no UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



when the value of timber will be much greater than it is now. It will 

 pay individuals and corporations to grow trees for the market. Despite 

 the opening up of new coal mines and the employment of brick, stone 

 and metal for building purposes the use of lumber is on the increase. 

 Thus between 1880 and 1900 the population of the United States 

 increased 52 per cent., but during the same time the annual cut of lumber 

 increased 94 per cent. While the annual cut in the last few years is 

 probably not much greater than in 1900, the value has increased con- 

 siderably and it is to be expected that the rise in price of all wood products 

 will continue indefinitely. A few years ago the northern white pine 

 furnished one-half of all the lumber used in the United States. Now 

 only about 15 per cent, of the annual cut is from this species. The 

 southern hard pines and the Douglas spruce, or "red fir," as well as 

 the redwood of the Pacific coast are being more and more extensively 

 used. 



Our native trees may be a source of wealth. — In Colorado the Douglas 

 spruce is native, growing in canyon bottoms and on moist hillsides. 

 With proper protection of the young trees and the carrying -out of a 

 scientific forest pohcy this species may furnish in future much valuable 

 timber. The rock pine, or "western yellow pine," and the Engelmann 

 spruce will become important. Even the lodgepole pine can be made 

 useful for many purposes when proper methods of seasoning are em- 

 ployed and if suitable treatment is used to prevent decay. The pinyon 

 pine makes excellent charcoal and is a good fuel. 



Forests as places for recreation. — Aside from the value of our 

 coniferous forests for protection of watersheds and as a source of timber 

 for mines and for building purposes, they form a valuable asset in 

 attracting tourists to the state. The forests of the mountains form 

 important recreation grounds which are being used by our own citizens 

 and by summer visitors. Each year the number of tourists is greater 

 than the year before and each year more money is brought into the 

 state just because of our mountains and our forests. Indeed, without 

 trees our mountains would offer slight attraction to visitors. I take 

 the liberty of quoting the following from an address by the well-known 

 student of nature, Mr. Enos A. Mills, of Estes Park, Colo. : 



