Email: zeide@uamont

Email: zeide@uamont.edu

October 28, 1998

Dr. Anne Datko

Division Director

USDA, CSREES, NRICGP

STOP 2241

1400 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20250-2241

Dear Dr. Datko,

Attached please find our annual report and two copies of two publications that you requested.

Thank you for supporting our study.

Sincerely,

Boris Zeide

Professor of Forestry

Project Title: DESIGN OF AN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM WITH STRUCTURED TREE CLUSTERS

Principal Investigators: Zeide, B.; Francis, P.; Kluender, R.

Grant Number: 97-35108-5126

Specific Aims

1. Implement a study to determine the best spatial configuration of two-species tree clusters and rows in the framework of an improved agro-silvicultural system and an agro-silvo-pastoral system.

2. Initiate monitoring of the economics and ecological impacts of these agroforestry systems to be continued over the life cycle of system (the 25-year timber component is the longest).

3. Use the results of monitoring in adaptive management and modify the original designs on the basis of that feedback.

Results

The study has been established on a 30-acre field of located at the Southwest Research and Extension Center of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in Hope, AR. 27 acres are used for the main study. This area is divided into two equal portions, one for hay and another for beef production. Three replications have been established in each portion. The area for each treatment block is 27/(2 x 3) = 4.5 acres. The remaining 3 acres are used for comparative studies.

Establishment of the study involved the following operations.

Ground preparation

(1) layout and flagging the plots (September-October 1997); (2) spraying Roundup to suppress competing vegetation (October 1997); (3) broadcasting clover (October 1997); (4) flagging tree clusters for planting (January 1998, Figure 1); (5) flagging the competition study (January 1998); (6) putting out T-posts to mark and protect tree clusters (April 1998).

Tree planting

(1) planting shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata L., February 1998); (2) planting loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L., February 1998); (3) replacing shortleaf pine that died (March-April 1998);

Vegetation control

(1) spraying Oust (2 oz per acre) and Velpar (1 qt per acre) to control competing vegetation within tree clusters (March 1998); (2) spraying tree clusters with Poast Plus (0.5 lbs/acre, August 1998).

Hay harvesting and fertilization

(1) first cutting, raking, baling, and weighing of hay (31,000 lb, May 1998); (2) applying 350 lbs/acre of 17-17-17 (May 1998); (3) second cutting, raking, baling, and weighing of hay (48,850

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lb, July 1998); (4) third cutting, raking, baling, and weighing of hay (27,900 lb, July 1998).

Unexpected Problems

Due to the severe drought, this was the worst year in history to plant tree seedlings. Despite the best care we took, about 35% of loblolly pine seedlings and 45% of shortleaf seedlings have died.

Plans for the Coming Year

In addition to the planned activities (measuring trees, cutting, raking, baling, and weighing of hay, fertilizing forage alleys), we will replant missing trees in February 1999.

Other products

An original frame for precise planting two species of trees was designed by Bob Colvin, who was leader of the team that established this study (Figures 2 and 3).

Publications

Zeide, B. 1998. Design of an agroforestry system with structured tree clusters. In Proceedings of the VII International Congress of Ecology, p. 475. Edited by A. Farina, J. Kennedy, and V. Bossu. Alitalia, Florence, Italy. 480 p.

Zeide, B. 1999. Long-term study of agroforestry systems based on structured tree clusters. To be presented at Long term Observations and Experiments in Forestry. IUFRO International Symposium, CATIE, Costa Rica, February 23-26, 1999.

Figure 1. Flagging rows of tree clusters before planting.

Figure 2. Frame for precise planting of seedlings.

Figure 3. The central fragment of the frame for the cluster of core trees.

From Paul October 25, 1999

Summary of Agroforestry Project Activities Related to Forages, 1999.

The 1999 growing season began with favorable weather for forage regrowth. Excellent stands of fall 1998 drilled white clover (var. >Osceola=) between 50 and 75% ground coverage were observed across all locations. First hay harvests occurred from 17 June 1999 through 2 July 1999. Total yields were 52 round bales weighing 49100 lbs (22291 kg).

After the first hay harvests, the weather became hot and dry. By August, drought conditions existed and only one other hay harvest was possible due to low forage production. Second harvest yields were only 24 bales, less than half of the first harvest. Total hay yield for 1999 was 76 round bales weighing 71500 lbs (32461 kg). At regional hay market values of $20 per bale, hay harvest value in 1999 was only $1520.00.

Outreach activities for the forage component of the study were a paper presentation at the Sixth North American Agroforestry Conference, June 12-16, Hot Springs, Arkansas entitled >Forage Production in a Newly Established Clustered-Tree Agroforestry System=. A field tour of the study site was held on 15 July 1999 in conjunction with the Agroforestry Conference meeting in Hot Springs. Approximately 175 people from across the United States and about 16 foreign countries toured the agroforestry project. There was considerable interest in the clustered-tree arrangement, the excellent stand of white clover and fire ants (most notably from participants outside the region of fire ants).

