This is the ultimate classic forestry and forest films collection. All seven of these rare vintage films stand out for different reasons and each brings a new angle of historical perspective with which we can learn from the environmental mistakes of the past in order to prevent them from occurring in the future. The mindset of the logging and lumber industry at this time in American history was so different than today due to extreme general apathy and lack of public interest in environmental culture and law development. Watch how forestry preservation theories have developed over the past 50-75 years - its amazing!This DVD has awesome classic videos and pictures of forestry, logging, lumber, wood, the forest woods, redwood trees, maple trees, pine, red oak, sawmills, lumber mills and hardwood. From the unforgettable footage and pictures of the redwoods being chopped down in Redwood Saga to the unbelievable guest appearance by Smokey the Bear in Vision in the Forest, this forestry DVD has all the greatest and most pertinent historical footage available.

Included Content:

Vision in the Forest

Length: 5 Minutes | Produced:1957

Vision in the Forest short vintage film stars country music singer sensation Vaughn Monroe. Monroe takes his family camping and treats viewers to his rendition of Ghost Riders in the Sky. The film is beautifully shot, and warmly promotes forest safety - in particular preventing forest fires. And who better to help deliver that message than Smokey the Bear! Smokey makes a rare live action appearance. Vision in the Forest is a delightful classic film that just oozes wholesome charm.

The Story of a Forest Ranger

Length: 27 Minutes | Produced:1954

The position of Forest Ranger requires the employee to be capable of accomplishing many tasks. In The Story of a Forest Ranger the viewer gets to follow the ranger as he demonstrates the many different challenges and obligations that are part of forest ranger requirements. To earn the distinguished position of a Forest Ranger one must have proper education through college studies and practical application. Beyond these things is a deep thirst for knowledge of the outdoors and wild animals, and a curiosity about the planet. These characteristics help make a good forest ranger. But the film also examines more than these basic skills, because being a forest ranger involves many activities. Organizing and supervising the logging of trees is part of the position that helps to maintain a healthy forest. Another position is the management of the water system to ensure that plants and animals are well provided for and to preserve the land so that erosion does not occur. Timber management is a difficult task that sometimes requires riding on horseback to reach remote locations. Forest rangers are defenders of wildlife, and as such must make wildlife conservation and nature care a priority. Being a forest ranger truly is one of the best wildlife careers. Another aspect of being a forest ranger is to help prevent and fight forest fires. Forest fires can be very devastating and can temporarily ruin the ecosystem of the forest. To ensure that these are prevented, Forest Rangers must educate visitors on forest fire prevention and fire safety in the woods. If a forest fire does occur it is their job to act quickly to minimize the damage that may occur. As preservationists, forest rangers will use fire safety equipment to ensure a well protected forest. While much of the life of the forest ranger is spent outdoors it requires many skills. A forest ranger is part teacher, part preservationist, and also part business person. It is not a job for everyone, but a forest ranger career can be a rewarding occupation for a person who adores nature and approaches outdoor care with competence and knowledge.

Trees to Tribune

Length: 20 Minutes | Produced:1937

Trees to Tribune is a vintage educational video which shows the way the newspaper production process for the Chicago Tribune, from the trees to the printing press, and every step along the way. Beginning with a detailed view of the logging setup of the Tribune, a map shows the location of the Tribunes own timber lands in Quebec. The film documents the transport of supplies by boat, wagon, and even sled to the various logging camps in the region. It also shows the logging camps, and how the trees are cut and transported to saw mills. The log pieces are floated downriver, with occasional traffic jams being freed by the use of dynamite, and then fed into revolving drums to have their bark removed. After being shipped to the pulp mills, the logs are cleaned and sent through wood chippers to be made into either chemical sulphite pulp or mechanical pulp. These pulps are then mixed to make the substance that is passed through rollers and made into newsprint. The Tribune had its own ships that transported the paper through the Great Lakes to a Chicago warehouse. At this point, the film shows a few of the editing offices, a scene of how they make an engraving of a cartoon, and linotype setting type. They make the stereotype plates, then load everything onto roller presses. After the paper has been printed, we see the process of delivery to newsstands and subscribers. Walking viewers from a tree in the ground to a newspaper on a doorstep, Trees to Tribune is a marvelously educational and informative exploration of Canadian forestry, logging history, lumber mills, newspaper printing supplies and production, and the operation of old newspapers.

