UTAS/FRREC Christmas Parade Float Wins Oak Ridge Chamber Award Again This Year

The UT Arboretum Society (UTAS) and the FRREC staff participated again this year in the Oak Ridge Christmas Parade. Ms. Lynda Haynes, UTAS Board Member, led the team in designing, building and putting on the finishing touches of the float for this year’s December 9th parade event. Over 15 UTAS members and several of the FRREC staff worked on the float throughout the week before the parade, which depicted a “A Toyland Christmas - Past 75 Years/Future 75 Years in Oak Ridge” scene. The team’s efforts were recognized again this year as the parade judges awarded the float with the prestigious “Chamber Award” for the third year in a row.

Photos:
Top Left: UTAS members working together on the finishing touches of the 2017 Oak Ridge Christmas Parade float entry.
Top Right: FRREC staff members Jake Wrye and Bo Duncan putting the finishing touches on the FRREC Dodge pickup truck which pulled the 2017 Oak Ridge Christmas Parade float entry.
Lower Left: UTAS/FRREC 2017 Float at the 2017 Oak Ridge Christmas Parade.  

UT Arboretum Hosts Bats of Tennessee Program

The UT Arboretum Society and the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center (FRREC) co-hosted “The Bats of Tennessee-All 16 Species!” program on Thursday, November 2nd at the UT Arboretum Auditorium. The presentation by Pandy English, Assistant Chief of Biodiversity with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, on how important bats are in Tennesssee, inspired the all ages crowd of over 140 to want to learn more about ways we can protect and help our bats thrive. This event proved to be a popular substitution for the Owl Prowl which had to be cancelled this year. We hope to offer both of these evening events next fall.

FRREC Hosts Master Logger Training Sessions

The UT Forest Resources Research and Education Center recently hosted two sessions of the 5-Day Tennessee Forestry Association’s Master Logger Program. Mr. Mike Sherrill, Tennessee Division of Forestry-Water Quality Forester, led the module on Best Management Practices and Water Quality on September 21st. Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department Professor/UT Extension Specialist, led the Silviculture/Forest Management module on October 19th. Fifteen area loggers, including FRREC staff members Jake Wrye and Ed Yost are taking the full 5-day program, which also includes chain saw/timber harvesting, first aid/CPR, and business management modules.

Photos:
Top Left: Mr. Mike Sherrill (standing) instructs the FRREC Master Logger program participants on forestry Best Management Practices and Water Quality.
Lower Left: Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck (standing) instructs the FRREC Master Logger program participants on the science and practice of silviculture and forest management.

Highland Rim Forest Conducts Timber Harvest

The UT FRREC harvested a small 14± acre timber sale area on the Highland Rim Forest this past September. The timber harvest was conducted to generate revenue, harvest an aging forest stand and to facilitate a timber harvest demonstration plot within the sale area. The harvest site will be featured at the Saturday May 19th, 2018 Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods field day to demonstrate Diameter Limit Cutting VS Sustainable Forestry. The FRREC hopes to plant some genetically improved oak seedlings on part of the site next spring.

Photos:Martin Schubert (orange shirt – upper left) discusses the history of the UT Cumberland Forest. Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck (blue shirt – upper right) discusses his CF hardwood planting study. Jennifer Franklin (orange shirt – lower left) discusses her CF prescribed fire project. Mr. David Clabo (yellow shirt – lower right) discusses his CF Shortleaf Pine research project.

UT FRREC Hosts FROG Field Day Event

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – Cumberland Forest hosted the FROG field day on Friday, September 22nd. Hot temperatures did not deter a good turnout of professional foresters and natural resource managers. The event focused on oak management, prescribed fire, forest pests, shortleaf pine management, and forest measurements/biometrics. Dr. David Mercker, UT Extension Forester, opened the event assisted by Mr. Martin Schubert, UT Cumberland Forest Manager. The event partners included: UT Extension, UT AgResearch, The UT Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries, The UT Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, and the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Boy Scout Troop 451 Completes Eagle Scout Project

Hunter Connell from Troop 451 completed his Boy Scouts of America "Eagle Scout" project in the UT Arboretum this past July. He and members of his troop rebuilt/replaced an aging bridge on the upper Heath Cove Trail. This project is part of the ongoing effort to improve and update the Arboretum trails, support infrastructure, and signage.

