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View our forestry newsletter,
Out On A Limb
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A little history...
Forests were once a major part of Indiana's landscape covering 87 percent of the land and totaling 20 million acres. Early settlers to Indiana viewed the forests as an asset and used the wood harvested from these forests to build and heat their homes, to cook their food, and to construct tools and furnishings. However, the forests were in their way. They needed space to grow crops, build roads, and establish towns and businesses. Thus, deforestation began.
Deforestation accelerated during the 19th century to a rate of over 178,000 acres/year over a 100 year span. By 1900, Indiana had little forest left. What remained was growing on land that was either too steep or was too wet to farm, and covered only 1.8 million acres.
Eventually, farming took its toll on crop and pasture land, and farmers left the land to grow back into forest. Many acres of worn-out farm land in southern Indinaa were planted with white, Virginia, shortleaf, and red pine. Forests began a slow return to the state and today provide shade to 4.5 million acres of land.
Although gains in forested land have been made, we don't want to rest to long on our laurels. Suburban sprawl, new roads and utilities, and the parceling of larger forested tracts into house lots pose new threats to Indiana's forests. These modern forms of land conversion are, for all practical purposes, irreversible.
A lot to think about...
Forests are an ideal investment because they are a renewable resource that provides, timber, wildlife, clean air and water, and recreation. Properly managed forests will give you, your children, and your children's children, many happy returns! Keeping your forest healthy will keep it productive and enjoyable - forests can take decades to recover from a "wrong move" in forest management.
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Forestland (67,500 acres) rivals cropland (71,500 acres) in acreage in Clark County and, therefore, is of significant concern when you start talking about proper management and the conservation of natural resources. This section of our web site was designed as a resource for forest owners and, hopefully, will provide you with useable information and answers to your questions. If you desire additional assistance, please contact our office at (812) 256-2330, ext. 3, or refer to the "Assistance Available" link provided to the left.
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