By JACK M. WILLIS
Journal Correspondent

Gaston L. Lanaux was elected president of the Louisiana Forestry Association during the LFA's annual convention in New Orleans in August. His residence is in Husser in Southeast Louisiana, removed from the familiar environs of north Louisiana, but one of the State's prime timber producing regions.

With a French-flavored name like Lanaux, one would expect a Cajun or Creole accent when getting directions to his retreat in Tangipahoa Parish.

But au contraire, on the phone his mellow accent smacked more of a "chitlins and corn pone" flavor, as he audibly demonstrated the ability to utilize three syllables to pronounce South, if need be.

His home address, using the name "Singing Waterfall Road " sounded Deep South romantic, also. Being from the rolling pine clad hills of North Louisiana, we get lulled into thinking that we have some sort of monopoly on utilizing the bulk of our land mass for growing timber. The Florida Parishes' topography is much like their northern counterpart, with perhaps richer soil and more abundant rainfall. The area averages almost a third more rainfall resulting from the thunderstorms that evolve over Lake Ponchartrain and the Gulf of Mexico. As a result of the combination of rich soil nutrients and greater rainfall, the acres involved in timber growth over past centuries has resulted in one of the most verdant areas of the southern U.S.

The secondary roads to Gaston Lanaux's palatial country retreat range from gravel to hot mix overlay. After departing a farm-to-market route, his private drive traverses a double bridge spanning a storybook creek setting, which often goes underwater when occasional flash floods occur in the area.

It then skirts around a small lake meandering up to his beautiful home perched comfortably on a ledge of a well-drained ridge. A large swimming pool is in evidence to the right of the house, and a rustic country lodge is sequestered just beyond that pool for privacy.

A casually attired Gaston Lanaux waved from his front gallery, and indicated a parking spot in front of his home. While shaking his hand in introduction, it was notable how peaceful the surroundings were as a result of being almost 30 miles from the hustle and bustle of the Interstate.

As Gaston ushered me through the front door into the foyer, there was a brief fleeting glimpse of a white furry feline retreating into the rear of the living area. He explained that the cat belongs to Melanie, his wife of some 33 years, and is her pride and joy. Gaston said, "He's called September after the month he was discovered abandoned at a dumpster, along with three of his siblings."

About this time Melanie joined us at the dining table, and each related tales of September literally ruling the roost, giving new emphasis to the old adage that "dogs have masters, cats have staff!" We sat down at the dining table, and over fresh Community coffee and coffee cake, Gaston began to relate his background prior to his recent election to the top LFA office.

Gaston L. Lanaux III was born on December 19, 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana. As his name would indicate, he is of French extraction, and justifiably proud of it. His family's home, the Lanaux House, is a magnificent mansion situated at the corner of Esplanade and Chartres in downtown New Orleans. It is now a noted Bed and Breakfast, and is featured along with some outstanding family recipes in renowned Chef John Folse's book aptly titled Hot Beignets and Warm Boudoirs. The Lanaux proper pronunciation of the fabled city is "Naw Awleanz." Gaston maintains that only one resident in three can properly pronounce all the street names in the Crescent City, and that is probably because they were born there.

Lanaux is a lifelong resident of Tangipahoa Parish, and grew up on a 3,000-acre combination tung oil farm and cattle ranch, developing a strong interest in forestry as a young adult. For years, his father Gaston Lanaux II managed land in the parish for Mr. Samuel Zemurray, a prominent early landowner and woodland developer. He graduated Southeastern High School in Hammond in 1963, and obtained a BS Degree in forestry from LSU in 1968. Gaston is married to Melanie Sharp Lanaux and they have three children.

His observations and goals for the coming year demonstrate insight into the present dilemma of the timber industries pulp surplus. He relates, "In the past five or six years pulp prices have been artificially inflated, resulting in the oft-decried `feast or famine' condition affecting the industry at present. Mill managers would turn the faucet wide open, and then suddenly, with no warning, turn it off. Because of the instability of the world markets, a steady rate of supply and demand is going to have to be achieved and maintained, or it's going to be the same vicious cycle time and again."

He went on to say that this over-abundance situation, which incidentally made CNN News on this date, flies in the face of the EPA which has maintained through three Presidents that where were too few trees. He stated, "It's very simple in that, timber sales always have been, and I believe always will be, governed by the law of supply and demand. And we can't blame NAFTA because this organization is all part and parcel of the world economy." Elaborating further he stated, "I have not sold any of my clients' timber this whole year for thinning because mill inventories are full. This due in part to the extremely dry weather we have been experiencing for the past several months, resulting in almost ideal climate conditions for harvesting."

In disclosing his goals as President of the LFA, he said, "We have got to utilize the media resources at our disposal to the fullest to inform the youth of this country of the uses of wood products in everyday life. They also need to know every aspect of farming, and that whether it's row crops or timber plantations, its still a seasonal gamble. To have viable forests, they have to be managed properly. You don't let trees grow forever, as the `tree huggers' would advocate, because the life span of the average pine tree is only 80 years."

"Urban sprawl is another big enemy of the timber farmer. When markets get depressed as they are at present, private timber owners often have to sell off land holdings to real estate developers to pay their bills. It's as simple as that!"

Another personal goal according to Gaston is membership increase. He said, "We want to also increase our membership, even though it's grown from about 2600 to 3000 in the past three to four years. Realistically, we should have at least 5,000 members, and a dedicated membership drive will be one of my first priorities as President of the LFA."

Gaston was employed by Crown Zellerbach Corporation and served in a variety of positions and disciplines until December of 1983, when he resigned to found his own Consulting Forestry firm to manage and market timber for private landowners. From 2000 to the present, he is a Weyerhaeuser representative in Government Affairs in Louisiana on a contract basis. Gaston also represents Weyerhaeuser at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, and is a registered lobbyist for Weyerhaeuser in Louisiana.

With all the pressures of conducting business over such a wide region, it's no wonder the Lanaux family (a son and two daughters, all grown with families) likes to get away from it all at his 325-acre tree farm, recreational and residential retreat. His safe haven boasts a three-hole, eight tee box golf course, which can be played like an 18-hole golf course. They also have a two-story lodge with all the amenities for private parties, and for "tailgating" during the LSU Fighting Tiger games.

Gaston also has his own private longleaf pine plantation, plus 100 acres in loblolly pine and 40 acres in pasture. At some point he would like to run a few head of cattle, but not at present.

Gaston Lanaux is well aware of the challenges confronting the timber industry, but he believes he has the education and experience to achieve significant accomplishments in the office of President of the Louisiana Forestry Association for the coming year.

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