The Illinois Tree Farm Committee invites you to spend the day with the 2010 Illinois Outstanding Tree Farmers, Greg and Pat Zak. The Zaks will be hosting a field day Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9 am to 3 pm on their 291 acre Tree Farm in Pike County, IL.
The Zak Tree Farm is being managed for wood products, for creating and improving wildlife habitat and for the enjoyment of outdoor recreation by friends and family. Speakers will cover topics on:
•controlling invasive woodland plants
•thinning & pruning tree plantings
•how to utilize storm damaged trees
•planning and conducting a timber sale
•how to establish the value of your saw log trees
Participants will :
•practice selecting future crop trees
•learn how to find and identify young oak, hickory, ash & walnut seedlings in those “brushy areas” on the farm
•see a portable sawmill in operation
•enjoy a cookout hosted by the IL Tree Farm Committee
The Zak Tree Farm is located about 1.5 miles southeast of Fishhook, IL in Section 28 of Fairmount Township in northern Pike County. To reach the farm from the south, take I-72 to Exit 31. Turn north onto County Highway 2 and drive north through New Salem to Baylis. Turn right at the white church and drive 1 mile north to County Highway 6. Turn right and travel approximately 3 miles to 355th AV (Woodland Church on right just before turn). Follow 355th AV east 1.5 miles to Tree Farm entrance. If you are coming from the north, find IL Hwy 104 and follow it to Fishhook. Turn south onto County Highway 6, drive south approximately 3 miles to 355th AV, then turn left just before the Woodland Church. Follow 355th AV east for 1.5 miles to Tree Farm entrance. Tree Farm signs will help to guide you to the farm. GPS coordinates are latitude; 39.775101 and longitude -90.861789.
There is a $5.00 pre-registration fee that covers lunch. We will be having an old-fashioned cookout! So don your outdoor clothing and boots, bring your appetite and prepare for some good food and fun with other Tree Farmers. There will be lots of things to see and do and a great time of year to be out in the woods. See you there!
Please pre-register for this event by Monday, September 26th by contacting: Becky Jones, IDNR Forestry, 1660 W. Polk, Charleston, IL 61920, 217/348-0174 becky.jones@illinois.gov
