Plum Creek: Plants nearly 800,000 seedlings on Wisconsin lands

For more information contact:

Lauren Olstad

414-276-6237

Planting efforts result in forest regeneration and growth of thousands of trees

TOMAHAWK, Wis. — Plum Creek today announced it has just completed its spring 2010 planting of nearly 800,000 seedlings statewide. The effort is part of the company’s annual plan to regenerate and grow Wisconsin forests for future generations.

“We are very committed to the Wisconsin way of life, and we know it is our responsibility as landowners to keep our forests healthy and sustainable for decades to come,” said Scott Henker, senior resource manager for the Lake States Region. “Planting these seedlings will help ensure that we have forests for future generations, and we take our responsibility as landowners very seriously because we know so much depends on it.”

Over the past few weeks, planting took place in three areas of Wisconsin. Approximately 325,000 seedlings were planted in the Wisconsin Rapids area, 104,000 seedlings in the Tomahawk area and 359,000 seedlings in the Hayward area. Each year, Plum Creek plants approximately 55 million seedlings on its land nationwide.

Seedlings planted this spring will grow for approximately 25 years before they are large enough to be harvested. At that time, some of the weaker trees will be cut down to enhance growing conditions to ensure the health and vigor of the remaining stronger trees, while also providing wood fiber for area paper and lumber mills.

“Replanting helps replenish forests, but also serves as habitat for endangered and other wildlife in our woods,” said Henker. “Plum Creek understands that there is more to forestry than just growing trees, and we also have to consider the wildlife, water and other special places that are on our property. We’re proud to do our part for the environment, and we are committed to sustainable forestry practices.”

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Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with approximately 7 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. For more information, visit http://www.plumcreek.com/wisconsin.