TIMBER RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS 



The purpose of the three following sections, on present and poten- 

 tial timber resources, our national timber requirements, and trends 

 in world wood consumption, in conjunction with the preceding sec- 

 tions dealing with the forest-land resource, is to present the basic 

 facts of the present and potential timber-supply phase of the forest 

 situation of the United States. Here is laid the essential foundation 

 for the formulation of a national-forest policy and programs of action 

 for coordinating the economic use of the Nation's forest land with 

 future normal requirements for timber. 



The first section deals with the volume and availability of existing 

 stands; the rate at which these are being used up either through cut- 

 ting or through losses from fire, disease, or insects; the extent to which 

 this combined " drain" on the forest is being offset by growth; the 

 potentialities of sustained yield under different intensities of forest 

 management; and the comparison of these potential yields and poten- 

 tial normal timber requirements. 



The second section, using past consumption as a guide but not as 

 an absolute measure, treats of normal requirements for lumber, 

 pulp wood, and other major timber products, and the trends in wood 

 use and the factors which affect these trends. The discussion of 

 trends in world consumption of wood products treats of the tendency 

 of certain trends to offset others, the long-time upward trend of aggre- 

 gate consumption, and the future potentialities that appear to exist 

 for the United States to enter foreign softwood markets on a larger 

 scale. 



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