Fall 2024 25 At the Coon Family Tree Farm in Highland County, family members are working together to improve the health of their Appalachian hardwood forest. to give growing longleaf pine a try, igniting Bill’s passion for managing this diminished native species and using prescribed fire as part of his forest management plan. Bill and Ben Lane, his forester and Tree Farm inspector, are working to convert the remaining loblolly pine stands on the property to longleaf. We also learned about Virginia’s first Prescribed Burn Association, the Southeast Virginia PBA, which can help landowners use fire on their land. The 2024 Tree Farm Tour series wrapped up with a visit to the beautiful Coon Family Tree Farm in Highland County to see an active timber harvest. After hearing about the history of the property, we took a short hike to discuss hardwood management, and then drove to the top of the mountain to look at the active harvest and take in the spectacular view. The day was perfect until I realized I did not have a cell signal (or a map!) making the navigation home a bit of a challenge. I am so grateful to all three families for hosting and sharing their beautiful properties. Thanks also to the Tree Farm inspectors, DOF foresters, Extension’s District Forestry Agents, and the Virginia Tree Farm Foundation for their logistical and financial support. I also want to acknowledge VTFF Board member Joanna Robinson. At her suggestion, I put out a call to all of Virginia’s Tree Farmers to consider hosting a tour. Due to the great response, I have a number of properties to choose from for the next year’s tours. Virginia Tree Farmers who are still interested in hosting a tour, may reach out to me by responding to my earlier request, or email me at [email protected].
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