Clemson Forestry Club Finishes Fifth at Annual Skills Competition

The Clemson University Forestry Club placed fifth overall out of 14 participating universities and captured top honors in several individual events at the 56th annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Forestry Conclave hosted by Auburn University.

Clemson’s freshman-laden team overcame its inexperience to finish ahead of regional rivals Virginia Tech, N.C. State, the University of Tennessee, Auburn University, the University of Florida and LSU, among others. Stephen F. Austin State University from Nacogdoches, Texas, took first place.

“Our team is made up of a majority of freshmen who had never competed at conclave before,” said Tamara Cushing, forestry club adviser and Clemson Extension forestry specialist. “I’m very proud of our fifth-place finish and expect big things as this group grows together.”

The conclave is a two-day event featuring competitions in a number of physical and mental forestry skill challenges, such as logrolling, chain throwing, crosscut sawing, log chopping, compass and pacing, tree diameter estimating, dendrology and photogrammetry.

John Bowers of Taylors and John Dunn of Easley took first place in photogrammetry and archery, respectively. Phillip Lewis of Martinsville, Va., and Jordan Livingston of Charleston took second place in men’s bowsaw and knife throwing, respectively. The men’s logrolling team of Bowers and Jesse Burdett of Piedmont took second place. Burdett and Evan Ledford of Spartanburg finished third in chain throwing.

Lewis, senior forestry resource management major and forestry team captain, said Clemson’s team has a bright future.

“Only two members of our team had ever participated in conclave before,” he said. “I told this group that if it sticks together and keeps working there is no reason it can’t win it all.”

The Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave host site rotates among its member forestry schools and will come Clemson in 2015. The Clemson University Forestry Club is supported by the School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences (SAFES).