[at-l] Wood stoves: a threat to the trail?

[rafeb@adelphia.net (Raphael Bustin)]

At 09:26 AM 2/25/02 -0600, Shane wrote:


>But isn't it a GOOD thing that there are more trees now?  I hear a lot of
>talk about 'old growth' forests, but trees have a life cycle too and
>eventually die a natural death.


True, but when left to their own devices, trees
can live an awfully long time.  (Just ask Treebeard.)
Bristlecone pines, for example, can live for several
millenia, and are probably the oldest living organsims
on earth.

<http://www.sonic.net/bristlecone/intro.html>

Yes, it's good that there are more trees now, but it's
not quite as rosy a picture as some would paint, nor
does it justify unregulated harvesting of lumber.

FWIW, there used to be a stand of old-growth hemlocks
not far from Stove Creek shelter -- the first shelter on
the trail, northbound from Springer.


rafe b.
aka terrapin