MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

FORESTS

[photo, Pines, Gunpowder Falls State Park, south of Bradshaw, Baltimore County, Maryland]

One of the largest industries in the State, the forest industry generates more than $200 million for Maryland’s economy and over 7,000 jobs. The greatest revenue and employment comes from Garrett and Allegany counties in western Maryland.

Over 160 native or naturalized tree species can be found in Maryland. Oak and hickory are the dominant hardwoods, making up 60 percent of forested areas. Loblolly pine, the predominant forest tree on the Eastern Shore, is the most prevalent softwood.

Pines, Gunpowder Falls State Park, south of Bradshaw, Baltimore County, Maryland, October 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Although a large contributor to the economy, the forest industry has seen a sharp decline in recent years. In 2006, there were 9,236 forestry related jobs in Maryland. As of the 2008 third quarter report by the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, that number has fallen to 7,173. Generated tax revenue also has been greatly reduced. In reports by the Comptroller of Maryland, lumber production tax receipts for Fiscal Year 2006 generated $345 million, while for 2008, receipts had fallen to $173 million. Between February 2008 and 2009, revenue had dropped by 26%.

Despite these numbers, the forestry industry still supplies ten percent of Maryland’s overall tax receipts, with eight percent coming from lumber production alone. Chief forest products are lumber, pulpwood, and piling.

In 2008, forests constituted 2.7 million acres (43%) of Maryland's land surface.

STATE FORESTS

Maryland has eight State forests. The Forest Service of the Department of Natural Resources oversees them along with the Chesapeake Forest Lands, four demonstration forests, and one tree nursery, totalling nearly 200,000 acres. Demonstration forests show short- and long-term effects of sound forest and wildlife management practices.

ALLEGANY COUNTY

Green Ridge State Forest (Flintstone) (301) 478-3124

CECIL COUNTY

Elk Neck State Forest (North East) (410) 287-5333

GARRETT COUNTY

Garrett State Forest (Oakland) (301) 334-2038

Potomac State Forest (Oakland) (301) 334-2038

Savage River State Forest (Grantsville) (301) 895-5759

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Cedarville State Forest (Upper Marlboro) (301) 888-1410

ST. MARY'S COUNTY

Salem State Forest (Leonardtown) (301) 880-2748

WORCESTER COUNTY

Pocomoke River State Forest (Snow Hill) (410) 632-2566

Source: Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources

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July 1, 2009
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