Crossett Experimental Forest is an experimental forest operated by the

Southern Research Station The Southern Research Station (SRS) is one component of seven units that provide the framework for the US Forest Service (USFS) Research and Development organization. Forest Service R&D is described as "...the most extensive natural resources re ...

(SRS) of the United States Forest Service in Ashley County, Arkansas. It is managed out of the SRS office in Monticello, Arkansas, with onsite facilities about south of Crossett, Arkansas off Arkansas Highway 133.

Description

The forest contains that were given to the U.S. Forest Service by the Crossett Lumber Company (later merged into

Georgia-Pacific Georgia-Pacific LLC is an American pulp and paper company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, toilet and paper towel dispensers, packaging, building products and r ...

) in 1934. The tract is used for research into forestry management practices principally involving '' Pinus taeda'' and '' P. echinata''. It includes one area, the Reynolds Natural Area that has received little human intervention since the forest was established. The remainder of the land is managed according to a variety of practices seeking to maximize timber yields.

History

The virgin forests of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas were virtually depleted by 1930 due to lumbering activities over the preceding forty years. During this time, little regard was given to sustainable forestry practices, and the land that was logged was usually sold off for agricultural uses. With the prospect of complete collapse of its logging activities, the Crossett Lumber Company decided to donate this parcel to the United States Forest Service as a research station. Under the agreement, the Forest Service was committed to return to the company an amount of lumber equal to what it had at the time of the donation. Land for the research forest was selected in 1933, and by the end of that year, CCC crews began work on facilities in the selected parcels. This work included roads, office facilities, and research and equipment buildings. CCC crews were also used to inventory the forest's timber assets in detail. Three buildings constructed by the CCC in 1939 and 1940 have survived, and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Located at the main complex off Arkansas Highway 133, these are Building #2 – a garage and storage facility, Building #6 – an office building/shop, and Building #8 – a residence. The experimental forest is administratively affiliated with the Ouachita National Forest through the Jessieville and Winona Ranger District.

NRHP gallery

Image:Crossett Experimental Forest Building No. 2.JPG, Building No. 2 Image:Crossett Experimental Forest Building No. 6JPG.JPG, Building No. 6 Image:Crossett Experimental Forest Building No. 8.JPG, Building No. 8

References

External links

*{{Commons category-inline, Crossett Experimental Forest Research forests Protected areas of Ashley County, Arkansas Ouachita National Forest Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas National Register of Historic Places in Ashley County, Arkansas 1934 establishments in Arkansas