Ontario Forests: A Historical Perspective

Patrick Colgan is Director of Research and Natural Lands at the Royal
Botanical Gardens.

Armson draws on his long experience as a forester at the University of
Toronto and with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to produce a
professional yet friendly overview of that province’s forests. In
systematic fashion, he outlines the diversity and dynamics of the
extensive forests, with profiles of northern and southern examples. The
tale progresses through the underlying geology and post-glacial events
to contemporary times. The use of pollen analyses for elucidating these
changes is well described, and the survey of coniferous and broadleafed
species is excellent. The impacts of both human and non-human factors on
forests are clearly delineated.

Armson highlights how powerful have been the roles of forests
militarily, economically, and socially. The emphasis for the past
several decades is unsurprisingly on the professionalization of forestry
and increasing complexity of provincial policy. The Timber Commission of
the 1920s had governmental and industrial consequences, while the last
half-century has seen the impact of new technologies, controversies such
as logging in Algonquin Park, and a broadening of discussions to include
more stakeholders and other uses for lands. Conflicts stemming from an
increasingly urban society are appropriately considered. Overall, there
is a good balance of material on both the biology and management of
forests.

The flowing text is amplified with informative supporting material,
sidebars on significant trees, and excellent illustrations. Armson is at
pains to point out the difficulties in obtaining consistent measures for
his historical analysis. This account is a valuable record from an
individual with a long and distinguished involvement with his topic. His
focus is clear: the management of Ontario forests as a resource. Issues
such as the intrinsic valuation of nature, the international scene, and
the impact of climatic change, are not included. There is a crusty
rejection of the mythology of pristine forests. Nonetheless, for all
those who love forests or Ontario, this book is a treat.