Frederick County Forestry Board (FCFB)

Site of the Frederick County Forest Conservancy District Board 

Contents

  1. 1 FCFB Spotlight
  2. 2 Overview of the FCFB Web site
  3. 3 Nature Notes – 1/29/2012 -  Do cougars still roam in the East?

Click on any of the items in the Table of Contents to go to a particular section of this page. Use the 'Ctrl+Home' key chord to return to the Table of Contents.

Welcome to the Frederick County Forestry Board (FCFB) Web site.
 
The contents of each page on our site is briefly described below the 'Spotlight" section. From any page in this site you can access any other page by using the FCFB site navigator found in the upper left column. The lower left column of each page contains links to other Web sites that relate to FCFB page content.  You can contact us from any page by using the link provide at the bottom of every page.  During the Gypsy Moth spraying endeavor the first section of this home page will be a daily status update on spraying.

We hope that you enjoy and benefit from visiting our Web site. If you have feedback about this site (e.g., corrections or suggestions)  please contact our Webmaster, Tyson Rose (FrederickCountyForestryBoard@gmail.com).

You can also contact the Frederick County Forestry Board using the information below:

Frederick County Forestry Board
8602 Gambrill Park Road
Frederick, MD 21702
Executive Secretary, Michael Kay
MKAY@dnr.state.md.us
301-473-8417, 301-473-8577 (FAX)
 

FCFB Spotlight
  • Sustaining Frederick’s Forests  - a lecture series
     
    Dig up some new expertise on the wide world of wood and learn how you can get involved in local environmental efforts with this free evening lecture series presented by the Frederick County Forestry Board.
     
    These informal discussions will feature talks by guest experts on subjects including managing backyard trees, getting involved in local conservation organizations, and threats to our natural resources.
     
    Come to the C. Burr Artz Library in downtown Frederick on the first Thursday
    of each month from March until August, and learn more about your Frederick
    County forests and trees!
    1. March 1, 2012: “Promoting a Greener Frederick County.” Learn
      about Frederick County’s developing Green Infrastructure Plan and the
      Neighborhood Green program. The Green Infrastructure Plan identifies
      ecologically valuable areas in the county based on forest, stream and wetland
      data, while the Neighborhood Green program provides education and
      resources for residents interested in naturalizing the landscape away from
      turf. Moderator: Heather Montgomery, Frederick County Office of Sustainability & Environmental Resources Sustaining Frederick’s Forests 

    2. April 5, 2012: “Bad Bugs in the Woods.” Gypsy moth, hemlock wooly
      adelgid, emerald ash borer and other invasive insects are increasingly
      impacting our backyard trees and forests. Learn about these destructive
      pests and what you can do to reduce the threats they pose. Moderator: Lynne
      Marquess, Frederick County Forestry Board

    3. May 3, 2012: “Healthy Trees, Happy Homeowner.” Take steps to
      ensure your valuable landscape trees stay hale and hearty by learning how to
      manage them properly throughout the seasons. The Maryland Big Tree Program will also be highlighted. Moderator: Michelle Donahue, Maryland Big Tree Program Volunteer

    4. June 7, 2012: “Getting Involved in Natural Resources.” Get to know your
      local forestry and natural resource organizations, including the Forestry
      Board, Tree Farm Program, the Monocacy & Catoctin Watershed Alliance,
      and the Catoctin Forest Alliance. Discover how you can join them to manage public lands and your property in an environmentally sound manner.
      Moderator: Claude Eans, Western Maryland Regional Tree Farm Representative

    5. July 5, 2012: “Wood in Art.” Explore the variety of creations made from locally sourced wood. Arts and crafts from local artisans and trades include furniture, Moderator: Jim Arnold, Frederick County Forestry Board

    6. August 2, 2012: “Plant Thugs.”  Many of us are familiar with Japanese
      honeysuckle and kudzu, but numerous other species are also having a negative
      impact. Learn about exotic invasive plants in Frederick County woods, open
      areas and residential lots, as well as how to control them—and what to plant
      instead. Moderator: Tom Anderson, Frederick County Forestry Board

     Additional Information

    Lectures will be held the first Thursday of the month in March through August from
    6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in the Community Room. The C. Burr Artz Library is located
    at 110 East Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland. Two hours of free parking is
    available at the Carroll Creek Parking Deck with a ticket validated at the
    library. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is encouraged but
    not required. To register or find out more, contact Mike Kay at 301-473-8417,
    or send an e-mail to MKAY@dnr.state.md.us.

