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South Carolina Forests Contribute Much to the State Landscape, Economy

Forester Chase Folk looks over a section of Sumter National Forest in Newberry County.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
Forester Chase Folk looks over a section of Sumter National Forest in Newberry County.
Forester Chase Folk examines a small tree whose bark has been partially rubbed away by deer.
Credit Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
Forester Chase Folk examines a small tree whose bark has been partially rubbed away by deer.

For 90 years, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has fought fires and advised landowners on how they can best manage the woodlands on their property.   According to Forest Management Chief Russell Hulbright and Forester Chase Folks, forests can be managed for timber production, wildlife protection, aesthetics, soil and water preservation, or a combination of these outcomes.  Hulbright says the public benefits from trees just from the fact that they’re out there along the highways of South Carolina.  The state is blessed to have 13 million acres covered by public and private forests, according to Hulbright, who adds that the forestry industry, unknown to many, employs 90,000 people and contributes more than $18 billion to South Carolina’s economy. 

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.