Unfortunately, 2009 has been a banner year for natural disturbance and economic disruption. Many Kentucky woodland owners have experienced unprecedented ice damage, wind storms, flooding, and a new insect outbreak. When these disturbances hit hard they can generate a significant amount of tree and woodland damage. As if this wasn’t bad enough, the majority of this damaged timber has been left to rot due to the depressed timber markets. All of this dead material represents a fire hazard and there are some areas of Kentucky and some woodland owners that have to deal with extremely dangerous situations relative to forest fires. “Wildfire and Woodlands: Assessing and Reducing Risks” provides some useful information on assessing the risk of fire hazard in your woods based on the amount and distribution of fuels and offers recommendations on how to reduce your risk.
The economic downturn has taken its toll on our wood industry, from loggers to cabinet shops. See the article entitled “Kentucky’s Forest Industry-down but not out” for an up-to-date overview of our wood industry. And if you have not heard, Emerald Ash Borer was found in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky and a quarantine was put in place this summer in an attempt to slow the infestation. Details of the quarantine are outlined in this issue.
We hope, despite the less than ideal news that you enjoy and can use the information in this issue and we can all look forward to a time when conditions change for the better.
Jeff Stringer,
University of Kentucky
Department of Forestry
Diana Olszowy,
Kentucky Division of Forestry
On behalf of the University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and the Kentucky Division of Forestry, the editors of Kentucky Woodlands Magazine commend you for the effort you put forth to manage our woodlands, and we hope that this magazine will help make your efforts more rewarding.
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry
Kentucky Division of Forestry
Associate Editor
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry
Renee' Williams
Assistant Editor
Advertising (print version) and Graphic Designer
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry
Magazine cover photo by Kentucky Division of Forestry.
