TRADING FOREST FIRES FOR FURNITURE

The signs of the worst drought in Colorado recorded history are everywhere – stunted undergrowth, weakened and dying stands of lodgepole and ponderosa pine, Colorado blue spruce and fir. The only species thriving in these conditions are the hoards of Ips and mountain pine beetles that attack the weakened trees and cause further destruction. The final blow to these forests is the most devastating, killing every living thing in its path – healthy and diseased trees, animals and misfortunate humans – FOREST FIRE!

Colorado and the American West stand once again bracing for another disastrous fire season. Forest management officials are employing all viable means to stem the destruction. With recent population booms in the mountainous areas of Colorado, the human cost of this type of catastrophe could not be more evident than that of last year: over 300 homes and other structures lost in three of the largest fires, including the 133,000 acre Hayman Fire southwest of Denver, the worst fire in state history.

Unfortunately, Colorado bears the brunt of wildfire danger do the lack of proper forest thinning practices. Colorado has a bewildering 1,600 trees per acre average, far above the historic number of trees found when the State was formed. The federal government is addressing the national forests, but private and state lands also need fire mitigation. In the U.S., 4 million acres of forested land are privately owned, with only the federal government owning more. Therefore, the need for private landowners to properly manage their forests has never been more critical.

Allen Gallamore, District Forester for the Colorado State Forest Service’s Golden office, reports that the Front Range of Colorado and its more populated areas are in the bull’s eye for major fire events. Private landowners need to adopt highly proactive forest management techniques by, among other things, removing the smaller diameter pine, Douglas fir, aspen trees (standing dead) and undergrowth. However, there is a problem – what is to be done with all those dead and small diameter trees?

To help meet this need, T. E. Clark, furniture craftsman and founder of Rustic Home Furnishings, has found a niche in creating comfortable and attractive furnishings from logs harvested from dead and small diameter trees. What sets Clark apart from many others is the fact that all of his materials are taken from Front Range forests where the fight to prevent forest fires needs to be pursued with the greatest intensity. Many of the logs that are used in Rustic Home Furniture’s line of chairs, barstools, beds and tables were yielded from state wildlife management areas, state parks and private lands under the watchful and careful eye of Gallamore and his staff. The Colorado State Forest Service is currently working to reduce the fire danger on state and private lands through harvesting and other means.

Clark, whose crew of talented craftsmen currently distributes their version of unique Colorado art from coast to coast, freely admits he is just a small cog in the great wheel of forest management. Says Clark, We have fun doing what we do and it makes us feel pretty good knowing that we are doing something to help. Clark resolutely believes it is his calling to help preserve Colorado’s precious forest lands for all who wish to enjoy its pristine beauty. Colorado is the center stone of an irreplaceable string of gems - The Rocky Mountain States.

We need to take care of this national treasure for all generations. Clark requests that when you are in the market for rustic or log furniture please skip the imports and mass-produced brands and do something to promote healthy forests - buy a genuine piece of Colorado in the form of hand-crafted, fire-fighting, forest furniture.

About The Author:

Art Bogoch is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-home-decor.com. Home decorating tips and ideas to showcase any room with style.