Trees are so plentiful - and it's a good thing because we have so many uses for them. They provide shade, wind breaks, landscaping, erosion control, and fruit and nuts. Many of them produce gorgeous flowers in the spring (all year long in Florida), and so many of them produce fabulous color in the fall as well.
Some trees grow on their own. Many are intentionally planted or relocated.
They also are harvested for paper and pulp products and lumber - not all of them of course, just the ones grown or useful for such a purpose. Nothing wrong with this because trees are a renewal resource and an agricultural crop - like corn, wheat, rice, or barley. Thousands of acres of timber are grown to be harvested for paper and lumber.
Even trees in forests, boulevards, and yards across America that are not harvested are not forever. Many survive hundreds of years, but storms. disease, insects, and old age take their toll on trees also. This past week, the National Christmas Tree, in a beautiful fenced off area managed by the National Park Service, was split at its base and toppled by high winds at age 47.
Forest fires are nature's way of propagation. We have conservation programs which are good so that needless fires and damage do not occur, but forest fires are necessary. A crown fire - an intense fire at the very top of the tree is necessary to spread the seeds and plant new conifers the natural way. Some trees come up from pine cones or seeds, but the crown fire is necessary.
Many other trees in the forest decay and fall, providing habitat for insects, animals, fungus, and flora.
It's pretty hard to have a campfire, bonfire, or real fireplace without wood.
Interestingly, in statistics available for the US Forest Service, today we have roughly 70% of the forested lands that we had in 1630. At that time, 46% or almost half of the continental US was forested. Notwithstanding all of the growth, development, land clearing, and urbanization that has occurred since, we have remained relatively stable since 1907 in the amount of timber lands - about one-third of the total land area.
Using less paper is a good idea if it saves us clutter and is convenient. Using less just because it saves trees is little like eating less corn or using less gas because it save corn stalks. Trees - as long as we can still grow them and harvest them - are meant to be used. Besides, timber operations provide jobs and help local economies.
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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.
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