Frequently Asked Questions About Hardwood Forests The rich, warm glow of a freshly waxed red oak floor.  The smooth, clean feel of a French-polished walnut side table.  The light and shadow of a cherry raised panel door.  Each evokes a feeling of comfort... family... home.  Where does the raw material for these products come from and are we being environmentally conscientious in enjoying wood products in our homes? The answer is that North American hardwoods are one of our country's few renewable natural resources.  With good stewardship and careful management practices our children and their children will enjoy these beautiful woods forever. Is deforestation a problem in our country? The United States Forest Service reports that our supply of hardwood trees is actually increasing. Forests cover fully one-third of the landmass of the United States. We still have 70% of the forestland that was here in 1600, about 737 million acres. The timberlands of the U.S. currently contain 23% more standing timber volume, and 70% more hardwoods, than in 1952. Our neighbor to the north, Canada, has 1.03 BILLION acres of forested land. Should we stop cutting down trees? We all use daily a surprising number of products derived from America's forests.  New home construction lumber, flooring, furniture, charcoal, tool handles, insulation, milk cartons, coffee filters, computer paper, tissues, books, insecticides, solvents, deodorants, shoe polish, garden mulch, rayon clothing, toothpaste, photographic film, antacids, caplet coatings are examples of "forest products."  In fact, wood products make up 47% of all raw materials manufactured. Opting to other raw materials for many of these products means substituting wood products with petroleum, aluminum, and other materials that are non-renewable and often require processing and extraction techniques that are environmentally harmful. Forest products represent a significant component of the American economy, to the tune of $136 billion.  The forestry industry ranks among the top ten industries in 48 of our 50 states.  Forest industry workers number 1.5 million people with an annual payroll of $25 billion working for some 45,000 companies. If we harvest trees, how do we assure ourselves of future forests? The hardwood forest replenishes itself.  The growth of hardwood annually is greater than the amount harvested, lost to fire, insects, and disease combined.  If hardwood trees stopped growing and harvesting continued at today's rate, our timber supply would last for over 75 years.  But trees do keep growing and at a rate greater than we harvest. In addition to the millions of trees that establish themselves naturally, over 1.5 billion trees are planted each year in the United States.  That works out to six trees planted for each one harvested. What can I do to assure my woodlot will be there for generations to come? Manage it!  One of the biggest problems facing woodlot owners in the northeast is poor tree quality.  Why?  The initial removal of the forests for agriculture and subsequent harvests were done in an imprudent manner, often clear-cutting leaving no brood trees to reproduce.  Modern, scientific research has taught us how to harvest with an eye to the future.  Conserving and enhancing biological diversity can be an integral part of resource management.  Research shows that growth rates of remaining trees increases after harvest.  Low-quality species or poorly formed trees can be removed along with a selective cutting of mature trees.  The remaining forest will contain less mature but healthier trees of the right species that will continue to grow and provide habitat to many forms of wildlife.