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Grow Trees Fast
Pulpwood can be grown in one-quarter of the usual time in intensively
managed plantations on agricultural land. Because these plantations are
treated like agricultural crops, they are more like farms than forests.
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Supply An Existing Market
The paper and oriented-strand board industries in Michigan consume
a large quantity of aspen fiber each year. Prices for aspen pulpwood
have hit record highs in recent years as a result of increased demand
and diminished supply.
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Put Surplus Land To Work
Michigan has many acres of abandoned farmland, discontinued Christmas
tree operations, and fields coming out of the Conservation Reserve Program
that are suitable for fiber farming. Minnesota and Wisconsin already have
active fiber farming programs Michigan is just getting started.
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Reduce Pressure On Natural Forests
Competition for fiber produced in natural stands has increased at the
same time as the public has pushed for less timber production in many
of these same areas. Fiber farms can produce a product that will easily
substitute for native aspen in some situations.
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Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Ray Miller, uptic@msu.edu
Last Revised: 6-25-04
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