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Requirements June 1972 until January 1984

4-H FFA

1. Point out 15 different species of trees or wild shrubs in the field and tell their names and chief uses. (If fewer than 15 kinds grow locally, identify and tell the uses of those that may be found.)

2. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Collect leaves or winter twigs of 15 forest trees or shrubs; mount them in a notebook, writing the name of each, where it grows in the United States and the chief uses.

(b) Obtain wood samples of 10 different trees and tell some of the uses of each kind of wood.

3. Do the following:

(a) Describe the value of forests in protecting soil and building fertility, regulating the flow of water, wildlife management, and as recreational areas. Tell from what watershed or other source your community obtains its water.

(b) Describe briefly the part that forest products play in our everyday life.

4. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Make a diameter tape or Biltmore Stick. Show how to determine the height and diameter of trees. Estimate the board foot volume of three trees selected by the Counselor. 

(b) Find and examine several stumps or logs that have variations in the rate of growth as shown by rings and discuss reasons for these variations.

5. Describe what is meant by forest management.

6. Working with your counselor or a forester, plan and carry out a forestry project that meets a need such as tree planting, seed collecting, range improvement, or forest wildlife management.

7. Do the following:

(a) Describe the damage to forests and watersheds resulting from fire, insects, tree diseases, overgrazing, unwise cutting practices. Tell what is being done to reduce this damage.

(b) Tell what to do if a fire is discovered in woodlands.

(c) Take part in a forest fire prevention campaign or build a fire lane of at least 100 yards at a location designated by a local fire warden, forester, or counselor.

8. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Take a field trip to a logging operation or to a wood-using industrial plant and write a 500 word report telling what the raw material is, where is comes from, how the finished product is made, how products are used, and how waste materials are disposed of.

(b) Visit a managed public or private forest area or watershed area with its supervisor and write a 500-word report on how the area is managed to grow repeated crops of lumber, to protect the watershed, to support repeated crops of wildlife, or to provide other services and benefits.

Requirements January 1984 until January 2006.

1. Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species of trees or wild shrubs in a local forested area. Include a written description of:

(a) Identifying characteristics of leaf, twig, and fruit samples.
(b) The habitat in which these trees or shrubs are found.br> (c) Chief ways each tree or shrub is used by humans or wildlife.
(d) The forest's successional stage, what its history has been, and what its future is.

2. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Collect and identify wood samples of 10 species of trees. List several ways each species of wood can be used.
(b) Find and examine several stumps or logs that show variations in growth rate in their ring patterns. Prepare a field notebook describing their location and discuss possible reasons for the variations.

3. Be able to do the following:

(a) Describe contributions forests make to:

• Our economy in the form of products
• Our social well being.
• Soil protection and increased fertility.
• Clean water.
• Clean air.
• Wildlife.
• Recreation.

(b) Tell which watershed or other source your community relies on for its water supply.

4. Be able to describe what forest management means, including:

(a) Multiple-use management.
(b) Even-aged and uneven-aged management and the silvicultural systems associated with each type.
(c) Intermediate cuttings.
(d) How prescribed burning and related forest management practices are used.

5. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Visit a managed public or private forest area with its manager or someone familiar with it. Write a brief report describing:

• The type of forest.
• The management objectives.
• The forestry techniques used to achieve the objectives.

(b) Take a trip to a logging operation or wood-using industrial plant and write a brief report describing:

• The species and size of trees being harvested or used.
• Where the trees are going to or coming from.
• What products are made from the trees or at the plant.
• How the products are made.
• How the products are used.
• How waste materials from the logging operation or plant are disposed of or utilized.

6. Be able to do the following:

(a) Describe the damages to forests that result from:

• Wildfire
• Insects
• Tree disease
• Overgrazing
• Improper harvest

(b) Tell what can be done to reduce these damages.
(c) Tell what you should do if you discover a forest fire and how to control it.

7. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Assist in carrying out a project that meets one or more of these objectives: timber stand improvement, watershed improvement, wildlife habitat improvement, recreation area improvement, or range improvement.
(b) Take part in a forest fire prevention campaign in cooperation with your local fire warden, forester, or counselor.
(c) Visit with one of more local foresters and write a brief report including education, qualifications, career opportunities, and objectives relating to forestry.