Review: Forever Green - The History and Hope of the American Forest

Chuck Leavell has written a book - Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest - that thousands of forest owners can identify with. I highly recommend it to both tree growers and people just plain interested in trees. It truly is a book for both tree lovers and timber growers.

Book Published by Longstreet Press
ISBN: 1563526549

Chuck Leavell is one of the most respected keyboardists in popular music. His career came to bud and sprout as keyboard player with the Allman Brothers Band from 1972 to1976. He has played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, the Black Crowes, the Indigo Girls and many others. He recently finished touring and recording with the legendary Rolling Stones for whom he has worked off and on for two decades.

The Rolling Stone's Mick Jagger is quoted as saying, "Chuck is always talking about trees on tour...sometimes it drives me crazy!" But Jagger acknowleges Chuck's interest by admitting that "his passion for forestry is undeniable, and he's made some strong contributions to the environment through that passion." That "forestry" passion has changed Chuck Leavell's life.

Timber owners and forest managers will quickly empathize with Chuck Leavell. He writes about facing real forestry issues and the "painful realities" of managing a forest. Leavell has been there, done that - his experience is what packs this book with value-added information.
Chuck and Rose Lane faced all the questions many forest owners face. "What do we do with a high-graded piece of property?" "How do we maintain a cash flow and how can we keep the farm?" "What different land-use options should we consider?" .
After pondering the options of cattle farming, pecan and peach production and Christmas trees, forestry came out as their land-use option of choice. They obviously have not regretted that decision. .
But enter the Tax Man.
Chuck writes how estate taxes nearly stopped them before they ever started. "We even had to sell some of (the) land in order to make the first payment to the IRS. It took us 15 years to pay off the entire tax bill, but we did it...we had to."
Thousands of private owners of forest can tell similar stories - good news is, Chuck writes about them.

In collaboration with Mary Welch, Chuck has researched and compiled a simple but concise primer on forestry. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves tree and/or may be thinking of going into the tree farming business.
This book explains trees and forests based on what I consider to be credible sources recognized by most foresters. He takes tough issues, including the rainforest and threatened and endangered species, head on. He also promotes the non-timber aspects of managing a tree farm.
Forever Green starts by providing a very basic tree biology lesson. You are then taken on a brief but thorough walk through North American forest history, well documented with archival photographs (the entire book is loaded with supporting graphics). Leavell explains and defends many management techniques used in his, and many foresters, silvicultural toolbox. The book concludes with a look at modern forestry, its newest technological advances and how most tree growers now benefit. He tells all this from the perspective of one who has walked the walk and can now talk the talk.