10. Timber as a replaceable resource

In contrast with most human material needs timber is not scarce but it is clear that mankind must behave sensibly in managing its timber resources to avoid unfortunate consequences in future. Perhaps a better way to put it is that, in the case of timber, there is still time to plan its development and use in a way that will provide for man's foreseeable needs without robbing posterity of its rightful inheritance.

As a material, timber is full of virtues. With one exception, its development and use causes little pollution; it is versatile, easy to handle and work, light in weight, resiliant, durable and beautiful. It is a valuable fuel and a significant potential source of chemical feedstock and food. In the very long term as finite resources become scarce, it may even be man's only source of chemical feedstock.