Crossett Experimental Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crossett Experimental Forest |
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 Crossett Experimental Forest
Location in Arkansas
Crossett Experimental Forest
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ashley County, Arkansas, United States |
| Nearest city | Crossett, Arkansas |
| Area | 1,680 acres (680 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Crossett Experimental Forest website | |
The Crossett Experimental Forest is like a special outdoor laboratory. It is run by the Southern Research Station (SRS) of the United States Forest Service. This forest is located in Ashley County, Arkansas, in the United States. Scientists here study how to best manage forests. They learn how to grow trees in a healthy and sustainable way. The forest is managed from an office in Monticello, Arkansas. Its main facilities are about 6.8 miles (10.9 km) south of Crossett, Arkansas.
About the Forest
This forest covers about 1,680 acres (680 ha) of land. The Crossett Lumber Company gave this land to the U.S. Forest Service in 1934. Today, this area is used for important research. Scientists study how to manage forests, especially focusing on two types of pine trees. These are the Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and the Shortleaf pine (P. echinata).
A special part of the forest is the Reynolds Natural Area. It is about 80-acre (32 ha) big. This area has been left mostly untouched by humans since the forest started. The rest of the land is managed in different ways. The goal is to find the best methods to grow lots of timber.
A Look Back: History of the Forest
By the 1930s, many forests in northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas were almost gone. This was because of a lot of logging over the past 40 years. Back then, people did not think much about growing trees for the future. Land that was logged was often sold for farming.
The Crossett Lumber Company saw that their logging business might stop completely. So, they decided to give this land to the U.S. Forest Service. They wanted it to be a research station. The Forest Service agreed to return a certain amount of lumber to the company later. This lumber would be equal to what was on the land when it was donated.
The land for the research forest was chosen in 1933. By the end of that year, crews from the CCC started working. The CCC was a program that helped people find jobs during the Great Depression. These crews built roads, offices, and other buildings. They also carefully counted all the trees in the forest.
Three buildings built by the CCC in 1939 and 1940 are still standing today. They are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). You can find them at the main forest complex. These buildings include a garage, an office, and a house.
Historic Buildings
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Building No. 2
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Building No. 6
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Building No. 8
