Why We Need to Start Replenishing Our Forests
We need to breathe air, so we need to save our forests.
Checkerboard lumbering is probably one of the simpler ways to preserve old trees, and to naturally reseed harvested areas. The method used is precisely what it sounds like. The land is divided into small squares, just like a chessboard, and the squares are then marked off so that every other one will be cut. This will leave old trees surrounding the cut areas, protecting them from wind and water erosion, as well as seeding them when the seeds are ripe. On smaller plots, a ring of trees can be left, and the center cut out. With both methods, there are shelters and food sources left for the wild animals, and the ground plants, that are so often destroyed by the heavy machinery, are left to creep back over the cut area.
Replanting an area with small trees quickens the replenishment of forest, and it also insures that the desired type of tree gets an early start. In nature, cleared areas are usually covered first with the faster growing trees and brush. These provide protection and future fertilizer for the slower trees that will eventually take over. It is more time-consuming, however, and time is money in our world.
Open areas, rapidly covered with quick growing brush, provide excellent food sources for wild life such as deer. Left alone, the forests would eventually be destroyed by fires, creating these open areas for animals to flourish. (The large pine forests provide too much shade for many of the smaller plants to grow.)
We tend to think of the great rain forests in more tropical areas as being the only truly important sources of timber, but the United States is one-third forestland. Most of it is privately owned, and timber companies own about eight-five percent of that. So it is vitally important that the large companies are legally compelled to preserve part of the forests, in the right manner, as well as forced to assist in regenerating what they harvest. Many companies are beginning to understand that their livelihood depends on renewing their resources, but all too many are shortsighted and in the business strictly for profit.
Ignorance was bliss, perhaps, but nowadays we are too well educated in many ways to excuse our destructive behavior towards nature. If we can’t think of protecting ourselves (not really believing, and choosing to close our eyes to the truth,) we should be capable of caring about our children and grandchildren.
Grow a tree. Give it to someone as a gift, and grow another. If you haven’t the room to grow a tree, grow a plant. There are many plants that are excellent at cleansing the air around them. It always feels good to learn about something new, and it’s uplifting to do something you know is the right thing to do. If we all grew trees and plants enough to support our personal breathing, we would greatly reduce the strain on the environment, and awareness would make an immense change in our attitudes. We would be more willing to fight for the air our grandchildren will need.
Leaving the problem to the governments of the world is like asking a kid to hold your candy bar without eating it. Write and vote to protect our forests. Then go plant your own tree or buy a new plant. It all helps, and we need all the help we can get.
