1. Because eastern isn't wilderness.
2. Because, countering your point about it never being a good place to rank, it does suit some classes. Telluric surge works on mobs without metal there and does high damage at the time you might learn from lumberjacks.
3. I can see lumberjack hunting being appropriate for rp reasons too. Lots of roles would likely have issues with lumberjacks.
4. There is actually some interesting gear to be had from lumberjacks, which is good for the level you get it at if you rank on them.
5. Because it is an area you are unlikely to be caught pants down in as a wilderness class.