Publications: UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Online Publication Catalog

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In descending order, by date published.

Forestry and Natural Resources

Vertebrate Pest Management: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 9

1/16/2024 (major revision)
Authors: Tom Barnes, Matthew Springer

Most people enjoy watching wildlife around the home, whether it is birds at a feeder, butterflies on flowers, or the occasional deer or turkey wandering through the yard. In some instances, wildlife come into contact with humans and are in the wrong place at the wrong time. For the gardening enthusiast, this encounter can create conflict.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.11 mb
Pages: 8

ID-194

Diagnosing Plant Problems: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 6

1/16/2024 (major revision)
Authors: Jessica Bessin, Rick Durham, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Adam Leonberger, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Stacy White, Erica Wood

For those with a green thumb, growing plants may seem easy. However, when plant problems arise, determining the cause of these issues can be difficult. Developing the skills necessary to determine the cause of a plant problem takes experience and time.

Departments: Bell County, Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Franklin County, Hopkins County, Horticulture, Mercer County, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 15.53 mb
Pages: 24

FOR-173

Identifying and Addressing River Otter Damage Issues in Kentucky

10/31/2023 (new)
Authors: Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Springer, Gabriela Wolf-Gonzalez

River otters (Lontra canadensis) were once abundant throughout North America, but unregulated harvest, water pollution, and overall habitat degradation decimated river otter populations across the contiguous United States. By the early 1900s, river otters were scarce in Kentucky; however, due to restoration programs implemented by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), this species has rebounded in the state. River otters can now be found throughout Kentucky.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 3.50 mb
Pages: 7

FOR-174

Fall Webworms

10/31/2023 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Jonathan Larson

Fall webworms are native tent caterpillars that can be found throughout the United States and southern Canada. This species is distinguished by its "tent" constructed at the ends of tree branches, allowing caterpillars to feed gregariously on enclosed foliage. While these insects can cause heavy defoliation, especially during periodic outbreaks, fall webworms by themselves do not cause mortality in healthy trees and are typically not a serious concern meriting management. However, other tent-forming caterpillars may be confused with fall webworm (such as the eastern tent caterpillar) and learning to distinguish these species can be useful for understanding potential impacts.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 3.26 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-175

Woodland Invasive Plant Management Series: Bush Honeysuckle

10/31/2023 (new)
Authors: John Cox, Ellen Crocker, Jacob Muller, Jeff Stringer, Billy Thomas

Several species of Asian bush honeysuckle in the genus Lonicera are invasive in North America. The most common invasive bush honeysuckle species in Kentucky is the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) but other invasive honeysuckle species include L. morrowii, L. tatarica, L. x bella. These species, originally native to China, Korea and parts of Japan, were introduced to the U.S. as far back as the late 1800s and were promoted for conservation and wildlife uses in the 1960s and 1970s. Unfortunately, bush honeysuckles are still popular ornamental plants despite easily escaping into natural areas. The negative impact of dense stands of these species and the ease in which they can escape cultivation is a major concern across the region.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 4.07 mb
Pages: 6

ID-1

The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program

8/24/2023 (new)
Authors: Sharon Bale, Tom Barnes, Jessica Bessin, Kenneth Clayton, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain, J.D. Green, Kelly Jackson, Krista Jacobsen, Jonathan Larson, Brad Lee, Kimberly Leonberger, Adam Leonberger, Gregg Munshaw, A.J. Powell, Edwin Ritchey, Rachel Rudolph, Robbie Smith, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Stacy White, Mark Williams, Erica Wood, Shawn Wright

Plants are essential to life on earth. Either directly or indirectly, they are the primary food source for humans and other animals. Additionally, they provide fuel, replenish the earth's oxygen supply, prevent soil erosion, slow down wind movement, cool the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, supply medicinal compounds, and beautify our surroundings.

