US woodland ownership
In the Western, Southern, and Northeast US, coniferous trees make up most of the timber, used in paper and construction. Understanding timber ownership dynamics in the US provides insight into how people manage and distribute these resources. Quality hardwood timber primarily concentrates in the Midwest, Southern, and parts of the Northeast regions of the United States.
The Best Hardwood Timber
The best hardwood timber in the United States grows where the Northeast, North Central, Southeast, and South Central regions converge. Specifically, Southern Ohio, West Virginia, and the Northern Appalachian region produce the highest-quality hardwood lumber in the country. Timber Works sources a significant portion of its hardwood timber from this area because the quality of true Northern Appalachian hardwood remains unmatched nationwide. Another consideration is US timber ownership patterns, which influence regional management strategies.
US Timber Ownership
Despite common belief, small, private owners overwhelmingly hold standing timber in the United States. It is not held by the government or giant forest-industry corporations. As you can see in the second figure, the percentage of timber owned by private individuals grew to over 60% in 2001. This growth illustrates the significance of timber ownership across the US.
Private ownership encourages good stewardship of the forest resource which, when properly managed, is truly a sustainable resource. Through these ownership patterns, forestland use is optimized.
Although Ohio harvests between 300 and 400 million board feet of hardwood timber annually, the state’s forested land produces approximately 1 billion board feet of timber each year. It makes up about 30% of Ohio’s total land area. This abundance of hardwood resources is managed sustainably. Thanks in large part to ownership by small landowners who prioritize responsible forestry practices. Their efforts ensure that the supply of premium hardwood timber remains consistent for years to come.
In Ohio, the stock of hardwood timber is steadily growing at a ratio of approximately 2.4:1. This growth shows the impact of US timber ownership on sustainability.
We believe a properly managed forest is a win-win scenario. By partnering with landowners and carrying out strategic harvests, our company is able to maximize the financial return to a landowner. At the same time, we balance environmental concerns and ensure continued forest vitality. In this context, timber ownership across the US significantly impacts how people form these strategic partnerships.
Visit our timber sales and logging section to learn more about harvesting your timber.