Importance of Forestry

1. Importance of Forestry AG-FS-2. The student evaluates humans needs and demonstrates the role of forestry in meeting the needs of humans historically, currently and in the future. e. List and describe forest products. f. List and describe the benefits of the forest. g. Discuss historical events related to forestry in the United States and Georgia.

2. Why are trees important as natural resources? Trees have always provided humans with shelter, protection, shade, tool and other needs Over 10,000 products are reportedly made of and from wood One of the most important renewable resources on our planet

3. Environmental Benefits • Cleaner, cooler air • Absorb CO2 and trap dust, ash, pollen and smoke • Provide shade and conserve energy • One acre of tree produces enough O2 for 18 people every day • Trees filter water and slow the movement of storm water, lowering runoff, soil erosion and flooding • Forests provide wildlife habitat

4. Economic Benefit Trees improve economic stability by attracting businesses and tourists Green spaces increase the value of nearby properties Trees around a home can reduce summer cooling costs up to 30% while lowering winter heating costs

5. Discuss historical events related to forestry in the United States and Georgia. Forests provide early colonists with building materials, food, clothing and medicines to survive. Forests covered 975 million acres of land in 1600 and now cover 749 million acres First sawmill established in Jamestown in 1625 Sawmill industry started in south around 1803, developed into major industry in 1895 after rapid increase in population Lumber production peaked in 1909 with 50,000 employing ½ million people

6. U.S. Forestry Facts • About 33% of U.S. land area is forested • U.S. forests contain over 800 species of trees of which 82 are non-native • Of the 749 mil. acres of forest land, 504 mil. acres are suitable for timber mgmt • 94% of Eastern forests are classified as timberland, 80% of Pacific NW, 50% of interior West and SW and 10% of Alaska

7. 71% of timberland is privately owned 29% of timberland is public forests (National Forests, etc.) Top five states planting and seeding forests are Ga, Al, Fl, Miss., SC U.S. forestry industry has annual sales of more than $195 billion U.S. forestry industry employs about 1.3 million workers In rural communities (SYLVANIA), the forest products industry is leading employer and major source of revenues that support school, roads and other local government services

8. Georgia Forestry Facts GA has the most acres of forest in the South, 67% of the state Of the 159 counties, 131 are >50% forested (Screven) Almost 6.5 million acres are planted pine and make up 27% of all timberland Most prevalent hardwood forest types are oak, maple, yellow-poplar and sweetgum The primary pine forest types are loblolly and slash

9. Timber is the highest valued vegetative crop in GA • Economic impact of 12.7 billion dollars • Supports a total of 136,022 jobs • Trees are a renewable resource that provide clean air, clean water and abundant products • GA was first state to license foresters. • 92% of GA’s commercial forest acres use BMP’s to ensure water and soil quality • Because of careful mgmt, the deer population has grown from 4.5 million to 16 million in the past 30 yrs and wild turkeys have gone from near extinction to more than 4 million

10. List and describe forest products. Timber products Non-timber products Pine straw Christmas trees Firewood Fat lighter wood Food (fruit and nuts) Floral greenery Honey Medicine Pine cones Pine tree gum Shitake mushrooms Trees for landscaping