Departments: Bell County, Christian County, County Extension, Entomology, Extension Office, Forestry and Natural Resources, Franklin County, Hopkins County, Horticulture, Mercer County, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 63.04 mb
Pages: 336

FOR-172

Vole Issues and Management around Homes, Orchards, and Row Crops

6/26/2023 (new)
Authors: Andrew Ibach, Jena Nierman, Matthew Springer

Voles are a small rodent found in the family Cricetidae. Voles are most commonly known for burrowing systems they create. In Kentucky, there are four different species of voles: The Meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), Prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), Woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum), and the Southern Red-Backed vole (Myodes gapperi). Though each species is unique, they share common characteristics.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 7.50 mb
Pages: 5

FOR-171

Best Practices for Mushroom Foraging in Kentucky

5/19/2023 (new)
Authors: Megan Buland, Ellen Crocker, Brandon George

Kentucky is a great place to forage wild mushrooms. Its extensive forests are home to many different edible fungi including morels, chanterelles, lions' mane, chicken of the woods, oyster mushrooms, and more. While mushroom hunting is a great hobby, it is not without risks. Many mushrooms can cause illness if consumed and some are deadly poisonous, resulting in lasting illness or even death. Even those broadly considered edible should be approached cautiously as improper storage and cooking, drug interactions, and allergies can all result in adverse reactions.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Kenton County
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 3.07 mb
Pages: 3

FOR-45

Managing Tree Squirrel Problems in Kentucky

2/2/2023 (revised)
Authors: Tom Barnes, Matthew Springer

Kentucky has three species of tree squirrels: eastern gray (Sciurus carolinensis), northern fox (Sciurus niger), and southern flying (Glaucomys volans). Gray and fox squirrels are game species, whereas flying squirrels are a non-game species. Because flying squirrels seldom cause problems for homeowners, they are not discussed in this publication.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.99 mb
Pages: 3

NEP-230

Cook Wild Kentucky: Fishing in Kentucky

5/25/2022 (new)
Authors: Elizabeth Coots, Jann Knappage, Annhall Norris, Gregg Rentfrow, Matthew Springer, Jackie Walters, Martha Yount

Kentucky offers some of the best fishing chances around. Among our rolling hills, you will find over 62,000 miles of fishable streams and 40 public lakes. Fishing is fun for all ages, and prime fishing spots can be found yearround across the state. Anglers take to the water each year for fun or food. Kentucky is home to bass, catfish, trout, sunfish, and more.

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Animal and Food Sciences, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Forestry and Natural Resources, Woodford County
Series: Nutrition Education Program (NEP series)
Size: 3.03 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-160

Monitoring for and Controlling Wild Pig Populations in Kentucky

10/13/2021 (new)
Authors: Elizabeth Evers, Matthew Springer

Wild pigs are widely considered to be the most destructive invasive species in the United States. They cause large amounts of agricultural damage, compete with native wildlife for resources, alter wildlife habitat, and threaten biological diversity.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.63 mb
Pages: 5

PPFS-OR-H-11

In Kentucky, many people enjoy being outdoors to hunt, fish, and trap. Kentucky is home to a wide range of wildlife with nearly 1,000 kinds of animals. We have the most elk this side of the Mississippi River. You can also find black bear, white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl, and bobwhite quail in our state.

Departments: Animal and Food Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Forestry and Natural Resources, Woodford County
Series: Nutrition Education Program (NEP series)
Size: 1.45 mb
Pages: 5

PPFS-OR-W-28

Laurel Wilt Disease and Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

7/8/2020 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Tyler Dreaden, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Kimberly Leonberger

Laurel wilt is a newly discovered fungal disease that presents a major threat to sassafras in Kentucky. The disease was first detected in the U.S. in 2003 and in southwestern Kentucky in 2019. Currently, laurel wilt is known to occur in eleven southeastern states bordered by Kentucky (north), North Carolina (east), Florida (south), and Texas (west). Research is ongoing to determine the impact and distribution of both the laurel wilt fungus and the redbay ambrosia beetle that carries it.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Plant Pathology
Series: Woody Ornamental Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-OR-W series)
Size: 1.58 mb
Pages: 2

ID-260

An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Peach in Kentucky

6/8/2020 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Cheryl Kaiser, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Shawn Wright

