Progress ln Private Forest Management ln The Western Pine Region

By Ernest L. Kolbe, District Forest Engineer \flestern Pine Association

Forest Management in the Western Pine Region covers a big subject about a vast area. The Western Pines and their associated species grow in an area that approximates l/3 of. continental United States, extending from the Great Plains to the Coast Mountains and from Mexico north into Canada. In other words, the Western Pine Region includes all the timber growing areas in the 12 western states except the western portion of Oregon and Washington which is the Douglas Fir Region and the coastal strip of California which is the Redwood Region.

The lumber industry in the \Mestern Pine Region has been operating since 1932 under forest practice rules. These have been revised from time to time on the basis of woods experience and are directed by well-organized committees of operators in each state representing the membership of the Western Pine Association. In 1945 the Western Pine rules were incorporated into forest practice handbooks for each state in the region. They are the minimum standards for most pine logging operations. We feel that these association rules represent sound technical knowledge of forest requirements and the practical experience of progressive logging operators. They are, of necessity, the first steps in keeping forest lands productive and in condition to grow a new crop.

This program of voluntary self-regulation by industry is yet in its initial stages and it is appreciated that we still have a long way to go. But by and large there is general compliance to the rules. As far as we know, there is 100 per cent acceptance by management of member companies to the association's rules. Also a goodly number of nonmembers have made these rules their program in the woods. During the war there was considerable difficulty in getting woodsmen to give protection to young trees in the logging and to carry out certain other required measures. This difficulty is rapidly being overcome and in progressive operations is a thing of the past.

In addition to our regular program of forest practice rules dealing with the rvoods practices of member companies, the Western Pine Association sponsors the tree farm program throughout the region. In this program we consider members and non-members alike. Our purpose is to encourage the continuous production of forest crops on all privately-owned forest lands. To this end we urge owners to submit all qualified timberlands for certification as Western Pine Tree Farms. On lands so certified it is the declared policy that all harvesting and other operations will be handled in such a manner as to assure future crops. However, a tree farm involves more than a mere declaration of intention. It includes action in the woods to show that the area designated is being managed for forest crops and that it is given all reasonable protection. On some of our tree farms, foresters have been employed to build up the productive' capacity of the forest to the highest practicable level. These tree farmers tell us that they are managing their woods because they are convinced that the resulting wood growth will more than pay for the efiort. There is still a considerable number of forest properties which are being managed for the purpose of growing timber that have not as yet become certified as tree farms. We hope that they will soon join in this program which helps to give a purpose for owning forest land. The program is well on its way and growing fast. The additions in 1947 srvell the Western Pine score to lD tree farms and 2,524,653 acres. l\{ost tree farmers regret that they did not start sooner as they are now beginning to see the results of past efforts.

In industrial forest management, particular attention must be given to the available old growth timber supply. The success of any forestry program by industry depends in a large measure on the availability of privately-owned mature timber which may be converted into growing for-

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