Despite drought conditions in parts of the state for most of the year, there should be plenty of colorful foliage worth seeing across North Carolina this fall, according to a North Carolina State University expert. Dr. Robert Bardon, associate professor of forestry and extension forestry specialist at N.C. State, says that in areas of the state that have experienced drought, people should expect to see colors early, and that the leaves will change color faster.

“People should be hoping for weather conditions that are warmer during the day and cooler at nighttime – since they create the most vibrant fall colors,” Bardon says. “However, if we have a wet fall, we can expect less vibrant colors this season.”

During the spring and summer, leaves manufacture most of the food necessary for a tree’s growth. The food-making process occurs in cells that contain the pigment chlorophyll, which gives the leaves their green color. The leaves also contain other pigments that are masked most of the year by the greater amount of chlorophyll.

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University invites the public to its Arbor Day Celebration and Open House on March 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the campus of N.C. State University.

Events will include a tree seedling give-away, a plant adoption center for youth, timber sports demonstrations from the N.C. State University Forestry Club, and various presentations from faculty and members of the urban forestry community.

“We want to create a festive atmosphere where North Carolinians can come together to celebrate Arbor Day, as well as learn what our department has to offer those interested in a natural resource career. This also is an opportunity for faculty and students to share and discuss research projects and experiences with the public. We hope there is a little bit of something for everyone!” stated Shannon Ford, undergraduate program coordinator for the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.

Even with the recent drought in North Carolina, this year's Christmas tree crop will be just as good as last year's, according to Jeff Owen, North Carolina State University area extension forestry specialist who works with Christmas tree growers across the N.C. mountains.

Read more in the North Carolina State University news release.

The 2006 North Carolina 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Contest was held at Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg County April 29. Twelve teams and 10 individuals from 10 counties competed in the contest, which included recommended on-site habitat management practices, wildlife species identification, wildlife foods identification and interpreting wildlife habitat from aerial photographs.

The Alexander County senior team will represent North Carolina at the National 4-H WHEP Invitational during late July in Madison, Wis.

North Carolina Christmas tree growers shipped a fresh crop of trees in 2005 despite a dry fall, said a tree expert at North Carolina State University.

The North Carolina mountains, where most of the state's trees are grown, were extremely dry from August until mid-November, says Jeff Owen, an area Christmas tree specialist with North Carolina Cooperative Extension. It had been expected that a tree moisture content survey conducted by N.C. State would indicate that trees were dryer this year than in 2004. But Owen said the survey of cut Fraser fir Christmas trees indicated more than 96 percent were fresh.

“We are fortunate to hire three outstanding individuals who are charged to work with extension agents, industries and many other agencies and groups to foster economic development of North Carolina’s forest-based resources,” says Rick Hamilton, Forestry Department Extension leader.