THE CUBA REVIEW 11 



THE TIMBER RESOURCES OF CUBA 



Cuba is located about 130 miles south of the southern extremitvof the mainland of Florida. 

 The total area of the island is approximately 44,000 square miles, which is a little less than the 

 area of the State of Pennsjdvania. Cuba lies 20 miles south of the line between the temperate 

 and torrid zones and may, therefore, be considered a tropical country, but it also possesses the 

 advantage of the temperate zone. The climate is tempered, not only by the north-east trade 

 winds, but also by the high mountains. The latter modify the climate also at the lower levels 

 and exert a considerable influence on the character and distribution of tree species. 



The trees of the cooler climate and those of the tropical region meet m Cuba, and the result, 

 is that there is a greater intermingling of different tree species here than in any other part of the 

 western hemisphere. The composition of the Cuban forest presents many cm-ious features 

 which are of interest to the foresters and lumbermen. The pine, which is a distinctly temperate 

 species, is foimd here growing side by side with mahogany, a tropical tree. The ground is 

 densely covered with trees and shi-ubs of all ages and sizes. In regions where there is an 

 abundance of soil and moistm-e, the variety of tree species is most bewildering, and a good many 

 of them have not yet been named or fully described. Moreover, recognition of certain trees 

 in the forest is often practically impossible on account of the intermingling of the branches 

 and leaves of one tree with those of its neighbors. The general character of the country is 

 that of vigoi'ous and luxuriant vegetation; a constant summer prevails and the fertility of the 

 soil, the humidity of the atmosphere, and the congenial climate, produce results wliich are 

 greatly admired by those who are accustomed only to the alternation of the northern regions. 

 The trees in some part of the island attain a height unknown in the laest hardwood forests of 

 the United States and exhibit the greatest contrast in the form and appearance of their fohage. 

 Viewed from an elevation, the tops of thetrees present an almost uniform level surface, and the 

 many undulations of the ground which rise and fall from 50 to 60 feet, are hardly noticed. 

 In the lowlands near the sea the forests consist of an impenetrable mass of undei-growth and 

 are so damp that they cannot l^iu-n. 



No other island in the West Indies possesses such vast forest resources. These constitute 

 one of the first and most du-ect sources of wealth. A very possible source of a good deal of 

 the future American timber supply lies in the Cuban forests. The position of Cuba could not 

 be more advantageous for transportation by sea, and it is hoped that the timber may soon be 

 made more generally' available for exploitation and export and become a source of revenue and 

 profit. Rare qualities of useful woods are found in every part of Cuba. For hardness, dura- 

 bility and unique shades these rival the world, and as the resources of the island are further 

 developed, the avenues of transportation improved, and the railroad extended, the timber will 

 yield a good harvest. 



It has been estimated that between 15 and IS millions of acres of land in Cuba are covered 

 with dense forests. This means that practically half of the island possesses a growth of virgin 

 forest. Owing to the difficulties of transportation over a country without I'oads, the valuable 

 timber is still untouched, except along the larger streams, where some of the best and most 

 accessible kinds have been cut out to supply commercial demands. Once Cuba falls into her 

 stride and makes the timber accessible by suitable roads and railways into the densely-wooded 

 parts of the interior, there will be an almost unlimited possibility for supplying timber for a 

 great variety of uses. It will be able to supply, not only itself with timber that it needs, but 

 it can assist also in supplying both the United States and the less favored islands of the West 

 Indies. Notwithstanding the fact that Cuba possesses such a vast supply of timber, it imports 

 annuallj' large quantities from the United States and Canada. 



It is only natural that Cuban enterprises, backed by American and European capital, 

 which are now suspended, will soon resume active operation. There is every indication that 

 there will be an increased demand for lumber of all kinds during the next few j^ears, which will 

 serve as a strong incentive toward further development and exploitation of the Cuban and other 

 tropical American timber resources. Although it is generallj^ considered that the timbers of 

 the tropical forests are inexhaustible, this is not the case, and Cuba is liable to have its forests 



