James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State

James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State Fostering collaborative education and retention, stewardship, and management of private forests.

08/27/2026

Do you have a favorite tree? 🌳🌲

At the PAFS summer meeting this past July while announcing the 36 for 36 Forest Stewardship Donation Challenge, Nancy Baker recounted the story of her favorite tree, an iconic hemlock tree in her woodland, 42” DBH, that drew her as a young child. She spent countless hours in the woods playing under that tree. Through the decades, it was the pride of her forest. About 20 years ago, she was giving a new service forester a tour of her land, saving her spectacular tree for last. As they rounded the bend in the trail, they discovered her favorite tree, flat on the ground.

“Twenty years later, I’m still remembering it." Nancy said. “So I thought, I’ll give in honor of that tree. That tree probably set my life off on a particular direction towards forest ecology. I’m happy to give for that tree. I’m happy to give for this program. I bet every one of you has one of those iconic trees. And, I don’t care how you value it, but I’d like you to give the value—to you—of that tree to this program, which has meant so much to all of us.”

Will you make a gift in honor of your favorite tree to the 36 for 36 Forest Stewardship Challenge? Leave a comment on this reel sharing your favorite tree with us, and head over to the campaign site to get more details and support forest stewardship: https://give.psu.edu/36k-challenge-for-forest-stewardship

We want to give a shoutout to our sponsors and exhibitors so far who are supporting the 2027 Forest Landowners Conferenc...
08/25/2026

We want to give a shoutout to our sponsors and exhibitors so far who are supporting the 2027 Forest Landowners Conference coming in March! Please join with us in giving a big THANK YOU to those making a difference in forest stewardship and helping this next conference experience connect forest landowners with important knowledge, tools, networks, and community:

Pennsylvania Game Commission
Foundation for Sustainable Forests
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Pine Creek Resource Management
PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation

Give this post a “❤️” to show these sponsors/exhibitors some appreciation with us!
And if you’re interested in joining to sponsor or exhibit at the 2027 Forest Landowners Conference, get more details and register here: https://extension.psu.edu/forest-landowners-conference-sponsor-and-exhibitor-registration

Checking in on our 36 for 36 Forest Stewardship Challenge – we’ve made it to 31 donors so far!!! But we still need to re...
08/21/2026

Checking in on our 36 for 36 Forest Stewardship Challenge – we’ve made it to 31 donors so far!!! But we still need to reach 48 donors to unlock our next $12K of the overall $36K gifted by Nancy Baker in honor of 36 years of our Forest Stewardship Program. Will you be one of the 17 we need to make a gift (even just $5!) to reach this next goal of 48 donors? And can we do it by the end of the weekend? Let’s do it together for our forests and for forest stewardship! 🙌

Get the details about this challenge and make an impactful donation now: https://give.psu.edu/36k-challenge-for-forest-stewardship

08/19/2026

The summer break is coming to an end, but forest fun and events continue as the season begins to change! We’ve highlighted a handful of events happening around PA you may want to check out over on our events page, but also be sure to check in with your local woodland associations and conservation groups to find out what’s happening in the upcoming weeks you won’t want to miss!

See our events page here:
https://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/centers/private-forests/events

Summer is flying by, and now that we’re already into August, we have a new to share today: Anoplophora glabripennis or...
08/14/2026

Summer is flying by, and now that we’re already into August, we have a new to share today: Anoplophora glabripennis or the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). The good news – this invasive beetle is not currently known to be infesting the woods of Pennsylvania! The bad news – it has been found in several surrounding states over the last decade (Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts) and threatens the health of our hardwoods, especially maple trees. ALB adults lay eggs on the bark of trees, and after hatching, larvae burrow and tunnel deep into the wood, destroying vital tissues that transport water and nutrients.

Early detection is key to keeping this damaging and invasive species contained. USDA APHIS has named the month of August “Tree Check Month” to create more public awareness and action for protecting our forests from ALB infestations. August is the ideal time to go out in your woods and check maples, birches, elms, willows, and other hardwoods for adult ALB which have about 1-inch-long black bodies with white spots, banded long antennae, and legs that appear bluish in hue. You can also check trees for round bored holes, about the size of a pencil, which may indicate an infestation.

Get more details here about identifying and checking for ALB in your forest, and information for reporting anything suspicious you may come across: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/august-tree-check-month-usda-asks-everyone-look-asian-longhorned-beetle

We hope as you check your trees this month, ALB is NOT found! 🤞

Coming up on Wednesday, August 19th at noon ET – Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry: Forest Medicinals. This free 90-minute webin...
08/12/2026

Coming up on Wednesday, August 19th at noon ET – Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry: Forest Medicinals. This free 90-minute webinar will highlight native medicinal plants that can be grown in forested settings and explore forest management strategies for producing high-quality forest-farmed products. Spaces are limited, so sign up now: https://extension.psu.edu/mid-atlantic-agroforestry-forest-medicinals

đź“· Photo of goldenseal by: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

08/11/2026

Ag Progress Days at the Penn State Research Farms just outside of Pine Grove Mills, PA kicks off TODAY! Look for Penn State Extension's Forestry and Wildlife booth along with other forestry partners’ booths in the Joseph D. Harrington Building today through Thursday (August 11-13). And don’t forget you can get some shade and explore the woods, learning tree and plant identification during the free interactive Woodlot Tour offered twice daily (times and details can be found at the APD website linked below). See all the lineups and schedules and get directions to this event here: https://agsci.psu.edu/apd

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University Park, PA

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(814) 863-0401

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