Long before the term "sustainable" became a household word, farmers were implementing sustainable practices in the form of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. IPM uses a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to reduce and/or manage pathogen and pest populations. These strategies are used to minimize environmental risks, economic costs, and health hazards. Pathogens and pests are managed (although rarely eliminated entirely) to reduce their negative impact on the crop. Scouting and monitoring for diseases, insects, weeds, and abiotic disorders helps identify potential problems before serious losses result. This is essential to the IPM approach. The key to effective monitoring is accurate identification. The images included in this guide represent the more common abiotic and biotic problems that occur in Kentucky peach plantings.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 20.77 mb
Pages: 28

PPFS-FR-S-30

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Strawberry Production

5/27/2020 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Shawn Wright

Inegrated pest management (IPM) includes the combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in efforts to manage diseases and pests while minimizing risks associated with pesticides. Cultural practices are an integral part of an IPM program and should be incorporated into all commercial systems whether large or small, conventional or organic. This publication provides recommended practices at approximate growth stages and/or production periods. However, these timelines are approximate and may require adjustment for particular conditions. Growers who encounter situations that may not align with suggestions here should contact their county Extension office for assistance.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Small Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-S series)
Size: 439 kb
Pages: 6

PPFS-FR-S-29

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Blueberry Production

5/12/2020 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Shawn Wright

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Small Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-S series)
Size: 376 kb
Pages: 4

PPFS-FR-S-28

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Brambles Production

5/8/2020 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Shawn Wright

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Small Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-S series)
Size: 347 kb
Pages: 5

PPFS-FR-S-27

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Grape Production

3/9/2020 (major revision)
Authors: Daniel Becker, Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Patsy Wilson, Shawn Wright

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Small Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-S series)
Size: 1.00 mb
Pages: 7

FOR-135

Softwood Growth Rings

1/10/2020 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Many softwoods look similar to the naked eye at first; the colors are often similar, maybe light-colored overlaid with tinges of yellow-brown or perhaps a slight pinkish cast. Even the weights of similarly-sized pieces (the densities) might seem similar. There are, however, differences in the wood structure that we can use to separate the various species. Two of the most important characteristics we look at are 1) the presence or absence of resin canals (as discussed previously) and 2) the appearance of the earlywood--latewood transition in annual growth rings.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 14.61 mb
Pages: 6

FOR-136

Further Distinguishing Softwood Species

1/10/2020 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Recognizing that an unidentified sample is a resinous or non-resinous softwood, with either an abrupt or a gradual transition is a good start towards identifying an unknown specimen. The problem is that this information is rarely enough! Other characteristics need to be combined with that data. Some of the things to look out for include characteristic odors, the diameter of the tracheids, and the presence of storage cells. Sometimes the context or original location of the material can be helpful.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 3.34 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-137

Hardwood Growth Rings

1/10/2020 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

As in softwoods, hardwood species identification is accomplished by looking at species-specific combinations of features. Almost all hardwood species (including all of those from North America) contain vessels which appear as holes (pores) on wood cross-sections; hardwood species without vessels are unlikely to be encountered in North America. Those species are more commonly found in the southern hemisphere and are rarely sold as commercial species.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 14.73 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-138

Wood Structure and Mechanical Performance are Related

1/10/2020 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

There is a strong correlation between wood density and mechanical properties, and this is true for both softwood and hardwood species. Density and strength properties can vary even within species due to different growth conditions.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 3.17 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-133

Using Camera Surveys to Estimate White-tailed Deer Populations

8/7/2019 (new)
Authors: Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Springer

For the past 20 plus years, wildlife biologists have used game camera surveys to estimate population size and health in many wildlife species including white-tailed deer. Population estimates of wildlife populations have historically been conducted through capture-mark-recapture surveys, line-transect surveys, helicopter surveys, and other methods. These methods, while proven accurate, are often costly, time-consuming, and are not readily available to the average landowner. In the 1990s, researchers evaluated the reliability of camera surveys based on proven methods of population estimates. Studies indicated that camera surveys are a reliable method for accurate population estimates of white-tailed deer, and more recent studies have continued to support this method. The simple yet robust method has created a reliable, rather easily implementable tool to the public, allowing them to inventory their deer herds on the properties they own or lease.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 847 kb
Pages: 8

