Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Do you have a place in the country? How about a weekend getaway, hunting tract, mini-farm, ranchette or back forty?

If you have property with trees, "Backyard Woodlands: A Landowner Resource Notebook" is a resource guide that can provide valuable information. This newly revised, 15-chapter notebook, published by the Oregon State University Extension Service, brings together a wealth of information to help owners of backyard woodlands be good stewards of their property. OSU Extension forestry specialist Stephen Fitzgerald spearheaded this effort.

The guide covers stewardship and woodland planning, woodland ecology, tree and shrub identification, woodland health, tending woodlands, caring for trees, planting and establishing new trees, harvesting forest products, enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting against wildfire, water quality, regulations and laws, where to get assistance, managing invasive plants and business and tax considerations. Additional learning materials from other agencies are in sleeves next to each chapter.

This revision includes two new chapters - one on noxious weeds and their management that includes a large, full-color sheet with photos for weed identification; the other about business and tax considerations. The guide also contains new content and updated references.

"Think of this notebook as your basic source of information for managing your forested property," said Fitzgerald.

A preview of the guide (EM 8745) may be downloaded from the Web at: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/em8745.pdf

The preview includes a description of notebook contents, the introduction and pages from sample chapters. The complete notebook is a three-inch, three-ring binder. Single copies are $54 each plus shipping and handling. Discounts are available on orders of 100 or more.

To request a copy, call 1-800-561-6719 or access the online OSU Extension catalog, at: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/.