Tx A&M Forest Service

Suspect Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Felony Timber Theft in Cherokee County

May 10, 2019 College Station – A suspected timber thief plead guilty this week to a Second Degree Felony of Unauthorized Harvesting of Timber valued between $100,000 and $200,000. 

Thomas Curtis Fields, 49, of Frankston, Texas, harvested timber on private property near Jacksonville, Texas in Cherokee County without the landowner’s knowledge or permission.

“Unfortunately there are criminals out there who take advantage of landowners and steal valuable timber without the landowner’s knowledge,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Investigator Colton Covington.

Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigators Help Protect Against Timber Theft

April 26, 2019 - The theft of timber is a serious crime in Texas. Each year, Texas A&M Forest Service investigators receive theft complaints from landowners that total over one million dollars.

Theft of timber is not only costly for victims, it can also destroy generations of careful forest stewardship and cause irreparable environmental damage.

Urban Forests Contribute Significant Capital to Texas Economy

April 25, 2019 - Many of us appreciate urban trees for the aesthetic appeal they bring to our communities, neighborhoods and properties. Urban forests make up a vital part of Texas’ natural resources, providing aesthetic, recreational, health and environmental benefits.

Urban forests also provide significant economic benefits which haven’t been well-studied, such as job creation for arborists, nursery operators and urban foresters. Texas A&M Forest Service released the summary report “Economic Impact of Urban Forests in Texas” after analyzing data on:

Texas Forest Service BMP Implementation Monitoring Update

April 11, 2019 Lufkin – Every three years, Texas A&M Forest Service conducts Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation monitoring on randomly-selected forested tracts across East Texas. For each round of monitoring, foresters evaluate 150 tracts on which silvicultural activities occurred. This program of monitoring non-regulatory forestry BMPs in East Texas is funded by Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants from the Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

Oak Wilt Disease Threatens Texas Oaks in Spring

February 19, 2019 – From February through June, oak trees should not be pruned or wounded to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease. Texas A&M Forest Service reminds Texans that it is especially critical to avoid pruning oaks in Texas counties affected by oak wilt.

When springtime comes, oak trees produce new leaves for the coming growing season. While the seasonal transition may leave oaks looking thin with yellowed leaves, new green leaves will soon emerge.

Texans Can Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt Disease

November 29, 2018 College Station - Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, and it has been known to kill oak trees in Central Texas at epidemic proportions. Texas A&M Forest Service urges Texans, hunters in particular, to take preventative measures and be cautious when collecting and purchasing firewood at this time of year to stop the spread of oak wilt.

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