E.O. Siecke State Forest
The E.O. Siecke State Forest is a 1,722-acre forest located in Newton County. Known as State Forest #1, the Siecke was acquired by the agency in 1924.
In 1951, the forest was dedicated and renamed the E.O. Siecke State Forest, recognizing the contributions of the second agency director and state forester, Eric O. Siecke.
The forest provides educational and recreational opportunities while also serving as a working forest, using a range of silvicultural practices.
Hours
The forest is open year-round during daylight hours. Limited access by vehicle.
Educational opportunities
Forest resource education and nature study tours are available by appointment. Restrooms are available at this location during regular working hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F).
Recreational opportunities
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Nature study
- Horseback riding
- Picnics
- Wildlife viewing
Hunting is prohibited on the Siecke State Forest, with the exception of the yearly youth hunt conducted in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Special attractions
- Historic fire tower (not available for public climbing use)
- Oldest slash pine stand in Texas
- Trout Creek
- Forest management demonstration sites exist throughout this forest
History
The original 1,722 acres of the Siecke were acquired in 1924 by the agency. Much of the property was cutover and severely burned, so reforestation efforts began immediately.
In 1946, the use of an adjacent, 100-acre tract was negotiated through a 99-year lease with the Southwestern Settlement and Development Corporation for tree improvement and silviculture research.
In 1926:
- The first fire lookout tower in Texas was constructed by agency personnel,
- The first pine seedling nursery in the state was established,
- We began a silvicultural research program, and
- The first operational planting of slash pine was done.
The tower and remnants of the first slash pine plantation still exist today.
In 1933, a large Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was constructed on the forest. At that time, we planned and supervised the work of approximately 3,000 enrollees at seventeen CCC camps across East Texas. By 1956, many of the buildings had fallen into a state of disrepair and were dismantled.
As a direct result of the silvicultural research programs on the forest, the largest yellow pine newsprint mill in the South was opened in nearby Lufkin in 1939. Under various owners, the mill operated continually for nearly 65 years, contributing billions of dollars in goods, services, and wages to the Texas economy.
In 1946 the forest began to host annual youth forestry short courses and summer camps for 4-H youth and adult leaders. The camps were a joint effort between Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association, Texas Vocational Agriculture Department, and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. This program was discontinued in 1988 in favor of the Teachers Conservation Institute.
In 1951, State Forest #1 was dedicated and renamed the E.O. Siecke State Forest, recognizing the contributions of the second agency director and state forester, Eric O. Siecke. A number of dignitaries were on hand at the ceremony, including Texas Governor Alan Shivers.
Over the years, silvicultural research studies have been conducted on the forest including prescribed burning, wood preservative treating, direct seeding, use of forestry chemicals, seed production, grazing, pruning, forest fertilization, geographic seed sources, forest thinning, small woodlot management, and reforestation. Many publications and educational materials have been produced because of these activities.
Today, the Siecke still serves these purposes. While using a range of silvicultural practices, the forest demonstrates working forest education and recreational opportunities. The forest remains an important piece of Texas forestry history.