Why Forests Should Be Planted And Protected 

 In Minnesota. 



BY HAZEL MATTSON, 

 New York Mills, Minn. 



Some of the important trees in Minnesota are : white 

 pine, Norway pine, Jack pine, white oak, red oak, 

 birch, elm, spruce, fir, cedar, tama- 

 rack, balsam, ash, basswood, poplar, 

 hard maple, and soft maple. 



Our forests are diminishing rapid- 

 ly by being cut for lumber, wood 

 and other commercial and agricul- 

 tural purposes. They have also suf- 

 fered several times from large for- 

 est fires, as last October in the 

 northern part of the state occurred 

 the largest forest fire in the whole 

 history of Minnesota. The fire destroyed millions of 

 dollars worth of forests and lumber. That is one 

 reason why we should take great interest in re- 

 planting our forests by planting useful trees and 

 preserving them. 



Other reasons for planting are for the lumber and 

 paper industry, for economical fuel, for building pur- 

 poses, for preserving wild game, for scenery which 

 Minnesota is so noted as part of the state is called 

 "Park Region" and also for protection from hard 

 winter gales. The tree checks erosion. The leaves 

 and branches prevent the beating upon the soil as 

 it does in the open. The cover which they form de- 

 lays the melting of the snow in the spring. The 



