Hurwitzs Influence on Pacific Lumber In The Last Stand, David Harris shows that the "old" Pacific Lumber practiced "selective cut" and "sustained yield" forestry as opposed to "clear cutting". Under the "old" management, "selective cut" and "sustained yield" were seen as beneficial and a more practical way to manage lumber and timber. When the "new" management took over the company, the process of "clear cutting" was taken into effect. Now in charge of Pacific Lumber, Charles Hurwitz played a major part in the debate on how Pacific Lumber should operate."Selective cutting" is the practice by which trees are cut down according to certain ascertainable features. If a tree were so old and large that it inhibited the growth of other trees, then it would be a prime target for timber. Trees can hinder the growth of other trees by means of overbearing roots or overgrowth of branches that would not permit sunlight to reach smaller and less developed trees.(p17-18) "Clear cutting", however, takes an entirely different approach. Rather than a few trees that are undoubtedly ready to be timbered, all the trees in the area would simply be cut down. There would be no selection process involved and nothing would be left of the surrounding trees.(p18-19) The last process is called "sustained yeild". Murphy said, "others might cut themselves out of existence, but his company would never lack timber ready to fell. Its annual cut would always be limited and never exceed its timberlands newgrowth."(p18)When the "new" management took over Pacific Lumber the process of "selective cutting" was abandoned and "clear cutting" was adopted. Although "clear cutting" is a way to obtain so-called fast cash, it was not seen as effective by the "old" management. With "selective cutting", there was far more stability in jobs and income concentrating on the long-term perspectives rather than short term. During "clear cutting", timber is cut and sold quickly. Once the ...
