The Herb Davis Tree Farm near Liberty in Casey County will be the site of the Tree Farmer of the Year Field Day on Oct. 12.

The event is presented in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. From 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT, the field day will include a tour of the farm and dinner. Sessions will include timber stand improvement practices, bald cypress tree planting, wildlife habitat management, prescribed fire and native warm-season grasses, artificial and natural regeneration, the Wetland Reserve and Conservation Reserve programs and hunt leasing.

The Kentucky Tree Farm Committee selected Herb Davis as the Kentucky Tree Farmer of the Year for 2015, and the Kentucky Division of Forestry recognized him as The Outstanding Forest Steward of the Year in 2015. Both of these honors recognize his extensive stewardship work. For 40 years, Davis has worked to improve the quality of his approximately 700 acres of woodlands that span Casey and Taylor counties. With the advice of state foresters, he learned as he went, clearing out vines, planting native grasses and wildflowers, felling less marketable trees to provide more space for higher-valued species, such as ash, oak and black walnut, and planting a stand of bald cypress in bottomland along the Green River.

“Mr. Davis has spent decades managing his property with the assistance of forestry, wildlife and other natural resource professionals, many of whom consider his woodlands a great example of what can result from proper management,” said Billy Thomas, UK forester. “The trees and wildlife on his property have benefited greatly from his stewardship. I encourage woodland owners to attend the field day, as they will enjoy touring his property, learning about his management activities and speaking with forestry and wildlife experts.”

Preregistration for the free event is required for meal planning purposes. To register, call the Casey County Cooperative Extension office at 606-787-7384, UK Forestry Extension at 859-257-7597 or email forestry.extension@uky.edu by Oct. 5.

The Herb Davis Tree Farm is south of Liberty in Casey County. The farm is accessible from KY-70W by turning on to Linnie-Rheber Road. Signs will be posted close to the farm.

This year’s field day is sponsored by the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, UK Forestry Extension, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Casey and Lincoln County Cooperative Extension offices, Kentucky Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, Kentucky Forest Industries Association and the Casey County Conservation District.