FOR-134

Identifying and Mitigating Plant Damage Caused by the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

8/7/2019 (new)
Authors: Matthew Springer

Woodpeckers cause various types of damage to plants, trees, and even human structures. There are several species of woodpeckers present in Kentucky, and damage varies with species. One species of woodpecker that creates a rather unique type of damage is the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varus), which overwinters in Kentucky and then migrates north in spring.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.01 mb
Pages: 2

PPFS-FR-T-25

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Apple Production

8/1/2019 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Shawn Wright

egrated pest management (IPM) includes the combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in efforts to manage diseases and pests while minimizing risks associated with pesticides. Cultural practices are an integral part of an IPM program and should be incorporated into all commercial systems whether large or small, conventional or organic. This publication provides recommended practices at approximate growth stages and/or production periods. However, these timelines are approximate and may require adjustment for particular conditions. Growers who encounter situations that may not align with suggestions here should contact their county Extension office for assistance. Extension offices can also provide updated pest management recommendations. This cultural guide serves as a supplement to published spray guides and scouting guides.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Tree Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-T series)
Size: 986 kb
Pages: 7

PPFS-FR-T-26

Cultural Calendar for Commercial Peach Production

8/1/2019 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Shawn Wright

Integrated pest management (IPM) includes the combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in efforts to manage diseases and pests while minimizing risks associated with pesticides. Cultural practices are an integral part of an IPM program and should be incorporated into all commercial systems whether large or small, conventional or organic. This publication provides recommended practices at approximate growth stages and/or production periods. However, these timelines are approximate and may require adjustment for particular conditions. Growers who encounter situations that may not align with suggestions here should contact their county Extension office for assistance. Extension offices can also provide updated pest management recommendations. This cultural guide serves as a supplement to published spray guides and scouting guides.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Tree Fruit Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-FR-T series)
Size: 1.39 mb
Pages: 7

ID-254

An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Grape in Kentucky

6/11/2019 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Cheryl Kaiser, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Patsy Wilson, Shawn Wright

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 2.40 mb
Pages: 36

ID-251

An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Brambles in Kentucky

9/13/2018 (new)
Authors: Daniel Becker, Ric Bessin, Cheryl Kaiser, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Shawn Wright

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Mercer County, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 2.50 mb
Pages: 32

FOR-131

A Checklist for Operators of Small Dry Kilns

8/31/2018 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Drying air-dried hardwood lumber to the finished moisture content (MC) requires care and attention, but it's not difficult. This document describes the steps a kiln operator should follow to get the best lumber from his/her air-dried material. It will probably be most useful for operators of small kilns, but the principles are the same regardless of kiln size or type of kiln.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.40 mb
Pages: 12

FOR-132

A Start-Up Guide for Operators of Small Dry Kilns

8/31/2018 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Step-by-step procedures so you can keep your dry kiln operation well-organized and running properly.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.90 mb
Pages: 12

IP-73

Living Along a Kentucky Stream

11/8/2017 (minor revision)
Authors: Tom Barnes, Amanda A. Gumbert, Lee Townsend

Guidelines for maintaining a healthy stream and understanding stream stewardship.

Departments: Ag Programs, Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Interprogram (IP series)
Size: 6.83 mb
Pages: 12

ID-244

Landscape Site Assessment

9/6/2017 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain

The most common reason trees and shrubs fail to perform as anticipated is that their cultural requirements differ from the site characteristics. People often plant things they know and love from a distant state, purchase because they are on sale, or find attractive but don't understand the environmental requirements. In some cases, a site can be easily modified to make it more suitable for a desired species. Most of the time, it is difficult or impossible to change the site characteristics enough for the plant to thrive. Appropriate watering is essential for establishment of recently transplanted trees and shrubs. This becomes even more important (and challenging) for plants poorly matched to their sites. Selecting plant species that will thrive under particular site conditions is an easier and less expensive option. The first step in doing this is to understand the site where you plan to plant.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 125 kb
Pages: 4

ID-245

Predator Management for Small-Scale Poultry Enterprises in Kentucky

5/4/2017 (new)
Authors: Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore, Matthew Springer

As urban expansion spreads, there is a loss of natural habitat for wildlife. Wildlife has come into closer contact with livestock operations, and some of these animals are predators of poultry.

