Florence to host tree farm workshop
An article in the Aug. 31, 2005, issue of Marion County Record, told the story of how Florence became the first small Kansas town to have an official tree farm.
Florence Tree Farm was established and certified under the leadership of Leonard Ellis with support from Florence City Council.
On March 25, people will be able to see the town's endeavors when the Kansas Forest Service and Kansas Forest Products Association offers a workshop on tree planting at the 18-acre site.
Designed for landowners and natural resource professionals, the workshop will focus on successful planting techniques and on wildlife damage and weed controls.
Those interested in attending can contact the KFS state office at 785-532-3301 or by e-mail at pmccaffr@ksu.edu.
Ellis and his assistants are preparing to plant 2,000 black walnut seedlings at Florence Tree Farm this spring. He said with proper management the city ought to be able to sell highly-valued walnut wood within 38 to 40 years.
To qualify as a potential tree farm, a landowner must have at least 10 contiguous acres of woodland which is actively managed in a sustainable manner that meets program standards and guidelines.
"When land can display the Tree Farm sign, that's a symbol of a landowner who cares for and is actually managing a part of our state's natural resources," said Bob Atchison, Tree Farm administrator for Kansas and the KFS rural forestry coordinator.
Additional information about the Tree Farm program is available on the web at www.kansasforests.org/rural/organizations.shtml or through the Marion County/ K-State Research and Extension office.
