Preliminary Study of Forest Conditions 



in Tennessee 



The bill establishing the Tennessee State Geological Survey speci- 

 fies as one of its duties: 



"An investigation of the forests, . . . with especial reference 

 to their conservation and development for industrial enterprises." 



In accordance with this provision, the Geological Survey secured 

 the cooperation of the Forest Service of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture in a preliminary study of forest conditions in 

 the State, the Forest Service paying one-half of the cost. The ob- 

 ject of this study was to determine the forest resources and possi- 

 bilities of the State, the legislation needed to secure protection and 

 preservation of the forests, and the lines along which more detailed 

 forest investigations can most profitably be carried out. In No- 

 vember and December, 1910, typical sections of each forest region 

 were examined by a representative of the Forest Service, and in- 

 terviews were obtained with public officials, lumbermen, and others 

 familiar with local conditions. Considerable information was also 

 obtained from reports on private tracts previously examined by the 

 Forest Service. 



SUMMARY. 



The following is a brief statement of the results of the study and 

 the conclusions drawn : 



1. It is estimated that about 35 per cent of the total area of the 

 State is in forest. 



2. A large part of this land is best suited for growing timber. 



3. It is of utmost importance, especially in the Unaka Range and 

 the Cumberland Plateau, to conserve the forests that cover the steep 

 slopes, not only for their timber supply, but also because of their 

 protective value to the soil and their beneficial influence in regu- 

 lating stream flow. 



