Forestry and the Hardwood-Using Industries

Our remaining commercial hardwood forests are urgently in need of at least a crude kind of silviculture according to the author. He estimates that remaining merchantable hardwood timber cannot be expected to supply high grade lumber for more than 30 years at the present rate of cutting. Since more than fire protection is needed to insure the continuous production of high quality hardwood lumber, measures to provide for future growth should be inaugurated well in advance of the final removal of the present old-growth commercial stands. Taxation reform and an increased program of acquisition of hardwood lands for federal and state forests are recommended together with enlarged research on hardwood forestry by the federal government.