Tree Farmers Celebrate 50 Years! |
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Pinetum Christmas Tree Farm has been a certified Tree Farm for more than 50 years, and members of the extended Stacy family celebrated the milestone with a photo shoot in July. From left top row: Marshall and Cindy Stacy, Nadia Williams, Chester Stacy and Dane Huxford. Front row: Agata Stacy, Chloe Huxford, Logan Huxford and Krysta Stacy Huxford. |
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Marshall and Cindy Stacy have been growing a variety of Christmas trees as well as hardwoods since 1970 on their 370-acre property in Swanton. This Christmas season will be the Stacy’s 52nd selling cut Christmas trees – primarily special-order large, sheared trees, up to 40-ft tall. In previous years, Pinetum Christmas Trees raised “living room” sized trees and operated two retail tree lots in Maryland’s Montgomery and Howard counties. In 1986, Marshall and Cindy Stacy were named Mid-Atlantic Tree Farmers of the Year, under the Tree Farm System, beating out 4460 tree farms for the honor. Marshall’s ideas on managed forestry and innovations in tree farm management and production have earned him recognition, including publicity in The Washington Post, The Sun and national television. Marshall credits many Maryland State foresters and Christmas tree growers, who have freely shared their knowledge and expertise with him over the years to make his tree farm successful. The Tree Farm program began in Maryland in 1941 and recognizes the commitment of private forest owners to sustainably managing their woodland and meeting 3rd party certification standards. For more information on Tree Farm, visit the link below |
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Is Your Property Water Wise? |
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The University of MD Extension has launched the Water-Wise program for Garrett County! This is a voluntary conservation landscape program with an opportunity to recognize landowners who are following best management practices on their properties. Interested landowners can download the booklet at the website below to see how they "measure up". Those earning enough points to accumulate at least 36 inches on the yardstick are eligible to become Water-Wise Certified. To complete the certification process, fill out the application and a Master Gardener will contact you to set up a visit to verify the certification. Certified properties receive a metal sign to display. | | |
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Southern High School "Stoneflies" Team Places in MD Envirothon! |
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Congratulations to the Southern High School "Stoneflies" team on placing 4th overall in the MD State Envirothon. The Envirothon is typically held in the spring each year, with the winner of the county event advancing to the state contest. This year, the event was held virtually and only on the state level. There were 53 teams from across the state that participated. The Garrett County Forestry Board presented tree ID guides to the winning team. |
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Natural Resources Careers Camp |
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We are thrilled to have 2 students who represented Garrett County at NRCC this year! While at camp, they networked with students and professionals from across the state and experienced a variety of careers in natural resources fields. The GCFB annually sponsors the Ernie Metz and Steve Resh Awards in honor of the contributions these gentlemen made to the program over the years. Johnny Carr - Ernie Metz Award Nate Brenneman - Steve Resh Award | | |
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Volunteers and staff from Savage River State Forest planted 16 additional American chestnut seedlings in the Pea Patch Germplasm Conservation Orchard on Savage River State Forest this spring. This orchard is one of two in Garrett County and was established in 2019 as a joint effort between the GCFB, MD Forest Service and The American Chestnut Foundation. The hope is that some of these trees will survive to maturity and produce viable nuts, thus preserving the locally-adapted genetics of the American chestnut. | | |
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Dr. Rebekah Taylor, Associate Professor of Biology at Frostburg State University, presented, "Where the Ticks Are: Mapping the Location of Pathogen Carrying Ticks on Western Maryland" as part of the Appalachian Laboratory's Watershed Moments Community Learning Series. In the talk, Taylor discusses the ongoing research she and her students have been conducting on ticks and Lyme disease in western Maryland. She is also collecting samples of ticks for her research. Watch the video below to learn more. | | |
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In 2012, trees in Ohio were found with distinct leaf symptoms that marked the discovery of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). By 2018 it had been found in many counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. It is easily identified by darkened bands between the leaf veins. If you think you see signs of BLD in Garrett County, please contact the Forest Service at
301-334-3296. | | |
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Maryland Big Tree Program |
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New Garrett County Champion Big Trees have been identified! A white pine, owned by the Town of Oakland and a northern red oak, owned by the Garrett County Government were recently measured for inclusion in the program. The Big Tree Program aims to recognize the largest specimens of various species of trees in each county and throughout the state. Owners of the champion trees receive a certificate of recognition. To view Garrett County champions or nominate a big tree, visit the link below. | | |
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The Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County recently dedicated their arboretum in honor of Joe Winters. Joe was a former coordinator of HEEC for 23 years. In 2002, Joe was the recipient of the Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award for his role as a mentor in promoting environmental stewardship. Joe also served as a member of the Garrett County Forestry Board from 2004-2015. The project was supported financially and through labor efforts of Garrett County Public Schools, Garrett County Roads Department, Green Acres Garden Center, Maryland Forest Service, Garrett County Forestry Board, Tree-Mendous Maryland and Mountain Loggers Group. |
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Mountain Loggers Group Golf Tournament |
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The Mountain Loggers Group is sponsoring a golf tournament that will support their community outreach efforts. MLG provides support to community members with medical expenses, support for children and families at the WVU Children's Hospital and more. Please call Danny Sines at the 301-501-2348 with any questions. | | |
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Garrett County Recreation Survey |
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Garrett County’s Planning & Land Management Department is updating the Land Preservation and Recreation Plan and is seeking public input through an online survey to gather public feedback on the outdoor recreation demands, identify improvements, and establish priorities for the future development of parks, facilities, programs, and services within the community. These are your parks, and they want to hear your voice. Take the survey to help shape the future of recreation in Garrett County. Survey will be open until October 1, 2021. | | |
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