Texas Forestry Association (TFA) announced J. Andrew and Susan Rice as the 2019 Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year during the organization’s annual conference held Oct. 16-18, 2019, at The Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, Texas.
“J. Rice has an evident love of the land and values it’s rich history,” said Rob Hughes, TFA Executive Director. “J. took everything he learned from his father and grandfather and has applied it to his property to protect soil erosion and sustainability.”
The Rice’s Certified Tree Farm was nominated by their Consulting Forester, Stephen Dantzler. Their Tree Farm consists of 114 acres in Liberty County near Dayton. Though the Tree Farm is somewhat new in the certification program, it has been under written management since 1994. The Tree Farm is a multiple use-sustained yield timber and wildlife management property for producing timber income and family recreation. A portion of the land has a history beginning with J.’s great grandfather who moved to East Texas from Missouri in 1880.
“J. has created a biological diverse ecosystem by planting cypress along water courses and creating a newly planted mixed hardwood and pine forest,” said Hughes. “A more mature stand is two-thirds pine plantation and one-third natural mixed hardwood/pine.”
