Forests over plains/grassland

[dlerium]

Ok, so say you railroaded the entire map, so MP is not a factor.

It's better to just turn the whole place into forestry instead of irrigating it? =)

 

[covok48]

Umm if you want your cities to starve no. Forests only provide 1 food and 2-3 shields. Citizens require 2 food apiece, and settlers 1-2 food apiece. Unless you want small cities on the versge of starvation, I say no.

 

[Marx]

I totally agree with covok48.

Forest tiles will give you 1 food and 2 production shields. And even with railroads the amount of food won't increase. And every inhabitant in your city will require 2 food. So starvation will occur if you 'reforest' your island.

Plains = max 3 food, Grassland tiles = max 4 food, forest = max 1 food.

So you 'lose' 1 or 1.5 inhabitants for each forest tile. You win back 2 or 3 shields, but I don't see why this shields would be more valuable than civilians. In most cities the production is not a big issue at the era you refer to (a advanced network of railroads). Maybe you can keep / recreate some forest tiles near 'producing cities' (cities that keep your army at strenght)