Laurens Extension Welcomes  New Forestry Agent

Mr. Jeff Fellers, Area Extension Forestry Agent, has assumed the responsibility for Forestry and Natural Resources programming in Laurens County.  Jeff is taking over the role formerly held by Mr. Tom Brant, who retired on December 31, 2021.

Jeff is a native of South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University.  He graduated with a degree in Forest Resource Management in 2002.  In 2013, he earned his master’s degree from Northwest Missouri State in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Jeff is based in the Union County Extension Office and has 17 years of experience with Clemson Extension.  He covers Chester, Laurens, Newberry, Union, and York counties.  Jeff plans to visit Laurens County regularly and is already working with the Laurens County Forest Landowners’ Association to provide local programming.

Jeff can be reached by phone at 864-424-8243 or by email at fellers@clemson.edu .

Laurens County Forest Landowners Association – Tuesday February 22 at 6:30 pm @ Laurens Farm Bureau.  Program will be on Zoning and Land Use.  Contact Jeff Fellers for more information 864-424-8273.

Newberry County Forestry Association – Tuesday May 10 at 7:00 pm. Program will be on Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Impacts it could have on SC deer population.  Contact Jeff Fellers for more information 864-424-8273.

Master Tree Farmer – January 24, 2022 through March 14, 2022.  Master Tree Farmer is a virtual program with an in-person field tour.  Registration has closed for this course, but it will be offered again in the future.  If you are interested in future course please contact Jeff Fellers at 864-424-8273.

4-H Forestry Clinic – February 26, 2022 at Harbison State Forest.  This program is for high school youth to learn more about basic forestry skills.  Participants also have the opportunity to compete represent South Carolina on a National level at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational.  Registration details can be found at the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-carolina-4-h-forestry-tickets-22143770

South Carolina Champion Tree-Jeff Fellers Area Forestry Agent

The South Carolina Champion Tree program was started to locate the biggest trees by species across South Carolina.  A standard measurement formula is used to calculate a total score for a nominated tree.  The formula is based off of trunk circumference, tree height, and average crown spread.  The program is currently being managed by Clemson Extension and we are working on revamping the web site and updating the database.

Maintaining the database across the entire state can be a chore, and with no supportive funding, requires volunteers and the general public to provide data.  A tree can be nominated by any individual.  Once nominated, a rough estimate of the score is calculated.  If that tree receives a score close or above the current champion, we then verify the tree.  Verifying the tree requires a person with knowledge and the tools to go out and make sure the tree was measured accurately.  Once verified, the tree will then be posted on our champion tree website.  If you believe that you may have the biggest tree in the state visit our champion tree homepage and nominate your tree.

One misconception people have about the Champion Tree Program is the thought that it will protect the trees on the list.  A champion tree does not provide protection from being cut, developed around, or so forth.  South Carolina Champion Trees just provides the data so people can see the large trees we have throughout our state.  Since some of these trees are located on private property we also do not give out the exact location of the tree, just the county.

As we work to improve this website and update the database, we ask that those interested please visit the site, and if you believe you have a champion, nominate that tree.  More details can be found at: https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/champtree/index.html

Two years ago, a retired US Forest Service ranger named David Hedden entered my office and politely asked if anyone was doing anything to save the hemlock trees in the Upstate. In case you were not aware, there is a tiny insect named the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) that is threatening the existence of the Eastern and Carolina Hemlocks trees. Prognosis for the trees is not good. Luckily for David, he stumbled into the right place, and the seed was planted to turn concern and passion into actions.

With the help of Clemson Extension, David and his wife Carla recently formed a non-profit organization called Carolina Hemlocks. The goal of Carolina Hemlocks is to bring together governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, practitioners,, and other stakeholders to maintain, re-establish and enhance the Hemlock tree population in the South Carolina landscape through outreach, resource sharing, collaboration, and applied learning.

To date, this non-profit has treated close to 1000 private home/landowner trees. Partnering with Clemson Extension, we continually hold educational programs, presentations, and outdoor workshops. Recently, we treated over 500 Hemlocks in the Greenville Watershed. We have also been cleared by several agencies to treat all trees along the SC Foothills Trail.  We have partnered with South Carolina Forestry Commission, USFS, SC State Parks, Foothills Trail Conservancy, Duke Energy, and Greenville Watershed to locate, treat, record, and monitor existing hemlock populations. We have trained and utilized volunteers to help treat hemlock trees.

To keep updated on the latest scientific treatment methods we attend workshops and presentations held by the Tennessee Dept. of Forestry, UGA, Georgia Forestry Commission and often consult with Dr. Elizabeth McCarty,  a current expert in the treatment of HWA.

If you have hemlocks trees, know of trees that need treating, or would like to volunteer to help treat, please contact Carolyn Dawson, Clemson Extension Forestry Agent, at dawson4@clemson.edu.

Carolyn Dawson
Forestry Agent

Carolyn Dawson is our new Area Forestry Extension Agent for Cherokee County. Although she has been with Clemson Extension for over 10 years, her responsibilities recently expanded to include Cherokee and Spartanburg counties.

Carolyn received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida in Forest Resources and Conservation. She started her career in Florida as the Duval County Forester under the Florida Division of Forestry. She then accepted the position of Southern Pine Beetle Forester in Asheville, NC with the North Carolina Forest Service.

In 2011, she joined the Clemson Extension team. Her work includes assisting private forest landowners with timber management, teaching forestry camps, giving presentations to HOAs and other groups or organizations, and working closely with the South Carolina Forestry Commission on the Firewise program. Her main area of interest is Forest Health. Her latest accomplishment involved helping the non-profit organization Carolina Hemlocks get started. Their mission is to locate and treat hemlock trees on private lands in order to save the Hemlock trees of South Carolina. Carolyn is a registered forester and a certified arborist. She looks forward to working in our county and getting to know you and the area.

Carolyn Dawson is the new Area Forestry Extension Agent for Spartanburg County. Although she has been with Clemson Extension for over 10 years, her responsibilities recently expanded to include Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.

Carolyn received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida in Forest Resources and Conservation. She started her career in Florida as the Duval County Forestry under the Florida Division of Forestry. She then accepted the position of Southern Pine Beetle Forester in Asheville, NC with the North Carolina Forest Service.

In 2011 she joined the Clemson Extension team. Her work includes assisting private forest landowners with timber management, teaching forestry camps, giving presentations to HOAs and other groups or organizations, and working closely with the South Carolina Forestry Commission on the Firewise program. Her main area of interest is Forest Health. Her latest accomplishment involved helping the non-profit organization Carolina Hemlocks get started. Their mission is to locate and treat hemlock trees on private lands in order to save the Hemlock trees of South Carolina. Carolyn is a registered forester and a certified arborist. She looks forward to working in our county and getting to know you and the area.

RIGHT OF WAY PEST CONTROL (CATEGORY 6) EXAM TRAINING AND RECERTIFICATION

Planning on taking the Category 6 Exam? Need Category 6 credits. This on-demand webinar allows you to do it at your convenience. Recertification credits = 1 hour (category 6). The cost is $20.00.

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Aquatic Weed ID and Management On-demand Webinar (Worth 1 Category 5 Credit Hour)

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Initial Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Licensing Exam  

Wednesday, December 8 at 9:00am to 12:30pm