Timber Culture Act

The Timber Culture Act of 1873 was a U.S. law encouraging forestation on Western lands. It allowed settlers to claim additional land—up to 160 acres—if they planted and maintained trees on at least 40 acres over a specified period. The goal was to promote reforestation, prevent soil erosion, and improve the environment. Settlers had to prove they had planted and cared for the trees to gain ownership of the land. The act aimed to balance settlement expansion with environmental conservation, though its effectiveness varied over time.