A project developed and designed byDr. Marcella Szymanski, Assistant Extension Specialist in Forest Economics and Natural Resources

Gwenda Adkins, Family and Consumer Science Agent, Elliott CountyWilliam Thomas, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, Elliott County

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What Is Forestry?

Cover artwork: Sharon Sloas Boggs

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What Is Forestry?

Forestry starts with trees—knowing howthey grow and what part they play in the worldas a whole. It helps to know the history of theforest, what kinds of animals live there, andwhat makes Kentucky’s forests special.

Forests affect how we live and provide manythings we use, so it is important to take care ofthem, understand what they give us, and usethem wisely. It is also important to know aboutjobs for people who want to work with trees,timber, or lumber.

We need to understand the effect of today’sworld on the forests of the future, and we needto think about what kind of forests we wouldlike our grandchildren to enjoy.

Students at Isonville Elementary, LakesideElementary, and Sandy Hook Elementary inElliott County, Kentucky, have provided theartwork and ideas in this booklet to helpeducate others about our forests and forestresource issues.

These words and pictures show how much agroup of young people can come toappreciate Kentucky’s forests. We hope theywill help you care about our forests, too.

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The forest has been changed by many things: weather, insects, disease,and people.

When Daniel Boone came to Kentucky, much of the land was coveredwith large trees, and native peoples were the caretakers of the forest.Later some trees were cut, and land was cleared by settlers for homesand farms. In the late 1800s to early 1900s, the forests changed becauseof widespread logging. The trees Daniel Boone saw when he came to thestate were cut.

When trees are cut from the forest, it leaves room for new trees togrow. This is what has happened in Kentucky, and if Daniel Boonereturned today, he would see lots of trees but a different forest.

The History of the ForestKatie Ison’s fourth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

“I remember when anice storm came throughour area and brokedown most of thetrees!”

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Trees need air, water, sunshine, and minerals.There are many different parts of the tree. The roots hold the tree in

the ground and give the tree water and minerals. The bark protects thetree like skin protects humans. The leaves make food for the tree. Thestem and branches hold up the leaves.

The forest has layers. The top is called the canopy and is made of largertrees. The middle is called the understory and is made of smaller trees.The bottom is called the forest floor, or ground.

How the Forest GrowsLaura Sparks’ fourth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“Seeds can travel manydifferent ways. Youcan even carry one inyour shoe.”

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There are more than 300 kinds of wildlife living in Kentucky’s forests.The forest provides habitat for wildlife, so taking care of the forest takescare of where the animals live.

There are around 200 different kinds of trees and shrubs in Kentucky,and about 50 of these can bring in income.

Life in Kentucky’s ForestsLinda Stafford’s fifth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“Animals are not theonly thing alive in theforest. There are alsoplants, like poison ivy.”

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Trees hold the soil in place and keep it from washing into the creeks.Forests provide a special place for many animals and small plants.

The forest is like a puzzle; everything is connected: the animals, plants,soil, water, and trees. They all depend each other.

Everything is tied to everything else like a spider web. When you moveone piece, it affects other parts.

The Importance of the Forest to Our EnvironmentDarreline Lewis’ fourth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

“The forest is like ourcommunity, alwayschanging.”

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Fire can take waste out of the forest, but uncontrolled fires can be badand cause a loss of future income from your forest.

If you keep taking the best trees out of the forest and leave the badtrees, the forest’s value is decreased, which is called high grading.Damaged trees become more open to insects and disease.

You need to balance or care for what you take from the forest so thefuture forest increases in quality.

As cities grow in what is called sprawl, land is cleared that results in aloss of forest and agricultural land and a loss of habitat, or places foranimals to live.

Today’s Trends and the Future of the ForestBetty Williams’ sixth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

“It is up to us to makea decision now as towhat our future forestswill be.”

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The forest provides homes, food, jobs, and a place to play, and it cleanswater. A forest provides a place for recreation: hunting, fishing, hiking,and camping.

The trees are pretty in the spring and fall and that makes people wantto come and see the forest.

Lots of people make a living from the forest: loggers, truck drivers, andpeople in many other careers.

How the Forest Affects Our CommunityLinda Stafford’s fifth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“If we take care of theforest, it can provide alot of what we need tolive: a place to work, aplace to live, a place toplay.”

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Over 5,000 products come from the forest: lumber, makeup,toothpaste, paper, pencils, maple syrup, oxygen, medicines, furniture, andmany more. The forests are a renewable resource. Managing our forestswell will allow us to have a continuous supply of forest products.

Forest ProductsDenise Boggs’ fourth grade class, Isonville Elementary

“I had no idea there areso many things thatcome from trees.”

