Forest Landowner Briefings VI

Publication Year

2025

Brief Description

Topics

Land Management, Sustainability and Climate

Full Text

Forest Landowners: Do you get to visit your East Texas property? Do you wish you could be more “productive” during your time there? In this newsletter, you’ll find resources and tools to help you make the most of your visit. My time is limited when I come to visit my Texas property. I’d like a quick and easy way to determine where and what I may need to keep my roads in good shape. The Texas Forestry BMPs app is based on the Texas Forestry Best Management Practices (BMP) Handbook (May 2014), the state manual for protecting water quality on forested land. This convenient, localized app is a quick reference guide that covers all forest activities, including the actual BMP guidelines, recommended specification, schematics, tables, and a glossary. These guidelines are a part of the Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The app is available both in the Android version (on the Google Play Store) and the iOS version (at Apple’s App Store). This free app covers several topics and some handy tools:

What are Forestry BMPs?
BMP Guidelines
Recommended Specifications
Texas BMPs for Forest Wetlands
Glossary
How to Calculate Basal Area

In addition, three tools for use in the field are provided:

Soils Identifier Tool
Slope Tool
Tree Height Tool

LINKS Go to Google Play and search for “Texas Forestry BMPs” to install the android version Go to iTunes and search for “Texas Forestry BMPs” to install the Apple (iOS) version When I do come to my Texas property, I occasionally like to plant a few trees around the old homestead. Is there any “how to” help with that? There is! On the Texas A&M Forest Service website, you’ll find the Texas Tree Planting Guide. Here, you can select the county where your property is located and come up with an illustrated list of trees that could work for you in that area. You can even search for appropriate trees by giving specifics such as any size or height restrictions you may have; whether or not the leaves fall in the autumn; whether it has flowers or fall color; and soil moisture, pH, and shade availability in the area. You can print the tree selection given and take it with you when shopping for the tree(s). Another section of this online tool gives planting advice in the form of illustrated diagrams and short, informative videos. Topics covered include: tips on landscaping, planning for available space, planting for ^energy savings for your home, avoiding future problems with your tree, planting near utility lines, selecting a tree, how to plant your tree, pruning your tree, and how big your tree will grow. The videos also come in a Spanish version. LINKS http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu – Texas Tree Planting Guide Once I am on my property, I like to take the family hiking through the property, and we often wish we could identify many of the trees there. There are many field guides that can be purchased. We would recommend finding one that is specific to Texas, or at least the southern United States. Knowing what geographic location a tree is associated with will help you narrow down the actual species of the tree you are trying to identify. Texas A&M Forest Service has an online tree I.D. site that also includes a wealth of information you can use before, during, and after your trip. Tips are included on how to identify trees and what identifying characteristics you should observe. Colorful and simple illustrations aid in understanding and comparing different aspects of tree parts and features. Your science students could utilize a lot of the information on this site, or use it to reinforce what they have learned in school! Information and illustrations on how trees grow will interest students and adults b. like; and all could glean some knowledge of the ecoregions of Texas. You’ll learn why it is important to understand the roles of native, non-native, and invasive species in the environment. The Tree Dictionary is very helpful in understanding the terms associated with trees and the woods, and make great vocabulary words! You will also find links to other tree-associated websites. LINKS http://texastreeid.tamu.edu – Trees of Texas https://goo.gl/mq1mKr – Tree Identification 101 slide show (pdf file) https://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree – Simple online key to trees We as a family like to learn together. What other online resources offer us different ways to learn more about trees and their use, care, and propagation? Texas A&M Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator Paul Johnson records weekly podcasts that help listeners better understand and care for their trees. These podcasts feature a short lesson and tree of the week, and share upcoming tree-related events around Texas. From planting to pruning; famous to flowering; barbecue to bicycles; to soil, sun and shade; and what to do when faced with disaster – so many unique topics to choose from! Even Pokéman Go is the topic of one recent episode! Paul is an excellent speaker and chooses interesting, unique topics. Episode 70 was recorded in August 2016, and new ones are still being aired! Past episodes are available. LINKS http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/Podcasts/TreesAreKey – Trees are Key podcast links to Soundcloud https://www.facebook.com/treesarekey – Trees are Key Facebook page I inherited my property in East Texas, and was never really involved in the management of it. How can I find out what I have out there investment-wise? Each forested property can be distinctive and have different timber valuations and management needs, just as each forest landowner can have different objectives and goals in mind for their property. You can determine and meet your land objectives by taking it one step at a time.

Educate yourself. Talk to fellow landowners, forestry professionals, and explore resources on the Internet.
Have your trees and timber assessed. Assessments can be made on timber stands to determine overall age, health, past management, current and future value, and current and future products and/or benefits the stands provide.
Create a management plan. A good management plan takes into account your land objectives and sets a timeline to achieve those objectives.

Research shows that actively managed timberland provides more resources and benefits compared to unmanaged timberland. Though you live far away, hiring a reputable forestry professional who can assess your property, give you facts and suggestions on what to do with it, and oversee any operations that may be conducted on the property can give you peace of mind and help you get the most out of your landowner experience. LINKS http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/LandownerAssistance – On the left, click on “Consulting Forester List.” Another topic of interest here could be “Estate Planning” under “Forest Taxation.” Where can I go for help? Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) has offices all over East Texas (and the rest of the state). Contact the TFS District Office serving the county where your property is located. Go to http://tfsweb.tamu.edu and click on “Contact Us,” then “County,” and then search for your county or click on the county of your choice on the map. Click on “Landowner Assistance” to get contact information for that area. For more info on these and other topics, go to the Texas A&M Forest Service website at http://tfsweb.tamu.edu, or contact the TFS District Office closest to your property. TFS District Offices: Carthage (903) 693-6865 Conroe (936) 273-2261 Crockett (936) 544-7798 Gilmer (903) 734-7007 Henderson (903) 657-0511 Hudson (Lufkin) (936) 875-4400 Huntsville (936) 295-5688 Jacksonville (903) 586-7545 Jasper / Kirbyville / Buna (409) 384-9427 Kountze / Woodville (409) 246-2484 Linden (903) 756-5571 Liberty / Livingston (936) 327-4832 Marshall / Longview (903) 938-8712 Nacogdoches (936) 564-9276 New Boston / Clarksville (903) 628-2711 Palestine (903) 729-7738 Pittsburg (903) 856-7181 San Augustine (936) 275-3438 You can still access past editions of this newsletter by going to http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/BMP and clicking on the “+” beside “Newsletters: Forest Landowner Briefings.”