2 



INTRODUCTION 



mately five hundred million acres * of land surface, or about one- 

 fourth of the total area of the United States. Borne on a crusading 

 wave of enthusiasm to prevent a possible timber famine, forestry has 

 been extended to include within its concept not only the production 



FIG. 1. A typical stand of virgin longleaf and shortleaf pine in the South. The 

 South contains about 39% of all the commercial forest area of the country. This 

 is largely southern pine composed of four species (longleaf, shortleaf, loblolly 

 and slash pines). Because of the large areas available in 11 southern and south- 

 eastern States, the long, warm growing season, with abundant precipitation and 

 rapid growth, proximity to important domestic and export markets, and the 

 increased areas available for timber growing, this region will probably be the 

 most important one for the growth of lumber and other forest products in the 



future. 



of timber to meet our material requirements of construction, fuel, and 

 allied objectives, but also the much broader and socially related fields 

 of achievement. For example, the desired objectives under some con- 

 ditions may be provision for the finest type of recreational facilities; 



* Including commercial and non-commercial forests as well as potential 

 forests, the total area is about six hundred million acres. 