Departments: Animal and Food Sciences, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 2.40 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-128

Hardwood Dry Kiln Operation: A Manual for Operators of Small Dry Kilns

4/6/2017 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Green lumber is used mostly for local uses such as fence boards, barn siding and so forth. Lumber that will be glued or finished has to be dried, however, and that includes just about all the higher-value wood products used indoors such as flooring, furniture, wall paneling, cutting boards and so forth. Dry lumber can be used for more types of products and has greater marketability. Dry lumber is also worth more than green lumber.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 11.03 mb
Pages: 114

ID-243

Management of Wildlife and Domestic Animals on Your Farm: Good Agricultural Practices

1/10/2017 (new)
Authors: Matthew Springer, Paul Vijayakumar

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are necessary to ensure that fresh fruits and vegetables are harvested, handled, and packaged in a sanitary manner. Field crops are at a higher food safety risk than processed foods because of regular exposure to several sources of contamination, including soil, manure, human handling, domestic and wild animals, and water. While it is impossible to completely eliminate these risks, GAPs ensure that these risks are as small as possible when implemented correctly.

Departments: Animal and Food Sciences, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 908 kb
Pages: 3

ID-240

What Is Your Tree Worth?

12/22/2016 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Bill Fountain

Occasionally, through no fault of your own, your valuable trees and landscape plants may be damaged. Landscape appraisers are called on to assess individual plants and entire landscapes as a result of storms, human damage, destruction, and failure. Appraisals are an estimate of the nature, quality, value, or utility of an interest or an aspect of real estate.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 903 kb
Pages: 5

ID-241

After Your Ash Has Died: Making an Informed Decision on What to Replant

12/22/2016 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Bill Fountain, Lee Townsend, Nicole Ward Gauthier

Unfortunately the emerald ash borer is only the latest in a series of invasive pests that have recently decimated our trees. Here, we provide basic information on the death of our ash trees and what types of species are less likely to be impacted by invasive insects and diseases in the future.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 247 kb
Pages: 5

ID-238

An IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Strawberry in Kentucky

11/17/2016 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Cheryl Kaiser, Matthew Springer, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Shawn Wright

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to reduce and/or manage pest populations. These strategies are used to minimize environmental risks, economic costs, and health hazards. Pests are managed (although rarely eliminated entirely) to reduce their negative impact on the crop. Scouting and monitoring diseases, insects, weeds, and abiotic disorders helps identify potential problems before serious losses result. This is essential to the IPM approach. The key to effective monitoring is accurate identification. The pictures included in this guide represent the more common abiotic and biotic problems that occur in Kentucky strawberry plantings.

Departments: Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 10.03 mb
Pages: 28

FOR-129

Black Vulture Damage Control

11/11/2016 (new)
Authors: Matthew Springer

Vultures, as with all other wildlife, will take advantage of resources available to them, and unfortunately this behavior sometimes involves human dwellings or livestock operations. Fortunately, vultures respond well to relatively simple methods that discourage them from congregating or feeding in critical areas.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.93 mb
Pages: 4

ID-237

Soil Percolation: A Key to Survival of Landscape Plants

9/14/2016 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain

Eighty to 90 percent of disease and insect problems on landscape plants can be traced back to soil problems. Plants must be adapted to the site if they are to meet our expectations of growing, remain healthy, and attractive.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 3.29 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-122

