The fundamental purpose of a town forest is to produce timber particularly on lands now lying idle, but in may instance beauty spots, such as waterfalls surrounded by old growth trees, are include within these forests. The esthetic value of such growth is far greater than its value as lumber, and hence these areas are reserved from cutting. In fact, parts of many town forests will be of more benefit to the citizens for their beauty and for park purposes than for timber production. Essentially, the town forest is a self-supporting wild park.
---H.A. Reynolds, Secretary Massachusetts Forestry Association, December 1939