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The Navy’s decision to maintain its own forest for the purpose of preserving the Constitution stemmed from a history that dates back to World War II. The land in Indiana, initially purchased for munitions storage, became a focus for forestry management after erosion rendered it unsuitable for military construction. One forester's work gradually evolved into a sustainable forestry program, establish a reliable source for timber.
In 1976, recognizing the impending shortage of white oak, Captain Vernon P. Klemm proposed an initiative to grow trees specifically to support the Constitution’s repairs. The Navy designated 150 white oak trees within the Crane forest for future harvesting.