Robinson Hollow State Forest (Tioga) Robinson Hollow State Forest, like many of New York’s state forests, had originally been cleared and farmed by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans. Unfortunately, the upland soils of the Allegheny Plateau are thin, relatively steep and acidic. As such, the ground is not fit for intensive farming. When combined with harsh winters and a short growing season, it is quite understandable that farmers abandoned these lands in pursuit of more fertile properties in the Midwest. The Department of Environmental Conservation, under Article 9, Titles 5 and 7 of the Environmental Conservation Law, is authorized to manage lands outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. The forest is managed to conserve, protect and enhance wildlife diversity and habitat. Sustainable forest products such as firewood and sawtimber are produced as wildlife habitat is created and enhanced. Management, as defined by these laws, includes watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, recreation and kindred purposes. In order to reduce soil erosion, protect water quality, provide forest products and recreational opportunities, the State of New York started acquiring these abandoned properties during the 1930’s and planted thousands of trees, returning the land to forest. The majority of Robinson Hollow State Forest was purchased between 1934 and 1941. Five additional purchases were made in the 1960’s, with two more purchases in the 1980’s. The previous owners included the Oliver, Fitzcharles, Wattles, Beam, Dickenson, Wright, Allen, Hoaglin, Loring, Welch, Royce, Morton, Gardiner, Brown, Beebe, Wuensch, Cortright, and Donato families. Between 1935 and 1939, the Slaterville Springs Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-125 hand planted more than 793,000 tree seedlings on the land. Another 211,000 seedlings were added in 1962 by the Conservation Department, and more than 40,000 were planted in 1963 with just a tractor and a spade. The McCormick Youth Camp hand planted more than 57,000 tree seedlings in 1966 and 1967. In 1981, another 10,000 seedlings were added to the land in Robinson Hollow. The majority of the seedlings planted were softwood species, including Norway spruce, red pine, and white pine.