South Sound Farm Forestry Association 

an affiliated chapter of Washington Farm Forestry Association


 

January Meeting

 

President: Boyd Wilson                        Vice President: Michael Gaffney

Co-Secretaries:  Norma Green and Brian LeTourneau 

Treasurer:  Bonnie Miller

  

January 11, 2012 Meeting

 

"Insects and Diseases"  

 

When:  Wednesday, January 11, 2012 -- 6:30 p.m. for Pizza; 7:00 p.m. for Meeting

           

What:  "The bark beetle problem in western US and Canada."

              And a little advice about:  "The best time to prune Westside 

              Douglas-fir." 

 

For the past several years bark beetles have ravished the western inland forests of the United States and Canada.  Much of this problem is caused by young overstocked stands not vigorous enough to resist attack.  Salvage logging has made a huge amount of wood available and disrupted the lumber market.  The remaining standing dead wood is a woodpile waiting to be ignited.

 

Do you prune trees on your tree farm?  You could be attracting bark beetles.  Why is that?  Come and hear how both of these items are affecting us.

 

Who:  Karen Ripley, DNR Forest Health Program Manager since 1996.

 

The Forest Health Program provides technical assistanceand monitoring for state and private forest landowners, with a focus on insects, pathogens and weather conditions that are capable of killing trees, slowing tree growth, or damaging wood products.

 

The program is based in Olympia and employs 2 entomologists, 2 pathologists, 1 technician, and Karen.  We also use Forest Service grants to support about 2 ½ other DNR Stewardship Foresters and a WSU Forestry Extension Agent in eastern Washington. 

 

Karen grew up in Seattle, still has her childhood bug collection, and is now a Forest Entomologist.  She has a BA in Biology from Whitman College and an MS in Silviculture and Forest Protection from UW.  Her great-grandfather was a Botanist/Bryologist who was among the founders of the Botany Dept at UW, and there are also a number other biologists in the family.

 

Where: Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA.

 

Directions From the I-5 Freeway take Exit 104 onto Hwy. 101.  Take exit for Cooper Point/Auto Mall Drive; follow signs to courthouse:  Right on Evergreen Park Drive, Left on Lakeridge Drive, Right into the Court House Parking.  Follow the driveway to Building #1 on the left side of the complex.

 

South Sound Farm Forestry Co-Secretaries

Brian LeTourneau, Ph. 360 943-8774   BrianL4802@aol.com

Norma Green, Ph. 360 753-1487 nfgreen@reachone.com 

  

Important Notes about South Sound Farm Forestry Associaltion :

 

Treasurer Report: As of  November 2011 the South Sound Farm Forestry Association (SSFFA) has a checkbook balance of $4,759.33. 

  

Ideas?  Concerns?  Want to help with SSFFA programs?  Michael Gaffney, the vice-president of the SSFFA, recently resigned because of health concerns.  He will continue to be active in SSFFA but at a reduced level.  Michael's work in booking rooms for our meetings and bringing pizza will be missed as will his efforts in arranging monthly meetings and tours.  If you are interested in service as vice-president or would like more information please contact Pres. Boyd Wilson: 360-438-1166 boydwilson@earthlink.net

 

 

Membership Special:  Annual membership fees continues for 1st time new members: $45 for 1 year, with a $25 rebate if SSFFA is selected as the prime chapter.  Contact President Boyd Wilson for more information.

 


Future Meetings - 2nd Wednesday, unless noted -- Mark your Calendars

Tentatively Scheduled:   

 

  • Feb 8 - How to grow alder where you want it, and why.

  • Mar 15 -Thurs. - Business tactics, Estate Planning, Taxes, Safety/Insurance

  • Apr 11 - 50 Years of Tree Farming: What it can look like

  • May 9 - Tour:

  • June 16 - Sat.-Outdoor program and picnic

  • July 11 - Tour:           

  • Aug 8 - Tour:  36 acres of inherited forestland including background information and plans

  • Sept. 12 - Mill Tour:

  • Oct. 10 - Educational program

  • Nov 14 - Program Planning for 2013