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It takes more than one step to produce a product:1. The logger or mill owner buys trees from the landowner.2. The trees are cut or harvested and then gathered at the log landing.3. At the log landing the trees are loaded on a truck and driven to a mill.4. At the mill, the logs are separated, sawn into lumber, and dried.5. The lumber is loaded onto trucks and shipped to stores.6. People or companies buy the lumber and build products such as

furniture or flooring.

From Forest to Product—What Is the Process?Toni Johnson’s sixth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“I did not realize thenumber of jobs in theforest industry.”

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• Wildlife biologists study wildlife.• Foresters make forest management (care) plans.• Consulting foresters help people selling timber.• Naturalists teach about the environment.• Loggers harvest the trees.• Equipment operators run bulldozers, skidders, booms, or trucks.• Mechanics fix forestry equipment.• Forest engineers plan logging operations.• Artisans obtain materials from the forest to create art.• Lumber mill owners/operators saw logs into boards.• Carpenters make wood into furniture.• Machinists make furniture and other forest products.• Forest scientists study the forest.• Botanists study plants.

Careers the Forest Holds for UsSharon Boggs’ sixth grade class, Isonville Elementary

“To get a job inforestry, you should dowell in school. Somejobs in forestry requireyou to go to college ortechnical school.”

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If you could look out your window at a forest in 100 years, what wouldyou want to see?

It could be a healthy forest, lots of wild flowers, different kinds ofwildlife, an investment for your grandchildren that could send them tocollege, the trees you climbed when you were a child, and a creek withclean water.

What Do We Want the Forest to Look Like in 100 Years?Shana Reed’s fourth/fifth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“We would like a forestwith no trash, healthytrees, homes foranimals, and a naturaland peaceful settingwith clean rivers.”

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We can take care of our forests for many different reasons, includingproviding timber, recreation, water, and a home for wildlife.

To decide how we want to take care of our forests, we need to thinkabout how we want our forests to look in future. Do we want incomefrom the forests, hiking trails, wildlife, or something else? With a goodforest plan we can have many choices.

Caring for our forests is like raising our children; the attention we givethem will determine their outcome.

Caring for Our ForestsRobin Griffith’s fifth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

“If you care for theforest, it will give youmore of what you wantand need.”

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It is important to take care of our trees so they will be worth more inthe future.

Preventing fires from getting out of control and not using living treesfor fence posts will make our trees more valuable. While not all fire is bad,fires that are uncontrolled or “torched” do damage and cost money.Although fire can kill trees, more often fire just causes damage andallows insects and disease to attack. In future years the damaged treesmay look sound, but the heartwood or core of the trees may be rotten,which takes away from the quality of the wood and its value.

Caring for Our Trees PaysBrenda Bradford’s sixth grade class, Lakeside Elementary

“I realized howimportant it is to takecare of your trees sothey will be worth moremoney in the future.”

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There are many ways to harvest trees:• Group selection is taking a group of trees from only one area. It can

prevent the spread of insects or disease and can help keep the foresthealthy.

• Single tree selection is taking selected single trees from throughoutthe forest. It provides trees for certain products like white ash forbaseball bats.

• Clear-cutting removes all the trees in an area and lets in more sun fornew trees to grow.

• Thinning removes some trees to allow other trees to grow better.• Seed tree cutting leaves a few well-spaced trees for re-seeding the

area.Trees can grow back or re-sprout from the stump and roots of cut trees.

Forest HarvestingFreida Tussey’s fifth grade class, Isonville Elementary

“Cutting trees is notbad, but it needs to bewell planned.”

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Here are steps to follow before selling timber:1. Decide if you want to sell the whole “boundary”or just part of the

timber on your farm.2. Decide how you want to sell your timber: Ask a forester to help you

make a decision (for help finding a forester, go to page 17).3. Request a reference to find out how well the logger did on other jobs.4. Advertise widely. If you only get one offer, how can you know if it is a

high offer or a low offer?5. Sell by written contract to protect both you and the logger.6. Oversee the sale. Make sure the contract is followed.

What to Know Before Selling TimberVicky Riffe’s sixth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

“Before I sell mytimber, I want to havewritten on paper what’sgoing to happen.”

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• Kentucky Division of Forestry: Call (800) 866-0555 or (502) 564-4496to find out the phone number of your county forester, who can makeup a free forest management plan for you.

• Cooperative Extension Service: Find it in the phone book under thename of your county. An Extension agent can provide you with a listof loggers and consulting foresters.

• Natural Resources and Conservation Service: Call (859) 224-7350for conservation plans for water and soil quality and informationabout the Forestry Incentive Program (FIP), which will pay part of thecost of replanting trees if you have a forest management plan.

• Consulting foresters: Contact your county Cooperative ExtensionService office for a list of consulting foresters, who charge a small feebut usually help get a better price for timber.

