FUTURE FORESTRY IN IOWA 11 



cutting of timber, are holding the land for new growth of any 

 species of trees which nature sees fit to provide even though 

 these may not bring the greatest profits to the industry. 



It is probable that four classes of land will eventually be 

 utilized for the commercial production of timber for supplying 

 specific industries. These lands are (1) Native timberland in the 

 rougher portions of the State; (2) Exposed bluff lands or steep 

 slopes adjoining the larger water courses; (3) Sandy stretches 

 and poor soils; (4) Islands and lowlands in and adjoining the 

 large rivers of the State. 



It will be noted that all of the above four classes of land, as 

 a rule, are found along the water courses. 



The present native timberlands, notwithstanding the fact that 

 the most valuable trees have been removed, will furnish a large 

 amount of material for specialized industries. During the past 

 years it has been too easy to bring in the raw material or manu- 

 factured products from other regions more abundantly supplied 

 with timber, consequently there has been little inducement for 

 development of wood manufacturing industries in Iowa. It is 

 quite probable that the next decade will see a better utilization 

 of Iowa's timber resources a condition which will be brought 

 about by the gradual decrease in production in those regions 

 which have been exploiting their timberlands and also by the 

 steadily increasing demand for a better utilization of all classes 

 of land in the State. 



The second class of land which may eventually be used for the 

 commercial production of timber is the bluff lands or steeper 

 slopes which are either wooded or bare at the present time, and 

 which are best suited for timber production because of the un- 

 stability of the soil when used for other purposes. This class of 

 land, in many instances, might fall under the first class men- 

 tioned. It is true, however, that long stretches of bluffs are 

 to be found which have been entirely denuded of timber or 

 have not been forested in modern times, due to fire or other 

 causes. That such lands as these can be made to produce timber 

 of high quality, after being artificially stocked, is hardly ques- 

 tioned. In northeastern Iowa where large areas of this char- 

 acter are to be found, the white pine is native and would prob- 

 ably thrive on such lands if given adequate protection from fire 

 and stock after planting. The white pine in other portions of 



