Today's Forest is a series of short videos and videotaped workshops that provide information to private landowners about how to manage their forest lands. It is based on a series of workshops held in the Black Hills area. Short videos are about three minutes in length. Entire workshops are about 1.5 hours. Funding for the productions was provided by a grant from the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with the SD Department of Agriculture, Resource Conservation & Forestry Division. Videos were produced by the SD Cooperative Extension Service.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Expert & Kurt Allen USDA
Forest Service Entomologist
Mountain Pine Beetles, a native pest in pine forests throughout the country, have been infesting
forests in South Dakota for years. If left unadressed, these pests can cause serious damage to tree
stands and woodland properties. Learn how to identify the symptoms of a Mountain Pine Beetle
infestation and what measures you can take to control them in this Today's Forest video workshop.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Expert & Kurt Allen USDA
Forest Service Entomologist
Even though Mountain Pine Beetles are no bigger than the tip of a match or the head of a pencil,
they work together to leave a path of devastation, multiplying beneath the bark while killing their
host tree. The life cycle begins when adult beetles tunnel through the bark of trees from the
beginning of August until around mid-September. Learn to identify the signs of an infestation and
strategies for disposing of the infested tree in this video.
Featuring Kurt Allen, USDA Forest Service Entomologist
Though Mountain Pine Beetles claim much of the spotlight and their share of attention for damaging
Black Hills pine forests, Kurt Allen, USDA Forest Service Entomologist, says other bark beetles and
wood borers are also taking a bite out of the state's forests. He describes two common culprits
in this video.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Expert & Kurt Allen USDA
Forest Service Entomologist
Even though Mountain Pine Beetles are no bigger than the tip of a match or the head of a pencil,
they work together to leave a path of devastation, multiplying beneath the bark while killing their
host tree.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Expert
While common chemicals for weed control, such as picloram and tordon, can be effective for
controlling invasive weeds like Canada Thistle, improper application can result in tree
abnormalities and even death. Learn some key strategies for defending your forest property from some
common invasive weeds while watching out for pesticides that may cause problems with trees and soil
in woodland settings.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Expert
Controlling noxious weeds without jeopardizing tree health is a challenge many landowners face while
managing forest land. "While weeds are usually not a major problem for mature trees, they can
interfere with survival of young trees," says John Ball, South Dakota State University (SDSU)
Cooperative Extension Forester and Forest Health Specialist for the South Dakota Department of
Agriculture. He runs through a list of noxious weeds that can cause problems for South Dakota
foresters while outlining safe weed control solutions in a Today's Forest Video Workshop.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
Forest Management Planning plays an important role in keeping a forest healthy and functional.
Learn more about some of the requirements for proper management.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
Aerial photographs are one of the primary tools in the planning process. Learn more about some
of the tools used to obtain those photographs.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
Learning about forestry is a process that takes many steps. Learn more information about the
steps for a healthy forest.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
The density of a forest can be determined by several factors. Learn more about those factors as
well as how to utilize them to benefit a forest area.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
Landowner Stewardship is important for efficient land use. Learn more about important factors in
the stewardship process.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
Owning and managing land is not only making a living off of the land but can have a deeper
meaning to the owner as well. Learn more about land stewardship.
Featuring Dr. Peter Kolb, Montana Extension Forester
Specialist
There are many parts to developing a stewardship plan. Learn more about how to outline the
objectives for your land.
Featuring Dave Hettick, SD Department of Agriculture Service
Forester
Forestry today has changed over the years, with many new and improved methods of improving the
forest.
Featuring Gary Marshall, Firewise Regional Advisor
Gary Marshall, Firewise Regional Advisor, presents Firewise Principles & Assessing Homeowner
Properties during the SDSU Extension Today's Forest Workshop series. The Firewise program
empowers communities and homeowners to do things around their home to make them safer during a
wildfire event.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, discusses stand density during a Today's Forest Workshop. Skip
presents the primary considerations from the perspective of foresters and landowners.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Ponderosa pine systems, such as those found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, can be both
beautiful and dangerous if left unmanaged. Untended tree stands not only attract pests, but
also put forests at a significant wildfire risk if stand densities become too high. Learn
how to find a balance of scenic beauty, sustainability, and wildfire protection for woodland
properties in this Today's Forest video workshop.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith talks about measuring basal area during Today's Forest Workshop.
Skip provides techniques to determine how dense or crowded a forest is.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith discusses regeneration in today's forests during a Today's Forest
Workshop. Skip provides a detailed description about how our trees regenerate to maintain
healthy and populated forests.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith talks about leave trees during a Today's Forest Workshop. Skip
stresses the importance of tree characteristics when choosing leave trees for thinning
operations.
Featuring Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, Colorado State
University
Dr. Frederick (Skip) Smith, discusses tree identification during a Today's Forest Workshop.
Skip demonstrates how to identify the most important trees in the Black Hills.
Featuring Dr. William L. Hoover, Purdue University,
Department of Forestry
Dr. Wiliam L. Hoover of Purdue University discusses the main factors that go into forest
estate planting.
Featuring Dr. Howard Woodard, SDSU Dapertment of Plant
Science
Soil compaction in forest situations is not ideal for many reasons. Learn more about
ways to lessen compaction during harvesting operations.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry
Specialist
Streamside Zones are vital to maintain forest streams during forest operations.
Learn some of the things to be done to maintain water quality.
Featuring Dr. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry
Specialist
After logging has been completed a few steps should be taken to minimize water
erosion. Learn more about water bars and how to properly use them.
Featuring Jenny Jensen, Forester - Ecologist,
Lead
Landowner objectives can change from landowner to landowner. Commercial
consultants can help with direction and ideas on different uses for land.
Featuring Paul Pierson, Rushmore Forest Products,
Hill City, SD
Making sure all details are clear and specific in contracts will protect the
owner and the contractor, so it is important to plan those out before entering
into an agreement.