Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Terry Putnal, a local tree farmer in Madison County, recently found out that he has been named the “2023 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year.” The Putnal family originally purchased land in the 1980s and soon certified the land as a Tree Farm. Putnal was nominated for this distinction by Madison County Forester Zach Butler. Putnal has approximately 600 acres in planted pines around Madison County, with much of his farm located just off Saint Augustine Road. After being nominated, several judges from the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) visited Putnal’s farm. Soon after, he was notified that he had been selected as the Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year. “I was most definitely surprised,” said Putnal.
This was not the first time Putnal’s farm has caught the eye of others in the industry. A few years ago, when his father, Howard, was still alive, he was named one of the “Top 100 tree farmers in the state.” Putnal still attributes much of his success to his father. “Without God and Howard Putnal, there would be no tree farm,” said Terry. At Terry’s request, the award is being presented to Terry, and in memoriam of his father, Howard, who passed away just over a year ago.
Before the long-leaf pine trees are harvested for timber or wood products, Putnal takes advantage of the pine straw that falls from the trees. “That’s like Christmas money,” says Putnal with a laugh. “You just watch it fall.”
“[Putnal] is a person who is always looking to learn new things about tree farming,” said Butler. “He’s constantly learning. He’s the kind of land owner that makes being a forester easier.” Putnal is always quick to share his knowledge and expertise with other land owners in areas such as proper herbicide application, new planting techniques and more.
Putnal has an area of land set aside for wildlife and he does allow hunting on his property. Putnal’s interests go far beyond just pine trees. Putnal is very interested in preserving the history of the “Florida Cracker Horse and Scrub Cows.” “[Putnal] maintains breeding herds of both breeds and endorsed having the Cracker Horse become the ‘state horse’ by joining others in a ride to Tallahassee,” said Ginger Morgan Feagle, North Central Regional Coordinator for Landowner Assistance for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in her letter of recommendation for Putnal’s selection. “Not only does he recognize the cultural history and the breed’s function, he’ll actively jump on their back to round up stray cattle when moving the herd.”
“[Putnal’s] land management strategy is a great example of how to responsibly use forestry practices ‘in the right place’ to meet economic goals,” added Feagle. “Guided by his father’s passion for forestry, Terry provides positive impact to fellow forest owners and deserves our recognition.”
The Florida Tree Farm System is a 501c(3) non-profit organization and is the state affiliate of the AFTS. The AFTS is a national program that promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. The State of Florida contains approximately 1,200 certified tree farms.