On our family farm, we grow trees that are part of Georgia’s 24 million acres of sustainably managed forestland — trees that filter our air and water, provide homes to wildlife, and give us beautiful views and places to play.
Using time-honored methods and modern scientific tools, we nurture our trees. We plant them one by one, tend them, groom them, and selectively harvest them so that the whole grows on, so that our children, grandchildren and kids yet to be dreamed of will know the riches of this incredible renewable resource.
I’m proud to say the trees on our land go on to serve in some very noble ways: as lumber for homes and churches; paper that gets printed so we can learn more about everything; even pencils and pianos so music makers can write lyrics and create melodies that touch other folks’ souls.
» See related story: "Georgia's Chuck Leavell still rooted with the Rolling Stones"
But tree farmers need viable markets to keep their working forests in trees. Processing wood waste and thinnings for biomass products is one market we welcome. It utilizes material that in the past may have been hauled to a dump or otherwise treated as trash. I like to think of tree farmers as the original environmentalists — frugal recyclers who want to make wise use of everything they have. Today in Georgia, we’re planting and growing 40 percent more than we’re harvesting, and utilizing every tiny byproduct of the process. That’s not just good business; it’s the right thing to do.
Many people are surprised to learn forest landowners’ biggest challenges today involve urbanization of rural lands, invasive species, and the many effects of changing ownership. Every time forest cover is reduced due to any of these forces, the environment is affected in some way. New shopping centers and subdivisions introduce more impervious surfaces to the landscape. Where water once flowed naturally and was filtered by roots and soil, it may now run off in powerful gushes, causing water quality and flooding concerns. Development that breaks up contiguous forestland affects wildlife migration and habitat patterns. New owners may not be aware of best management practices for forest sustainability.
In addition, fire control becomes much more difficult where wildland and urban areas interface. That puts lives and property at considerable risk, a serious concern for everyone who lives or enjoys time in rural areas.
Another pressure many landowners face is the challenge of hanging on to their property. Property taxes have risen, and prices have gone up for goods and services needed to ensure good forest management — from equipment to treating for invasive pests and diseases that can destroy acres at a time. If a tree farmer’s income can’t keep up with those obligations, family legacies often crumble.
You won’t find many Georgia forest landowners who want to pave paradise for parking lots. We love the land and know how to do our jobs. But we need everybody to understand the facts and to support the good work forest landowners are doing utilizing and conserving our working forests.
Georgia tree farmer Chuck Leavell also plays keyboards for the Rolling Stones.
About the Author