    The library does not promote or endorse the views of this program, sponsors, or
    presenters
      
  • Next Meeting of the Frederick County Forestry Board

    The next meeting of the Forestry Board will be on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Ginny Brace’s house at 1604 Rock Creek Drive, Frederick, MD 21702. One way to find Ginny’s house is to take the Golden Mile (Rt. 40) to Baughman’s Lane then proceed on Buaghmans Lane past Waterford Drive and make a right turn on the next road past Waterford Drive (Rock Creek Drive) . Ginny’s house is the 3rd single family
    house on the right past the apartment complex.     Be sure to visit the Board Briefs section on our Board members page to learn of passed Board activites.

  • Natural Resources Careers Camp (NRCC) 2012 for high school students: 
    July 22-28, in Garrett County, MD. 

    Join high school students from across Maryland at this week-long camp in Garrett County to explore careers and college studies in natural resources.
     
    Registration begins December 1, 2011. Space is limited to 42 NRCC students. Applicants will be interviewed and approved on a first-come basis. In addition, students from bordering states (DC, DE, PA, VA, WV) are welcome to apply and will be interviewed by the nearest local Forestry Board.

    See Education programs page for more information about the program.

    To apply visit the Maryland's Forest Consrvancy Disctrict Boards Web site. 

  • Frederick County’s champion white oak tree has grown in Braddock Heights for an estimated 350 years. To learn more see the article in the FNP entitled "Casting a broad shadow: Braddock Heights white oak makes state registry".

    Braddock Heights white oak (Photo by Adam Fried)

  •  
  • Maryland Woodland Stewards
    April 26, 27, 28 and 29

     
    The University of Maryland Extension is pleased to announce that a new MWS training program is being offered in the spring of 2012. The 2012 program will take place April 26-29 at the Shepherd Spring Retreat Center in Sharpsburg, Maryland.

    Complete details can be reviewed on the Maryland Woodland Stewards dedicated page:  http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/EducationalMWS.html


     
  • The Maryland Tree Farm Program and the Frederick County Forestry Board Tree Farm Field Day - 12/3/2011
    By Heather Mongomery

    Ah, the holiday season… for many, a favorite tradition includes going to a Christmas Tree Farm to cut down the perfect Christmas tree for decorating. Did you know that—according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources—there are over 1,500 tree farms in Maryland totaling over 269,000 acres? Not all of these are Christmas Tree Farms; in fact, many are diverse woodlands managed for forest products, wildlife, water protection and aesthetics, and to minimize the threat of fire, insects and disease. This type of forest management has been encouraged by the American Tree Farm System since 1941. In Maryland, forest landowners can be certified as Tree Farmers by the American Tree Farm System for their forest management efforts.

    This past weekend I ventured out to a “Tree Farm Field Day” at Claude and Pilar Eans’ 28-acre forested property in Walkersville, MD. Claude has been a Certified Tree Farmer since 1986. The Eans Tree farm consists of 5 acres of mature oak forests, 8 acres of young forest that developed naturally after livestock were removed, and a 15 acre pine plantation that was planted in the early 1970’s.


    Pilar & Claude Eans


    The Eans Property Pine Stand


    The field day focused primarily on the pine plantation. The plantation originally consisted of white and Scotch pine planted closely (6 ft by 6 ft) to encourage rapid upward growth. The original intent was to harvest the Scotch pine for Christmas trees in order to provide more room for the longer lived, native white pine trees. By the time that Claude purchased this property, the Scotch pines were too large for Christmas trees. A forest management plan prepared for the Eans by Forester Bonnie Johnson recommended removing the Scotch pine to free up the white pine. Claude did this on his own. Forester Johnson was so impressed with this effort that she nominated Claude as Tree Farmer of the Year in 1988. Over the years the white pine continued their growth, eventually to the point that large adjacent pines began to interfere with each other. At this point Claude tried numerous times to have the pines thinned out commercially; each attempt was met with failure since most commercial pine operators operate outside the confines of Frederick County.

    Fortunately for Claude, local logger Brian Blickenstaff recently acquired a Feller-Buncher- an 18,000 lb. specialized piece of logging equipment that can secure, cut, and maneuver a 12-14” dbh tree to create neat rows of logs with narrow confinements. Brian has agreed to thin the pine trees and pay Claude a predetermined price for the pine trees he removes based on the weight of the logs as they arrive at the pulp mill.

    Feller-Buncher

    The Tree Farm Field Day was co-sponsored by the Maryland Tree Farm Program and the Frederick County Forestry Board. It introduced participants to the importance of forest management, and also included a live demonstration of the Feller-Buncher. Mike Kay (MD DNR Forest Service/FCFB) gave a brief presentation on the history behind pine plantings and the need for management. We learned that the destructive pine bark beetle is attracted to overcrowded pine stands where trees are stressed due to heavy competition and limited resources.

