More than 250 Students from 14 Universities Compete in Premier Regional Forestry Event

Alabama A&M University welcomed more than 250 forestry students from across the Southeast as it hosted the 66th Annual Southern Forestry Conclave – an action-packed, tradition-rich competition celebrating the physical and technical skills of future forestry professionals.

Students from 14 universities recently visited AAMU to compete in a wide range of events, from thrilling physical challenges like axe throwing, pole climbing, and log birling to technical tests of forestry knowledge such as dendrology, timber volume estimation, and wildlife identification. The competition stretched across multiple venues including AAMU’s Agribition Center, the Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, and locations throughout campus.

The high-energy event crowned Steven F. Austin State University as this year’s overall winner, with North Carolina State University finishing second and Virginia Tech placing third. Alabama A&M proudly took home the coveted Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive year.

Among the standout moments was AAMU senior and Forestry Club President’s nearly triumphant axe throw, which came within inches of knocking Auburn University out of third place in a nail-biting tiebreaker. Another highlight was the pole felling contest, where competitors raced to fell a pole with speed and precision. Cedric Burrell, a junior and captain of AAMU’s FireDawgs, tackled the event as his teammates cheered him on.

In the ever-popular Jack and Jill cross-cut event, senior Christopher Burns and sophomore Alayna Battle delivered a strong showing, demonstrating grit and teamwork as they raced to saw through a 10-by-10-inch beam. While they didn’t place in the top three, their performance drew enthusiastic support from the crowd.

The competition culminated with the log chop – arguably the most dangerous and intense event of the conclave. Athletes, outfitted in protective gear, swung their axes with precision and force to split a massive slab of wood in under five minutes. One of the most memorable moments of the weekend came when, for the first time ever, a female log chopper from Louisiana Tech finished under the time limit, falling to her knees in a mix of exhaustion and triumph.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello will host the 2026 Southern Forestry Conclave. For Alabama A&M, the weekend was not only a celebration of skill and sportsmanship but also a powerful reminder of the deep-rooted camaraderie that binds the forestry community across the South.

(Photos Courtesy Rachel Stone)