Newspapers / Fotofax (Brevard, N.C.) / Aug. 1, 1970, edition 1 / Page 4
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GROWTH OIME MILLION TREES GROWING SOON “Sometime this year the one millionth pine tree seedling will be planted on plant property”, stated Charles Paxton of Employee Relations. Reforestation of our 10,500 acres is one of his major responsibilities. a**" 3 ^•1, Hand High Seedling You could say that Charley be gan counting to this one million mark from the very first tree. He was on hand as N. Carolina’s Transylvania County Ranger in the 1940’s when TVA sponsored tree planting on their watershed on the old Cox estate. About 70,000 seedlings were planted in the 40’s. From 1956 to 1969, 800,000 trees were added by Du Pont. With over 130,000 trees schedul ed for this year we’ll soon be planting our 1 millionth tree. The need for reforestation in this area has become self evident. The forests have been devalued by early years of logging to remove “money trees”. Secondly, many fires in the 1930’s scalded the life from large areas of prime species. Only undesirable species such as scrub oaks and tall, rotted out relics of stately oaks, poplars, and pines re main in many places. Reforestation efforts have been guided by state and federal Soil Con servation agencies. Fast growing white pines were recommended by these groups for our type of soil. They grow 6 inches per year during the first 3 years, then 2 to 3 feet per year after 4 years. Our continuing efforts to re place expended forests can be best seen by the plantation tree growth in back of the Guion House. Thickly planted white pines have grown 20 to 30 feet tall and are as much as 1 foot in diameter. They thin themselves out in time with larger, taller trees shading out smaller ones. But in 6 more years, they will be thinned by logging to promote faster overall growth. Areas under current develop ment are being logged to make way for planting seedlings. These areas are generally “clear cut” to remove older trees because they would shade seedlings seeking sunshine for growth. In the past, seedlings have mostly been planted by men and young boys. This past season a new “wrinkle” was introduced by hiring grand mothers. Charley said three grand mothers with a combined total of 19 children and 25 grandchildren plant ed more trees per day than anyone hired previously. When asked how they could cover more ground than their prede cessors, Mrs. Faye Ruff, Mrs. Sally Jackson, and Mrs. Francis Bradley of Mills Springs, N. C. said, “When you raise children, you have to be used to good, hard work.” With an eye to the future, Charlie says the reforestation pro- POHESTRY 8.RECREH1BH area Sign of the Times BREVARD PLANT Photo Products De^ ■ TEfpPERsriF ' ^ Iff ST mffjdff With ON THE JOB I OFF THE JO 424 DAYS! 51 DAY AW^D IBM Ci V] Hat Swap to set Seedlings gram is a real necessity and a first step for future recreation planning. Healthy pursuits such as hiking, horseback riding, and camping are encouraged by good forestry manage ment. In keeping with our intent to both preserve the natural landscape and promote wildlife, healthy nut trees along streams and many scenic areas will be left intact. Small game and deer herds flourished under sim ilar reforestation practices at the Biltmore Estate below Asheville. Not to be forgotten is the in troduction of safeguards in the forest. Over thirty miles of fire trails have been cut to keep any fires confined to a small area. In summary, the many wood land acres of the Brevard Plant are under constant management by a man steeped in forest care. The end result of his efforts will be fully ap preciated by employees and visitors in years to come when pines stand stately and tall with a clean bed of brown pine needles blanketing the ground below. Mixed in will be oaks, poplars, and spruce to flavor the growth of a well kept forest. 4^ Newfound Forest 1-Foot Through ’57-’70
Fotofax (Brevard, N.C.)
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Aug. 1, 1970, edition 1
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