Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Lee Memorial Forest is the research station of the LSU Agricultural Center's School of Renewable Natural Resources. It provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientist from the school who are conducting research vital to the forest and scientific communities, as well as the general public. The dynamic timber management plan implemented on the forest provides the various stand conditions required for proposed research projects. The wide range of stand ages, densities, and species located on the forest offer a unique opportunity for scientists to carry out their research under varying conditions. The forest current hosts several projects including the following research titles: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations, Genetic Influences of Longleaf Pine Wood Properties, Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration, and A Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation. Over the past 10
years, an emphasis has been placed on converting harvested loblolly pine stands back to longleaf pine. The intent is to restore the upland sites back to their native composition, provide a more diverse wildlife habitat, and to give the forest a more diverse stand structure. Additional efforts to bring unmanaged areas of the forest under intense silvicultural management through harvesting, chemical and mechanical applications, and the regular use of prescribed burning practices. In conjunction with the research projects on the forest, less intense demonstration areas have been established to educate and assist local landowners on various forest management techniques. The Forest current hosts demonstration areas for agro-forestry to evaluating the growth of pine seedlings with specific crop species planted within the rows; forest management to evaluating the effects of prescribed burning performed; and a wildflower area designated to demonstrate the beauty and wildlife importance of our
state's natural wildflowers. Lee Memorial Forest often hosts training workshops and field days. In 2007, the following were held at Lee Memorial Forest: a wood utilization and prescribed burning field day for a local Boy Scout group; an erosion control workshop for forestry students enrolled in forestry camp; and a wildlife food plot demonstration comparing planted food plots with natural wildlife vegetation. In addition, Lee Forest supplied a portable sawmill for use in a wood recovery workshop held at Idlewild Research Station. Annually, the forest facilities serve many students and researchers by offering a place for them to reside while they are conducting field research in the area.
Impacts
Lee Memorial Forest plays a significant role in the restoration of the native longleaf pine. Over the past 15 years over 100 acres of the forest have been used to regenerate longleaf pine. Forest personnel and associated faculty provide information on longleaf pine restoration to land owners in the area via field days, workshops, and meetings with groups such as the Washington Parish Landowner's Association. Lee Memorial Forest is instrumental in hosting spring camp, a major part of the forestry and wildlife curriculums. Forestry and wildlife camp are held on site where students gain field practice in areas such as mensuration, dendrology, timber harvesting, silviculture, and prescriptions, as well as hands-on training on specifics such as herbicide applications, chainsaw use, and prescribed burning. Lee Forest is effective in providing materials for other research projects that have a need for wood products, such as pulpwood or lumber. Hickory wood has been provided
for research in baseball bat production and numerous loads of various lumber types have been provided for use in termite research. Lee Forest is also helpful in providing materials and assistance for the annual AG Magic program held each year on campus.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Lee Memorial Forest is the research station of the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources. During the reporting period it provided land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the school who are conducting research vital to the forest and scientific communities, as well as the general public. The dynamic timber management plan implemented on the forest provided various stand conditions required for proposed research projects. The wide range of stand ages, densities, and species located on the forest offered a unique opportunity for scientists to carry out their research under varying conditions. Research on the forest included the following: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations, Genetic Influences of Longleaf Pine Wood Properties, Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration, and A Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation. Over the past 10 years, an emphasis has been placed on converting harvested loblolly pine stands back to longleaf pine. The intention was to restore the upland sites back to their native composition, provide a more diverse wildlife habitat, and to give the forest a more diverse stand structure. Other efforts have been to bring unmanaged areas of the forest under intense silvicultural management through harvesting, chemical and mechanical applications, and the regular use of prescribed burning practices. In conjunction with the research projects on the forest, less intense demonstration areas were established to educate and assist local landowners on various forest management techniques. Demonstration areas included the following: agro-forestry (evaluating the growth of pine seedlings with specific crop species planted within the rows of pine seedlings), forest management (evaluating the effects of prescribed burning performed at specific times of the year), wildlife (a wildflower area has been designated to demonstrate the beauty and wildlife importance of our state's natural wildflowers; wildlife food plots were established to compare the importance of native wildlife vegetation with planted crops). Lee Memorial Forest hosted several training workshops and field days throughout the reporting period. The following workshops were held at Lee Memorial Forest: wood utilization and prescribed burning, erosion control , cattle grazing in pine plantations, pine plantation thinning, invasive species, wildlife vegetation, LCES agent training. Lee Forest also supplied a portable sawmill for use in a wood recovery workshop held at Idlewild Research Station. Lee Forest staff extended their forestry expertise and knowledge to the community by judging science fairs from local schools, assisting the LSU Ag Center with it's Master Gardener's Program, 4-H Achievement Day, and Farm Safety Day. The forest facilities also served many students, professors and researchers throughout the period by offering a place for them to reside while they were conducting field research in the area. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Lee Memorial Forest played a significant role in the restoration of the native longleaf pine. Over 100 acres of the forest have been regenerated with longleaf pine over the past 15 years. Extension of our knowledge of longleaf pine restoration was provided to the community via field days, workshops, and meetings with the Washington Parish Landowner's Association. Lee Memorial Forest was instrumental in hosting spring camp, a major part of the forestry and wildlife curriculums. Forestry and wildlife camp were held on site where students gain field practice in areas such as mensuration, dendrology, timber harvesting, silviculture, and prescriptions, as well as hands-on training on specifics such as herbicide applications, chainsaw use, and prescribed burning. Lee Forest was effective in providing materials for other research projects that have a need for wood products, such as pulpwood or lumber. Hickory wood has been provided for research in baseball bat production and numerous loads of various type lumber have been provided for use in termite research and lumber drying projects. Lee Forest was also helpful in providing materials and assistance for the annual AG Magic program held each year on campus.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Lee Memorial Forest is the research station of the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources. It provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the School who are conducting research vital to the forest and scientific communities, as well as the general public. The dynamic timber management plan implemented on the forest provides the various stand conditions required for proposed research projects. The wide range of stand ages, densities, and species located on the forest offer a unique opportunity for scientists to carry out their research under varying conditions. Current research on the forest includes the following: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations (LAB93386), Genetic Influences of Longleaf Pine Wood Properties (LAB93466), Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration (LAB03557), and A Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation (LAB03557). Over the past 10 years,
