Conclusion 



-5^ 



-4^ 



WITH A POTENTIALLY \'ERY PRODUC- 

 TIVE FOREST acreage, with more than 

 half of this land in fairly stable public or industrial 

 ownership, with nature working to heal the wounds 

 of past mistakes, there is little reason for pessimism 

 about forest conditions in Minnesota. 



Some Gain Expected JVith Present Trends 



According to allowable-cut estimates, the actual 

 rate of cutting, if properly done, could be increased 

 50 percent over that of 1953, or to about 247 million 

 cubic feet without damage to the forest growing 

 stock. The increased cut should be primarily from 

 areas where mortality from disease or other causes is 

 high, or where many of the trees are mature or 

 decadent, so that younger trees may be released or 

 established. Although this increased cut would be 

 mainly in aspen and other hardwoods, it could include 

 softwoods in inaccessible locations. 



Management plans, being adopted by public agen- 

 cies and some industrial forest owners, forecast grad- 

 ually improving yields over the next few decades. 

 These should at least offset possible declines in un- 

 managed areas. Cuts within the 300-million to 400- 

 million cubic-foot range are believed possible by 1975. 



Management Can Improve Quality as Well as 

 Quantity of Yields 



To realize the potential values in Minnesota's 

 orests, the owners of the land will need to do more 

 onstructive planning for forest production. Through 



forest research, improved ways must be found to 

 reduce losses, increase growth, and improve timber 

 quality. On all ownerships there is need for con- 

 sistent programs of good forest management. 



On public lands, probably the most urgent needs 

 are to develop access roads and to conduct active sales 

 campaigns designed to accelerate cutting of over- 

 mature and decadent timber, thus making way for 

 younger and thriftier stands. 



In farm woods, the prime needs are to utilize or 

 eliminate many cull and weed trees and to control 

 livestock damage. 



In unmanaged forests the immediate need is to 

 adopt cutting practices that will build up and main- 

 tain a good growing stock. Measures to restore de- 

 forested areas, increase stocking, and improve the 

 composition of the stands are also in order. 



Minnesota Can Produce More Softwoods 



The prospective yields without planting include 

 large proportions of aspen and other hardwoods. On 

 the other hand, the demand is strongest for softwoods 

 both locally and nationally. It would be to the 

 advantage of Minnesota to produce more softwood 

 timber. 



At least 8 million acres of forest land in this State 

 are capable of growing softwoods, but only 4.5 million 

 acres are now stocked with softwood types. Some 

 lands restock naturally each year, but to restore coni- 

 fers to all suitable lands within a reasonable period 

 will require considerable planting. 



Minnesota's Forest Resources 



45 



