Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-12-30
CHRISTMAS TREE HARVEST.

i AAaSAS NAh0 II n ~ E10Ls
Forest Service Says 1t IL MOI Harmful
to Forests.
The country's forests again have been
called upon to supply about 1000 900
Christmas trees, and again many persons
have asked themselves and have asked the
United States forest service: ssIs the Gus
tom menace to the movement for forest
preservation?"
In the millions Of happy homes over the
country where the younger generation
has made the Christmas tree the centre OF
play since early Friday morning, there
are many mothers and fathers who have
given the question more or less thought.
From Sunday schools and other organiza-
| tions also, which hold an annual celebra-
ton around gaily-trimmed evergreen
for the benefit Of the little ones, has come
the question whether it is consistent to
urge conservation OF forest resources and
then to cut millions OF young trees every
year to afford little joy in the passing
holiday season.
"Yes, it is consistent and proper that
the custom should be maintained" has
been the answer OF United States Fores-
ter Clifford Pinchot in every case. "Trees
are for use, and there is NO other use to
which they could b. put which would
contribute 90 much to the Joy Of man a.
their use by the children on this one great
holiday Of the year.
1.-THE number Of trees cut for this use
each year 10 utterly insignificant when
compared to the consumption for other
purposes for which timber is demanded.
Not more than 100000 Christmas trees
arc used each yesr-one in every fourth
family. II planted four feet apart they
could be grown on less than 1900 acres.
This clearing Of an area equal to good
sized farm each Christmas should not be .
subject Of much worry, when it is remem-
bersd that for lumber alone it 10 necessary
to take timber from an area Of more than
100000 acres every day Of the year.
ut is true that there has been serious
damage to forest growth in the cutting OF
Christmas trees in various sections of the
country, particularly in the Adirondacks
and parts Of New England, but in these
very sections the damage through tho
cutting of young evergreens for use at
Christmas is inflnitesimal when compared
with the loss Of forest resources through
fires and careless methods Of numbering.
The proper remedy is not to stop using
trees, but to adopt wiser methods Of use.
sit is generally realized that q certain
proportion Of land must always be used
for forest growth, just as for other crops.
Christmas trees are one form of this crop.
There is no more reason for an cutlery
against using land to grow Christmas
trees than to grow flowers"
The forest service upholds the Christmas
tree custom, but recognizes at the same
time that the indiscriminate cutting Of
evergreens to supply the holiday trade
has produced q bad effect upon many
stands of fmerchantable kinds OF trees in
different sections OF the country. Waste
and destruction usually result when
woodlands are not under proper system
of forest management.
Foresters say that it is not by denying
ouAoCAtCo ghC WAOACoouiC p4O6SuI0 VI u6t-
ing bit Of nature in the home at Christ
mas that the problem of conserving the
forests will be solved, but by learning
how to use the forests wisely and properly.
The ravages through forest fires must be
checked, the many avenues of waste OF
timber in its travel from the woods to the
mill and thence to the market must be
closed, and almost numberless important
problems demand attention before the
Christmas tree.
Germany is conceded to have the high
est developed system OF forest manage
ment Of any country, yet its per capita
use of Christmas trees is greatest. The
there considered in the least as a menace
to the forest, but, on the contrary, as a
means of improving the forest by thin
ming and as source OF revenue. 1t is
therefore constantly encouraged.
There is little doubt but that the time
will come when the Christmas tree BUSH
ness will become recognized industry in
this country, and that as much attention
will be given to it as will be given to the
growing Of crops Of timber for other uses
This time may not be far off, for it is al
ready understood that only through the
practice OF forestry, which means both
the conservation OF the timber which re-
mains and carefully planned systems of
reforestation, will it be possible to supply
the country with its forty billion feet of
lumber needed each year, as well as the
few million little trees used at Christmas
time.