Some Impressions of European Forestry

Abstract Ordinarily American foresters returning from visits to European forests report their impressions of the silvicultural and utilization standards. The present author reports his impressions of the attitudes toward the forest of the European forester and general public and contrasts them to those obtaining in America. He discusses the recognition of the long-time complete use of the land as the fundamental consideration; the long-time nature and value of forests; respect for the forestry profession; respect for property rights; respect for full use, as contrasted to waste, and for urderliness and carefulness; freedom from fire; the low financial return of forests; the guarding of the forest capital or growing stock; and the heavy yield of products. He concludes that forestry is a public rather than a private enterprise.