Did You Know?...
Answer Key

1. Did you know that California's foresters never harvest more than is already growing elsewhere in the forest? This is called sustainable forestry. Can you guess what sustainable means?

Answer:
It means to keep something in existence; to keep it available; to keep the same amount.
2. Did you know that the harvesting of trees on private land is carefully monitored in California? The California Forest Practices Act is the most important of the laws that help regulate how the forest is main- tained. It tells foresters what they must do before they may harvest. It tells them how harvesting should be done, and it tells them how and when they should replant. Replanting is called reforestation. What do you think the "re" in each word means? Can you think of any other "re" words?

Answer:
It means "again". Renew, review, reestablish, retrain, remodel.
3. Did you know that California law requires foresters to plant many more trees than are harvested on every acre of productive forestland? What is the difference between private forestland and public forestland?

Answer:
Private forest land is owned by private individuals, such as Christmas tree farmers, forst products companies, resort companies, and ordinary citizens. Public lands are owned by the state or federal government.

4. Did you know that California foresters replant harvested areas with seedlings that come from seeds gathered from that same location? Only the strongest and best seedlings are used for replanting. What is the difference between a seedling and a seed? What is the difference between a seedling and a sapling? What is the difference between a sapling and a tree?

Answer:
A tree is a woody plant with one main stem or trunk. It may have several branches. It may lose its leaves or stay evergreen. Its seeds come from fruits, nuts, or cones. The seed provides nutrients (food) for the young tree as it first begains to grow. A seedling is what sprouts from the seed. It is the youngest form of a tree. A sapling is a very young, slender tree.
5. Did you know that eight out of every ten trees that are planted grow to be adult trees. What happens to the other two?

Answer:
  • Animals, like deer, eat some of the seedlings.
  • Insects attack some of the young trees.
  • Fire destroys some of them.
  • Some do not get enough water or sunlight.