Photos: Top Left: Boy Scout Troop 451 preparing railroad tie bridge supports for new bridge, Top Right: New replacement bridge, Lower: Hunter Connell (far left, first row) proudly poses on the new Heath Cove Trail bridge with members of his scout troop and their dads who helped with the project.

Tree Maintenance Operations On Dead/Damaged Trees In The UT Arboretum

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – Oak Ridge Forest crew worked on several dead/damaged trees in the Arboretum this summer. Two large Tulip poplar trees died near the Arboretum program shelter and were taken down in July. A Willow near the Arboretum office was damaged from a July thunderstorm and required trimming of several large branches. An Ash tree near the front gate succumbed to an attack from the Emerald Ash Borer and is currently being taken down. All of the tree climbing work was performed by Mr. Jake Wrye, FRREC Research Technician (outfitted for a climb in the upper left picture).

FRREC Completes New Gravel Parking Lot For The Arboretum Auditorium

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center is nearing completion of the Arboretum Auditorium parking lot expansion project. The existing gravel parking lot has been enlarged to provide 20+ parking spaces on gravel. The existing lot was also resurfaced with a new layer of crushe-run aggregate and then rolled out/smoothed with heavy equipment. Additional lighting was installed this past winter/spring that now provides an excellent light source for the entire parking lot area which will allow for nighttime programming/event rentals and provide for increased safety during such events. Funding for this project was provided through the UTIA - AgResearch Deans Office "Deferred Maintenance Program".

Photos: Upper Left: Area Before Expansion, Lower Left: During Expansion, Above: Completed Expansion

Summer Field-based Natural Resource Programs Hosted by UT FRREC

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center (FRREC) hosted several field-based forestry/natural resource programs this summer. In mid-July, Mr. Larry Tankersley, UT Extension Specialist, hosted a forestry training workshop for area UT Extension Agents and volunteers. In late July, Mr. Dave Waters, Tennessee Division of Forestry, hosted a session of Project Learning Tree facilitator training in the UT Arboretum Auditorium. In early-August, Dr. Adam Taylor, Professor - UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, hosted the Sevier County 4-H Forestry Team for a session on log grading and sawmilling. More such field-based programs are being planned for the future as part of the increased education and outreach efforts of our new Arboretum Education Program Coordinator, Ms. Michelle Campanis.

Several Spring Field-based Forestry Programs Hosted by FRREC

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center (FRREC) hosted several field-based forestry programs this spring. In late May, Drs. Dave Buckley and Josh Grainger, UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, gave a tree I.D. workshop in the Arboretum (upper left). In early June, the UT Cumberland Forest hosted a delegation from the country of Georgia for a field tour focused on reforestation practices (upper right). In mid-June, Dr. Sharon Jean-Phillippe, UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, hosted a contingent of Tennessee 4-H students at the auditorium for a workshop on Urban Forest tree care practices (lower left). The same week another field tour, focused on sustainable forestry and bioenergy, was held at the Oak Ridge Forest in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (lower right). More such field-based programs are being planned for the future as part of the increased education and outreach efforts of our new Arboretum Education Progran Coordinator, Ms. Michelle Campanis.

UT Arboretum Society/FRREC Hosts Moth-er's Night Out

The UT Arboretum Society and the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center (FRREC) co-hosted the annual “Moth-er's Night Out” event on Saturday, May 20th from 8 – 10 pm. Kris Light, a local Naturalist, gave an excellent overview presentation on moths in the Arboretum Visitors Center and then led the group on a night-time photography session outside on the grounds of the UT Arboretum. This year’s event was one of the best yet in that a large number of moths were attracted to the “lighted sheet” observation areas.