How to Select and Buck Logs for Railroad Ties

3/4/2016 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

As of 2014, railroads were purchasing in the neighborhood of 25 million wooden ties each year, so the railroad tie industry can be a reliable market for loggers and sawmillers. Prices for green ties are viewed as good compared to lower-grade lumber, though actual market prices depend on immediate demand, competing lumber prices, distance from the seller to the treating plant, and tie quality and species. If you're a logger reading this article, you'll learn to make better decisions about how to select trees and logs for crossties and switch ties, and you'll be able to buck them so that they're worth more money overall.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 6.00 mb
Pages: 9

PPFS-GEN-14

Don't Eat Those Wild Mushrooms

2/1/2016 (new)
Authors: Ellen Crocker, Nicole Ward Gauthier

Mushrooms are strange and wonderful things--some are beautiful, some are ugly, some are delicious, and some are deadly. Mushroom hunting is a fun and rewarding hobby that can turn a hike through local woods into a puzzle-solving adventure. Many people are drawn to mushroom hunting and the potential to forage for food. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to mushroom foraging: poisoning. Each year, wild mushrooms lead to numerous illnesses and even a few deaths.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Plant Pathology
Series: General Plant Disease: Plant Pathology Factsheet (PPFS-GEN series)
Size: 1.28 mb
Pages: 5

FOR-123

Introduction to Wood Structure and Characteristics

12/21/2015 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Knowing how to identify unknown pieces of wood using a hand lens is the only skill you will need for most situations---and that's the purpose behind most of this manual. A section at the end about how to identify wood using a microscope is available should you want to develop your wood identification expertise.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.00 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-124

First Steps in Identifying Wood

12/21/2015 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Wood samples need to be identified for all sorts of reasons, and they come in all shapes, sizes and conditions. I've received samples that were sound, samples that were waterlogged, samples that were rotted or otherwise degraded, painted samples, furniture samples, even samples containing wood preservatives. Most of the samples I receive have a North American origin, but I also receive pieces from art museums and antique dealers that can originate from just about anywhere. This sometimes means that identifying the sample by a common name alone doesn't provide enough information.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.98 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-125

Distinguishing Softwoods from Hardwoods

12/21/2015 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Softwood and hardwood trees are made up of different types of cells. With just a little magnification, it's easy to see that softwood growth rings look different from hardwood growth rings. Additionally, growth rings don't look the same for all of the trees, and the growth ring appearance is one of the things we will look at to identify wood.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.40 mb
Pages: 4

FOR-126

Grain Patterns and Growth Rings

12/21/2015 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Frequently you need to be able to observe wood cells from a particular perspective, and you will need to know where to look for different features on your sample. It's also very helpful to develop a kind of "visual vocabulary" that will let you match a term with a corresponding mental image, and the information in this chapter will start you on your way.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.50 mb
Pages: 3

FOR-127

The First Separation of Softwood Species

12/21/2015 (new)
Authors: Terry Conners

Just making the separation between softwoods and hardwoods doesn't help much in identifying wood species; that would be sort of like identifying children by their hair color. Let's look at the next level of wood features that you need to be able to recognize.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 4.20 mb
Pages: 6

ID-210

Midwest Blueberry Production Guide

5/12/2014 (reprinted)
Authors: Tom Barnes, Cheryl Kaiser, Chris Smigell, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Dwight Wolfe, Shawn Wright

Blueberries are one of the few fruit crops native to North America. Wild blueberries were utilized by Native Americans for making medicines, dyes, and flavorings, as well as for direct consumption. Once a small-scale crop produced within limited regions, blueberries are now grown throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 2.60 mb
Pages: 58

FOR-62

Managing Urban Pest Bird Problems

5/7/2013 (minor revision)
Authors: Tom Barnes

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 150 kb
Pages: 8

FOR-91

Growing Forest Botanicals and Medicinals

3/15/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

If you are interested in producing some of Kentucky's native medicinal plants, the first step is to gather as much information about them as possible. This publication includes useful information including a list of helpful books, contacts, and organizations.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 2.70 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-79

Shiitake Production: Log Selection and Preparation

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Shiitake mushrooms grow well on many species of hardwood tree. The Shii tree, native to Japan where these mushrooms originate, is in the same family as our oak trees, so all kinds of oaks are useful for shiitake production.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 477 kb
Pages: 4