    Forester Mike Kay pointing out pine bark beetle damage



    Field Day Participants & Logger Brian Blickenstaff discussing thinning technique


    The Feller-buncher demonstration was very impressive. The process was powerful, quick, and efficient; in the span of 3 minutes, four large pine trees had been cut and laid down neatly. About 30% of the less desirable white pine trees will be removed from the stand to allow the remaining trees more room to grow and develop. The long-lived white pine can live hundreds of years and grow to a height of nearly 200 feet tall as long as it has enough room to stretch out.

    Feller-Buncher in action- sawing pine

    Feller-Buncher laying down cut pine

    Pine pile made by Feller-Buncher

    At the conclusion of the Tree Farm Demonstration Day, Tree farm signs and hats were distributed and everyone left knowing a little more about the importance of proper forest management and the technology that can help tree farmers achieve their forest management goals.


    Field Day instructors and participants with Tree Farm signs & hats

    Contact information:

    For logging services/Feller-buncher inquiries, contact Brian Blickenstaff at:

    Blickenstaff Logging
    12811 Brandenburg Hollow Road
    Myersville, MD 21773
    301-293-9889

    For more information about the Maryland Tree Farm Program, contact Claude Eans: 301-898-7664 / oeans@hotmail.com.

    For more information about the Frederick County Forestry Board or forest management plans, contact Mike Kay: 301-473-8417 / mkay@dnr.state.md.us.

  • FCFB President interviewed by the Frederick News-Post

            FCFB President Keith Schoonover (Photo by Bill Green)
     
    President Keith Schoonover of the Frederick County Forestry Boarad and owner of a sawmill that sits on an old dairy farm near Jefferson was recently interviewd by the Fredeick News-Post.  Over the years, Keith has built a reputation as someone who likes trees and knows what to do with them. Now, many tree removal companies and other people in the area call Schoonover when they come across a big piece of timber in danger of ending up on the burn pile. 
     
    Read the full Frederick News-Post article entitled "Sawmill owner puts trees on display".
      
  • Just weeks after it turned up in Howard County, the emerald ash borer has been detected in Anne Arundel and Allegany counties.

    Maryland agriculture officials have responded by placing all Maryland counties west of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay under quarantine. Movement of ash wood and trees, and all hardwood firewood out of the zone is banned, and all movement of hardwood firewood within the zone is discouraged. "Buy it where you burn it," officials urged.

    The quarantine is "the best way to secure Maryland's Eastern Shore, where EAB has not been found to date, and protect our riparian forest buffer plantings," said state Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. While federal, state and local authorities continue to search for better controls on the pest, he added, "we rely upon cooperation from the community to follow the quarantine restrictions, not move firewood and to report signs of possible infestation."

    The emerald ash borer is an Asian invader first detected in Maryland in 2003, in Prince George's County. It reached Charles County five years later, and was found in Howard County last month. Fatal to ash trees, the insect typically kills its host within three years.

    Baltimore City has the state's largest population of ash trees, with an estimated 293,000 trees. There are an estimated six million in the city and surrounding counties. Removal of dead trees can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 each. Federal authorities have estimated financial losses in the Baltimore area alone could reach $227 million if the insect becomes established there.

    Julie Oberg, spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, said the pest's spread to Baltimore and the rest of Maryland west of the bay now appears likely.

  • Do I need to get a logging permit?

    Are you thinking of conducting a logging operation on your property? You will need to have a permit before you begin. See the 'Logging Permits' article on our Forestry practices page.


    • Under the spreading Chestnut tree ...
     
    The might American Chestnut once graced the entire east coast of the US but then fell victum to a blight. Could it be returning? Have you seen the test planting near Sugarloaf Mountain and other areas?  A recent Washington Post article entitled 'The mighty American chestnut tree, poised for a comeback'  discusses the possibility of a return of this wonderful American tree. 
     
       
    . 

    Overview of the FCFB Web site

    The Frederick County Forestry Board Calender page includes official Frederick County Forestry Board activities as well as related events or activities of potential interest for forestry oriented residents in other counties of Maryland.

    The Frederick County Forestry Board is dedicated to the forested lands in Frederick County. Go to our Our mission page to learn our purpose and the ways we support the community in promoting forestry concerns.

    Are you interested in participating in a state sponsored stewardship of your forested land? Go to our Forest stewardship page to learn about the benefits and responsibilities of this worthwhile program.

    Visit the Education programs page to learn about classroom, workshops, demonstrations, training, lectures, seminars and other types of education about forestry in the area. The FCFB Spotlight section above also contains links to recent or future educational events.

    The Timber harvest page is a source of information for timber harvest plans, inspections and related topics.

    The spring of 2008 will see a major infestation of Gypsy moth larvae to many areas in Frederick County. Many concerned Frederick County land owners attended a FCFB workshop on the Gypsy moth in November and have banded together to combat the problem. Go to the Gypsy moth suppression page to learn more.

