Painting a Picture of Today's Forests

“Montana’s National Forests BURNING AN EMPIRE” is the title of the Spring 2016 edition of “Evergreen” magazine. The title creates a dire picture facing Montana forests. According to Montana State Forester Bob Harrington, “Nearly 50 percent of Montana’s forest lands have been significantly affected by insects, diseases and wildfire.”

Many factors come into play creating today’s forestry issues. Early day logging practices took the best quality trees, fire suppression and a cool, wet period that began in the 1930s allowed a growth in shade tolerant species which are not genetically suited to the...

 

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