Nestled in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Mountains, Pioneer Forest stands as a testament to sustainable forestry practices. This expansive forest, characterized by its diverse ecosystem of oak, hickory, and pine trees, employs a unique and conservative management method known as single-tree selection harvesting. This approach, refined over half a century, underscores Pioneer Forest’s commitment to long-term forest health and productivity. Decades of research and practical application have solidified single-tree selection as a truly sustainable method for managing these valuable woodlands.
Leo Drey, founder of Pioneer Forest in Missouri, pictured with Ed Woods and Charlie Kirk, highlighting the long-term vision for sustainable Ozark forestry.
The story of Pioneer Forest began in March 1951, when Leo Drey initiated the acquisition of these Ozark lands. A significant expansion occurred in 1954 when National Distillers divested its Ozark holdings, selling approximately 90,000 acres to Drey. He continued to strategically purchase additional forestland, steadily building Pioneer Forest into the remarkable resource it is today. Over more than half a century, Pioneer Forest has diligently restored over 153,000 acres of Ozark woodlands across six Missouri counties through its dedication to conservative and natural forest management techniques.
Leo Drey envisioned Pioneer Forest as a challenge to conventional forestry, urging landowners and managers to adopt a long-range perspective. He championed the idea that these landscapes could be both productive and ecologically sound by implementing more conservative harvesting methods. Drey aimed to demonstrate a harvesting technique that would generate timber resources while preserving the intrinsic structure and character of the forest across vast areas. Pioneer Forest’s enduring objective remains to cultivate and manage native tree species, fostering large diameter, high-quality timber for wood products, all while simultaneously providing diverse recreational opportunities and vital ecosystem benefits for the public to enjoy within the Missouri Ozarks.
