How Much of Our Forestland is Set Aside From Harvesting?

Of the 27.5 million acres of forestland in Oregon, more than 6 million acres are reserved timberland, meaning land that has, for a variety of reasons, been withdrawn from timber production. Reserved timberland includes portions of Oregon's wilderness areas, national parks and monuments, and other reserves and administratively withdrawn areas.

In addition, there are 4.9 million acres of "other forestland" that for one reason or another are incapable of producing wood for commercial use because of adverse site conditions. Portions of some wilderness and other reserve areas with adverse site conditions also qualify as "other forestland." Some 16 million acres of timberland remain available for harvest (this is not to imply that all such land is or should be used for timber production).

SOURCE: Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Forest Fact Book.