FOR-83

Shiitake Production: Incubation and Stacking

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Monitor your logs for shade, moisture, and pest and disease problems while they are incubating. If firewood- or teepee-stacked logs are losing too much moisture, you may need to rearrange the stacks. (The bottom logs will always retain more moisture). Lean-to stacked logs should be more even in their moisture content, but they too can be reversed if necessary.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.68 mb
Pages: 3

FOR-84

Shiitake Production: Pest Control

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Shiitake mushrooms do not have many pests. Many problems with insects and competitive fungi can be avoided by timely cutting and inoculating of shiitake logs, and by good hygiene and maintenance practices.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.62 mb
Pages: 3

FOR-86

Shiitake Production: Processing and Storage

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

How you handle your mushrooms depends on whether you plan to market them fresh or dried, retail or wholesale.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 740 kb
Pages: 3

FOR-87

Shiitake Production: Marketing

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

The most common outlets for marketing your shiitake mushrooms are farmers markets, whole food and health food stores, restaurants and restaurant suppliers, supermarkets (especially locally owned rather than the national chains), produce buyers, and produce wholesalers.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 623 kb
Pages: 3

FOR-90

Shiitake Production: Production Options

3/12/2013 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

This series of publications emphasizes growing shiitake mushrooms on natural hardwood logs. The denser hardwoods (oaks, hickories, chestnut) seem to produce better over the long run, and other hardwoods (maples, sweetgum) may begin to produce more quickly but will exhaust more quickly also.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 242 kb
Pages: 4

AEC-99

The Kentucky Agricultural Economic Outlook for 2013

12/5/2012 (new)
Authors: Alison Davis, Will Snell, Jeff Stringer, Billy Thomas, Tim Woods

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Agricultural Economics (AEC series)
Size: 490 kb
Pages: 4

The Kentucky Agricultural Economic Outlook for 2012

12/1/2011 (new)
Authors: Bobby Ammerman, Kenny Burdine, Craig Infanger, Lee Meyer, Will Snell, Andrew Stainback, Jeff Stringer, Cory Walters, Tim Woods

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series:
Size: 153 kb
Pages: 4

ID-191

Climate Change: A Brief Summary for Kentucky Extension Agents

9/20/2011 (new)
Authors: Tom Barnes, Ric Bessin, Jeffrey Bewley, Roy Burris, Tim Coolong, Lee Meyer, Joe Taraba, Paul Vincelli, George Wagner

Nearly all climate science experts agree that global warming is occurring and that it is caused primarily by human activity. Regardless of what you may read on blogs or in the media, there is no meaningful scientific controversy on these points. The future impacts of global warming are difficult to predict, but the changes caused by greenhouse gases are expected to increasingly affect Kentucky agriculture.

Departments: Agricultural Economics, Animal and Food Sciences, Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 250 kb
Pages: 4

ID-187

Woodland Winter Feeding of Cattle: Water Quality Best Management Practices

5/5/2011 (new)
Authors: Steve Higgins, Jeff Stringer, Sarah Wightman

Cattle maintain their body temperature in winter by burning more calories, which requires them to consume more feed. Livestock producers use wooded areas to provide protection for cattle from wind and low temperatures. That protection enables the cattle to conserve energy and eat less. Using wooded areas for winter feeding makes practical sense, but producers need to consider several environmental issues when planning for it.

Departments: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 273 kb
Pages: 2

FOR-119

Uneven-aged Management in Mixed Species, Southern Hardwoods: Is it Feasible and Sustainable?

