SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of 70,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for excellence in forest stewardship.  They share a unique commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors and, at the same time, to produce wood American needs to grow.

More that 58 percent of the productive forests in America are owned by ordinary citizens – not by government or big industry.  These 9.9 million forest owners hold the key to just what kind of forests future generations of Americans will enjoy. 

“We want to leave our land in better condition than when we got it.”
Chester and Rosett Thigpen
National Outstanding Tree Farmers, 1995

Sound, sustainable forestry begins with determining your objectives: deciding what you have on your lands and developing a forest management plan that meets your needs.  A professional forester can answer your questions and help you develop your management plan.  For your convenience, a Management Plan Template can be found at the following link:  http://www.treefarmsystem.org/cms/pages/20_5.html.   On this page, click on link:  management plan template

ROOTS OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

PRIDE.  Certified Tree Farmers receive a certificate and a sign that marks their land as a place where excellent forestry is practiced.  Just as important, they share the satisfaction that comes from managing their land to the highest standards of good stewardship – knowing that this commitment has been recognized by their peers.  Each year, Tree Farmers from around the country compete for the honor of being named state, regional or national Tree Farmer of the Year.

PROFIT.  Being a Tree Farmer often means you will grow and harvest more timber, and earn more income than you might have thought possible.  Along with this financial reward will come healthier forests, cleaner water and better habitat for wildlife – the other rewards that landowners seek from investing in sound, sustainable forestry.

PLEASURE.  Many people are drawn to Tree Farming simply because they enjoy being in the woods.  Some look forward to the hard work of planting and tending.  Others take their pleasure in recreation or the natural beauty of their forests.

SUSTAINABLE HARVEST LEVELS.   The Tree Farm Program encourages broadening the implementation of sustainable forestry by long term harvest levels based on the use of the best scientific information available and to have ongoing inventory which is continually refined and updated.  Land is classified based upon vegetation types.  Soil series information, tree species, and plant community information is used with site specific conditions.  This information is one of several of information used to determine the mass wasting potential of a timber harvest unit and to prepare best management prescriptions. 

Landowners pursuing certification for their forestlands under the American Tree Farm System must also have written management plans in place that protect the forest from soil erosion, water degradation, and insect and fire danger, and take wildlife and recreational opportunities into consideration.  Forest health, silvicultural practices, and the quality of tree stands are also evaluated.

A GREEN LEGACY.  That’s the sentiment that motivates all the Tree Farmers and volunteers who work under the Tree Farm Sign and in the Tree Farm Program.  The Tree Farm Program in California is sponsored by Forest Landowners of California, an association of individual or family forest owners.  The national program is sponsored by American Forest Foundation.