Forestry FAQ's

The average person on the street has no idea what a complicated science Forestry can be. With so much data to try and absorb, it can be a daunting task to figure it all out. Add to that, the misinformation being distributed by extreme preservationists through the media, and you muddy the proverbial waters even more.

In this section, we will try and clarify the issue for you with simple harvest data and forest facts. This information all comes from the Oregon State Department of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute Forest Fact Book, so you can rest assured of its validity.

Below are common questions and answers on frequently asked questions about our forests and logging.

Q. How much of Oregon is Forestland and who owns it?
A. About 45% is Forestland. Oregon has... (see rest of answer here)

Q. Is Oregon losing Forestland to other uses?
A. There is nearly the same amount of Forestland today... (see rest of answer here)

Q. How much old growth is there in Oregon's forests?
A. Discussion of old growth is often confusing because... (see rest of answer here)

Q. How much of our Forestland is set aside from harvesting?
A. Of the 27.5 million acres of Forestland in Oregon... (see rest of answer here)

Q. Are we cutting Trees faster than we are growing them?
A. Growth rates exceed harvest rates in Oregon... (see rest of answer here)

Q. What methods do foresters use for harvesting trees?
A. Most people have heard of terms like clear cutting... (see rest of answer here)

Q. Are there laws protecting the forest during harvesting?
A. Oregon was the first state in the nation to adopt... (see rest of answer here)

Q. What's being done to protect wildlife in Oregon's forests?
A. About 300 species of native vertebrates in Oregon... (see rest of answer here)

Q. What percentage of Forestland is harvested each year?
A. Some form of thinning or harvesting took place... (see rest of answer here)

Q. How many acres are reforested each year?
A. Virtually all land in Oregon that is harvested... (see rest of answer here)

Q. How does forest harvesting affect water quality?
A. Because forests grow in high rainfall areas... (see rest of answer here)

Q. Does timber harvesting cause landslides?
A. Landslides are relatively common, naturally occurring... (see rest of answer here)

Q. How do forest products contribute to Oregon's economy?
A. There was a time when forest products was Oregon's... (see rest of answer here)

Q. What wood products are manufactured in Oregon, and where do they go?
A. Oregon's wood and paper products are sold in... (see rest of answer here)