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The Rural Voice, 2005-04, Page 56may, or Marvin L. Smith B Sc F (Forestry). R P F Farm Woodland Specialist 570 Riverview Dr. Listowel, Ontario N4W 3T7 Telephone (519) 291-2236 Providing advice and assistance with: • impartial advice/assistance in selling timber, including selection of trees and marking • reforestation of erodible or idle land • follow-up tending of young plantations • windbreak planning and establishment • woodlot management planning • diagnosis of insect and disease problems • conducting educational programs in woodlot management • any other woodland or tree concerns How Safe Is Your Chimney? HOME SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN! In a class of its own - for more info on Double lined • double insulated SAFEST & most efficient durable masonry chimney! Less money goes up the chimney in the form of excessive smoke & unbumed gasses! Environment - friendly Pante•i4ntlng ry Chlmlek Inner Liner J -1111-0 CH I MTE Kms+ Please contact EBERSOL MASONRICHIMNEY SUPPLY Line 67 # 4922, R.R. #2, Milverton, ON NOK IMO Voice Mail 519-595-4919 or Frank at 519-699-4092 Huron/Perth Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association Annual General Meeting & Woodlot Tour Saturday, April 16, 2005 Speakers on Economics of Farm Woodlots and Forest Health Woodlot Tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at John Haak's property on Summerhill Road (the 3rd road north of Canton or 2nd road south of Londesborough on Highway #4. then tum east and travel 2 km to the first intersection at Wildlife Line) Speakers, meeting and lunch to follow at 12 noon at the Betty Cardno Centre (Highway #8 on the west edge of Clinton) Note: Everyone welcome but you must register by April 7 if you wish to have lunch. There is no cost for lunch to Woodlot Association members Special Offer for new members only - $15 for 1 year membership To register call Jim Ginn 519-524-2522, Victor Roland 519-335-3944 or Steve Bowers 519-482-3661. 52 THE RURAL VOICE Woodlot Management be heavier users of nutrients and water, resulting in long-term reduction in site productivity. One of the main uses for wood fiber worldwide is in production of paper. Paper is composed primarily of cellulose fibers from the wood. Cellulose and lignin are two of the primary structural elements in wood cells. Lignin acts like glue in holding the cellulose fibers together. Costly chemical and mechanical processes are utilized to remove the lignin from wood in order to make paper. Researchers have developed GM trees that not only have Tess lignin but also contain more cellulose. These trees could obviously result in significant savings and increased efficiency in the paper -making process. Concerns have been raised, however, that trees with lower lignin content may be structurally weaker and less able to withstand attack by pathogens and insects. While most GM forestry is likely to target plantation forests, one of the main concerns is the potential impact on natural forests. GM trees certainly may have potential to invade natural areas or interbreed with trees in native forests, whether adjacent to a GM plantation or some distance away (one study suggested pine pollen could be transported 600 km in wind currents). Could fast growing GM trees become invasive and displace natural species? Is it possible for cross-pollination to reduce lignin content in natural forests, resulting in structurally weak trees that are more susceptible to insects and disease? Could cross-pollination introduce insect resistance that disturbs complex ecological systems and impacts on non -target species plus others that depend on those species for food? Agriculture crops are typically annuals or short-lived perennials and impacts of GM crops can be evaluated fairly quickly. Trees must be grown for many years before long- term implications are more fully understood. Could there be undesirable side effects of GM trees that don't become evident for many years? Continued on page 54 e