Rhode Island Forest History

T oday’s Forest • Tomorrow’s Legacy T oday’s Forest • Tomorrow’s Legacy Some RI Forest History Dates Pre-settlement – RI more than 95% forested 1930 Major forest fire burns 34,700 acres in western RI Learning From the Past— Perhaps as many as 100,000 Native Americans occupied New England. George Washington Memorial Forest in Glocester becomes the first state forest Rhode Island Forest History 1691 Broad Arrow Act officially sets aside all white pine 24-inches and larger as property of the 1933 President Roosevelt signs into law an act estab- King & Queen of England lishing the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). arly records indicate that upon change the practices of the general pub- From 1933 –1942, 63 CCC camps were estab- the arrival of the first lic, however, and by the end of the nine- 1767 First state forestry survey estimates that only lished on state forest and park lands and European settlers in the early teenth century Rhode Island forests had 31% of the state’s land area is forested almost 100,000 men were enrolled in the pro- 1600’s the area that became reached their lowest point in both area gram. CCC crews engaged in reforestation, 1820 Prominent Rhode Island textile manufacturer, ERhode Island was probably more than and quality. While much of the land that timber stand improvement, fire suppression, 95 percent forested. (Rhode Island had been cleared for agriculture was later Zachariah Allen began what is believed to be insect and disease control , and the construc- the first scientific and carefully recorded silvi- Department of Environmental abandoned and reverted to forest, often tion of roads, bridges, fire lookouts, and recre- Management) In upland areas, the what grew back were tree species that cultural experiment in the United States at a site ational facilities that are still enjoyed today. that is now part of Lincoln Woods State Park. Native American inhabitants periodical- grew slowly and were of little value. In 1935 RI 63% forested ly burned the undergrowth, maintaining the meantime, the introduction of Gypsy moth introduced into neighboring forests in an open condition, with large, portable steam-powered sawmills in the Massachusetts 1938 Hurricane of 1938 causes blow down of large “It is a fact well known to widely-spaced trees. The burning tended early 1870’s allowed for unprecedented areas of timber. 80 million board feet of timber most of you that the timber to dry out the soil, encouraging the levels of timber harvesting. In 1887, 1872 Arbor Day is founded by J. Sterling Morton in salvaged. which once covered our growth of oaks, hickories, chestnuts, and Bernard Fernow, Chief of the USDA Nebraska hillsides, ameliorating our Forestry Bureau, advised: “Forests in the 1942 A major forest fire burns over 24,500 acres of pines over the more moisture-dependent climate, beautifying the strict sense of the word can hardly be 1876 Franklin B. Hough appointed first Federal forestry forest land landscape, protecting our northern hardwoods that dominated said to exist in this state. Although 24 agent and in 1878 begins to issue the landmark watersheds, and constitut- much of northern New England. In wet, Report upon Forestry to Congress, a wide-ranging RI Tree Farm Program begins in CT ing one of the most valu- lowland areas red maple, swamp oak, percent is reported covered with wood, it survey of information and issues pertinent to the able natural resources of alders, and willows grew and the under- is mostly coppice and white pine or pitch 1950 The era of suburbanization and subsequent management of the nation’s forests. the state, has now nearly growth remained thick. In addition, the pine, which here and there may be said fragmentation of the forest begins all disappeared before the Native Americans kept large areas to rise to the dignity of forests, especially 1887 Bernard Fernow, Chief of the USDA Forestry woodsman’s axe. It follows, cleared for agriculture and hunting, par- on the western borders.” (Widner) Bureau advised: “Forests in the strict sense of 1953 RI 64% forested. State’s timber volume stands therefore, that the protec- ticularly around Narragansett Bay. By the beginning of the twentieth the word can hardly be said to exist in this at 281 million board feet tion and rapid growth of Overall, the landscape was a patchwork century public awareness of the need for state. Although 24 percent is reported covered the succession of sprout 1970’s RI 60% forested of forests in many different stages of eco- forest management had begun to take with wood, it is mostly coppice and white pine and seedlings is a problem Oil Embargo results in dramatic increase in logical succession, providing much hold both nationally and locally. In 1906 or pitch pine, which here and there may be of interest and importance fuelwood cutting across the state culminating “edge” habitat