13 ways to ‘fire up’ your woodlot returns13 ways to ‘fire up’ your woodlot returns

Looking for ways to better use your woodlots or timber or to increase the value of your harvest? Then you’ll want to sit in on at least one of the daily woodlot workshops hosted by the New York Forest Owners Association late this week at New York Farm Show in Syracuse.

Here’s a quick peek at the schedule happening in the Somerset Room on the lower level of the state fair’s Arts and Home Center.

Thursday, Feb. 23
11 a.m.: How the Department of Environmental Conservation can help forest owners
1 p.m.: Assessing deer impact
2 p.m.: Legacy planning for your property
3 p.m.: Obtaining federal assistance for woodlot improvements

Friday, Feb 24
10 a.m.: Eliminating unwanted woodlot vegetation
11 a.m.: How to inventory your woodlot trees
1 p.m.: The latest on insects and diseases that threaten trees
2 p.m.: Legal rights and responsibilities of woodlot owners
3 p.m.: Federal assistance for woodlot improvements

Saturday, Feb 25
10 a.m.: Heat with wood while growing timber
11 a.m.: More birds with smart timber management
1 p.m.: Working with consulting foresters
2 p.m.: Wilhelm Farm: An owner’s case study in agroforestry
3 p.m.: Woodlots and income taxes

Programs start on the hour and allow time for questions and discussion, report Hugh Canham and Ron Pederson, coordinators for the workshops. All sessions are presented by the New York Forest Owners Association in cooperation with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Get your forestry questions answered
Meet with a forester from New York’s State Department of Environmental Conservation or speak with a Cornell trained volunteer. Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions and pause at the booth area before or after attending a seminar program. The DEC foresters and trained volunteers are there to help with resource materials, displays and expert advice.

The booth is on the main corridor of the Arts and Home Center — steps away from the seminars held in the Somerset Room.