Cecil Glenn (Mac) McLaren
(1904-1987)
Inducted September 25, 2004
Plaque Engraving:
Wisconsin’s first industrial forester. Hired in 1927 by Tomahawk Kraft Paper Company to purchase timberlands and practice forestry. In 1928, established a forest nursery and began planting trees in 1929. Hosted the 1943 Pulpwood Roundup. Charter director of Trees for Tomorrow. Pioneered forestry aerial reconnaissance, pulpwood chipping and industrial logging.
More about Cecil Glenn McLaren:
In 1927 Cecil (Mac) McClaren began his forestry career as Mill and Woodlands Manager at the Tomahawk Kraft Paper Company in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, becoming the first Industrial Forester in the state. Since the company did not own any land, he immediately began an aggressive acquisition program to purchase timberland. Thousands of acres of tax delinquent lands were purchased for the establishment of the first industrial forest, which became one of the largest holdings of forestlands in Wisconsin, amounting to 270,000 acres.
He was responsible for establishing extensive forest plantations in Lincoln and Oneida Counties with the first one planted in 1929.
Mac started a company logging operation providing employment for local timberworkers. Camp sites were established with shacks being built for the workers and barns for the skidding horses. In the early 1960’s, with improved and new logging equipment available, tractors and rubber tired skidders replaced the horses used for skidding. Over the years, increased production in the mill required additional volumes of wood. Also, the increase in the acreage of the industrial forest required additional timber to be harvested, resulting in using independent logging contractors to supplement the company logging crews.
Mac assisted Mully Taylor, advertising manager of the Merrill Daily Herald, in organizing the North Central Wisconsin Pulpwood Roundup. This Roundup was a national campaign being sponsored by the War Production Board during World War II. The North Central Wisconsin Pulpwood Roundup. This Roundup was a national campaign being sponsored by the War Production Board during World War II. The North Central Wisconsin Pulpwood Roundup chose the slogan, “Pulpwood Goes to War.” Mac was responsible for a large parade in Tomahawk on October 23, 1943 featuring bands, military units, and 100 trucks of newly cut pulpwood. The “Roundup” exceeded its goal and received 2nd place in the national contest.
Mac was President of the Marinette, Tomahawk, and Western railroad that ran west from Tomahawk to Spirit Falls, east to Harrison, north to Bradley and south to the paper mill on the Wisconsin River. It connected with the Soo Line Bradley and the Milwaukee Road in Tomahawk, transporting pulpwood and other products to the mill, shipping paper out and delivering freight to local businesses.
Mac was one of the original founders of Trees for Tomorrow, which became a Wisconsin non-profit organization on February 29, 1944, serving as a Board of Director for many years.
Under Mac’s leadership and direction foresters of the Tomahawk woodlands staff were active in the Tree Farm program, attended meetings and made presentations to the Wisconsin Woodland Owners and to groups at Trees for Tomorrow. Staff was also involved in state legislation relating to forestry and the industry.
As a result of his involvement with the American Tree Farm of AFPI the Tomahawk woodlands were designated a certified Tree Farm.
Mac was the first industrial forester to use an airplane for aerial reconnaissance of timberlands in Wisconsin. He was an excellent pilot, flying the company’s Cessna 185 equipped with pontoons, which he utilized in managing the Tomahawk woodlands. He was always observant of forestry and logging activities not only in Wisconsin, but also throughout the Lake States area.
