Introduction to Forestry History, Jobs, and Forest Products

What is Forestry?  The art and science of using and managing tree resources for present and future use.  Modern forestry generally embraces a broad range of concerns, including:  assisting forests to provide timber as raw material for wood products  wildlife habitat  natural water quality management  Recreation  landscape and community protection  employment  aesthetically appealing landscapes  biodiversity management  watershed management  erosion control  preserving forests as 'sinks' for atmospheric carbon dioxide

History of Forestry  First started in Europe with monks in Romagna planting a stand of Stone Pine for fuel and food.  During the middle ages common people were allowed to use forest for shelter and fuel, but not food. Hunting rights were for nobility.  The systematic management of forestry for sustainable yield of timber started in the 16th century in Germany and Japan.

History of Forestry in the US  Before 1600 there were little to no laws that controlled where timber could be cut and how it could be used.  Plymouth Colony passed a law requiring timber that was going to be sold or moved out of the colony to be approved.  1631-First commercial sawmill started in Berwick, Maine. Naval Stores were also important to the ship building industry.  1852-Federal Government granted the railroads free use of the timber on the right-of-ways, this equaled 200 million acres of timber.

History of Forestry in the US  Congress Passed the Homestead Act, allowed citizens to buy unappropriated land for 1.25/acre; one person could by up to 160 acres.  Yellowstone National Park was designated  First National park and the first Arbor Day.  Congress passed the Timber Culture Act giving each American 160 acres of public land if they agreed to plant 40 acres of trees for two years.

History of Forestry in the US  First US forestry school was the Biltmore Forest School, in Ashville North Carolina (1898).  First forestry school in Georgia was the George Forster Peabody school forestry (1906). Know today as the Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry.  The Warnell School of Forestry Center is located in Guyton.

History of Forestry in the US  Forest Reserve Act, put aside large tracts of land to be used for Federal Management. These different tracts across the country became the National Forests.  In Georgia we have two  Chattahoochee National Forest  Oconee National Forest  Gifford Pinchot was the first Chief of the Division of Forestry.  Weeks Act, allowed Secretary of Agriculture to purchase forested, harvested, or highly-eroded lands within the watersheds of streams and rivers to maintain their flow.

History of Forestry in Georgia  King George had sole possession of the forest land in Georgia before the American Revolution.  Up until the Civil War the trees in Georgia were used for two things  Naval Stores (turpentine for ropes and ship sealant)  Shipbuilding (U.S. Navy Live Oak orchard on Ga. Coast still stands, Old Ironsides was built out of lumber from GA.

Charles Herty  Key to the wood and paper industry in Georgia.  Developed the Herty method of collecting pine resin.  Helped develop Kraft paper used in card board.

History of Forestry in Georgia  Trees were seen as weeds in GA during the early 1900’s  Thousands of acres were cleared to plant the cash crop of the time period, cotton.  Two-thirds of the Piedmont was cleared to plant cotton, the other third was cleared for feed.  WWII led to the invention of the pulpwood truck and the chainsaw

Employment in Forestry  High School Diploma  Logger  Sawmill Operator  Reforestation Worker  Forest Fire Fighter  Forest Ranger

Employment in Forestry  Two year Associate degree (Junior College or Tech School)  Forest Technician  Land Survey Crew  Research Technician

Employment in Forestry  Four Year Bachelor Degree (University or College)  Forester  Forest Manager  Forest Engineer  Forest Resources Educator  Business Manager

Employment in Forestry  Advance Degree Master’s or a Ph.D. (University)  Corporate Management  Research Scientist  Program Director  University Facility  Regional Supervisor

Terms to know  Forester- Someone that helps to manage trees and forest lands for government, or private individuals or company.  Lignin- Natural glue found on wood fibers.  Acre- Unit of measure of land (43,560 square feet)  Cord- Volume of wood measured4’x4’x8’ for fire wood. Also the standard used to measure pulpwood.  Cellulose- Main part of the tree.

Does it Come from Trees?  Sustainable Forest: A Georgia Success Story Sustainable Forest: A Georgia Success Story