    Go to the Board members page to see a listing of the 2009 FCFB membership. This page also contains highlights from the latest board meeting ('Board Briefs'). To contact the FCFB use the 'Contact us' link found at the bottom of every page in our Web site.

    Visit our Newsletter page to download our printed FCFB Newsletter (the current issue as well as past issues). To be added to the newsletter mailing distribution you can contact us and ask to be added to our newsletter mailing list.

    The Field trials page contains forestry research result reports for studies conducted locally.

    On the Big tree program page you can read about national and state champion tree in Frederick County.  Pictures of these magnificent giants are also shown.

    The Forest favorites page contains short articles by FCFB members about some of their favorite inhabitants of the forest ... flora and fauna.

    The Forestry practices page contains articles intended to provide guidance to landowners who wish to undertake common forestry practices like tree planting, weed control, timber stand improvements, and commercial timber sales.

    The Stronghold's demonstration forest page describes the Forestry Demonstration area at Stronghold which provide visitors with a visual representation of common forest harvest practices, as well as displaying a long-term comparative view of forest development resulting from these activities. 

    The Ecological communities and woodland wildlife habitats   page contains articles about various Frederick County landscapes written by Mike Kay.
     

    Nature Notes – 1/29/2012 -  
    Do cougars still roam in the East?

    Do cougars still roam in the East?
     
     Over the years, there have been numerous accounts of people seeing cougars throughout our region. So numerous, in fact, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a study in 2007 to determine cougar numbers in the East.(Courtesy Photo)
     
    The cougar, puma or mountain lion (Puma concolor) once roamed throughout most of Mexico, the U.S. and southern Canada. After the colonization of America began its numbers declined rapidly due to land clearing and hunting.
     
    By the 1900s, the cougar was believed to be extirpated from most of the Eastern U.S., the exception being southern Florida, where the Florida puma still survives to this day. Populations of other large animals, such as bear, wolf, elk and white-tailed deer, also declined during this period.
     
    The conservation movement of the 1900s helped bring back much of the forest to the East; and deer and bear populations rebounded. But what about the cougar?
     
    Cougars are the second-largest cat in North America, the jaguar being the largest. Adult cougars can weigh 80 to 250 pounds, stand about 3 feet tall on all fours, and span a 5- to 9-foot length from its head to the tip of its tail. Cougars are solitary animals that only pair up during mating season and to rear their young.
     
    Mountain lions are fairly plentiful throughout the West, with some areas having a limited hunting season. These large cats are considered to be endangered species in the East and are protected by federal law.
     
    The remarkable return of white-tailed deer to the East and the regrowth of forests provided the habitat and main food source that mountain lions require. So, it seems reasonable to assume that these animals could live here.
     
    ‘I saw a cougar’
     
    Over the years, there have been numerous accounts of people seeing cougars throughout our region. So numerous, in fact, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a study in 2007 to determine cougar numbers in the East.
    As part of this program, a Eastern Cougar Web page was developed  to provide information and to record credible cougar sighting accounts. This Web page provides much useful information on the cats and posts some of these sighting reports on a blog.
     
    The Cougar Network Web site  has much of the same information plus a map of North America that indicates where known cougar populations exist, and confirmed sightings — dead or alive — by wildlife officials. Looking at this map, it appears that the only significant Eastern populations exist in southern Florida, although a small population may be present in northern Maine, Quebec and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. There have been a number of credible sightings in the Midwest adjacent to established populations, so these cats may be moving eastward. A confirmed cougar sighting was made by a wildlife official in New Hampshire not long ago and a mountain lion was killed by a Georgia hunter.
     
    Numerous local accounts of cougar sightings have been made in the mountains of Western Maryland. Despite these reports, no credible evidence has been produced.
     
    Do cougars roam the mountains of Western Maryland? Who knows.
     
    But as one posting by a wildlife official explained, cougars are very secretive, so they are not easy to spot. But, the official continues, if they were present in significant numbers there would be evidence such as footprints in mud or snow, droppings, carcasses of deer killed by cougars, roadkills or more videos from game cameras.
     
    Roadkill deaths of panthers in Florida average 15 to 20 per year out of a total population of about 100 cats. This is a significant percentage of the total population.
     
    The large home range and mobility of cougars, and abundant and heavily traveled roads of Maryland present an imposing obstacle for the large cats to ever become established in significant numbers in our region.
     
     Nature Notes is compiled by Ginny Brace. Contact her at naturenotesfnp@aol.com.
       
     
    Past Nature Notes
     
    Use the following  links to view past Nature Notes ( (large documents)
     
     
     



     

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