The US Forest Service wants to burn 42 acres of perfectly good trees in Bent Creek, a place beloved by local hikers, including me.
The study will help agency scientists understand how the timing of prescribed burning affects hardwood regeneration — primarily for oaks — along with herbaceous vegetation, fuel loading and breeding bird communities.
Will locals tie themselves to the trees? Or will they agree much can be learned by mass destruction. Perhaps the US government is using the same tack on the economy.
