Pennsylvania Forests and You

1. Pennsylvania Forests and You

2. “Penn’s Woods” • Pennsylvania was founded by a Quaker, William Penn. • In 1681, Penn’s Woods included more than 28 million acres of forest. • pine, hemlock, beech, birch, hickory • Native Americans and European settlers cleared forests for agriculture and other purposes. • In the 1700’s and mid-1800’s, timber was harvested to construct homes and ships, tannin was extracted to tan and soften leather, and charcoal was used to fuel furnaces. • By the early 1900’s, most of Penn’s Woods had been cut down and only about 40% of the state was forestland.

3. Wood charcoal burned as fuel. William Penn Map of PA in 1700’s Land being used for agriculture. Tannin made from hemlock trees. Land in the 1900’s

4. Pennsylvania is rich in forestland. No matter where you live in PA, you aren’t far from a beautiful forest. PA has more forestland today than it did 100 years ago. Our Forests - History

5. Our Forests – Land Cover • PA has about 17 million acres of forestland (about 60% of the land is covered by trees). • PA forests consist of 70 different hardwood tree species such as black cherry, red maple, walnut and hickory.

6. Our forests are increasing in size even though our population size continues to grow. PA forests are growing at two times the rate they are being harvested. Our Forests – Growth Rate

7. Our Forests - Ownership • Most of the forestland in PA is privately owned (about 65%). • About 30% of the forests in the state are government owned. • About 5% of the forestland is owned by forest product companies.

8. Our Products • The average person uses and relies on hundreds of forest products everyday.

9. bark  mulch scrap wood and sawdust  fuel, paper, fiberboard Wood & paper products are recyclable. Our Products Industry Efficiency

10. The forest industry is essential to Pennsylvania’s economy. Almost 100,000 Pennsylvanians make a living as part of the forest industry workforce. Our Jobs and Business

11. Primary Processing foresters, loggers Secondary Processing sawmills, paper plants, furniture making facilities Allied Industries product retail Our Jobs and Business

12. Pennsylvania is the number one producer of hardwood lumber in the United States. Forest product sales generate over 5 billion dollars a year. Every dollar spent on timber harvesting generates $17 in profit. Our Jobs and Business

13. Harvesting trees helps our forests. Creates healthier trees. Encourages natural regeneration. Prevents forests from becoming stagnant and diseased. Creates space and sunlight for saplings to grow and expand. Our Forest Health

14. Younger, healthier trees can . . . remove more carbon dioxide from the air. produce more oxygen. filter pollutants from rain and runoff. help prevent soil erosion. provide unique habitat for birds and other species. Environmental Benefits

15. Recreation and Our Forest • Recreational activities promote tourism and can generate revenue. HIKING FISHING BIKING BIRD WATCHING CAMPING

16. Wildlife and Our Forests • Hardwood harvesting produces diverse and unique habitats. • Wildlife also impact the health of a forest. • Deer over browse on tree seeds and seedlings limiting regeneration.

17. Our Forest Oversight • Regulation of harvesting and the product industry is largely conducted by state and national agencies. • The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the management of PA forestland.

18. Government Agencies

19. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Group of environmental organizations that evaluate the production of the forest industry. Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Voluntary, industry-driven effort to promote healthy and productive forests and conservation practices. Our Future