4/7/2011 (new)
Authors: Jeff Stringer

For uneven-age stands to develop, both young and old trees need to be developing in the same stand, where younger trees are naturally smaller in diameter than older trees. Thus, guidelines and graphs used by foresters to help establish uneven-age stands use diameter as a surrogate for age and assume that age and diameter are related.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 796 kb
Pages: 16

FOR-120

Site Preparation for Natural Regeneration of Hardwoods

4/7/2011 (new)
Authors: Jeff Stringer

One aspect of forest sustainability is regenerating the stand to desired species once the stand is harvested. Usually the species present in the overstory are more desirable than those in the understory and midstory. If management is not performed to adjust the regenerating species composition prior to the harvest, these understory and midstory species likely will be the composition of the future stand.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 557 kb
Pages: 12

FOR-81

Kentucky Shiitake Production Workbook: Inoculation

3/23/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

To begin the process of shiitake mushroom production, you must "sow the seed" just as you would with any other agronomic crop. For shiitake, the "seed" is called spawn and consists of the mushroom spores mixed with sawdust (for sawdust spawn) or wood (for dowel spawn) and a little grain to add a higher level of carbohydrate for the organism to feed on.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 400 kb
Pages: 7

FOR-85

Shiitake Production: Harvesting

3/23/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

If you started with live spawn from a reputable supplier and freshly cut logs from living hardwood trees, your logs should be ready to produce shiitake mushrooms after 6 to 18 months of incubation.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 800 kb
Pages: 8

FOR-78

Introduction to Shiitake: The Forest Mushroom

2/3/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Shiitake mushrooms may prove to be a new commodity that will provide some economic return on small diameter wood from private woodlands that otherwise would be used only for firewood.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 447 kb
Pages: 6

FOR-80

Shiitake Production: Spawn Selection

2/3/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Shiitake mushrooms are like any other plant crop--they must be started from "seed." For mushrooms, this process begins when the mushroom's spores (normally located in the cap on the underside between the gills) are mixed with nutrients and a cellulose source, usually hardwood sawdust.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 235 kb
Pages: 4

FOR-82

Shiitake Production: Monitoring Moisture Content of Logs

2/3/2011 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Shiitake spawn cannot survive in logs that have a moisture content of less than 23%. Ideal moisture conditions for shiitake growth are log moisture content of 35% or more. If logs are left in the open air and are not monitored for moisture content, and climatic conditions are dry, the moisture content of the logs can fall to 20% to 25%.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 170 kb
Pages: 5

ID-185

Planting a Riparian Buffer

9/28/2010 (new)
Authors: Carmen Agouridis, Chris Barton, Amanda A. Gumbert, Sarah Wightman

Actively creating a riparian buffer typically consists of six steps: site assessment, planting plan development, site preparation, species selection, planting, and protection and maintenance.

Departments: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 3.27 mb
Pages: 8

FOR-77

Shiitake Production on Logs: Step by Step in Pictures

6/17/2010 (minor revision)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 350 kb
Pages: 14

FOR-118

Have Maples Will Sugar

5/20/2010 (new)
Authors: Deborah Hill

Woodland owners may find that they have many maple trees in their woodlots. If these trees are larger than 10 inches in diameter, and if there are 25 to 40 maple trees per acre, woodland owners might want to think about making maple syrup as a possibility for increased income from their woodlots.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 549 kb
Pages: 4

FOR-96

Forest Water Quality Plan: Preparing an Agriculture Water Quality Plan for Your Woodlands

5/18/2010 (reprinted)
Authors: Jeff Stringer

All parties involved in woodland operations are responsible for water quality protection. One of the most effective methods of protecting water quality during forestry operations is to use BMPs. BMPs are guidelines and techniques that, when used properly, can help reduce impact to our waters. They do this by decreasing erosion and the creation of muddy water, keeping chemicals and fluids out of streams, and limiting changes in the woods next to streams.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 334 kb
Pages: 12

FOR-107

Site Preparation and Competition Control Guidelines for Hardwood Tree Plantings

8/13/2009 (new)
Authors: Jeff Stringer

This publication presents recommendations for key factors associated with hardwood planting success. The publication also provides competition control and site preparation alternatives for a number of common planting sites and conditions. For each site and condition, several alternatives provide a range of options, allowing users to select the alternative that best fits their objectives and timetables.

Departments: Forestry and Natural Resources
Series: Forestry and Natural Resources (FOR series)
Size: 1.35 mb
Pages: 36

FOR-110