Thanks for the Forests

By Jeff Osborne-Forest Stewardship Program Associate

              Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on and promote what we value most. Forestland produces a bounty that can be enjoyed by all. Let’s explore in varying measures, including dollars, why Pennsylvania’s nearly 17 million acres of forest deserve thanks.

              Wood products production creates powerful visuals from start to finish, from the freshly harvested stand that is ready to start a new forest and support plants and wildlife that thrive in that environment, to the busy machines and people processing logs in a mill, to the knotty or figured wood in so many of our cabinets, floors, and doors. The wood products industry is big business in PA, claiming about 10% of all manufacturing jobs in the commonwealth. The industry produces about one billion board feet of lumber per year, about 83 million cubic feet, or enough to fill one highway lane full of 53-foot semi-trailers (minus the tractor) end-to-end over 200 miles from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.

In the picture above, from Centre County, you can see a stark contrast between a freshly harvested red pine plantation to the left of a skid trail and an approximately 60-year-old naturally regenerated hardwood stand on the right. The freshly harvested stand already has some advanced hardwood regeneration and planted white pine that is ready to support a different group of wildlife species.

There are also great non-timber forest products in our woods. Maple syrup producers make about 170,000 gallons or over $6 million of syrup per year. Foraging for berries, nuts, mushrooms, and edible leaves, stems, and roots is also very popular. About 1,000 pounds of ginseng are exported from Pennsylvania each year, which equals about 250,000 plants. Also, although usually cultivated in an orchard and not in a forest, fruits from trees and woody vines are sold for at least $175 million per year.

              Pennsylvania has over 800 vertebrate wildlife, 2,500 invertebrates, and over 3,000 plant species growing in its waters and on its land. Many species depend on trees and forests for their survival.  Pennsylvania’s 800,000+ hunters and 800,000+ anglers gratefully pursue game animals and turn them into meals, pelts, and works of art. This year, based on estimates over the past few years from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, hunters will harvest over 400,000 white tailed deer, about 40,000 turkeys, over 2,000 bears, and around 100 elk statewide.

Many people plan leaf peeping adventures to see fall foliage. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry provides the progress of the foliage color in a weekly report from early October to early November. This report gives updates by county and is replete with great pictures from great vantage points, but they are not as amazing as seeing the colors in person. The reports generally show peak foliage arriving in the northern tier in early October and quickly progressing to the southeastern corner, which peaks near the first week of November.

Many people head to the forest to escape and recharge. Pennsylvania forest landowners list enjoying wildlife, solitude, enjoyment, and recreation as the top four reasons for owning forestland. If you do not own forestland, Pennsylvania offers nearly 5 million acres of public forest which are filled with hundreds of campsites, hundreds of miles of trails, hundreds of vistas, and plenty of areas without cell phone coverage to get lost in (take a paper map!) and enjoy solitude.

The picture above shows a pop of yellow to orange color in the center. This color is from larch needles, which show their fall color about two weeks after the hardwood trees in Clearfield County.

Forested areas absorb water so that water runoff during rain events is rare. The rainfall in forested areas is slowed by tree leaves and tree structure and generally is able to enter the soil, where it moves to bodies of water without bringing an excess of molecules, other than H₂O, with it. Moderate rainfall that hits a parking lot, road, or even a residential lawn has a good chance of bringing pollutants such as petrochemicals, pesticides, and excess nutrients or sediments quickly into bodies of water, which can cause non-target species’ death from pesticides, algae blooms, and a generally harsh environment for aquatic life. In areas where surface water is used for human consumption, heavy tree cover can reduce some of the water treatment costs.

So, while you are gathering with friends and family over the holidays, take time to share why you are thankful for forestland.