10 Fun Facts About the Timber Industry That You Probably Didn’t Know

In the United States, the most valued agricultural crop is timber.

If you enjoy wood products, such as hardwood floors or furniture, it’s all thanks to the timber industry. The logging industry in the U.S. focuses on growing trees and legally harvesting from this tended woodland. 

In this article, we’ll cover ten facts about the timber industry.

1. The South Controls a Large Portion

The timber industry is huge in the southern states of the U.S. This region controls around 40% of all commercial timber.

2. Georgia Is the Largest Producing State

The state of Georgia is the country’s No. 1 forestry state. They have 22 million acres of timberland and are the leading exporter of pulp and paper.

3. A Career in the Timber Industry

North Carolina has hundreds of thousands of people who work in the timber industry. It is a popular career choice and why you can find insurance for log truck drivers specifically.

4. The Timber Industry Is Diverse

This industry is able to generate a multitude of jobs because there are so many steps involved in timber. Jobs can range from loggers who harvest the trees all the way to people who work inside a sawmill.

5. There Are Different Types of Wood

There are two distinct types of wood: hardwood and softwood. Hardwood means the timber came from a deciduous tree, while a softwood means an evergreen.

6. Forests Help the Environment

Trees are able to absorb carbon dioxide and creates the oxygen we breathe. This is why America is committed to maintaining private timberland for harvesting, while protecting other forests.

7. Trees Take a Long Time to Mature

Trees grow slowly. It can take around 30 years for many times of trees to finish maturing and reaching their full size.

8. Timber Is a Diverse Resource

Timber is used in a wide range of ways. It can be used to help create the standing frame of a home all the way to a child’s desk in school.

9. Trees Prevent Erosion

In areas that experience heavy rain and erose, trees can help prevent this. This is why many farmers plant trees along the banks of streams and the edges of their pasture, to prevent soil and fertilizer from washing off the field.

10. Cattle Enjoy Trees Too

Trees on a farm also have benefits for the livestock. During hot summer days, trees provide much-needed shade to give relief to weary cattle.

The Timber Industry and You

As you can see, the timber industry is an essential part of our country’s economy. Not only that, but forests as a whole also play a big part in helping cope with climate change and reduce carbon emissions in the air. This is why the United States protects much of its woodlands and maintains private commercial timberland that is specifically meant for lumber harvesting.

We hope you found these timber industry facts as interesting as we did! If you liked what you read, please browse our site for other great articles!