FORESTS
![[photo, Pines, Gunpowder Falls State Park, south of Bradshaw, Baltimore County, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i005730a.jpg)
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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