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What is an "old-growth tree"? An old-growth tree is one that has been standing since before the onset of commercial logging. In California, commercial logging started in most regions after 1850. Why should we protect old-growth trees? The reasons to protect old-growth trees are countless, including: Contribution to California's economy, Protection of natural habitats, Tourism, Maintenance of genetic variation for disease resistance, Carbon Sequestration, Forest fire resistance, Potential pharmaceutical benefits, Biodiversity, California's heritage. Aren't all old-growth trees already protected? No. How many old-growth trees are left in California? According to the Forest and Resource Assistance Program (FRAP), there are approximately 15 million old-growth trees remaining on non-federal land in California. That amounts to only 1% of all the living trees. How many old-growth trees are being cut daily? Monthly? Yearly? We no longer know, as the Franchise Tax Board has eliminated the reporting requirements for the old-growth logging of a major species, because there are not enough left to justify the cost of tracking that logging. What species of trees are we talking about? This includes all California native species that have a lifespan permitting them to have been alive since prior to 1850. Where are the old-growth trees located? There are still old-growth trees in almost all regions of California. How many old-growth trees have we already lost? 97% to 99% What can California's legislators do to protect our state's old-growth trees? While California legislators cannot directly protect the trees President Bush has targeted for destruction in our National Forests, California's legislators are empowered with several ways to protect the state's old-growth trees, on non-federal land:
What will happen if we don't protect the old-growth trees? It is impossible to predict all of the devastating results from the loss of our old-growth trees, but the most immediate include: Destruction of natural habitats, including those of endangered species, Increased risks of forest fires, Loss of tourism dollars to California's economy, Reduced clean oxygen supply, Mudslides, Loss of bio-diversity, Loss of genetic variation. How will protecting the old-growth trees benefit California's economy? The preservation of old-growth trees contributes to long-term productivity. The state will benefit financially from preservation in numerous ways, including: Decreased forest fire risks, Increased FAQDark values, Tourism, Aesthetic amenities. Can old-growth trees survive the logging of younger trees in their midst? Through proper logging techniques and the creation of buffer zones, some old-growth trees will survive limited logging of younger trees in their midst. What is the Campaign For Old Growth (CFOG)? The Campaign for Old-Growth (CFOG) is an organization that was formed to place an initiative, called The Heritage Tree Preservation Act, on the statewide 2004 ballot. What is the California Heritage Tree Preservation Act? The Heritage Tree Preservation Act is a statewide initiative created to protect California's old-growth trees on non-federal forestland in California. Which trees will the California Heritage Tree Preservation Act protect? The act protects all trees on non-federal forestlands that were living in 1850 and meet species-specific diameter requirements. What about old-growth trees on Federal property; will they be protected? While state law cannot dictate the logging practices on Federal property, the Heritage Tree Preservation Act does request that Congress, federal agencies and federal land managers extend the same protections to heritage trees on federal property. Didn't the Clinton administration protect all old-growth trees from logging on federal land? Unfortunately, President Bush is withdrawing all of the protections put in place by Clinton and former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck. The Campaign Needs Your Help - Get Involved |
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