emphasis has been placed on converting harvested loblolly pine stands back to longleaf pine. The intention is to restore the upland sites back to their native composition, provide a more diverse wildlife habitat, and give the forest a more diverse stand structure. As of January 2007, about 80 acres of forestland have been converted to longleaf pine, with about 15 more acres scheduled to be planted by March of 2007. Other efforts have been to bring unmanaged areas of the forest under intense silvicultural management through harvesting, chemical and mechanical applications, and the regular use of prescribed burning practices. In conjunction with the research projects on the forest, less intense demonstration areas have been established to educate and assist local landowners on various forest management techniques. Current demonstration areas include the following: agro-forestry (evaluating the growth of pine seedlings with specific crop species planted within the rows of pine
seedlings), forest management (evaluating the effects of prescribed burning performed at specific times of the year), and wildlife (a wildflower area has been designated to demonstrate the beauty and wildlife importance of our state's natural wildflowers). Recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina is mostly complete. Timber damage was evaluated and all areas capable of supporting a harvesting operation were salvaged. Although many tons of timber were salvaged, residual timber still has all of the characteristics of a well managed forest.
Impacts
The research projects and demonstration areas of Lee Memorial Forest provide valuable information for the forest industry, educational institutions, and public landowners regarding forest establishment, management, and productivity.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Lee Memorial Forest is the Research Station of LSU's School of Renewable Natural Resources. It provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the School who are conducting research vital to the forestry and scientific communities, as well as the general public. Current research on the forest includes: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations (LAB93386), Genetic Influences of Longleaf Pine Wood Properties (LAB3466), Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration (LAB3557), and a Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation (LAB3557). The above referenced projects are currently active with data collected annually. Demonstration areas have been established on the forest to help educate the public on specific areas of forestry. Current demonstration areas include the following: agro-forestry (evaluating the growth of pine seedlings with specific crop species planted within the rows
of pine seedlings), forest management (evaluating the effects of prescribed burning performed at specific times of the year), and wildlife (a wildflower area has been designated to demonstrate the beauty of our state's natural wildflowers). Hurricane Katrina was particularly devastating to the forest, and we are in the process of evaluating tree damage, salvaging as much material as possible, and determining future management of the forest and the research projects it supports.
Impacts
The research projects and demonstration areas of Lee Memorial Forest provide valuable information for the forest industry, educational institutions, and public landowners regarding forest establishment, management, and productivity.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Lee Memorial Forest is the research station of the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources. It provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the school who are conducting research vital to the forest and scientific communities as well as the general public. Current and recent research projects on the forest include: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations (LAB93386), Genetic Influences on Longleaf Pine Wood Properties (LAB93466), Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration, and A Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation. Demonstration areas have been established on the forest to help educate the public on specific forestry topics. Current demonstration projects include the following: agro-forestry (evaluating the growth of pine seedlings with specific crop species planted within the rows of pine seedlings), forest management (evaluating the effects of fertilization in
pine plantations; evaluating the effects of prescribed burning performed at various times of the year), and dendrology (a nature trail is in place to help educate students from local schools).
Impacts
The research projects and demonstration areas of Lee Memorial Forest are expected to provide useful information for the forest industry, educational institutions, and public landowners regarding forest establishment, management, and productivity.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Lee Memorial Forest is the research station of LSU's School of Renewable Natural Resources. It provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the school who are conducting research vital to the forest and scientific communities as well as the general public. Current research projects on the forest include the following: Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting and Site Preparation on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations (LAB93386), Genetic Influences on Longleaf Pine Wood Properties (LAB93466), Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration (LAB93557), A Study on the Spacing of Longleaf Pine Trees in a Plantation (LAB93557) and The Effects of Silvopastoral Practices on Timber and Livestock Productivity in Commercial Pine Plantations (LAB93557). The above referenced projects are currently active; however, final data has been collected on the silvopastoral project and results should be analyzed by the end of the year. Demonstration areas have been
established to educate the public on specific areas of forestry, such as agro-forestry, forest management and tree identification.
Impacts
The research projects and demonstration areas of Lee Memorial Forest are expected to provide useful information for the forest industry, educational institutions, and public landowners regarding forest establishment, management, and productivity.
Publications
- No publications were reported in 2003.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The Lee Memorial Forest Research Program provides land, facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist scientists from the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station conduct research vital to the forestry and scientific communitties. Current research projects on the forest include:Effects of Whole-tree Harvesting and Site Prepararion on Production of Loblolly Pine Plantations (LAB03386), Applications of Molecular Genetics to the Breeding of Trees(LAB03245),and Interrelationship between Forest Canopy, Nutrition, and Harvest Index in Southern Pines(LAB03250). Efforts also continue in longleaf pine ecosystem restoration. During the past year, re-mapping of the forest has been accomplished using digital images and remote sensing. A demonstration area is being established to help landowners look at possible horticultural cropping in new pine plantations.
Impacts
To assist landowners in pine plantation establishment and productivity.
Publications
- No publications reported in 2002
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