NC State University Extension Forestry

Saturday is the First Day of Summer! ☀️
Summer break is a great time to create or update your written forest management plan. When you're planning for your forest, the clearer your destination (or objectives), the greater the chance for success.
This summer, create a forest management plan by objectives with our Woodland Owners Notes publication!
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/management-by-objectives-successful-forest-planning

! Of the 7 species of squirrels native to NC, the eastern gray squirrel is the most abundant and widely distributed. It lives in a variety of forest types but favors areas with mature hardwood trees.
Direct improvements you can make in your woodlands include: placing nest boxes where cavity trees are lacking, protecting den trees, using crop tree release around hard mast trees, and planting mast-producing trees.
Learn more with our Working with Wildlife publication:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/eastern-gray-squirrel

Dr. Kurt Smith was an invited speaker and attended the International Union of Forest Research Organizations - IUFRO Forests to Heritage Conference in Klagenfurt, Austria, 5/17-5/22, and gave a talk titled "Timber, Toil and Transformation: Wood Markets, Opportunity and Labor in the Antebellum and Modern South".
The conference was represented by over 130 participants from 30 different countries.

We expect adult spotted lanternfly (SLF) to begin emerging soon.
With recent confirmations of SLF in 7 NC counties (Caldwell, Caswell, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Rockingham, Rowan), we urge you to keep your eye out for these invasive pests.
If you see one in a county not confirmed, report it and squash it!
See our Spotted Lanternfly page for management guides, look-alikes, DIY egg traps, and more!
https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry-health/spotted-lanternfly

Drought conditions persist in North Carolina. The Forest Drought Response Index demonstrates growing areas of 'abnormal dry' or 'moderate, severe, or extreme drought' in NC.
Signs of drought stress in trees include yellowing or browning leaves and early leaf fall (especially in these hot months). Healthy trees can typically regrow leaves and generally remain healthy. However, newly planted trees may need more care and watering.
Read more about caring for your tree during drought:
https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/news/managing-trees-under-drought-conditions

If you're near Yancey County and interested in invasive plant control, join this EcoForesters & North Carolina Wildlife Federation workshop on June 27th at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Bowditch Bottoms Preserve!
This workshop will include hands-on demonstrations on invasive plant control and identification! Lunch included!
Register in advance: https://www.ecoforesters.org/outreach-events

For thousands of years, our lands burned frequently, with fire an integral part of our ecosystem. This practice remains hugely valuable for wildlife today!
We recently updated our "Using Fire to Improve Wildlife Habitat" factsheet! Learn about the importance of fire for wildlife, specific burn prescriptions for different wildlife species of interest, and ecosystem-specific considerations for burning for wildlife. 🔥
Read the publication:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/using-fire-to-improve-wildlife-habitat

See inside a sawmill at this tour of the Troy Lumber Company mill in Troy, NC, on June 23rd!
This FREE tour offers a front-row seat to the entire primary processing journey.
Space is limited! Don't miss out on seeing inside NC’s timber industry.
https://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/news/see-inside-a-sawmill

This take a moment to appreciate how trees improve the health and well-being of you and your community! 🌳
Take a look at our "Communities Thrive on Trees" publication and learn how urban trees improve our lives by benefiting our economy, our environment, and our health.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/communities-thrive-on-trees

Happy ! 🌎 🌳🌱
Consider how sustainable forest management can make a difference today and for generations to come.
Want to learn more about forest stewardship, landowner programs, or how you can get involved? We’re here to help.
https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry-forest-management