Clemson Extension Upstate District

Adventures From the Area Forestry and Natural Resource Agent

Jeff Fellers – Area Forestry Agent

Summer has arrived.  With it comes dry weather, high temperatures, insects, and fungal diseases.  All can stress our plants and lead to more site and office visits to look at stressed and diseased plants.  This summer has been no different.  I always enjoy talking with clients and trying to help them identify their problems and find ways to help them.  Below are some of the interesting programs I have been associated with over the last few months.    

Unhealthy Tree

Site Visits/Office Visit
You never know what may come through the door at the office or what you might expect to see at a site visit.  We receive a lot of questions on small gardens throughout the summer.  These can range from blossom end rot, to stink bugs, to powdery mildew, and many other common pests and diseases found in the garden.  I also get tree calls from around the area.  These have ranged from lichen, dying oak trees, pine beetles, and numerous other insects and diseases that affect our trees.  Aquatic weeds in ponds also become more of a problem in summer, and I do numerous identifications and treatment options for landowners.   I always enjoy the specimens that clients bring in. There is always an opportunity to learn about new insects and diseases that I have not seen before.   

Camp Conservation
Camp Conservation is hosted by the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District.  I have participated in this camp for the last several years by taking the 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer.  I normally take the trailer on the Friday of the Camp (June 28).  Participants learn about gun safety, parts of the gun and how to shoot.  The youth then get to shoot air rifles as they rotate through the different stations for the day. 

 https://www.newberryswcd.com/campconservation

Union County 4-H Shooting Sports

Women Owning Woodlands
On April 12, I assisted in a field tour for Women Owning Woodlands.  This tour was held at a tree farm in Laurens, South Carolina.  At the field tour they learned about wildlife food plots, soil sampling, how to interpret a soil sample, prescribe fire, pine management, and various other topics.  Women Owning Woodlands aims to educate women in the stewardship of the land by connecting them to resources and trusted professionals. 

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/forestry/media/women-owning-woodlands.html

Participants hiking Lynches Woods

Lynches Woods Trail Hike
On August 17, I led a hike at Lynches Woods in Newberry, South Carolina.  Newberry Parks and Recreation hosted the hike on National TRACK Trails Day.  Participants learned about tree identification, keeping forests healthy, and various other plant related topics as we walked the trail. 

Newberry Forestry Association meeting

Newberry Forestry Association
The Newberry Forestry Association hosted meetings in May and August.  The May meeting featured a presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.  Jake presented on creating and managing quail habitat.  The August meeting featured a presentation by Scott Danskin with the SC Forestry Commission on the current status of timber markets and mills in reference to the area.  The Newberry Forestry Association also gave out three $500 scholarships to local students who will be majoring in a field that benefits forest landowners.

Laurens Forest Landowners Association
The Laurens Forest Landowners Association hosted meetings in May and August.  The May meeting featured a presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.  Jake presented on creating and managing quail habitat.  The August meeting featured two presentations.  Matthew Wannamaker from the Farm Service Agency presented on the agency’s forestry related programs.  The second presentation was by Holly Welch and Devin Orr on potential free stewardship management plans for landowners in Laurens County. 

Landowners meeting

Broad River Conservation Partnership
In March of 2024, the Broad River Conservation Partnership hosted their first landowners meeting.  Landowners attending the meeting heard testimonies from those who have benefited from working with land trust to help conserve their properties.  This is a program that is spearheaded by SC Department of Natural Resources, with the help of numerous other organizations.  The goal is to conserve, protect, and elevate the importance of our natural resources in the Broad River Watershed. 

Clemson Experimental Forest Southern Pine Beetle Tour
Unfortunately, there is currently a Southern Pine Beetle outbreak in the Clemson Experimental Forest.  The Forestry and Wildlife Team toured numerous spots on Friday August 9, 2024.  This was a great opportunity to see how the Experimental Forest was managing the problem.  The team was able to see active spots, controlled spots, and a salvage harvest.

Clemson Experimental Forest

South Carolina Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting
The South Carolina Society of American Foresters held their annual meeting in Newberry, SC June 12 through June 13.  I assisted in the planning and hosting of this meeting.  On June 12, we had a tree farm tour with a social.  June 13 was classroom sessions that focused on forest markets and the projected outlook. 

Woodland Clinic
Woodland Clinic is a forestry skills competition held at Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries property in Greenwood, South Carolina.  High schools from across the state are invited to attend and compete.  Participants compete in tree measurement, forestry tools, compass and pacing, and forest pest identification.  I have helped for numerous years in the compass and pacing competition.   

Tour at tree farm

Master Tree Farmer Tour
On May 10 we held a Master Tree Farmer Tour for participants of the class at Mike Meetze’s tree farm in Newberry, SC.  Participants were able to see a typical pine rotation from planting to harvest.  They were able to see a stand marked for pole harvest along with an operation sawmill on the property. 

Upcoming Events:

Union County Farm Show – September 21, 2024, Union County Fair Grounds

Union County Agricultural Fair – October 15 – 19, 2024, Union County Fair Grounds

5K Day at the Union County Agricultural Fair – October 17, 2024

Newberry Forestry Association – November 12, 2024

Laurens Forestry Association – November 26, 2024