Forest Renewal

Forest renewal refers to the fact that forests are renewable resources. The trees that are harvested for wood products each year can be replanted or regenerated in other ways to provide new forests for the future. And thank goodness because our country uses large amount of wood each year. Look around your house and count the objects you use everyday that are made of wood.

There is some conflict over the notion that trees are renewable. Some people say that trees that grow to be hundreds of years old can’t be renewed because it will take too long to grow them to that stage again. They call these special trees “old growth” and often they are saved from cutting in special areas, such as National and state forests or parks.

Each year following timber harvest, forest industry and private forest landowners plant millions of trees. These trees are mostly conifer species such as southern pine, Douglas-fir, spruce and others. Fewer hardwood seedlings are planted because of the tree biology. When cut, conifer trees (with very few exceptions) do not spout from the roots. Hardwood tree species do sprout from the stump so we can often rely on that re-sprouting to establish new trees for the future.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is the forest industry program to report to the public its record in caring for the land. Explore the links below to learn more about forest renewal in the United States. If you need more information look for your state’s SFI page or try an Internet search on “Reforestation”.

Web Links:

Sustainable Forest Initiative

Sustainable Forestry Board

National Arbor Day Foundation