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Our Forest
A letter written for OUR FOREST!
Dear Governor Tom Ridge: October 20, 1996
Good day! First allow me to define some terms used. A forest is a
system, where trees and their associates are so highly ordered in their
connections that they all survive at a high quality state. A system is
a highly ordered connection of parts and processes that have a
predetermined end point - product, service ( In this case the universal
biological currency-glucose. I need it. You need it. The animals need
it. We all need it). Stress is a condition where a system, or its
parts, begins to operate near the limits for which it was designed.
Strain is disorder and disruption of a system due to operation beyond
the limits of stress. Survival means that you stay alive and you stay
in a working state under conditions that have the capacity or the
ability to kill you. Vigor is the capacity to resist strain; a genetic
factor, a potential force against any threats to survive (We cannot
change this). Vitality is the ability to grow under the conditions
present; dynamic action. High quality means as it survives it survives
in a state that will continue to be usable. Low quality means if it
does survive it will be in a state that will not be usable. Health is
the ability to resist strain. Old forestry is forestry without the
understanding of tree biology, i.e., they make decisions without
understanding trees biology.
I am a hard working father in Pennsylvania. I am a tree biologist by
education. I also am very very concerned about your plans to increase
the cutting of the forest in Pa. This is in regards to the health of
our childrens forest. I speak for many concerned PA residents who do
not have my education and are concerned for the future of OUR CHILDRENS
HEALTH and OUR FOREST HEALTH.
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This is the key parts of your plan:
DCNR Adopts New Timber Strategy For State-Owned Forests
On World Wide Web at
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/dcnr/deputate/polycomm/pressrel/Timber1.htm
Your message;
"significant economic benefits while ensuring the long-term health of
the state-owned forests,"
Ridge Administration intends to proceed with a plan that will provide
more raw materials for the forest-products industry and that will also
increase revenues for the state. Equally important, Oliver said, the
plan includes steps to ensure forest regeneration.
"As stewards of this renewable resource, we must manage our forests
sensibly so they can continue to provide
recreation, scenic beauty, clean water, and habitat for plants and
animals, as well as high-quality timber."
"herbicides to eliminate competing vegetation."
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Here is where the problem starts. What do you mean when you claim that
cutting more trees and building more loging roads is going to regenerate
a forest?
You may find this a little difficult. A forest is a system, where
trees
and their associates are so highly ordered in their connections that
they
all survive at a high quality state. Planting trees is not planting a
forest. Humans are breaking too many connections too fast. The sad
part is
once destroyed many of these connections cannot be brought back by just
planting trees. I see we HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!
THE FOREST IS NOT A REGENERATING SYSTEM. This, thanks to science, is a
statement worthy to be repeated.
I suggest one who has questions read the article:
May 1991 Audubon Magazine by Ted Williams titled "Don't worry plant a
tree".
Today, even a child knows that the destruction of the rain forests
threatens the very existence of life on earth.
Sir, what we want is sustainable forestry. When you set a plan to
increase cuting and regenerate OUR FOREST you and your advisors
understanding of the forest system is very obvious.
I wonder if a thoracic surgeon would be allowed to do a heart transplant
if her or she did not know the difference between the patients hand and
foot? But yet, we allow people to make rules about our forest that do
not understand tree biology. Non- biological roads have no right in OUR
forest. However in general we have been very successful in making many
roads in our forest out of the lack of understanding of tree biology at
the disadvantage of our forest. Some countries have common sense and
are closing the roads and replanting trees. They do this in hopes that
they have not broken to many connections. My suggestion to you is find
someone who has an education in TREE BIOLOGY and let them write the rule
books for OUR trees and their ASSOCIATES. Not the forest products,
timber industry and and who ever else wrote your report for you.
Also, Keep grass OUT of YOUR FOREST.
Old, healthy mature trees make GOOD homes for wildlife!
I am very mad that this has gone this far.
Please reply with your statement on the following question pertaining to
your approved plans:
What do you mean when you claim that cutting more trees and building
more logging roads is going to regenerate our forest? And please define
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY.
How is a forest a renewable resource?
What herbicides are being used? We do not want OUR CHILDRENS water
contaminated!
Yours Truly
John A. Keslick Jr.
Tree Biologist, Tree Anatomist & Professional Modern Arborist
Member: The Bio-Dynamic Farming & Gardening Association, Inc.
Member: S.E. PA Community Tree Association
Plus Certified Chester County Master Composter
cc:
World Wide Web News Groups:
alt.org.audubon
alt.org.earth-first
alt.org.sierra-club
pa.environment
and many other PA Representatives.
--
John A. Keslick Jr. If you are not OUTRAGED you're not
Tree Anatomist & Tree Biologist paying attention.
Phone: 610-696-5353 Support ORGANIC FARMERS.
organic tree treatment web site:
http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/ OR http://www.ccil.org/~kenm/env/