Forest health training - SCFC Tree Country

SCFC and Clemson Cooperative Extension team up for forest health training

Forestry professionals from the SCFC, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lexington Co. Soil & Water Conservation District and the Center for Heirs’ Property learned about the identification, diagnosis and management of native and invasive pests in forest and tree health specific to South Carolina on Aug. 14 and 15.

On Thursday, participants met at the Harbison Environmental Education Center for a day of classroom learning and lunch provided by Clemson Extension.

Speakers offered insights about forest pests and diseases in South Carolina, including those which could soon make an appearance for the first time, pesticide regulations, fungi, invasive species identification, management and tree health and declines.

Friday included field trial demonstrations at Sandhill Research and Education Center (REC) property where participants learned about different management plans, asked questions and saw examples of pine bark beetles and invasive species like callery pear and bamboo.

Instructors included:

Forest Health Coordinator David Jenkins (SCFC)
Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert (SCFC)
Associate Professor of Forest Health & Invasive Species David Coyle (Clemson)
Sandhill REC Fleet Manager & Research Associate Ryan Bean
State Entomologist Tim Drake

Clemson University Associate Professor of Forest Health & Invasive Species David Coyle covered tree health, declines, and hardwood insect pests and fungi.
SCFC Forest Health Coordinator David Jenkins taught about pine insects and fungi.
State Entomologist Tim Drake provided a pesticide regulatory update.
SCFC Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert covered invasive pests, diseases, invasive plant identification and management.
Sandhill REC Fleet Manager & Research Associate Ryan Bean introduces participants to the Clemson Sandhill REC property and various management studies used at the property.