New Guide! Understanding Casualty Loss of Timber (PDF) One of the most common questions regarding tax treatment of timber has to do with casualty losses -- the damage, destruction or loss of a property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected or unusual. From a timber investment standpoint, the most common causes of casualty losses are fires, wind storms, ice storms, vandalism, floods and earthquakes. It is important to understand that losses in timber due to progressive deterioration, such as fungus, diseases, insects, worms, or similar pests are typically not considered casualty losses, because they are not sudden, unexpected or unusual. The IRS allows timberland owners to take a deduction on their Federal income tax return for casualty losses. Two major tax concepts are involved in determining a casualty loss deduction: "adjusted basis" and "fair market value." This guide is an explanation of these concepts and two case studies illustrating their application in determining a casualty loss deduction for damaged timber.

2008 Annual Report (PDF)

New Guide! Succession Planning for Woodland Owners (PDF) The U.S. is blessed with a diverse portfolio of natural resources. Not least among them is our vast timberland. About 42 percent of the nation’s forestlands are in private ownership. Mostly, these are family owned forests. The objectives of these family forest owners vary widely. Whatever their purpose, these families have a large economic stake in one of America’s crown jewels – its forestland. The reality is that the vast majority of these privately owned, family forests will change hands over the next several decades as the current generation of owners ages. Often, the intent is to keep these important assets in the family for future generations. However, the pressures and realities that family forest owners face today are likely to prevent this from happening unless steps are taken to prepare for the transfer. This publication is about helping the current owners of family forestland assess their situations and prepare for a successful transition to the next generation of owners.

New Guide! Integrating Agroforestry Practices for Wildlife Habitat (PDF)
At the MU Center for Agroforestry, we believe that active and productive farms can also be managed to support a wide spectrum of wildlife species. With that in mind, the center has created a new Agroforestry in Action, in cooperation with MU Fisheries and Wildlife Extension Specialist, Dr. Bob Pierce. This publication gives landowners and farmers ideas on how to incorporate management of trees, shrubs and grasses with their current farm practices so wildlife will benefit. This publication provides information on white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail, waterfowl and mourning doves, briefly describing the needs of each species and providing ideas on how agroforestry can be applied to help meet habitat requirements and improve the likelihood of a farm keeping populations of the desired wildlife. More information on any of the wildlife species can be found through the list of resources at the end of the document.

New Guide! Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in an Agroforestry Practice (PDF)
Learn more about shiitake production as a profitable component of forest farming, one of the five agroforestry practices. Tips for marketing shiitakes, winter production and the success story of Ozark Forest Mushrooms, a Missouri-based specialty mushroom business, are included in the guide. Download the guide as a pdf file.

2007 Annual Report (PDF)

Shiitake Mushroom Market Research - Producer Survey
(PDF)

Black Walnut for Nut Production (PDF)
(added Spring 2007):
Eastern black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) produce high-value, hardwood products and distinctively flavored, edible nuts. The potential for producing two valuable products from the same tree has captured the imagination of tree planters for years. While black walnut trees can be grown for timber and/or nut production, the focus of this guide is toward planting, managing and harvesting top-quality black walnut nuts for sales at the retail or wholesale level from an orchard practice, similar to pecan and other nut trees. This guide is a collaborative effort of the nut tree research cluster at the Center for Agroforestry and the nut research program of Kansas State University and represents a decade of research on growing black walnut trees in an orchard practice for nut production.

Focus Groups for Potential Chestnut Growers
(updated Spring 2007):
As an effort to expand the chestnut industry, the Center for Agroforestry hosted focus group meetings in January and February in Pleasant Hill and Mt. Vernon, Mo.  The attendees were identified before the meeting as potential chestnut producers.  The meetings were held to gauge interest in producing chestnuts and to provide growing and marketing information to the participants in an effort to establish a base of chestnut growers in Missouri. The Center has conducted research with chestnuts for the past 10 years, and is now in a position to offer cultivar and marketing information to potential growers. Read the report here.

Growing Chinese Chestnuts In Missouri
(updated Fall 2006):
Learn the basics of establishing and managing a Chinese chestnut orchard. Topics include site and water requirements, updated cultivar selections, methods for establishing orchards, updated fertilization information, harvesting and storage information. New sections include highlights from the Center's nationwide chestnut market analysis, a listing of value-added products that can be made with chestnuts and a list of retail nurseries offering recommended cultivars. A section explaining the annual Missouri Chestnut Roast event is also included.

Propagating Pecan and Black Walnut
(updated Fall 2006):
Pecan and black walnut are among the most intensively managed native tree species in the Midwest. By learning and applying the basics of nut tree propagation, landowners can increase the value and productivity of the nut production portion of an agroforestry practice. Updated in 2006 with the arrowhead grafting method, this publication explains with text and photos how to apply this technique, along with the three-flap and bark graft methods.

UMCA Publications Catalog and Order Form: See a photo and brief synopsis of all the Center's publications. Includes order form and instructions for downloading/printing free publications, or ordering direct from University of Missouri Extension or the Center for Agroforestry.

Chestnut Market Analysis Producers’ Perspective:
The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) is conducting research to identify and describe the chestnut product market value chain. Through detailed market research and by organizing events that increase consumer awareness towards chestnuts, UMCA’s goal is to broaden market opportunities for all individuals and businesses in the chestnut marketplace. In 2004, UMCA conducted a nationwide survey of individuals and businesses active in the U.S. chestnut market (nurseries, producers and sellers). The focus of this report is to describe the market from the producers’ perspective.