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The West Virginia University Appalachian Hardwood Center Hardwood Center invites the public to attend a Forest Stewardship Program Landowner Tour from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the property of French Armstrong, French Creek, WV, Upshur County. Refreshments and snacks will be provided following the tour.

The second site of this year?s Forest Stewardship Landowner Tours will be on the property of French Armstrong. The Appalachian Hardwood Center is excited to provide area residents an opportunity to see first-hand the implementation of the various management techniques applied to this tract in the heart of West Virginia. Come out and support the Forest Stewardship program and the management of the state?s private forests!

Property Overview:

The Armstrong family has owned these 225 acres since 1971. On this tour you will see both a selection cut and a crop-tree release. The selection cut was completed last year on about 20 acres of the tract. We will also look at the reclamation of skid roads and landings from the selection cut.

Mr. Armstrong has planted red oak, tulip-poplar, and Japanese larch in low quality stands. Over the course of two years, he has planted 8,700 Douglas and Fraser fir trees in his 25-acre Christmas tree plantation. The plantings have been a major challenge as much of what was planted has been severely browsed by deer. On the tour, we will see the how trees can be protected from deer and will discuss the effect of high deer populations. We will also see a grapevine removal treatment that was carried out across the entire tract to minimize damage from snow and ice storms.

Tour Overview:
Agenda
1:00 Meet at the Armstrong House.
1:10 Introductions and Overview of FSP program. Handouts will be provided.
2:00 Begin to explore forestry activities on walking property tour.
3:30 Return to vehicles for refreshments/snacks and final discussion.
4:00 End of tour

To sign up for the tour or for more information please contact Elizabeth Tichner, tel: 304-276-0113, e-mail: etichner@mix.wvu.edu.