“All the information isavailable for you; allyou have to do is ask.”

Resources for Forest InformationJady Skaggs’ fifth grade class, Sandy Hook Elementary

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About This Project

We wanted to celebrate one of our best assets in Kentucky, our youth,by using their help to create a publication for all ages to explain forestresource issues.

Students at Isonville, Lakeside, and Sandy Hook elementary schools inElliott County, Kentucky, took part in a 4-H project using interactiveeducational activities about 15 different topics in forestry.

The youth were asked to tell us, in words and drawings, what theylearned for each of the15 different topics.

This project was developed and designed by Dr. Marcella Szymanski,Assistant Extension Specialist in Forest Economics and NaturalResources; Gwenda Adkins, Family and Consumer Science Agent, ElliottCounty; and William Thomas, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent,Elliott County. Educational activities were provided by Project LearningTree and Project Wild. Information was provided by the KentuckyDivision of Forestry and Daniel Boone National Forest. Some informationwas specifically designed for this project by the University of KentuckyCooperative Extension Service.

We would like to thank students and teachers at Isonville, Lakeside,and Sandy Hook elementary schools for their hard work on the project.We thank Debbie Murray, Extension Program Director of the NortheastArea for her support. For their help in reviewing this publication wethank Dr. Jeff Stringer, Assistant Extension Specialist in HardwoodSiliviculture; Doug McLaren, Forestry Extension Associate; and LaurieTaylor, Natural Resource Educator. We also thank UK AgriculturalCommunications Services for its assistance and the Kentucky Division ofForestry for help with educational activities.

A special thanks to our sponsors: This work was made possible withfinancial support from the Robinson Forest Initiative Trust, the NortheastArea Homemakers Association, and an Agriculture Achievers grant fromthe Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

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Fourth GradeTeachers: Laura Sparks &

Shana Reed

Marissa C. AdkinsSeth Alan AdkinsMikeal Joe BarkerMegan Danielle BoggsJoseph Adam ConleyWillard Justin ConnChristopher E. DickersonDavid Leston DykaCheisi A. ElliottSamatha J. GriffithCorey HallBradley S. HickmanCrystal L. HolbrookKera Ann HowardTella Marie JohnsonJoshua C. LeadinghamZachary James LewisTabathia L. MasonStacy D. MiddletonBritanni A. ParmleyBeverly N. PorterLauren R. PorterAaron Brent RandolphWhitney N. Salyers

Participating Schools

Fourth GradeTeacher: Denise Boggs

Scott Orban BarkerMichael S. EldridgeJonathan P. FergusonTiffany Dawn FieldsJessica N. GilliamLucas D. GilliamCarmen D. HallMichael J. HayShelia M. LaneyElizabeth S. LovatoKimberly McDowellNathan Von McDowellRonnie C. OneyAaron Michael PetersTyler R. RiggsbyHeather Lynn Skaggs

Silena SkaggsMeggan Renee SloasKayla N. StephensElizabeth C. ThomasNicole Renee WagonerBrandle A. WellsAmanda F. Whitley

Fifth GradeTeacher: Freda Tussey

Lori A. AdkinsBrittany J. BarkerKelley Marie BarkerSamantha A. CoxAmanda EldridgeGregory N. GilliamChristopher A. HallJonathan J. Hall

Ashley KeatonBilly MaxieBonnie M. MaxieHazel MaxieTimothy R. MaxieRodney D. MessinaTiffany R. MullettCory E. OppGarrick PenningtonJessica R. SalyersSarah J. SalyersJames Z. SkaggsAdrianna SturgillNathan L. SturgillDonald C. VaughnAmy M. WagonerJoanna L. WagonerKimberly W. WagonerRachel C. Wagoner

Alyssa Ann SkaggsDanielle L. SkaggsLashawn Angel SkaggsDamen Lee SmithBraydan S. Tucker

Fifth GradeTeachers: Linda Stafford &

Shana Reed

Corey T. BamesDanny Martin BaylessLeevon BearMatthew T. BlevinsTasha R. CarringtonJoseph Aaron CarterMorgan E. CarverAshley D. CoxJonathan Ray CoxShaun Riley CoxNathan W. DavisJared T. DickersonAdam J. EldridgeTommy Lee GarrisJoshua Ray GreeneHallie Sue GriffithKelsay D. HarperLela N. Hickman

Joshua S. HillMelissa Leann HolbrookSarah R. IsonSarah JohnsonDerrick LaneyChristoph LeadingtonHayley Nicole LewisNatasha N. LewisJustin L. LyonsVickie Lee NicholsonEmily Grace PorterJacob D. RandolphKeisha R. RandolphBrittany N. RoseTimothy E. StephensDanielle TurnerLatysha D. Walker

