By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — While corn, soybeans and wheat are likely the predominate Midwest agricultural products, lumber is also a viable crop. At this year’s 2010 Illinois State Fair, Greg and Pat Zak were honored for their years of tree growth when they received the 2010 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Award.

Both employees of the state of Illinois in 1987, Greg Zak worked for the state Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Pat, the Illinois Department of Revenue, when they had the chance to purchase 40 acres of land in Pike County. Greg, like many other IEPA managers and employees working at that time, became interested in deer and turkey hunting, and this was prime hunting ground.

The couple decided to purchase the land, but wanted to find a way to make this real estate profitable. The profit margin had to fit into their goal of honoring the land, offering a place to hunt and let wildlife flourish, planning to stop erosion and growing great trees. Planting trees fit the bill perfectly.

This was a big task that was labor-intensive, but one of love. Now, with the 20-plus years that have passed, the trees have grown and flourished.

When the Zaks and their young sons, Tom and John, became serious about trees, they enrolled in USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program to plant the tillable acres to trees. They were assisted with their forest management plan by their Department of Natural Resources district forester, Bob Church.

The end result was 22 acres of freshly planted trees and 18 acres of timber stand improvement completed.

Over time, the Zaks added to their acreage and purchased land next to theirs. Now, the 40 acres have grown to more than 290. While there are a few tillable acres, all but 82 have been planted to trees or remain in timber stand.

The Zaks planted a variety of oak species and walnut. It took years of clearing and pruning to accomplish a big stand of these hardwoods, which have proven to be valuable timber for lumber.
According to their award introduction, “the plantations have, for the most part, prospered under Greg and Pat’s care. They are now in the process of being pruned and thinned. The timber stand improvement work has done its magic, as well.”