Planned Tree Cutting Aids Forest Conservafion

'T'HE OLD SAYING, "You Can't I llave Your Cake and Eat It Too," does not apply to the forest industry. Wise utilization of our renewable timber resource not only serves present needs but provides for increased growth and healthy forests for the future. Years ago, when the conservation movement started in this country, utilization was a strong element in its makeup; but memories of exploitation and plundering-a logical expression of the times-lingered, and as time passed, its direction was emphasized by the scarcity, or famine concept. Too many writings have exploited this myth of the scarcity of wood. The past confusions are well stated by Dr. John Zivnuska in his "Timber Today-and Tomorrow," an independent appraisal of the recent Timber Resources Review:

"For decades two broad conceDts or generalizations appear to hive cast a shadow over the forest situation of the LI.S. Despite their apparent contradictory nature, both were widely held. The one was the fear that overcutting and uncontrolled fires were destroying the nation's forests, a concept which at one time led to the expectation of an absolute 'timber famine.' The other concept, developing under the influence of a declining per capita consumption of lumber, was that the demand for forest products was declining, thus reducing the economic incentive for productive forestry."

Dr. Zivnuska goes on to state that there are expanding srrpply possibilities and expanding market opportunities. Without question, this confusion is beginning to clear up. Periodic surveys through the years have shown that forest practices have improved, that forest growth has increased, that today, nationally, more wood is growing than is being used. This is not to say that there are no forest problems facing us. The point is that there is no wood shortage.

A first hand view of our virgin forests clearly depicts the conditions that exist when man has not applied modern day forest practices. In these old forests, trees that have reached maturity begin to decline; and the natural inroads of pests and other destructive agencies take their toll. Such a forest has at best reached a stalemate; valuable wood is wasted through decay, and this waste cancels out the value of the growth of young trees.

Now let us compare this wasteful process to that of a managed forest. The mature, the overmature and dying trees are cut as a croD to serve our needs. In addition, conditions for new growth are improved; and young trees have more light, moisture, and space for faster growth. Thus our stagnant forest, through managed harvesting, has become an awakened producer of timber and other forest products. That which rvas rotting away now becomes a dynamic living force that will con-

When you think of timber-standing trees-the forests with which our State of California are so abundantlv blessed. you should picture in youf mind a "crop of trees" that is surely just as much in need of harvest at point of maturity as any other "crop" whether it be grains, fruits, vegetables or grasses, or even livestock, for that matter. When nature is left to pursue its natural course, it accomplishes a method of "harvest" which achieves its purpose; but in doing so generally employs a wasteful procedure.