which is the area struck with an axe or sledgehammer. The length and height of a felling wedge directly affect the mechanical advantage gained. Longer wedges have a more gradual taper, making them easier to drive into larger or heavier trees, especially when compensating for lean. As the wedge is driven in, it lifts one side of the hinge and helps guide the tree to fall in the desired direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Stacking felling wedges during felling is dangerous because wedges can slip or be completely forced out. It is generally recommended to avoid stacking and instead use a wedge with a taller heel, such as 1.5- or 2-inch, instead of the standard 1-inch heel. However, if stacking is unavoidable, a barbed or spiked wedge is preferred. Operators often encounter this situation because taller wedges are less commonly stocked and may need to be specially ordered. Regardless, operators should always be prepared with the proper tools before starting a job.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      Wearing a felling harness or a wedge pouch is a good way to ensure your wedges are easily accessible. Jaime Pohlman, \u00a92026, Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      Experience will help operators determine which wedge to use. If a single wedge is not enough, assess the situation and determine whether another wedge can be inserted (hopefully beside the original), to try to apply just enough pressure to lift the tree\u2019s weight off the original felling wedge. Then return to the original wedge position with another wedge better suited for the situation. Always be careful not to break the hinge wood. The hinge controls the direction of the fall. If the hinge breaks, control is lost and the tree will fall unpredictably based on gravity and existing conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I hope this article helps you understand the importance of the humble plastic felling wedge and why you should have several in different sizes and heel heights in your tool kit when cutting wood. Know your limits, seek training such as Clemson Extension\u2019s Chainsaw Operation Classes<\/a> and know when it is best to hire a professional for tree felling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Stephen Pohlman<\/a>, Cooperative Extension, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      In this article, I\u2019m going to explain everything you need to know about felling wedges and why they are important in your chainsaw inventory of tools. The felling wedge might look like a simple tool of humble importance, but in actuality, it might be the difference between success and a terrible accident while felling a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[87675],"tags":[91308,91418,91420,90541,91419],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stephen-pohlman","tag-chainsaw","tag-felling","tag-felling-wedges","tag-timber-management","tag-wedges"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/704\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=704"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":700,"date":"2026-05-18T17:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T17:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=700"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T15:10:17","slug":"i-hope-that-thang-dont-bite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/i-hope-that-thang-dont-bite\/","title":{"rendered":"I Hope That Thang Don\u2019t Bite!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

      I imagine that the first time a human saw a Venus flytrap in action, they were stunned. The first person was a Native American, but if they were a Southerner, they might have said, \u201cI hope that thang don\u2019t bite.\u201d We call them carnivorous plants, but are they really carnivores? They don\u2019t obtain energy from their prey, but they do get nutrients. It is more like the animals are multivitamins for the plant. They can obtain up to 50% of their nitrogen and phosphorus from captured animals. The bigger question is how did this evolve? We don\u2019t know all the answers, but we do have some clues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Supplementing nutrients with animals has evolved independently at least 12 times over the 140 million-plus years that flowering plants have existed. The oldest fossilized carnivorous plant is from 35 to 47 million years ago. It is similar to Roridula<\/em> found in South Africa today. There have been at least six independent origins of pitfall traps, five of sticky traps, two of snap traps and one of lobster-pot trap. This bizarre strategy has repeatedly evolved in plants all over the world. Even more bizarre, they typically don\u2019t capture pollinators. How do they know the difference? The flowers are spatially separated from the trap.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      A pitcher plant (Sarracenia<\/em>) uses its colorful, nectar-lined lip and slick interior to lure insects, sending them sliding into a hidden trap where digestive enzymes turn prey into nutrients in the nutrient-poor soils of a bog. Robert Carter, \u00a92026 Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      With pitfall traps, leaves are modified to create a pool that is often filled with liquid. The simplest pitfall trap is found in some bromeliads. Rainwater collects in leaves that form a cup. This is common with bromeliads, but a few species absorb nutrients from insects that get trapped in the water. Pitcher plants (Sarracenia<\/em>) are a more complex pitfall trap, with individual leaves forming pitchers that may or may not be filled with water. Pitchers may have a hood to prevent excessive water collection. The plant often has nectaries (secreting a sweet substance) on the pitcher lip, produces odors and uses bright colors to lure unsuspecting prey to the slippery edge. The