Fall 2002 - Volume 11, Number 3

To the Editor:

In response to Fritz Dixon's letter to the editor: The only smoke I smell is that of the notion's forests being devoured by ravagenous fires that have burned up hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable timber, as well as being responsible for loss of homes and lives.

These fires were the result of little or no management which could have thinned timber making it much less subject to fires and accessible to firefighters if a fire does start. Some would rather have smoke and ashes rather than jobs and prosperity Some would rather have loss of home and life rather than having healthy and vibrant forests. Some would rather maim and kill human beings by sabotaging trees and equipment, rather than harvest a tree that provides useful products for our society.

I don't know what Fritz Dixion got a MD in but I do know that he didn't get it in forestry. After the smoke clears, maybe he can look in the mirror and decide it's time to take a course in forest management.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Presl, a proud member and past President of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association

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Dear Sir,

My husband and I have tried to preserve all elements of nature to the best of our abilities. We have a bog named after us and have fought hard to keep it pristine as this is how it has been classified by the bogs and swamps of Indiana.

A few years ago we had an example of how we could use the trees to our advantage. The highway department cut down some trees for installation of new power lines, on our road, and they fell on our property. They were to be left to rot or cut up for fire wood. We had one excellent oak tree which was made in to two logs we then had them cut into I " thick boards. After letting them 'cure' or dry we made Christmas gifts of 4 bed frames for our grandchildren, an end stand, picture frames and shelves and lots more things to come.

These items are precious for our family as my husband's grandfather was the first to live on this farm. Our great grandson also has lived on this property as well as many other family members.

We feel we saved a small part of history for years to come instead of letting this proud old oak rot by the wayside or be used for firewood. Clean up did go for firewood.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Ken Binkley, Angola, IN

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