Pennsylvania Timber Production History

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What are some of the problems affecting the forests in the state according to the passage?

According to the passage, some of the problems affecting the forests in the state include: insects, diseases, and poor harvesting practices that are driving tree species composition change, leading to less desirable tree species becoming more common, invasive exotic plants outcompeting native trees and plants, and competing native plants like ferns, spicebush, and mountain laurel increasing in the forest understories.

What is happening to the oak species in the forests?

The passage states that all of the oak species are much less common in the forests.

What are some examples of the invasive exotic plants that are competing with native trees and plants?

The passage provides examples of invasive exotic plants such as multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, ailanthus (aka, tree of heaven), autumn olive, and garlic mustard.

What are some of the negative effects of the poorly conceived harvesting practices described in the passage?

According to the passage, the poorly conceived harvesting practices, such as selective cutting and diameter limit cutting, are shifting the overstory species composition, removing desirable seed sources, leaving poorer quality trees, and generally reducing the forest's economic and ecological values. Signup and view all the answers

What is needed to restore forest health and provide future value to landowners?

The passage states that the use of carefully applied science-based forestry practices is needed to restore forest health and provide future value to those landowners who will own and manage the forests tomorrow. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the less desirable tree species that are becoming more common in the forests?

The passage mentions that less desirable tree species such as red maple, black birch, and black gum are becoming more common in the forests. Signup and view all the answers

When was the first sawmill established in Pennsylvania?

The first sawmill was established by Swedish settlers in Philadelphia in 1662. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Pennsylvania was covered by forests when it was given to William Penn in 1681?

About 90 percent of the province was covered by forests. Signup and view all the answers

What did Penn recommend regarding the clearing of forests?

Penn recommended that "care be taken to leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared." Signup and view all the answers

What was the peak of land clearing in Pennsylvania?

The peak of land clearing was in the 1890s, when about two-thirds of the state was cleared. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the forest-dependent industries during the period of forest exploitation?

During this period of forest exploitation, the forest-dependent industries such as leather tanning, wood chemical manufacturing, charcoaling, and sawmilling collapsed and economic conditions led to farmland abandonment. Signup and view all the answers

How does the current state of Pennsylvania's forests compare to the past?

Today, Pennsylvania's hardwood forests contain world-class oak, maple, and cherry, and forest inventories suggest that the state has more tree volume growing than it has had in more than 100 years. Signup and view all the answers

Pennsylvania Timber Production History

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