insect\u2019s sledding trip down the pitcher quickly goes awry as it encounters downward-pointing hairs that prevent movement upward. It travels to the pit to drown or, if no water is present, starves. Enzymes secreted into the pitcher break down the insect, leaving only the exoskeleton. Voil\u00e0, another multivitamin obtained. I am glad I can\u2019t fit in the trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      A lobster trap is similar to a pitcher; however, it can be easily entered but the exit is difficult to find. Plants such as parrot pitcher plants (Sarracenia psittacina<\/em>) have light-colored patches inside the hood that allow light to pass through. The insects try to exit through the lighter patches, end up bouncing off the pitcher wall and fall down the tube. Specialized cells called areoles allow the light to pass through. Once again, downward-pointing hairs force the prey to their doom at the bottom of the pitcher. How devious?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Plants such as butterworts (Pinguicula<\/em>) have tiny glands on the upper surface of their yellowish basal rosette. The glandular secretions give the leaves a buttery or greasy feel. Pinguicula<\/em> refers to \u201cgreasy one\u201d in Latin. When small insects such as gnats, thrips or springtails get trapped on the leaves, their struggle causes more fluid and digestive enzymes to be released. The leaf curls into a cup shape as nutrients are absorbed, then flattens out. To prevent the insect from decaying before nutrients are extracted, the leaf releases an antibacterial substance. Don\u2019t put this butter on your toast.<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"a
      Tiny sundews (Drosera<\/em>) glisten among the grasses, their sticky, gland-tipped hairs acting like natural flypaper to trap insects and slowly curl inward for digestion. Robert Carter \u00a92026, Clemson Extension<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      Sundews (Drosera<\/em>) use a similar strategy. The leaves are long and threadlike or flattened like a spatula and covered with gland-tipped hairs that glisten in the sun. When an insect gets trapped in the sticky glands, the leaf begins to curl around the multivitamin. The more the insect struggles, the quicker the response. The leaf then secretes digestive enzymes and absorbs minerals. The deed is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Bladderworts (Utricularia<\/em>) often live in open water and catch prey by suction. The prey is typically insect larvae or other tiny animals that swim or float. The bladder is like a suction bulb with a hairlike trigger. The hair senses movement and causes the bladder to suddenly fill with water and, hopefully, the prey. The motion is faster than the human eye can detect. Once inside the bladder, digestive enzymes break down the prey and nutrients are absorbed. Then the water is pumped out and the trap is reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The most highly evolved method of capture is the snap trap of the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula<\/em>). Prey enters a trap, brushes against trigger hairs and the trap quickly encloses it. Insects are attracted to the color, odor and nectaries of the modified leaf, which forms the trap. If an insect stimulates two or more trigger hairs in succession, the leaf quickly closes due to rapid changes in cell water pressure. The cells rapidly fill with water, causing them to expand and the trap to close. The more the insect struggles, the more tightly the trap closes. If there is no insect in the trap, it will reopen. The leaf trap secretes digestive enzymes that break down the fleshy portions of the insect. After about ten days, the trap reopens to release the exoskeleton and await the next meal. The trap can open and close seven times before it turns black and falls off. The trap essentially changes into a stomach by releasing digestive enzymes and then into an intestine to absorb nutrients. After it reopens, it becomes an insect attractant again. Talk about Jekyll and Hyde. They quickly go from beautiful and odiferous to digesting the unfortunate animal in a short period of time. During periods of water stress, the plant hormone abscisic acid causes trap closure to decline to reduce water use. For plants, water is a more important resource than nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All traps are modified leaves or parts of leaves, but the modified leaves sometimes act like roots by absorbing nutrients. All over the world, plants use the same genes found in roots to absorb nutrients, but they are activated in leaves instead. Here is another surprise: the traps use the same enzymes to digest prey and to protect themselves from bacteria, fungi and herbivorous insects. It is like they took their chemical weapons and started using them for digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When you are walking through a bog observing these amazing carnivorous plants, just be grateful that \u201cthat thang don\u2019t bite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Robert Carter<\/a>, Cooperative Extension, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      I imagine that the first time a human saw a Venus flytrap in action, they were stunned. The first person was a Native American, but if they were a Southerner, they might have said, \u201cI hope that thang don\u2019t bite.\u201d We call them carnivorous plants, but are they really carnivores? They don\u2019t obtain energy from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91362],"tags":[898],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-robert-carter","tag-forestry"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=700"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":696,"date":"2026-05-13T17:25:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/?p=696"},"modified":"2026-05-13T17:25:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:25:59","slug":"growing-season-prescribed-burning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/growing-season-prescribed-burning\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Season Prescribed Burning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

