To the Editor:

Please allow common sense to prevail in the forest management discussion. Trees are the ultimate gift — the gift that keeps giving. While growing, they assist tremendously in carbon dioxide conversion. Young, vigorous, healthy trees assist wth the water table and the entire water cycle. Trees provide shelter, shade, create wildlife habitat and, once harvested, wood from trees provides thousands of products that we humans depend upon daily.

Obviously, early man needed fire, tools and shelter — wood was the answer. Modern-day products contain wood derivatives: cough syrup, muffin mix, fabric softener, toothpaste, nail polish, tape, and film to name a few. Wood byproducts area also found in soft drinks, chewing gum paints, vanilla flavoring, cinnamon, hair spray, instant hot chocolate, maple syrup, crayons, baby food, STP oil treatment, lotion, glue, dishwashing detergent, aspirin and the list goes on and on. Trees indeed are the gift that keeps giving, even once transformed into other forms.

In the forest management dailogue, please allow responsible and sustainable harvesting to be part of the equation. Renewable and abundant, our native forestlands grow jobs and create brand new revenue. Trees are green, growing and givers. Trees give to man while living and for eternity as other magnificent wood products. Wood is indeed good.

Regan Fletcher

Candler