INTRODUCTION

America's first industry:
now more important than ever.

Over the years, industries have come and gone.But the first industry in America - the firstenterprise that produced finishedproducts from raw materials - isstill vital and dynamic. In fact,it's more important today thanever before.

When early English settlers landed at Jamestown, Virginia, they were awed by the immensity of the forest. But the leader of the group, Captain John Smith, quickly recognized its commercial possibilities. He conveyed his ideas to London, and several months later Dutch and Polish millwrights arrived in the New World. Under the direction of Captain Smith, they constructed a sawmill near Jamestown, and America's first industry was born. The year was 1607.

The Value of Lumber

Soon, America's vast virgin forest was supplying products for many industries. The forest also provided building materials for homes, shops, and churches.

Because of the heavy demands on the forest and the inaccessibility of the enormous wood supply in the interior, the early colonist actually worried about a wood shortage. As early as 1798, newspapers and magazines were urging conservation measures to preserve and improve the forest. It's interesting that the methods advocated at that time are common in modern siliculture (forest management). Editorials urged the thinning of diseased and stunted trees. The harvesting of old trees to promote growth of younger, faster-growing trees. And the thoughtful regulation of fires which settlers often used to clear land for crops.

But conservation was difficult because wood was vital for colonists. They used it to build buggies, buildings, ships, butter churns, walkways, furniture - almost everything.

The colonists and early Americans found other interesting uses for trees. A famous colonial charter was hidden in the base of a tree to keep it from the British. On a tree in northeastern Tennessee, these words were carved: "D. Boon cilled A BAR on Tree in THE Year 1760." "D. Boon" was of course Daniel Boone. George Washington assumed command of the ragtag colonial army beneath another famous tree, the "Washington Elm," in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Future of the Forest

These are just a few examples of the role played by the forest in early America. It was important then. It's important now. And it will be even more important in years to come. Because wood is a renewable source. And, while other natural resources are dwindling, the forest can go on forever.

Georgia-Pacific is helping protect this natural resource by managing its forests scientifically. In addition, the Company is planting millions of trees each year. And, each year, more of the newly planted trees are "supertrees" which are bred from superior stock. The "supertrees" grow faster, are healthier, and have more usable wood fiber than ordinary trees.