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CLEAR CUT BASICS—Some Facts and Fallacies |
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Background Fact . The practice of clear cutting in current times is not the same practice as clear cutting in the early 1900’s. The early practice of clear cutting was to send all usable timber to the sawmill. Since almost all forest was old-growth, it was all cut down. There was no regard for the environment, as creeks were used for skid trails, roads, and flumes. Background Fact . The profession of forestry was born as a response to the abuse of the forests, as foresters sought to ease the impact of the logging. The practice of “selection management” was the result; harvesting fewer stems at frequent intervals, while leaving some forest cover in each harvested area. However, after many years of observation, they determined that the management system had deteriorated into a “high grading” system that took the best trees and left the poorer. The long term results were that tree species composition was becoming less desirable, the timber quality was decreasing and genetic qualities were deteriorating. Because of the poor quality of the stands of trees, foresters concluded that the best recourse to solve the problem was “even-aged management”. The practice is to start the forest over to renew its growth potential with full sunlight, which yields better quality products and better composition. The name given to the corrective method of management was “clear cutting”. Unfortunately the general public was not educated regarding the difference between the two types of clear cutting. Background Fact . MODERN clear cutting improves regeneration, and is used in future planning. It is an element of sustainable forestry practices. Fallacy 1.Clearcutting equals deforestation. Fact—Deforestation is the removal of forests with no intent of establishing a future stand of trees. Silvicultural clear cutting both harvests and regenerates the forest, and is done to improve future growth, stand quality, genetics and species composition. Removal of forests for agricultural and developmental purposes (residential and commercial) is deforestation. Fallacy 2. Clear cuts are the end of the life of a forest Fact—Hardwood forests spring back with natural regeneration of excellent quality and species composition. In the Deep South and Great Lakes regions, clear cuts are excellent sites for fast-growing, high-quality pines. These forests don’t regenerate from root and seed stock, so they are re-planted. Fallacy 3. Clear cuts cause much more erosion than partial cuts. Fact—Much research has shown that cutting trees causes no erosion whatsoever. Erosion is not caused by a cutting method, but by how the wood is removed. If the logger follows proven management methods, then the harvesting will cause very little sediment movement and sedimentation of streams regardless of the cutting method. Fallacy 4. Hardwood clear cuts are ecological deserts with no potential for wildlife habitat Fact—Hardwood clear cuts receive full sunlight, providing a location for a huge number of sun-loving species to thrive and multiply. As the clear cut grows, shrub and herb species that are more adapted to shade will slowly replace the sun-loving species. Fact—the sum of wildlife is neither increased nor decreased by a clear cut. Rather, the wildlife is rearranged according to the stage of re-growth it is in. New clear cuts are tremendous locations for deer, bear, grouse and quail. As it grows it provides a different structure that favors squirrel, rabbit, raccoons, possums, and myriads of other creatures. Summary Fact: Clear cuts are ugly. However, if you understand the regeneration that takes place, they are more attractive than a stand that has had all the quality timber removed, leaving only crooked, poor quality stems. --In three to four years, natural regeneration has filled in the cut areas, making them green in the summer and full of colored leaves in the fall. In six to ten years, the new trees are above the brambles and weed trees. In ten to fourteen years the stand is 25-30 feet tall and are a pleasant forest to take walks in. Summary Fact: Clear cutting (Modern clear cutting) is not an answer to all problems and is not appropriate everywhere. Clear cutting is one of many silvicultural methods available to foresters. Fire risk, erosion, aesthetics, wildlife management, and other factors must be considered. Summary Fact: Clear cutting is a viable forest management tool that is integral to good land stewardship and forest sustainability when paired with good soil and water conservation. It can improve forest health, productivity, and quality. It requires the forest to compete from the ground level, and results in a stand of the fastest-growing, healthiest, straightest, tallest and best quality trees. |
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| The information in this summary is based upon the article, “The Clearcutting Controversy—Myths and Facts” by Kevin Belt, R.F., Consulting Forester Appalachian Forestry, Johnson City, Tenn., and Robert Campbell, R.F., Consulting Forester Appalachian Forestry, Hinton/Beckley, W.Va. To read the entire article, please go to this link: : http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forestry/clrcut.htm
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