Email: zeide@uamont.edu

November 8, 1999

Dr. Cynthia Huebner

Assistant Project Director

USDA, CSREES, NRICGP

STOP 2241

1400 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20250-2241

Dear Dr. Huebner,

Attached please find our annual report and two copies of our preprints.

Thank you for supporting our study.

Sincerely,

Boris Zeide

Professor of Forestry

Project Title: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS WITH STRUCTURED TREE CLUSTERS AND ROWS

Principal Investigators: Zeide, B.; Francis, P.; Kluender, R.

Grant Number: 97-35108-5126

Proposal Number: 9703786

Reporting Year: 1999

Specific Aims

1. Implement a study to determine the best spatial configuration of two-species tree clusters and rows in the framework of an improved agro-silvicultural system and an agro-silvo-pastoral system.

2. Initiate monitoring of the economics and ecological impacts of these agroforestry systems to be continued over the life cycle of the systems (the 25-year timber component is the longest).

3. Use the results of monitoring for adaptive management and modify the original designs on the basis of that feedback.

Results

This study, established during the dormant season of 1997-1998 on a 30-acre field located at the Southwest Research and Extension Center of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in Hope, AR, has withstood the second very dry summer. At the beginning of the growing season, we replaced the trees that died (February-March 1999). Overall survival determined during the fall inventory (October 1999) was fair (83% for the loblolly , 82% for the interior shortleaf and 80% for the exterior shortleaf). 2.6% of the clusters still ended the year with no loblolly in the center. Most of these were in area four where 18.2% of the 110 clusters had no loblolly surviving in them.

The trees were suffering competition from horsenettle, a particularly pernicious weed resistant to chemical control. The problem was solved when we solicited help from Carroll Walls of Timberland Co., an expert in chemical control. The chemical (Escort), the amount, and time of application that he suggested worked well.

As far as forage regrowth is concerned, the spring was favorable. Excellent stands of fall 1998 drilled white clover (var. >Osceola=) between 50 and 75% ground coverage were observed across all locations. First hay harvests occurred from 17 June 1999 through 2 July 1999. Total yields were 52 round bales weighing 49100 lbs (22291 kg).

1999 was 76 round bales weighing 71500 lbs (32461 kg). At the regional hay market values of $20 per bale, hay harvest value in 1999 was only $1520.00.

Outreach activities for the forage component of the study were a paper presentation at the Sixth North American Agroforestry Conference, June 12-16, Hot Springs, Arkansas, entitled >Forage Production in a Newly Established Clustered-Tree Agroforestry System=. A field tour of the study site was held on 15 July 1999 in conjunction with the Agroforestry Conference meeting in Hot Springs. Approximately 175 people from across the United States and about 16 foreign countries toured our agroforestry project. There was considerable interest in the clustered-tree arrangement, the excellent stand of white clover and fire ants.

Plans for the Coming Year

In addition to the planned activities (measuring trees, cutting, raking, baling, and weighing of hay, fertilizing forage alleys), we will again replant missing trees in February-March of 2000.

Publications

Cassida, K.A., P.B. Francis, B. Zeide, and R. Colvin. 1999. Forage production in a newly established clustered-tree agroforestry system. Pages 33-34 in Abstracts of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. 53 p.

Zeide, B. 1999. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Page 12 in Abstracts of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. 53 p.

Zeide, B. 1999. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Proceedings of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. In press.

Zeide, B. 1999. Long-term study of agroforestry systems based on structured tree clusters. Proceedings of Long term Observations and Experiments in Forestry. IUFRO International Symposium, CATIE, Costa Rica, February 23-26, 1999. In press.

Other products

We tested and refined the procedure to control horsenettle, which includes the amount and timing of application of Escort to improve growth and survival of young pine trees.

Students supported

None.

Arkansas Forest Resources Center

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS

WITH STRUCTURED TREE CLUSTERS AND ROWS

Investigators: Boris Zeide, Paul Francis, Richard Kluender, and Richard Williams

DESIGN

Usually foresters plant 600‑800 trees per acre. Yet, about three quarters of all returns come from one tenth of this number harvested at the end of the rotation. Ideally, planting 60 crop trees would change dramatically the cost/benefit ratio. To implement this idea, we established about 60 tree clusters per acre rather than single trees. Each cluster consists of one crop tree (in our case loblolly pine) surrounded by nurse trees (shortleaf pine). Instead of leaving a space among the clusters for detrimental competitors, it is used for hay production and grazing.