for deer, grouse and other the Rhode Island legislature established said to rise to the dignity of forests, especially to the people.” in the harvest of an estimated 210,000 cords of game species. (Cronan) the Rhode Island Forest Commission, on the western borders.” fuelwood 1982-83, an increase of more than 29 Jesse B. Mowry. Early European settlers cleared and the following year appointed Jesse RI 24% forested times the 1972 amount (7150 cords). Rhode Island’s first about two-thirds of the state’s forests for B. Mowry as the state’s first Forest Commissioner. In his first annual report April 20 – Earth Day Forest Commissioner, agriculture. By the time of the first state 1891 Forest Reserve Act empowers the President to 1907 forest survey of 1767, only 31 percent of to the Rhode Island General Assembly in create “forest reserves” (today known as 1980’s Widespread gypsy moth defoliation the state’s land area was forested. At the 1907, Mr. Mowry penned the following: national forests). 1985 RI 60% forested beginning of the nineteenth century a “It is a fact well known to most of you that the timber which once covered 1905 Transfer Act of 1905 officially transfers over- Hemlock Wooly Adelgid introduced into few thoughtful people began to become our hillsides, ameliorating our climate, sight of national forest reserves from the U.S. southern New England concerned about the loss of valuable for- beautifying the landscape, protecting Dept. of the Interior to the U.S. Dept. of 1998 RI 59% forested. est. In 1820, the prominent Rhode Island our watersheds, and constituting one of Agriculture and transforms the Bureau of 18,800 acres of forest land lost to suburban textile manufacturer, Zachariah Allen the most valuable natural resources of Forestry to the U.S. Forest Service. sprawl since 1985; began what is believed to be the first scientific and carefully recorded silvicultur- the state, has now nearly all disappeared Gifford Pinchot appointed first Chief of the RI developed more residential, commercial, before the woodsman’s axe. It follows, and industrial land in the last 34 years (96,000 al experiment in the United States. He Forest Service. demonstrated his theory that “vacant therefore, that the protection and rapid acres) than in its first 325 years (65,000 acres); growth of the succession of sprout and 1906 Rhode Island Forest Commission established. land may profitably be improved by Approximately 90% of the timber cut statewide planting to trees,” by planting oaks and seedlings is a problem of interest and Jesse B. Mowry of Chepachet appointed state’s importance to the people.” first Forest Commissioner. is cut as the result of conversion of forest land chestnuts on 40 acres of barren land in to more intensive uses. Smithfield Rhode Island and maintain- Mowry’s staunch advocacy helped 1908 RI 38% forested ing extensive records of his expenses initiate improvements in forest laws, for- State’s timber volume stands at 1,316 billion and profits for the next 57 years. The site est fire suppression, forest conservation 1907-18 Chestnut Blight decimates southern New board feet is now part of Lincoln Woods State Park. and management. (Widner) In the early England forests Approximately 50,000 acres of forestland under (Society of American Foresters) 1930’s Archie W. Hurford, the state’s first the jurisdiction of today’s state forestry agency. Such private ventures did little to trained forester, further galvanized pub- T oday’s Forest • Tomorrow’s Legacy lic support and understanding of the ber blow downs. Once every few years (Alerich). Harvest of mature sawtimber Our society is value of woodlands in Rhode Island. major ice storms have damaged timber is well below the rate of annual growth, *Statistics are derived from Alerich, Defebaugh, Dickson and McAfee, Timber Hurford’s efforts convinced the legisla- throughout the state. Periodic infestations with much of the state’s tree removals Resources of RI, and Widner. ture to allow for the establishment of of gypsy moth caterpillars have caused due to change in land use rather than poised at a state forest reserves. (Dunwoody) In epidemics of defoliation. (Rhode Island forest management practices. Sources of Information 1932, the George Washington Memorial Office of State Planning and Division of Changes being made to the land by Alerich, C. L. 2000. Forest Statistics for Massachusetts – 1985 and 1998. USDA unique Forest in Glocester became the first state Forest Environment) Since the mid 1980’s modern society tend to be much more Forest Service Resource Bulletin. forest. The mid-1930’s brought the the hemlock woolly adelgid has been permanent than those made in the past. Alerich, Carol L. November 2000. Forest Statistics for Rhode Island: 1985 and 1998. Civilian Conservation Corps to Rhode killing off large areas of hemlock trees.

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