KINGS MILLS, Ohio — What kind of tree is that? Can those invasive plants really destroy healthy crops? What’s the latest on the Asian long-horned beetle? These questions and hundreds more will be answered by a panel of experts at the 2012 Ohio River Valley Woodland & Wildlife Workshop March 24.

The workshop, which will be at the Kings Island Resort & Conference Center, has the goal of providing landowners across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky with access to the latest in tools and techniques to help them become better stewards of the land. Experts from The Ohio State University, Purdue University and University of Kentucky (UK) will provide experts who will answer questions concerning many topics.

One key topic of interest to growers and producers in all three states is the spread of invasive plants and the detrimental effects they have on seasonal crops and ground cover.

“It is highly important for farmers and other producers to realize that invasive plants need to be identified and controlled,” said forest wildlife management expert Kathy Smith, of OSU extension. “Invasive plants are a problem in all three states, and it’s not just a problem within our normal crops. They can be a real nuisance along fence lines, tree lines and in the woods adjacent to the farmers’ fields.”

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the top 10 most invasive plants in Ohio are wild honeysuckle, Japanese knotweed, autumn olive, buckthorns, purple loosestrife, common reed, reed canary grass, garlic mustard, multiflora rose and bush honeysuckles.

Of the 3,000 species of plants known to occur in the wild in Ohio, about 75 percent are native. The others have been introduced from other states or countries.

“Most farmers have a woods nearby and they’d be in for a rude awakening if they did nothing and let these plants overtake the good vegetation,” Smith said. “We’ll take a look at the invasive varieties and what can be done to eradicate or at least keep them under control.”

Brian MacGowan of Purdue will assist Smith with this presentation. Eric McConnell of OSU extension and Terry Conners of UK Forestry extension will discuss wood identification and use. They will explain how to identify wood species around the home by recognizing key structural characteristics.

Amy Stone of OSU extension will explain how to identify the Asian long-horned beetle, what tree species it likes best and what is being done with the Ohio infestation.

Other topics to be covered include black bears and their return to western Appalachia, using Google Earth to map woodland resources, finance and tax aspects of woodland investment, identifying wildlife on one’s property, quail habitat, woodland fungi, the sale of timber from one’s property and favorites for wildlife and landscaping.

The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost to attend is $45 per person before March 12 and $55 after that date. Payment should be sent to: Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, 210 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210. Call 614-688-3421 for more information.