It is expected that the proposed system will increase returns by 25‑30% as compared with either forest management or agriculture alone. This design also provides environmental benefits. When tree rows are planted along the contour, erosion is minimized. Cattle manure will increase soil fertility and activate many beneficial processes that are suppressed in dense forest monocultures. Agroforestry systems are more diverse then either of the components.

OBJECTIVES

1. Implement a study to determine the best spatial configuration of two-species tree clusters and rows in the framework of an improved agro-silvicultural system and an agro-silvo-pastoral system.

2. Initiate monitoring of the economics and ecological impacts of these agroforestry systems to be continued over the life cycle of system (the 25-year timber component is the longest).

3. Use the results of monitoring in adaptive management and modify the original designs on the basis of that feedback.

RESULTS

SUPPORT

1997-2000 - USDA, CSREES, NRICGP Grant Number: 97-35108-5126.

2000-2003 - Arkansas Forest Resources Center, Round 7.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Boris Zeide - Phone: 870-460-1648, Fax: 870-460-1092, Internet: zeide@uamont.edu

PUBLICATIONS

Zeide, B. 1999. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Page 12 in Abstracts of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. 53 p.

Zeide, B. 1999. Long-term study of agroforestry systems based on structured tree clusters. Pages 176-186 in C. Kleinn and M. Kohl, editors. Long Term Observations and Experiments in Forestry. Proceedings of IUFRO S4.11 International Symposium, CATIE, Costa Rica, February 23-26, 1999. 291 p.

Zeide, B. 2001. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Proceedings of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. In press.

Email: zeide@uamont.edu

January 10, 2001

Dr. Cynthia Huebner

Assistant Project Director

USDA, CSREES, NRICGP

STOP 2241

1400 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20250-2241

Dear Dr. Huebner,

Attached please find the final report for the project "AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS WITH STRUCTURED TREE CLUSTERS AND ROWS" (Grant Number: 97-35108-5126).

Thank you for supporting our study.

Sincerely,

Boris Zeide

Professor of Forestry

Project Title: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS WITH STRUCTURED TREE CLUSTERS AND ROWS

Principal Investigators: Zeide, B.; Francis, P.; Kluender, R.

Grant Number: 97-35108-5126

Proposal Number: 9703786

Reporting Years: 1997-2000

FINAL REPORT

Objectives

1. Implement a study to determine the best spatial configuration of two-species tree clusters and rows in the framework of an improved agro-silvicultural system and an agro-silvo-pastoral system.

2. Initiate monitoring of the economics and ecological impacts of these agroforestry systems to be continued over the life cycle of the systems (the 25-year timber component is the longest).

3. Use the results of monitoring for adaptive management and modify the original designs on the basis of that feedback.

Results

The main result of this project is the implementation of an innovative agroforestry design. Usually foresters plant 600‑800 trees per acre. Yet, about three quarters of all returns come from one tenth of this number harvested at the end of the rotation. Ideally, planting 60 crop trees would dramatically change the cost/benefit ratio. To implement this idea, we established about 60 tree clusters per acre rather than single trees. Each cluster consists of one crop tree (in our case loblolly pine) surrounded by nurse trees (shortleaf pine). Instead of leaving a space among the clusters for detrimental competitors, it is used for hay production and grazing.

This design was established during the dormant season of 1997-1998 on a 30-acre field located at the Southwest Research and Extension Center of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in Hope, AR. Careful planting and replacement of the trees that died during two very dry summers secured a successful passing through the critical stage of stand establishment. Generally, the trees are healthy and vigorously growing. Competition from horsenettle, a particularly pernicious weed resistant to chemicals, is under control thanks to expert advice from Carroll Walls of Timberland Co.

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We have kept a detailed log of all activities, amounts and time of forage production, soil moisture, and samples for nutrient analysis. An annual inventory is conducted every fall (height, diameter at ground level, and lately, breast height, are measured on every tree). The potential of this project for the welfare of southern farmers has been realized by the Arkansas Agricultural Station, which allocated funds for continuation of the study. We are proud of this tangible acknowledgment of the value of our results.

To pass the accumulated information to the public we created a website. This site contains information about the establishment of the study, methodology used, problems associated with the study, amounts and time of vegetative production, and all financial costs and returns. In addition, there are pictures that can help people to better understand our processes. There is also a page of downloadable files that contain measurements from the annual inventories. You can link to this site at:

http://www.afrc.uamont.edu/growthyield/montthinprun/agroforestry/index.htm.

This site is the most comprehensive report of the project.

Publications

Zeide, B. 1999. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Page 12 in Abstracts of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. 53 p.

Zeide, B. 2001. Evolution of agroforestry: from uniformity to diversity. Proceedings of The Sixth Conference on Agroforestry in North America. June 12-16, 1999, Hot Springs, Arkansas. In press.

Other products

We tested and refined the procedure to control horsenettle, which includes the amount and timing of application of Escort to improve growth and survival of young pine trees.