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In October 2022, the Bovee Fire burned 5,151 acres of National Forest Land, 4,189 of which were within the historic hand-planted forest. The historic plantations were hand-planted from around 1908 to 1938 in part to research the possibility of producing timber for building materials. The hand-planted forest included ponderosa pine, jack pine, and eastern redcedar, as well as smaller populations of Austrian pine, scotch pine, red pine, spruce, and Douglas fir.

Unfortunately, the timber produced in the sandhills was found to be of poor quality and poor form, so it was determined that timber production was not viable. Even though these plantations failed to produce timber, the forest provided for other resources such as wildlife habitat, scenic views, recreational opportunities, and opportunities for additional research into forestry techniques.

The hand-planted forest is a unique ecosystem surrounded by the largest intact grassland in North America. Both the forest and grassland ecosystems are important for various resources, and our goal is to maintain both. Any restoration efforts will need to support future management objectives and actions in both ecosystems.

As in the early 1900’s, timber production is not a future goal of the hand-planted forest. Instead, restoration efforts should focus on wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and research. Continuing research and outreach are important because they honor the original intent of the hand-planted forest and maintain that historic and cultural connection.

There is no need to replicate the original plantations; instead, the best-available science will be used to guide restoration. The eastern redcedar that was historically planted in the hand-planted forest has made management of the remaining areas difficult and can be a threat to the sandhills ecosystem. Thus, going forward, eastern red cedar will not be planted.  Any reforestation (planting) that occurs will be conducted by hand, at lower densities than what was planted historically, and in natural patterns instead of in rows.

What we are asking of the public:

Taking into consideration the above information and location where restoration will potentially occur (within the 4,189 ac of hand-planted forest), we are asking the public to provide their input to help us gauge the public preference for what the forest looks like into the future.

Here are some questions and topics to consider while commenting:

• How do you utilize the areas within the hand-planted forest?
• What is important to you about the hand-planted forest?
• How do you see yourself utilizing the hand-planted forest in the future?
• We will not be planting eastern redcedar. What should we plant instead?
• What types of wildlife habitat are most important to you and for what purpose (i.e., watchable wildlife, hunting, etc.)?
• What recreational aspect do you most value in the hand-planted portion of the forest (i.e., ATV riding, camping, hiking, hunting, etc.) and what would most improve your recreational activities (i.e., visual buffers, shade, harvestable resources, etc.)