AMERICA’S FORESTS
|
|
Forest at Big Sur. From "The Primal Alliance: Earth and Ocean" by John Hay and Richard Kauffman |
|
When the first settlers arrived in America, trees played a very important role in survival. They provided shelter, food, and fuel. After the 1830’s, forests further aided colonization by supplying materials necessary for railroad tracks (250,000 miles worth). With more and more people moving west, trees were needed for building homes, schools, bridges, and factories. America’s forests were also utilized for fueling steamboats and the first locomotives. Because of this natural resource, many people had jobs. North American forest ranges seemed to be endless. (They covered about 45 million acres). No one at that time would have believed the trees could be used up. When one area was cut down, lumber workers would simply move on to another. Many times, they were followed by settlers who used the cut forest areas for farmland. Finally, in the late 1800’s, people began to suspect that perhaps forests were being cut down too fast. In 1891, President Benjamin Harrison established the first reserves. Later, in 1905, the US Forest Service was created under the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt. By 1907, the national forests were protected by government foresters who set guidelines for approved cutting methods. Timber companies were expected to follow these guidelines. Government foresters also worked to prevent the devastation of trees caused by forest fires. Unfortunately, once timber companies used up the resources on their own land (usually old-growth), they turned to the national forest for a renewed supply. Throughout the 1980’s, lumber firms applied pressure to federal agencies. These tactics often worked. Congress, as a result, allowed the agencies to sell more timber. Many foresters believed that the forests could not sustain this level of logging. Logging has completely changed the landscape of America’s forests. Many areas are clearcut. This is a method for clearing woodlands in which every tree is removed leaving only the stumps. Even worse, some forests are “slashed” and then “burned”. (Please refer to The Problems section to read about how these practices affect our environment). According to the Sierra Club, “More than half of the National Forests (52%) have been exploited by the timber, oil, and mining industries.” Even more frightening is the fact that “more than 95% of America’s old-growth forests are gone”. TYPES OF AMERICAN FORESTS | ||
are a combination of deciduous trees (shed their leaves every year and then grow new ones) and conifers (maintain their needlelike leaves year round—evergreens). Conifers generally grow in colder regions while deciduous trees live in warm, moist regions. Usually, deciduous trees have harder wood than evergreens. In Alaska, the coastlines tend to have conifers and the interior contains both types. Species of trees include spruces, white birch, and aspen. Most of the timber is the Sitka spruce and the western hemlock. The primary product from these forests is pulpwood. |
||
ranges from Maine to Minnesota and around the Great Lakes. A portion of this forest runs south all the way to Georgia along the Appalachian Mountains. Again, this forest is a combination of deciduous and evergreens. Some species of trees include birch, oak, white pine, red spruce, hemlock and maple. These trees supply pulpwood and lumber. |
||
|
ranges from the Atlantic seaboard to Iowa and Missouri. It runs south almost to the Gulf of Mexico. In the US, this is the largest forest. Common tree species include elm, oak, beech, hickory, walnut, cottonwood, poplar, pine, and maple. The soil found in this moderate climate is rich and extends deep into the ground. These trees supply lumber and pulpwood. |
||
|
covers area from Canada all the way to Mexico. It runs from the east side of the Rocky Mountains to the Coast Ranges of California. These trees provide lumber even though much of this region consists of mountains. Larch (which is a deciduous tree with needles instead of the usual broad leaves) can be found in this area. Other species include primarily conifers such as Douglas fir and sugar pine. |
||
runs along the coastline from New Jersey to eastern Texas. Many different species of trees inhabit this region. Trees such as longleaf and slash pines make their homes in the sandier areas. Another conifer, the bald cypress is indigenous to swamplands and in the rich soil along riverbanks; willows, pecan, ash, and oak can be found. The lumber harvested from this region is used to build houses. |
||
extends from Washington (and the Cascade Range) down into California (the Coast Ranges). This area has received a great deal of attention lately due to the old-growth trees that inhabit it. This forest produces lumber, plywood, and pulpwood. The famous California redwoods are found in this region. Other species include cedar, hemlock, pine, and fir trees. |
||
can be found in southeastern Texas and southern Florida. Bay trees thrive in this area and are used to build crates or furniture. Mahogany trees from this range are also used to make high-grade furniture. In addition, this forest yields mangrove trees which provide supports for docks and fuel. This woodland, like some of our nation’s others is in danger of disappearing. |
||
include Koa (Hawaiian mahogany), fern trees, and ash. These forests produce wood used for fuel and furniture. American Forests” magazine reports that “deforestation condemns at least one species of bird, mammal, or plant to extinction daily”. |