Sixth GradeTeachers: Brenda Bradford &

Toni Johnson

Lisa BoggsVanessa Sue BrownReba Katherine ClickGregory L. ConnMichael Paul CoxAmelia Eldridge

Isonville Elementary SchoolSixth GradeTeacher: Sharon Sloas Boggs

April N. BlankenshipWilliam J. ConleyKayla R. EvansLacy D. LewisNathan S. LewisAnastasia N. LovatoTravis L. MatthewsMargaret C. MaxieWillis A. MaxieSarah E. PorterRebecca Sue RupeDavid SkaggsKeshia D. SkaggsJohnny G. StevensJustin R. WagonerWindy R. WagonerRebecka J. Whitley

Lakeside Elementary SchoolDavid Chase EvansMichael Scott FanninNancy K. GreeneThelma N. GriffithTroy J. GriffithHilary D. HolbrookLeah E. HortonAdam L. HowardAlesha HowardJoshua LewisKayla LewisChelsa C. MarkwellAndrew Alderick McLaughlinNathan A. MooreStephanie D. PorterDerek D. RandolphJackie ReynoldsChristopher R. SkaggsJessica F. SmithNathan StephensHeather M. StevensDerek WhismanAmber Nicole Wood

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Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance ofCooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, C. Oran Little, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, Universityof Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2000 for materials developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative ExtensionService. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyrightnotice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ca.uky.edu. Issued 5-2000, 7000 copies.

Fourth GradeTeacher: Darreline Lewis

Theressia M. AdkinsHeavan ClevengerMatthew A. ElliottCaitlin Rose FanninEthan Grant FaulknerEvan Blake FaulknerGarrett Walter FultzJenna M. GilliamJacqueline H. HarmonBobby Ray HowardTreyleigh Nichole LewisMichael David MarxBrandy MooreJonathan MooreDonovan Wade PerryChrystal RiggsbyBanasha Elaine RoweDustin Brian Eugene RussellJohnny Edward Skaggs Jr.Kevin Lee StamperMegan A. TolliverTalisa Danielle Wagoner

Fourth GradeTeacher: Katie C. Ison

Lacy Morgan BlevinsLeah Kathryn BlevinsBethany BowlingKaleb CarpenterKeith Anthony CenterBilly ClickWhitney Nicole Cline

Sandy Hook Elementary SchoolBronson J. FlattKrista Lynn FultzDavid Ray GillumBenjamin Terry GreenStephanie JuniperCharles A. KibbeyMary Ann NobleWayne T. ReynoldsJoseph M. StapletonRicky K. StevensKaneatha ThornsberryJohn William WalterKala Noel WilsonSheena Rene Wilson

Fifth GradeTeacher: Robin L. Griffith

Samantha K. BrickeyJeremy C. ClingerHeather EagleJustin Tyler FanninBilly Malcolm FultzCassie M. GrayBryan Lee HollandKorey Scott IngramSamantha Faye IsonAndrew Zachary LeAmber Nicole MoffordJames Talbit NickellPaul O’Neal Jr.Nathan Adam PerryLucas Lee StegallBrittany D. StephensMaynard A. StevensJames Michael Trimble

Laken Hope WilderMary A. WilliamsonDanielle Wolfenbarger

Fifth GradeTeacher: Jady R. Skaggs

Angel Renee BrownJeremiah Joseph ButtsKaleigh CarterRachel Marie CastleMelissa G. ClevengerCaitlin CoffeyBrian K. EldridgeBethann M. EnglehardtJeffery S. FlanneryMonica Lee FraleySamantha L. GilliamTeara Noel JessieTravis Colby JonesBrittany Renee LayneSabra L. LewisJoshua Allen Mason

Sixth GradeTeacher: Betty S. Williams

James K. AdkinsAshly N. BoggsCarol Layne BurtonFrances Collette BurtonPamela Jean ClineJeramie ElliottBrittany FergusonJessica E. GilliamAdam L. Howard

Ricky N. JuniperAmber N. KinsterWilliam Anthon MasonIssac S. SmithShelly Rena SmithRobert Brian SpearsWhitney A. ThompsonTrista June WagonerCharles A. WeddingtonCharles Daniel WeddingtonJordan Wilder

Sixth GradeTeacher: Vicky Riffe

Joann M. BrangardCody A. CarpenterAmelia G. ConwayKendra E. DickersonJaclyn B. FergusonErica D. GibsonCameron A. GriffithJustin Lee KiddDustin E. LineAaron D. MooreLisa M. ShortJoshua Allen SimsJoshua Joe SmithBrenna Ann TelaroliJustin D. WatsonRonald E. WeddingtonRandi E. WhiteAleisha N. Whitt