Photos: Kris Light (center with camera – blue shirt/pants) leads the Moth-er's Night Out participants on night-time photography of moths and other flying insects.

UT FRREC Hosts Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Day Event

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – Oak Ridge Forest - hosted the Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods field day on Saturday May 20th. Hot and muggy temperatures did not deter an excellent turnout for the event, which focused on Sustainable Forestry VS Diameter Limit timber harvesting practices. Dr. David Mercker, UT Extension Forester, opened the event up in the auditorium and led the field presentation in the demo harvesting plot located in the research area of the FRREC. The event partners included: UT Extension, The Tennessee Division of Forestry, The Tennessee Forestry Association, UT AgResearch, and the UT Institute of Agriculture – Marketing and Communications. Over 60 attendees, made up of family forest landowners, natural resource professionals, and other University of Tennessee - Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) personnel, staff and students, attended the event. The field day was capped off with a free taco/burrito lunch provided by the Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods program.

Top Left: Dr. David Mercker, UT Extension Forester (standing upper right – tan shirt), greets the participants in the UT FRREC Auditorium during the opening of the May 20th Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Day.

Lower Left: Dr. David Mercker, UT Extension Forester (left of tree – orange vest), discusses sustainable timber harvesting practices in the demo plot area during the Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Day.

Highland Rim Forest Conducts Prescribed Burns

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – Highland Rim Forest Unit in Franklin County - conducted a series of controlled burns this past April as part of the long-term Burn Plot Study. The objectives of this long-term project are to demonstrate the periodic/long-term benefits of prescribed fire on the forest, soils, and associated ecology of the Highland Rim Barrens. The project is being conducted by Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, Professor – UT Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries (FWF) and has been used as a demonstration site for many UT-FRREC field days and workshops over the past four decades. It will be featured again on September 29th as part of the “Fire and Forest Management in Central Tennessee” workshop and field tour. Mr. Martin Schubert, Manager, UT Cumberland Forest and Mr. Tony Garner, Highland Rim Forestry Assistant conducted this series of prescribed burn treatments.

Martin Schubert (top left) and Tony Garner (lower left) use forestry drip torches to ignite a series of controlled burns on the Highland Rim Forest.

Boy Scout Troop 46 Completes Service Project at the UT Arboretum

Stuart Row, Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster - Troop 46, coordinated a service project at the UT Arboretum on April 15th. A small contingent of his scouts, and their dads, refurbished the trail tread stairs leading from the Oak Hickory Trail Bridge up and into the adjacent forest trail interpretive area. The work day was focused on hauling new chip aggregate in buckets up the stairs and then spreading/re-compacting the tread surface. This project is part of a long-term initiative by the UT Arboretum Society – Trails Committee to improve and update the Arboretum trails, support infrastructure, and signage.

Top Left: Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 46 proudly pose sitting on the newly refurbished Oak Hickory trail treads.

Lower Left:The newly refurbished Oak Hickory Trail stair treads provide an access point from the trail bridge up and into the interpretive area.

Boy Scout Troop 40 Completes Eagle Scout Projects

Micah Cravens from BSA Troop 40 in Knoxville completed his Boy Scouts of America “Eagle Scout” project in the UT Arboretum this past March. He and members of his troop rebuilt the deteriorated pole bridge in the Marsh area and installed much-needed “new” foot boards & hand rails to the Oak Hickory Trail Bridge. Both of these projects are part of the ongoing effort to improve and update the Arboretum trails, support infrastructure, and signage.

Top Left: Boy Scout Troop 40 dismantling old Marsh Area pole bridge.

Top Right: New replacement bridge.

Lower Left: Micah Cravens and his parents (left) proudly pose on the newly refurbished Oak Hickory Trail Bridge.

2017 Oak Ridge Arbor Day Celebration

Dr. Kevin Hoyt, director of the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, served again this year as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2017 Oak Ridge Arbor Day Celebration on March 3rd, 2017, held on the St. Mary’s School campus. Ater the ceremony, a Southern Red oak - donated to the City of Oak Ridge by SiteOne Landscape Supply - was proudly planted on the front yard of the school by city officials, invited quests, speakers, and students of the school.

