Show michigan jack pine does not nol mature for 80 years considerable has been said in the past regarding the large amount of mature lack jack pine that may be found on state owned lauds lands particularly in state forests most alost if of these reports emanate from those who would like to see this timber harvested for commercial purposes writes albert stoll jr in the detroit news new A careful check of the state holdings would reveal that there Is 13 very little if any so called mature jack pine on these holdings what undoubtedly Is meant Is the merchantable jack pine under the most favorable growing conditions jack pine matures in michigan at about eighty to ninety years ot of age 00 it la Is conceded however that before this period much of 0 this forest growth becomes merchantable for pulpwood 10 box wood railroad ties and the like bit but it Is by no means mature mitti ire even after reaching maturity it if fire alre and disease are eliminated from these stands the trees may persist for many years longer without showing signs of deteriorating teri terl orating reforestation in michigan did not begin until 1004 1904 and even the oldest of our jack pine plantations are far from being mature today it Is quite true that some of the land which reverted to the state did contain a fair stand of natural jack pine which Is approaching close to maturity but there is so little of this that tte the state would be unwarranted in attempting to harvest it IL the jack pine tree of northern michigan while not as valuable commercially merci merc ally lally as other species of pines or hardwood has gone far in cowering covering the lumbering and ore fire scare cars of the past generation and has a distinct recreational reat ional lonal value |