6 INTRODUCTION 



This nation was exceedingly fortunate in having possession of the 

 richest and most valuable forests to serve every utilitarian need of 

 mankind. From trees and forests are obtained a vast array of prod- 

 ucts useful in arts and industries in addition to lumber, fuel, paper, 

 and other major products. From trees, either native or exotic, are 

 manufactured gums, syrups, fibers, laces, oils, perfumes, dyes, drugs, 

 chemicals, tannins, food, beverages, tar, pitch, turpentine, paint, rub- 

 ber, and cork. Trees are the highest expression of plant life. Some 



FIG. 4. Deer in Wayah Game Preserve, Nantahala National Forest, North Caro- 

 lina. Game management, timber growing, watershed protection, and recreation 

 may be practiced on the same areas without conflict of objectives. Some areas 

 may be closed to hunting, others developed chiefly for grazing or recreation. 

 Multiple purpose forestry is being accepted and adopted in many of our public 

 and privately owned forests. 



trees, like the giant sequoias of California, are the largest and oldest 

 living things, their ages ranging up to about three thousand years. 

 Some of these magnificent specimens of nature's handiwork are more 

 than thirty feet in diameter and three hundred feet in height. The 

 balsa wood of South America is lighter in weight than cork and serves 

 many useful purposes. The greenheart and lignum vitae are exceed- 

 ingly heavy and durable woods. The Panama canal gates are built 

 of greenheart. Lignum vitae is used to make bowling balls, and for 



