UMCA News Release

Eastern Red Cedar: Challenge or Opportunity?
Aug. 9-11, 2007
University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Mo.

May 30, 2007

Missouri has the fourth largest eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) resource in the U.S., and demand is increasing rapidly along with prices. University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry market research has determined that red cedar is already a $60 million dollar industry in the U.S. with a rapidly expanding national market for an undervalued and abundant local natural resource.

While it is commonly found in Missouri forests, eastern red cedar is not often regarded as an income opportunity. The Center's research, including an in-depth market analysis of the industry, is helping lay the groundwork for Missouri and surrounding states to capitalize on this undervalued and underutilized resource and is stimulating development of value-added opportunities to expand the scope and economic impact of the industry.

"Like other opportunities in agroforestry, landowners ask 'How much money can you make?' and 'Where do you sell it?' said Michael Gold, associate director, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. "Even though we know cedar is bought and sold, we didn't have the data to answer those questions with certainty, so that's why we conducted the market analysis and why we continue to understand and identify opportunities for redcedar."

Gold attributes the industry's projected growth to the expanding list of uses for redcedar products. "From mailbox posts and mulch to novelty gifts and paneling, the list keeps growing," he said. "Many high-value products can be produced from small-diameter stock, and cedar's natural rot and insect resistance makes it an attractive substitute for pressuretreated lumber products, especially now that chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is no longer in use."

Working with fellow researchers and stakeholders, the Center is initiating additional research to explore the phytochemistry of eastern red cedar to create markets for additional value-added products, including mulch, cedar oils and pet bedding.

A collaborative effort by a diverse group of researchers and stakeholders, the "Eastern Red Cedar: Challenge or Opportunity" workshop, Aug. 9-11, 2007, brings together landowners, foresters, and the redcedar industry to learn how to manage and market this often-maligned native tree species. Workshop topics include growth and management; log grading; pruning and thinning stands; insects and diseases; marketing; mechanical harvesting and a portable sawmill demonstration.

Workshop Sponsors:
Southwest Missouri RC&D, Great Plains Society of American Foresters, Missouri Society of American Foresters, Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri Forestry Department, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Forest Products Association, Missouri Forest Products Association, Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas State University Extension, Oklahoma State University Extension, and University of Missouri Extension.

Registration:
Registration fee of $75 per person (does not include lodging) is due with payment by July 13, 2007 (postmarked). There will be an additional late fee of $10 for all registrations postmarked after July 13, 2007. Send completed registration form by mail with check, cash or money order to: Redcedar Conference, Southwest MO RC&D, 283 US Hwy 60, Republic, MO 65738. A brochure and registration form is also available online at: www.centerforagroforestry.org

Booth space is available for exhibitors for a fee of $50. To make arrangements, contact Skip Mourglia by email at skip.mourglia@mo.usda. gov; or by phone at (417) 732-6485, Mon-Fri.

Questions:
If you have any questions regarding registration or require special services, please contact the SW Missouri RC&D office at (417) 732-6485. Conference qualifies for 10 Society of American Foresters CFE credits.

Lodging:
The workshop will be held at the University Plaza Hotel located at 333 John Q. Hammons Pkwy in Springfield, Mo. Contact the hotel directly to reserve your room at (417) 864-7333. Mention you are with the Eastern Redcedar Workshop to receive the special rate of $90 single or double occupancy. The block of rooms at this rate will be held until July 10, 2007. After this date, room availability and rates are subject to change, so call early to reserve your room. There is a Holiday Inn Express within walking distance of the workshop at 111 East St. Louis St.; ph. (417) 862-0070. No special workshop rate has been arranged with this hotel.

Workshop program is available online at: www.centerforagroforestry.org. If you have questions regarding the conference program, please contact Craig McKinley, Oklahoma State Forestry Extension at (405) 744-8065 or email craig.mckinley@okstate.edu.

--Rachel McCoy
Senior Information Specialist
Center for Agroforestry
University of Missouri
(573) 882-9866
mccoyr@missouri.edu