Clemson ag station clear-cutting questioned
PENDLETON - Some South Carolina residents are complaining about Clemson University's clear-cutting of 118 acres of forest at its beef cattle research farm.
Betsy George is a retired school teacher in Pendleton who told The Greenville News she's walked with her husband among the hardwood trees at the Simpson Agriculture Research Station for years.
Clemson University forest manager Knight Cox says the timber is being harvested to provide money for the agriculture station.
Clemson's Public Service division has seen steep budget cuts in recent years, including nearly $14 million in the current fiscal year.
The Sierra Club has asked Clemson University President Jim Barker to stop the clear-cutting. A school spokeswoman says the cleared land that is not used for cattle operations will be replanted with trees.
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ltgrunt (anonymous) says...
If some other land could be planted with trees, wouldn't that mean that the other land is already available and ready for the cattle? Why clear-cut one section of forest if there's already another patch of land available that doesn't need to be clear-cut?
July 9, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LB1 (anonymous) says...
She must have meant that of the land that will be cleared, the area of the clearcut land that is not being converted to cattle land will be replanted with trees. You can't blame the school for using its resources to generate money in tough economic times where funding is scarce.
July 9, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EastCoaster (anonymous) says...
The timber is being used to fund future agricultural research. Sounds like they are at least putting it to good use. I am surprised the Sierra Club tried to step in knowing Clemson's agricultural and environmentally friendly history. I have hiked many miles in the nearby woods and camped many nights. Those trees grow like weeds in the upstate. I remember when they clear cut a whole valley in the Fant's Grove rec. area and it was back to a healthy forest in what seemed like two years. Clemson is taking a lesson from its students'....when times are tough, sell trees!
July 9, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bornin43 (anonymous) says...
Here is how it works, Trees are a renewal source of money.
When they get big, you cut them and sell the timber which is used for building materials, furniture and paper.
Then you replant the cut areas and ten years later, you have more big trees to cut and sell.
Clear cutting will also allow the sun to get down to ground level so the grass will grow.
July 9, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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