A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 1483 



The situation in the Central States invites the application of intensive 

 forestry because of the large area of abandoned farm land, denuded 

 forest land, and woodland seriously deteriorated by overgrazing, and 

 the favorable conditions for the growing of valuable hardwoods. The 

 South presents a wonderful opportunity for intensive forestry because 

 of the large area of land available, the character of the forest, and the 

 unexcelled growing conditions. Through intensive forestry the 

 South may continue to supply a very large portion of the Nation's 

 timber requirements. 



West of the Great Plains the opportunities for intensive forestry 

 are not so general as in most of the eastern territory. In the Douglas 

 fir and redwood regions of the Pacific coast and to a lesser extent in 

 the ponderosa pine and western white pine regions, considerable 

 areas present conditions favorable for intensive forestry. But in 

 most of the other forest types of the West poor quality of timber, 

 poor growing conditions, rough topography, and inaccessibility of 

 markets preclude the application of intensive forestry for timber 

 production on any large scale. Intensive management may, however, 

 be justified for watershed protection, grazing, or recreational use on 

 some of these less favored western forests. 



To bring about the application of intensive forestry on the scale 

 indicated as necessary in the national forestry program will require 

 public action in a number of ways. Public acquisition of forest land 

 and demonstration of desirable practice will be important elements in 

 this. Public aid and encouragement to private owners to place 

 intensive forestry on the same plane with other industries will play 

 an important part, also. The success of the various public measures 

 in stimulating intensive forest management on private lands through- 

 out the country will indicate, at least to some degree, whether or not 

 public regulation of private operations is needed. 



