Cutting on National Forests of Pacific Coast. 389 



trary, be thankful that in America we have not yet reached the 

 point where it is necessary to utiHze decayed, excessively knotty 

 or other similar material for lumber, although its use as a by- 

 product deserves all possible encouragement. The fact that if 

 timber is not cut on the National Forests it will be cut elsewhere 

 also comes in here. The waste is greater elsewhere than on 

 National Forest cutting. Economic waste should be carefully 

 distinguished from uneconomic. The waste by decay in over- 

 mature forests left standing will be as great a waste by cutting 

 if they are cut. 



Summary. 



(i) Though timber on the Pacific Slope is seldom needed for 

 actual consumption locally, it is nevertheless urgently needed in 

 the development of local industry, and for shipment to other 

 parts of the United States. 



(2) Since the Forests are covered for the most part with over- 

 mature stands, loss by decay is rapid, and at least offsets all 

 growth. The attempt to store up all of these stands cannot 

 therefore result in any benefit to the future. Incidentally, it 

 should be noted that no cuttings should be permitted in thrifty 

 stands less than 150 to 200 years old. If the sustained annual 

 yield management is to be the method used in managing National 

 Forests, the immediate future can in no wise be benefited by 

 keeping the present cut of the Forests below a sustained annual 

 yield basis. 



(3) From (2), it follows that withholding cutting from the 

 Forests now merely results in the loss of the present revenue 

 without adding anything to future revenue. All possible present 

 revenue within a sustained annual yield basis, which is not taken, 

 will be irrevocably lost. This loss will amount to from $3,000,000 

 to $4,000,000 annually for Washington and Oregon. 



(4) Present cutting can, without any damage to the future, 

 yield liberal revenues to Federal and State Governments with 

 consequent favorable effect on public opinion, and on appropria- 

 tions available for Forestry work. 



(5) National Forests should be made the best possible examples 

 of forest management. Allowing over-mature timber to go to 

 waste is inconsistent with s.uch policy. 



