7 Million Private American Hardwood Forestland Owners
What or who is responsible for this renewing and eminently sustainable supply of American hardwoods? Those who own the forestland, their foresters and the forest management practices they employ.
More than 7 million private individuals and families own fully 73 percent of all hardwood forestland in the United States.
While individual private ownership of hardwood forestland predominates, the hardwood processing industry owns 11 percent, with 16 percent under the public ownership of the federal, state and local governments.
Under their collective stewardship, the volume of hardwood in American forests has increased 90 percent since 1953. This is attributable to responsible and sustainable forestry practices that continue today.
Significantly, this ongoing record of sustainability long pre-dates the fee-based, third-party certification programs established in the mid-1990s, which cover just a fraction of all sustainably managed U.S. hardwood forestland.
In the woods, every day, professional foresters practice the complex science of silviculture. Their hardwood forest management plans reflect the profession's best practices for long-term sustainable timber production, and also address water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, forest aesthetics and recreational opportunities.
Foresters adapt their practices and methods to the unique requirements and conditions of each site: What are the landowner's objectives? What is the species mix? How much new growth is there already? Are seeds well-distributed? Is there a stream? A slope? Are any trees diseased or dead? How will we minimize soil erosion, and avoid damage to unharvested trees and other vegetation?
At the same time, all forestry operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect water quality as well as threatened and endangered species.
The goal is improvement and sustainable renewal of the forest. Deforestation is the result of road-building, agriculture and development-not forestry.