Felling Forest Giants

Length: 12 Minutes | Produced:1920s

Felling Forest Giants is an early silent film that documents the 1920s logging industry in the Pacific Northwest, from pictures of the felling of giant redwoods to views of the saw mills in the east. Some interesting and rare scenes from the lives of loggers are also shown, including oxen shoeing that helps the oxen transport the cut logs, and participating in a log-rolling competition on a river. Scenes of the mill work including forestry supplies and forestry tools in order to process the giant trees are explored. This film shows the timber industry in its historical form including some scenes of mistreatment of animals that would shock modern audiences. Felling Forest Giants is an eye opening exposure to logging industry history and the lives over loggers and timber workers.

Forestry and Forest Industries

Length: 10 Minutes | Produced:1946

This film is an engrossing journey through the history of forests and forestry industries in America. When Western European cultures first arrived in North America, there were forests as far as the eye could see. Those forests were quickly moved back in order to establish a system of agriculture. Trees were cut down at such a fast rate that there was an incredible amount of waste. Between waste and irresponsible fires, our nations forests were being destroyed completely. The film then details how National Parks were introduced to our society for the purposes of forest preservation. Sectioning off areas of timber for preservation became more and more common. But, just because a section is marked as protected, does not prevent the felling of trees in that area. Trees are cut down as they age and also to prevent rotting. Foresters are the men and women involved in the care taking of the forests. They enjoy working outdoors, using forestry equipment, oversee the replanting of the forest after burns, enjoy working alone, and speak to the public. They are also required to study forestry at a university and learning about logging industry history. The processing of lumber in the logging industry is also documented in the film. When logs are taken to the mill, they are stored in water. This helps to protect them against over-drying. Once lined up to be cut, a saw will begin to cut the logs into boards. The round and irregular ends are then cut off. They will be sorted by grade and put out in a seasoning yard for up to one year. Overall, this film is an informative piece about the history of logging and forestry careers.

Redwood Saga

Length: 10 Minutes | Produced:1940

Redwood Saga examines the history of the logging industry as it pertains to the beautiful California redwood forest. The film includes breathtaking footage of these lush landscapes in the 1940s, where trees spanned upwards 350 feet in the air. But this is not a nature appreciation film, because the next thing seen after the beautiful redwood forest footage is the measuring and preproduction process used to transform the beautiful trees into wood products! Axe wielding workers take pride in scaffolding the giant trees and cutting them down. The many steps of the lumber production process are documented, from chopping to moving to manufacturing the end product: specialty wood products like furniture for American homes. Included is tons of interesting information about the logging industry: images of forestry equipment and forestry supplies, such as booms, donkey engines, and flatcars are filmed, and the millponds where the lumber is stored is shown in great detail. As the narrator says, The Redwood trees of California are probably the oldest living trees, making this film a valuable historical documentation of logging in the redwood forest, an industry now clouded with environmental concern.

Wood for War

Length: 6 Minutes | Produced:1942

Brandishing the slogan, Wood for war. Wood for peace, this 1942 US Forest Service film discusses the importance of wood and wood products for the war effort. Illuminating many seemingly strange uses of wood, such as clothing and plastics manufacturing, the film strives to increase awareness for the importance of lumber. Each scene documents, in color footage, valuable and interesting information about the logging industry: American forests, loggers harvesting trees, and the mills where those trees are taken and made into wood products. As a final word from the United States Forest Service, the narrator warns the audience that it is imperative that everyone learn about forest fire prevention to protect one of Americas greatest commodities. Wood for War is an intriguing stroll down the lush path of logging industry history.