erican Walnut Manufacturers Association Carries Out Industrial
Forestry Program

_By W. C. FINLEY, Forester_

The forestry program now in operation is ambitious in scope, and has as
its objectives the promotion of forest practices which will encourage
growing and harvesting American Walnut as a permanent crop.

One of the greatest evils which we are attempting to eradicate is the
cutting of small diameter trees. The Walnut Industry has expressed a
desire to conserve small diameter fast growing walnut trees for future
use and is advocating that farmers, timberland owners and log producers
leave these trees in the woodlots to grow into high quality timber. We
are trying to educate the farmer, timber owner and log producer in
forestry practices which will serve not only their best interests, but
which in the final analysis, will serve the lumber industry as a whole.
Trees less than 14 inches d.b.h. if cut constitute a real loss in
potential high quality and more valuable logs because the logs they
produce are too small to be used advantageously. On the other hand,
trees of 14 inch d. b. h. and up are in demand and are playing a
patriotic role in furnishing material for use by the armed forces,
namely gunstocks. The public in general, and tree farmers and timber
owners in particular, must be made aware of the fact that while the
present walnut timber supply is adequate, conservation of immature trees
must be practiced to the full to assure the industry with sufficient raw
materials for future use.

Success in this particular phase of our program is being enhanced
greatly through the excellent cooperation of Extension Foresters, State
Foresters, U. S. Forest Service, Timber Production War Project
Foresters, Foresters of the Soil Conservation Service and Tennessee
Valley Authority Foresters. These various agencies are working hand in
hand with us on those objectives of our program which, in a measure,
dovetail with various phases of their own programs. One of the most
interesting aspects of our program is our work with 4-H Clubs. We are
sponsoring a contest among those members who are interested in forestry.
Each contestant is required to plant 25 seedlings, record certain data
and write a story about his woodlot giving specific information. Two
winners will be chosen from each county participating. Winners will be
chosen on the basis of the best story submitted; judges will be 4-H
officials and the Extension Forester f