TRENTON, FL (352today.com) – Roughly half of Florida is forested: about 17.1 million acres in total. Most of these forests are located in north and central Florida, with Marion County having the fifth most forested land in the state. That’s why these wooded lands are honored every year during Florida Forests Week.
Celebrated this year from Sunday, Oct. 22 to Saturday, Oct. 28, Florida Forests Week highlights the economic importance of forests in our state, which generate a monumental $25 billion boost to the state economy, according to the Florida Forestry Association.
And this isn’t just from lumber. According to Joe MacKenzie, a Senior Forester serving both Gilchrist and Levy County, trees are used in more than 5,000 products. From ice cream and toothpaste to cancer drugs and car wax, trees can be found in a wide variety of everyday items.
MacKenzie said this is because trees are an ideal resource.
“If you could design the perfect raw material to make things from, it would be solar-powered, sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable and capable of producing oxygen and wildlife habitat,” said MacKenzie. “These are all things that trees do and do very well.”
But what about those surprising products you wouldn’t expect to find trees in, like shampoo and sports drinks? According to MacKenzie, it comes down to one thing: cellulose.
“Cellulose is one of the most common compounds on the planet,” said MacKenzie. “It’s what makes the wood in the tree.”
It’s also what makes liquids thicker. This wood byproduct is often used as a powder and mixed into cold liquids, adding body to things like paint, shampoo, salad dressing, sauces, milkshakes and drinks like orange soda or Gatorade. MacKenzie’s favorite example is the special effects slime used in movies like the original Ghostbusters, so reach for a cellulose-based slime if you need some ectoplasm this Halloween.
One type of cellulose, triacetylcellulose (TAC), was once used in photographic film for its high transparency and ability to project images effectively. Now, it’s used in modern flat-panel displays for the same reason.
To support your local forests this week, MacKenzie had a simple recommendation: visit them. Goethe State Forest is one in Levy County with a variety of amenities and activities. You can also use this map to find a state forest near you.
Another thing you can do is plant a tree. In 2024, Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 26.
To learn more about Florida Forests Week and all the benefits of forests across the state, visit the Florida Forestry Association website.