Virginia Forest Facts
September 2003
The value of Virginia's forests is many things to many people. To some, the value lies in the beauty of the forests. Landowners and the forest products industry consider the utilization of the resource as the most valuable asset. Whatever the "value," we must recognize that Virginia's forests provide a renewable natural resource that extends from harvesting timber to natural beauty. Whether it's a walk in the urban forest or a hunter in a rural woodland, all Virginians can enjoy this resource as it continues to provide a necessary framework for our daily lives. The importance of forests in cleansing the air, purifying our water, providing products, and fostering recreation opportunities must be embraced as we advance into the 21st century. Our Virginia standard of living depends on the abundance and stability of the forest resource. Virginia's forests are our "common wealth," providing both environmental and economic benefits as follows:
- Virginia has 15.8 million acres of forestland.
This is a decline of 180,600 acres since 1992. In 1940, VA's forest land base was only 14.8 million acres.
- Sixty-two percent of Virginia is forested.
In 1940, only 58% of VA was forested.
- Urbanization and development is the single biggest factor in loss
of forestland acreage. Since 1992, over 615,000 acres of forested
land has been lost to land use changes; 62% of this acreage were cleared
for urban development; 37% to agricultural uses; and 1% was converted to
water impoundments.
Partially offsetting this loss were reversions & afforestation efforts that returned 435,000 non-forest acres to the forest land base.
- Hardwood forests make up 78% of all Virginia timberland; softwood
forests make up 22%.
In 1940, 43% of VA forestland was classified as pine type and 57% was in hardwood. At that time, Virginia had 8.1 million acres in hardwood types; currently, VA has 11.8 million acres of hardwood.
In 1940, VA had 6.2 million acres in softwood types; currently, VA has 3.4 million acres in softwood.
- Private individuals own over 66% of Virginia's timberland.
| Land Ownership | Timberland Acreage | Change since 1992 |
|---|---|---|
| Private individuals | 10.1 million acres or 66% | - 2.4% |
| Corporate (non-forestry) | 2.0 million acres or 13% | +26.9% |
| Forest industry | 1.0 million acres or 7% | -32.2% |
| Public | 2.1 million acres or 14% | + 9.7% |
- Total hardwood timber volume increased by 4.7% since 1992.
Net annual growth is 2.8 % per year and annual removals average about 1.7% of total volume. VA's total hardwood volume has increased by 94% since 1940.
- Total softwood timber volume increased by 2% since 1992.
Net annual growth is 4.5 % per year and annual removals average about 4.3% of total volume. VA's total softwood volume has increased by 20% since 1940.
- Virginia's forests are growing more timber than is being harvested.
This is true in both hardwood and softwood forest types. The growth/removals ratio is 1.65 for hardwood and 1.07 for softwood in the 7th Survey.
- Planted stands now make up about 12% of Virginia's timberland and 54% of all softwood acreage.
Sources
Draft 7th Survey Results for VA,USDA, FS, SRS-FIA
Virginia's Forests, 1992 USDA, FS Resource Bulletin SE-151
Virginia's Forests USDA-FS AFES release # 11, 1942
Last modified 2007-07-12