Junk Forest

I have taught courses on the history of American forests at four universities. I have spent 50 years walking through these forests from Maine to California. Surely, there is more “woodland” today than in 1920 (“How Non-Green Cities Are Rebuilding the American Forests,” Commentary, Dec. 29), but it is increasingly junk forest, not much different from junk food.

The Indians surely burned the woodlands, but their controlled ground fires enhanced the forest, the stream flow and the wildlife. To claim this was “deforestation” is ludicrous, but typical of Peter Huber’s and Mark Mills’ understanding.

MICHAEL LOUGHMAN

Riverside