EAST TEXAS — Dr. Harry Wiant, president of the Society of American Foresters, compares the current state of the North American forestry industry to the last hours of the Titanic.
The industry is steaming happily along, feeling unsinkable, he said. The American bio-centralist (or preservationist) movement, however, is like an iceberg — most of its mass lies hidden.
A collision is certain, and, under current trends, Wiant foresees bio-centralism staying afloat while the forestry industry sinks.
“It looks like bio-centralism is winning,” he said. “If it does, we’ll be tying up all our natural resources in national parks. I have a little trouble being positive about this because I believe we’re in desperate straits.”
Wiant will speak from West Virginia via a dedicated two-way video link at the 1997 East Texas Forestry Field Day, set May 20 at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research & Extension Center at Overton in Rusk County.
The event also will include state-of-the-art information on forest management, a legislative update from the chairman of the Texas House Ways and Means Committee, an examination of the economic effects of a proposed $800 million northeast Texas newsprint mill, marketing strategies in uncertain markets, and a tour of the McMillan Demonstration Forest, a 90-acre area adjacent to the Overton Center.
The McMillan tour will feature demonstrations of best-management practices (BMPs) and silviculture systems, such as uneven-age management and natural regeneration. Also, a logging demonstration is tentatively planned for the tour.
The entire field day could prove to be very valuable for large- and small-forest landowners, said Dr. Kelly Bell, forestry specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland, chair of the Texas House Ways and Means Committee, will offer a West Texas legislator’s perspective on the forest industry and outline current legislation affecting the forestry community. He is expected to speak about the proposed timber theft bill and ad valorem tax bill as it relates to planting open land with trees.
James Houser, an independent consulting forester, will explain how landowners can better market their timber and how to understand the factors causing wide fluctuations in prices.
Dr. Richard Fisher, professor of forestry with Texas A&M University, will talk about intensive forestry management. Fisher will discuss gains in production from using new intensive forestry technologies.
“Research has given us improved genetics and better herbicides,” Bell said. “Coupled with fertilization and pruning, it’s possible to double the yield per acre grown on East Texas timberland.”
Dr. Mike Messina, also with Texas A&M University, will talk about forest management technologies for landowners without using intensive management strategies and increasing their capital outlay.
Bill Hubbard, Southern Region Extension Forester, will discuss how forest landowners in the southeastern United States profit from high-demand for pulpwood.
“In the Southeast, pulpwood demand is so high that some private landowners plant trees and clearcut 18 years later. Their investment is directed wholly toward the fiber market,” Dr. Bell said.
A newsprint mill, planned to be constructed near Longview by Southland Newsprint (Texas), L.L.C. could make short-rotation forestry economically feasible for northeast Texas. To produce 500,000 tons of newsprint, the Southland plant is expected to use one million cords of pulpwood annually.
For northeast Texas forestry landowners, the proposed plant spells opportunity. By expanding the market for pulpwood, it provides greater cash-flow during the early years of their investment, Bell said.
“Simply put, you’re going to get more cash, quicker,” Bell said.
Registration for the field day is $12 per person, which will include a barbecue lunch, refreshments and handout materials. Those wishing to attend should make their check payable to “TAEX Account 235001.” Mail the check, along with names of people attending and a mailing address to: Forestry Field Day, P.O. Box 38, Overton, TX 75684.
For more information on the field day, including local motel room availability, call Bell at (903) 834-6191.
-30-
FRSC
