Sixteen Penn State Mont Alto forestry students, accompanied by Drs. Elizabeth Brantley and Craig Houghton, toured the Stone Valley Forest on May 8, 2006. The tour initiated at the historic Stone Valley Forest Headquarters. Director of Forestlands, Joe Harding, briefed the group on the history of the Forest and its current uses and management. Technology Specialist, Jim McQuaide, provided a presentation pertaining to 21st century digital technology and its use in modern forestry. The tour stopped at a naturally regenerating hardwood stand that is just entering its third growing season post initial harvest. The stop provided a backdrop for Penn State Forestland Mgmt. Office staff to discuss shelterwood harvest treatments, deer exclusion woven wire fencing, herbicide applications as well as the ease and practicality of obtaining precise standing tree heights with handheld lasers. A recently completed shelterwood final overstory removal was the second stop on the tour. Students were informed of the necessity to supervise logging operations to insure a desired end result. Emphasis was also placed on establishing a firm understanding of domestic and foreign log markets. The third stop was a recently established pine plantation. An informal financial analysis of the revenue and expenses associated with maintaining a pine plantation in Pennsylvania was a catalyst for a group discussion about vegetation competition control and harvest operations. A conifer to hardwood stand conversion was the tour's fourth stop. Key points focused on forest succession, invasive vegetation and deer exclusion solar powered fencing. The final stop of the tour was a small naturally regenerating mixed conifer/hardwood stand entering its second growing season. The stop provided a venue to discuss seed tree harvest treatments, light seed dispersion and accumulation and windthrow potential.

A Mont Alto forestry student tour of the Stone Valley Forest is an annual event. Tours can be scheduled by contacting the Penn State Forestland Management Office at 814-865-6272 or by e-mail psuforestmgmt@psu.edu .