Forestry Internet Seminar Series – Cornell University

The following is from the Forest Connect page of Cornell University Cooperative Extension:

The ForestConnect 2007 Forestry Internet Seminar Series uses web conferencing technology to provide research-based and unbiased information to forest owners and others interested in private forest lands management. Broadcasts occur on the third Wednesday of each month, once at noon and a repeat live broadcast at 7:00 PM, Eastern time. Each broadcast is scheduled to run an hour, although questions and answers may take additional time. The noon broadcast is saved and may be viewed at this site using the links below.

There is no charge for participation, but registration is required. Email communication with URL details is only sent to people who have registered. New registered participants will be notified daily the week of a broadcast, with the final announcement sent at 11:00 AM the day of the broadcast. Please visit the links on this page to register and to learn of dates and topics for future broadcasts.   read more and register

Ash trees still have value after tree-killing beetle attacks (The Chronicle Journal)

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) – Ash trees are being turned into park benches, baby furniture and baseball bats for Little Leaguers as cities around the Midwest try to get rid of millions of trees killed by a paper clip-size beetle.

The emerald ash borer has killed or prompted state officials to cut down about 25 million infested trees in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania since it first was discovered in the United States five years ago. And it’s on the move, with federal agriculture officials predicting it could spread to the east-central United States within the next two decades.

“We wanted to get value out of them before we lost them,” said Steve Gruner, director of the Sandusky County Park District in Ohio where ash trees were used to renovate a historic barn.

Workers in Monroe, Mich., built park benches, picnic tables and sign posts and ash floors and panelling are being installed in a library in Ann Arbor. read more