2017 UTAS Father-Daughter Hike

Jeff Holt, Consulting Forester and UTAS Volunteer (top photo: right – green jacket, bottom photo: far left – green jacket) led the 8th Annual Father-Daughter hike held on Saturday, February 18. The event was co-sponsored by the UT Arboretum Society and the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. An overcast winter day did not deter the 56 "dads and daughters" who turned out for the event. The attendees were led on an interpretive hike by Jeff Holt along the North and South Forest Loop Trails. Dr. Kevin Hoyt, Director, also provided commentary about some of the projects along the way. The hikers enjoyed their brisk 1+ hour walk before returning to the Auditorium for fellowship, orange juice, coffee and snacks. Backpacks were also given as mementos to all the children at the end of the event.

FRREC – Oak Ridge Forest Crew Prepares Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Day Demo Plot

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – Oak Ridge Forest crew began logging/hauling the Timber Harvesting Demo Plots that will be used during the Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Mini-field Day on Saturday May 20th, 2017. The marked “harvest” trees consisted of Oak sp., Hickory sp., Tulip poplar, and Sweetgum. Grade logs from the harvest were hauled to a local sawmill for revenue generation. The tops/stem wood was donated to the UT Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries – Forestry Club for their woodsman team practice wood and firewood program. The mini-field day will be led by Dr. David Mercker, UT Extension Forester, and will be open to landowners, loggers, foresters and the general public. The program will include an inside presentation and a field visit to the plot area that will feature improper diameter limit cutting versus a proper timber harvest. Lunch will be provided at the end of the workshop.

Boy Scout Troop 30 Completes Eagle Scout Project

Andrew Christiansen from BSA Troop 30 completed his Boy Scouts of America “Eagle Scout” project in the UT Arboretum in November, 2016. He and members of his troop rebuilt the deteriorated bridge on the lower part of the Heath Cove Trail and installed gravel and waterbars on the new “yet-to-be” named trail near the Visitors Center. Andrew, who most people call Rudy, is a Life Scout in Troop 30 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. He is a 15 year-old freshman who enjoys piano, martial arts, marksmanship, hiking, camping and mountain biking. Andrew was quoted as saying “the UT Arboretum has an amazing number of unique plants along its many beautiful trails” and thanked the Arboretum staff for the opportunity to help maintain the safety and health of the trail system.

Top Left: Bridge before

Top Right: Bridge after

Lower Left: Troop 30 Bridge Project Team (Andrew far left: blue jacket)

Above: Andrew Christiansen

Photos courtesy of Andrew Christiansen

2017 UT Arboretum Society/FRREC “New Year's Walk”

The UT Arboretum Society (UTAS) hosted the third annual “New Year’s Walk” at the UT Arboretum on Monday January 2nd, 2017. The event started out at the new UT Arboretum Auditorium at 9:30 am for a “meet and greet” with UTAS members that included free coffee, hot chocolate and assorted snacks. At 10 am the attendees left the visitors center for a group walk led by Dr. Kevin Hoyt, FRREC Director, to the Elmore Holly Collection. Once there, Mr. Dennis Superczynski, Holly Task Force Chairman, gave an overview of the collection, allowing the participants a chance to learn about the collection and see the hollies covered with winter berries. The walkers were then led on an interpretive hike by Dr. Hoyt down to the Valley Road and up through the Oak-Hickory/Lost Chestnut Trail system before returning to the auditorium via the Heathcove Trail. The wet muggy day did not deter the interest and enthusiasm of the 45 people in attendance.

Top Left: Mr. Dennis Superczynski (blue hat – middle of photo) discusses the Harold Elmore Holly collection during the 2017 New Year’s Walk.

Lower Left: Dr. Kevin Hoyt (green jacket – left) discusses the management of the UT Arboretum and the FRREC during the 2017 New Year’s Walk.

Photos courtesy of Janet Bigelow