Things You Need To Know Regarding Pennsylvania Hardwood Forests
Pennsylvania is covered with millions of acres of forests. Not surprisingly, the state is a leader in the forest products industry. Pennsylvania is the place to find hardwoods which are in demand for making beautiful furniture and other wood products. The timber and lumber industry is critical to the state's economy. More than 80,000 people are employed in the industry and it generates 4.7 billion dollars a year for the state's economy. Unfortunately, the industry has taken a hit from the downward turn in the economy. Additionally, the industry faces stiff competition from cheaper imported furniture.
Pennsylvanians have also been good stewards of the forests. That is important when a renewable resource is vital to one's economy. In fact, the total amount of Pennsylvania forest land has stayed the same for the last thirty years. Some of the in-demand hardwoods produced in Pennsylvania include:
- black cherry
- northern red oak
- red maple
- poplar
- ash
- black walnut
The state is recognized for its stewardship by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC.) The FSC is a non-profit organization which tries to protect forest land around the globe. Pennsylvania also participates in The Sustainable Forestry Initiative program (SFI.) In fact, a SFI committee works in the state educating landowners and loggers about how to preserve the woodlands. The lumber industry is vital to the state because wood is used to make so many things. Imagine, tree bark is used to make mulch and wood pellets are nothing but sawdust. Further, wood chips are used to make paper. Every home depends on wood in the building and living processes. It is hard to imagine life without popsicle sticks, bathroom plungers, match sticks and grandfather clocks.
Finally, trees are important to the environment. Trees help prevent the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect occurs when solar heat enters the atmosphere and cannot go back into space due to air pollution. The main gas that contributes to pollution is carbon dioxide. Trees soak up the carbon and release the oxygen back into the air. Pennsylvanians are blessed to have an abundance of forest land, which contributes to the economy and health of its people.
