Bob Tjaden

Beneath the Canopy Bob Tjaden

Author Bob Tjaden is a native Delawarean and a forester. With a great appreciation for Delaware's rich forest history, he wrote this book with the late Walt Gabel, so others can realize the value of these forests. They take the reader on a historical journey with photographs and written documents. Delaware's forests have provided valuable materials for the production and manufacturing of many items. They include ship building, paper making, charcoal production, holly wreath making, wooden basket manufacturing, gunpowder, pulpwood and lumber. During the 1920s, Laurel was the largest manufacturer of wooden bushel baskets and crates for fruits and vegetables. In the 1930s & 40s, Milton was known as the Holly Wreath capital of the world, shipping Christmas wreaths worldwide. In 1927 the Forestry Department was established to provide leadership for the protection and management of Delaware's forests. During this time, forest fire lookout towers were erected, a State Tree Nursery was established, and a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp was built at Redden Forest. The reader will also learn the critical role of the Forestry Department and Delaware's wood products during WW II.