trees have been planted in Georgia--337,000 in 
1984, 433,000 in 1985, and 425,000 in 1986. 
With the continued cooperation of all our 
forestry groups, we project that a new record of 
450,000 acres will be planted in our State during the 
1986-87 season. 
10. Landowner assistance programs 
Several forest industries have effective 
landowner assistance programs. Many will regener- 
ate a harvested tract for cost if they are given first 
option on the timber. For example, Stone Container 
Corporation has planted 27 million seedlings on 
private landowners' property during the last 3 years. 
Continuing these programs will promote good rap- 
port between the landowner and harvester and re- 
sult in more replanting. 
All of these are ways in which we assist the 
private landowner and, thereby, achieve the goal of 
Georgia's regeneration program. 
Future Opportunities 
As we map our course for the future, we will 
seek further research on natural regeneration meth- 
ods. We need more information on genetically im- 
proving resistance of slash and loblolly pine to 
fusiform rust. We need to develop new markets, 
especially for underutilized hardwoods. In Georgia, 
for example, hardwood timber harvest is currently 
only 48 percent of hardwood timber growth. 
Throughout the South, we need to explore markets 
that can better utilize our hardwoods. We need to 
devise proper smoke-management techniques for 
safe prescribed burning. We need to work for the 
expansion of the Conservation Reserve Program so 
that it will include marginal pastureland. 
Conclusion 
We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us 
in working with the private forest landowner. The 
Georgia Forestry Commission, as well as the other 
State forestry agencies in the South, has accepted 
this challenge and is working to get more pine 
stands regenerated and more acres planted on 
marginal lands. The changes we all hope for will not 
happen tomorrow, but many active programs are 
underway today. 
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