Timber Culture

Timber Culture was a U.S. land policy enacted in 1873 aimed at encouraging tree planting in the Great Plains, where trees were scarce. Under this law, settlers could claim 160 acres of land if they planted and nurtured a certain number of trees on it for a period of time—usually eight years. The goal was to promote environmental sustainability, improve soil quality, and provide windbreaks for crops. While it helped some areas become greener, many settlers struggled to fulfill the requirements, and the policy was eventually repealed in 1891 due to challenges in enforcement and practicality.