Allowing trees to live

Dear Editor,

I read a recent letter “Seeing forest from trees” (July 8) with interest. The writer was correct. There are very few 400-year-old trees in the Allegheny National Forest. It is because these magnificent giants were all cut down!

Only 2% of the entire forest is scheduled for regrowth to old growth like this.

The writer admits they plan to cut 73% of the forest down because they have already cut the remaining 25% down. They even cut next to the hiking trails on the scenic Minister Creek loop, ensuring that no one will ever hike next to a 400-year-old tree in the future.

The writer says new growth provides better habitat for the wildlife, but we have plenty of this because too much has been cut down.

The writer also notes that economics warrant the cutting. But in the Adirondack wilderness, which is a large chunk of land like the mighty ANF, even just one trail has 30,000 visitors a year.

The moral of the story is that future tourism dollars from folks visiting for old trees far outweighs short-sighted small logging dollars. To propagate a tree farm, western forests average 16% wilderness compared to our 2% wilderness.

If God didn’t see any value in letting trees grow giant and more, than 400 years old, he wouldn’t have let the beauties grow that old and tourists would not flock to other, more preserved places like the Adirondacks and the sequoias — and, they would not have booming tourist towns next to the forest.

Chad Doverspike,

Warren

Improving our image

Dear Editor,

Good morning! Among the greatest assets of our home region are its natural beauty and the attractiveness of the community which so many have worked hard to maintain. Both are a blessing to those who live here and an attraction for visitors.

That being the case, I have two questions.

First, even though our beautiful river runs around Pleasant Township, it cannot be seen from Honhart Road to just before McKinley Avenue, which otherwise would be a scenic drive. It was not always this way. Is it possible to trim the trees and brush to bring back the river view? I am sure the fish, ducks and birds would not mind.

Second, our renamed Veterans’ Memorial Bridge provides what can be a striking connection between downtown Warren and the neighborhoods on the other side of the river. However the globes on the streetlights that line the bridge are covered inside with bugs. Can they be cleaned so that the lights do not detract from the impressive view that was intended?

These relatively small steps could make a difference in the daily lives of our own residents and in the image of Warren that is left with those who come to visit.

Susie Pirillo,

Warren