The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act Jan. 23, which, if passed, would create requirements for how forests are managed on federal land.
The bill aims to increase forest management and reduce the threat of wildfires.
White Oak Initiative, a coalition of industries, trade associations, universities, state and federal agencies, private landowners and conservation groups, says the bill will provide federal resources, research and coordination to help regenerate America’s white oak-dominated forests.
“White oak is a vital American resource that not only supports wildlife but also boosts our rural economies and is pivotal for industries like distilled spirits,” White Oak Initiative Executive Director Jason Meyer said in a statement.
Demand for white oak, and specifically quartersawn lumber, has drastically increased in recent years from the bourbon and wine industries. There have been an increase in distilleries and wineries that use white oak for its tannins, which affect the taste and color of the bourbon and wine, and they need quartersawn cuts for stability.
