Trees have held an important place in man’s way of life since he has
been on the earth. Trees provided early man with weapons to defend
himself and helped provide him with food, shelter and fuel.
Trees have played an important role in the history of the United States.
Timber was our nation’s first export. The forest also provided our
forefathers with their homes, farm implements, rifle stocks and wagons.
The forest, by furnishing ties and utility poles, made possible the
expansion of railroad systems, electric power and telephone networks.
Every industry depends upon forest products in one way or another.
Trees are more important today than ever before. More than 10,000
products are reportedly made from trees. Through chemistry, the humble
woodpile is yielding chemicals, plastics and fabrics that were beyond
comprehension when an axe first felled a Texas tree.
The American standard of living depends to no small extent on the care
with which we use our forest resource. Fortunately, trees are a
renewable resource. They can be grown as a crop and harvested in such a
way that the stand is kept productive, and a steady supply of forest
products is assured.