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To: from occupied ga

More simply, if you harvest 50 acres per day, you have to plant 50 acres per day. Generally, if the terrain is suited for rapid harvest, it is suited for rapid replanting, esp. with modern techniques.

The US Forest Service reports our minimum forestation as 721,000,000 acres around 1920. Then the forests of the US made slight gains through much of the rest of the 20th century, apparently decreased somewhat from 1990 to 2010, and recovered about 0.03% annually from 2010-2020. The US Forest Service reported total US forestation as 766,000,000 acres in 2012.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forests_of_the_United_States

People have a “thing” about clear cutting, but, in some cases it is the best bet to achieve rapid regrowth of desirable species. In other cases, selective harvesting is best. (Can vary from individual selection to “patches”.)

I would think hardwoods are NOT best for large scale wood-for-fuel. Although... I’ve been fairly impressed with how fast genetically selected walnut trees can grow in good conditions.

Disclaimer: My Dad was a Forestry Prof. who did a lot of research, “extension service” consulting, etc. Degrees in Forest Management, Forest Ecology, and Forest Genetics (did a lot with those walnut trees back in the day!) Never was very worried about US and Canadian lumber / paper / etc. companies, as they typically replanted as much or more than they harvested. And areas like the Shawnee National Forest and the Hoosier National Forest (two of his old stomping grounds) are almost entirely reforested farmland. He did considerable work with recovery of strip mine lands, too. His bigger concern was invasive species (diseases, insects, and plants).


17 posted on 09/18/2022 10:41:14 PM PDT by Paul R. (You know your pullets are dumb if they don't recognize a half Whopper as food!)
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To: Paul R.

Softwood such as pine makes poor fuel. Hardwoods like oak and hickory are better fuel but neither is as good as coal or natural gas.


24 posted on 09/19/2022 6:33:56 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy - EVs a solution for which there is no problem)
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