I read this in a book called "Outdoor Skills", put out by the magazine "Sports Afield". It's a sort of almanac of skills and wisdom with some interesting tidbits too. Here's one of those tidbits: The value of a tree What is a tree worth? It could be $196,250. This startling estimate comes from the Agricultureal University of Calcutta, India, where Professor T.M. Das figures that the average tree living for 50 years would generate nearly $31,250 in oxygen alone. Its air pollution control is worth another $62,500. A tree also helps control soil erosion and adds to soil fertility, and this vital function is worth an additional $31,250. By recycling water and controlling humidity this average tree climbs $37,500 in price. Final dollar values of $31,250 for sheltering animals and $2,500 for protein production brng the total to just over $196,000. And that doesn't include lumber or the beauty. The professor claims that trees sold commercially reap less than 0.3% of their real value. (I don't know where he got his figures, but it seemed interesting, anyways)
Interesting. I don't know how much of it is true, but its definately something to think about. Have you got any more "tidbits"?
In Tasmania a while ago a bunch of greenies bought a single large trunk of a sawmill for for a few hundred dollars and turned it into various products that sold for a total of $10,000.Their point being that it is still possible for people to make a living and not clear fell at the same time.