      Why Do We Conduct Growing Season Burns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"A
      Growing season burns can be a great management tool to control hardwoods in pine stands. USDA Forest Service , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      As spring turns to summer across South Carolina, many landowners notice a shift in prescribed fire activity. The smoke we were used to seeing during the winter months is now appearing later in the year. This sometimes prompts questions, concerns or even frustration. If prescribed fire already occurred during the dormant season, why burn again? And why burn when plants are actively growing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Fire and the Natural Growing Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Historically, much of the Southeast experienced frequent fires during late spring and summer. Lightning-ignited fires were common during this period, and Indigenous peoples also used fire year round to manage landscapes. As a result, many of our native plant communities evolved with fire occurring during the growing season rather than just during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While dormant season burns remain a valuable and widely used tool, they often favor hardwood resprouting and may not fully achieve certain wildlife or vegetation objectives. Growing season burns allow landowners and land managers to more closely mimic natural fire patterns and influence plant communities in more diverse and desirable ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Benefits of Growing Season Burns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      One of the primary advantages of growing season burns is greater control over hardwood encroachment. When hardwoods are actively growing, fire is more effective at top-killing stems and reducing root reserves. This is especially important in pine-dominated systems where maintaining an open understory is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Growing season burns can also enhance wildlife habitat, particularly for species that depend on native grasses and forbs. Fire at this time of year often reduces dense woody growth while promoting herbaceous plants that provide food, nesting cover and brood-rearing habitat for species such as northern bobwhite quail, wild turkey and many pollinators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      These burns help restore and maintain fire-adapted ecosystems such as longleaf pine savannas, pine flatwoods and open oak or oak\u2013pine woodlands by encouraging plant diversity and limiting species that thrive under long-term fire exclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Things to Consider Before Burning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Although growing season burning can be highly effective, it requires careful planning and experience. Fuel conditions are often more variable during this time of year, and weather windows may be narrower. Higher temperatures, increased humidity and active plant growth can affect fire behavior. Smoke management is also critical, particularly near roads, homes and sensitive areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Landowners should also consider timing and objectives. Not every growing season burn looks the same. Early growing season burns (late spring) may differ in effects from those conducted later in summer. Wildlife considerations such as nesting periods should be evaluated alongside management goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Because of these factors, growing season burns are best conducted with trained personnel, a well-developed burn plan and appropriate equipment. Working with experienced prescribed fire practitioners or local professionals can greatly reduce risk while increasing success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      A Tool in the Toolbox<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Growing season burns are not a replacement for dormant season burning, but rather another tool in the prescribed fire toolbox. When used intentionally and safely, they can help landowners meet long-term forest health, wildlife and restoration goals that may be difficult to achieve otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As we move into the growing season, Clemson Extension encourages landowners to learn more about how fire applied at the right time and under the right conditions can be one of the most effective and affordable land management practices available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Derrick Phinney<\/a>, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Why Do We Conduct Growing Season Burns As spring turns to summer across South Carolina, many landowners notice a shift in prescribed fire activity. The smoke we were used to seeing during the winter months is now appearing later in the year. This sometimes prompts questions, concerns or even frustration. If prescribed fire already occurred […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3880,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91263],"tags":[91416,91415,91417,91255],"coauthors":[91346],"class_list":["post-696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-derrick-phinney","tag-growing-season-burns","tag-growing-season-prescribed-fire","tag-growing-season-fire","tag-prescribed-fire"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3880"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=696"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/fnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]