skip to main content
Virginia Tech® home

Resources by Adam Downing

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Virginia Virtual Farm to Table: Shiitake Mushrooms Jul 2, 2020 4H-913NP
To Clear or Not To Clear -- That Is the Question
The economic and ecological considerations of clear cutting wooded acreage.
Mar 2, 2022 465-340 (CNRE-139P)
Options for Clearing Land: Pasture Establishment Mar 2, 2022 465-341 (CNRE-136P)
Balancing Life: Treat Yourself (Self-Care Ideas) May 27, 2020 ALCE-205NP
Balancing Life: Connecting with Nature for Better Well Being Aug 26, 2021 ALCE-262NP
Taste of Farming: Agroforestry Apr 4, 2022 ALCE-296-13
All-Age Management, Demonstration Woodlot
Many forest owners value their forest for wildlife habitat, recreation, and aesthetics. Given accurate information, many want to manage their woodlot using sound silviculture but clear-cutting as a regeneration method may not be visually acceptable. While a profitable timber harvest is of interest, a visually pleasing residual stand may be more important. To meet this objective, Stand D1 of the SVAREC forests was selected to demonstrate All-Age Management using group selection silviculture and individual thinning of select trees to create four age classes.
Sep 12, 2019 ANR-132NP (CNRE-70NP)
Thinning Hardwoods, Demonstration Woodlot
Most forest owners value their forest for wildlife habitat, recreation and aesthetics. Given accurate information, they may manage their woodlot to achieve these and other goals using sound silviculture. Thinning over-stocked woodlots is one silvicultural management tool. Thinning can modify spacing and diversity of species to meet desired goals which may include timber, wildlife, aesthetics and more. Thinning also improves woodlot vigor by removing over-mature, suppressed, defective or weakened trees. To meet theses objective, Stand D2 was selected for a thinning research & demonstration site.
Sep 12, 2019 ANR-133NP (CNRE-69NP)
Welcome to the Woods! A Guide for New Virginia Woodland Owners
We all depend on and benefit from the woods every day, whether we know it or not. The trees, shrubs, plants, animals, and soil that make up your woods provide you, your neighbors, and your region with a host of environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Dec 19, 2023 ANR-136P (CNRE-173P)
So You Want To Sell Timber
Research into the attitudes and actions of private forest landowners shows that although very few own their forestland for the purpose of producing timber, most will sell timber at least once in their lifetimes. Private forest landowners sell timber for a variety of reasons that range from purely financial to solely for management purposes. Often landowners do not consider selling timber until they have an immediate need for cash. Other times the landowner has planned an immediate commercial thinning with a full timber harvest scheduled in 10 years. Whatever the reason(s) for a timber sale, careful consideration of objectives is paramount.
Dec 5, 2023 ANR-154P
Timber Selling Tips: Forestry Fact Sheet for Landowners
Timber harvesting is a valuable tool to help forest landowners realize certain financial and land management goals. Following are some suggestions to consider before selling timber.
Dec 5, 2023 ANR-155P
The Woods In Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home May 17, 2016 ANR-199NP
How to Sell Timber Apr 27, 2020 CNRE-107NP
Legacy Planning - A Guide For Virginia Landowners Jan 12, 2021 CNRE-121P (CNRE-175P)
The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants in Virginia Jun 29, 2018 CNRE-13NP (CNRE-21NP)
Woodland Health Practices Handbook Dec 13, 2022 CNRE-109NP
Woodland Health Practices - A Field Guide May 26, 2023 CNRE-164NP
Defining Silvopastures: Integrating Tree Production With Forage-Livestock Systems for Economic, Environmental, and Aesthetic Outcomes May 6, 2021 CSES-146P
Creating Silvopastures: Some Considerations When Thinning Existing Timber Stands
Silvopastures intentionally integrate trees with forage and livestock production in a rotational grazing system. These systems have the potential to improve animal comfort, increase farm resource use efficiency, boost income, and mitigate environmental costs.
Apr 20, 2021 CSES-155P
Creating Silvopastures: Some Considerations When Planting Trees in Pastures May 1, 2023 CSES-185P
Emerald Ash Borer: Options for Landowners
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is found in all regions of Virginia. Some areas have established populations with a high level of ash tree mortality and other areas are seeing it for the first time. With a wider spread of infestation many homeowners are seeking methods to protect their ash trees.
Dec 17, 2019 ENTO-76NP (ENTO-343NP)
Establishing Trees in Pasture Stocked with Livestock
Planting trees in pastures may seem counter-cultural to many forage-livestock producers, but it’s receiving interest as a means to achieve several outcomes. In this video, we illustrate two methods that have been shown to successfully protect growing trees from livestock.
Nov 24, 2020 SPES-269-1
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Rockingham Co. VA Jul 26, 2022 SPES-410NP
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Wythe Co. VA Jul 26, 2022 SPES-411NP
Silvopasture Best Management Practices Jul 26, 2022 SPES-412NP
Silvopasture Challenges: Producer Perspectives Jul 26, 2022 SPES-413NP
Thinned Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Nelson Co. VA Jul 27, 2022 SPES-414NP
Thinned Hardwood Silvopasture Producer Perspective From Rockbridge Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-415NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture Producer: (#1) Perspective From Charlotte Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-416NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture Producer: (#2) Perspective From Charlotte Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-417NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer Perspective from Orange Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-418NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Pender Co. NC Jul 28, 2022 SPES-419NP