Wood is Good

On our recent trip to the Gulf Coast I had quite a bit of time behind the wheel – which allows for quite a bit of time to be alone with one’s thoughts.  Observing the logging trucks trundling down the highway with their loads headed for the mill and the endless tracts of forested land that stretched for mile after mile -  interrupted only by major cities and towns and population centers - as might be expected my thoughts turned to forestry.    Looking at this picture you might imagine that this is a stretch of road in Wisconsin somewhere north of state highway 29.  The truth of the matter is it is somewhere in southern Alabama - colloquially known as red-dirt country or the pine belt.

As the number one state in the U.S. in paper production and wood furniture manufacturing Wisconsin has reason to brag about forest products.  Statewide, the forest industry in Wisconsin supports more than 64,000 jobs and has an economic output of $24.7 billion.  The state of Alabama can claim bragging rights as well with Alabama forests supporting more than 122,000 jobs in timber production and processing with an economic output of over $21 billion. 

There are 23 million acres of timberland in Alabama which accounts for 69% of the total land area in the state.  Alabama has the third most timberland acreage in the 48 contiguous states, behind only Georgia and Oregon.   87% is owned by non-industrial private landowners (family tree farmers) ranking second behind the state of Georgia. 


The dominant species is loblolly pine which inhabits 8.5 million acres.  The most prevalent hardwood forest type is mixed upland (mature deciduous trees with some pine) of which there are 2.5 million acres followed by white oak, red oak and hickory forest which comprises 1.55 million acres.  Roughly a third of Alabama’s timberland is comprised of pine plantations. 

click on images to enlarge

Alabama has a robust forest industry - just like Wisconsin - more timber is being grown than is being harvested.  According to 2014 FIA data - the growth-to-removal ratio for softwood species is 1.48. This means that for every cubic foot of softwood timber harvested, 1.48 cubic feet is grown.  The growth-to-removals ratio for hardwood species is 1.80.  In 2000, the growth-to-removals ratio was 1.00 for softwoods and 1.47 for hardwoods.  In case you’re wondering there is a term for this.  It’s called sustainable forestry. 

I’d like to take the opportunity to share with anyone reading that paper is a biodegradable, renewable, sustainable product made from trees.  Growing and harvesting trees provides direct employment for millions of men and women, and millions more in secondary, related employment.  Working forests are good for the environment - providing a renewable resource, clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and carbon storage. 

In a manner of speaking - wood is good. 

Cheers!   

Information courtesy of the Alabama Forestry Commission and Wisconsin DNR.  Learn more at:  www.forestry.alabama.gov and http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestbusinesses/factsheets.html  

The second and third photos illustrate forest regeneration following a timber harvest.   For aesthetics a belt of trees between the road and harvested area is left intact.  One last fact - trees grow faster in the south.  No surprise - they're closer to the equator.