Arkansas Forest FactsArkansas Forest FactsTeacher Conservation TourTeacher Conservation Tour

20162016

Caroll GuffeyExtension Forester

Arkansas Forested LandsArkansas Forested Lands

• The Southwest, Ozark, and Ouachita regions contain 88% of the forestland in the state

• The most heavily forested county is Dallas (94%)

• The least forested county is Mississippi (5%)

Slide courtesy of Jeremy Richard AFC

Woodland typesWoodland types

43%

Total Volume: 21.623 Billion Cubic Feet

41%

17%

40%

2%

Total Volume: 25.186 Billion Cu. Ft.

38%

3%

18%

41%

Total Volume 27.23 Billion Cu Ft.

• Who Owns the Woods?

18.3 Million Acres Total(57.9% NIPF)

19 Million Acres Total(69% NIPF)

69%

5%

12%

14%

Forest Is Growing 267,727,974 tons of pine growing stock471,450,911 tons of hardwood and other softwood growing stock Total of 739,178,885 tons of growing stockGrowth to drain ratios:

Growth Removals Ratio Pine 21,579,720 16,703,283 1.29 Other 16,552,744 8,977,976 1.84

Dr. Matt Pelkki AFRC

Sawmills

Forest Industry Employment in Forest Industry Employment in Arkansas in 2005Arkansas in 2005Logging

18%

Furniture18%

Paper32%

Solid Wood32%

Forest Industry Employment in Arkansas in 2005

Total Forest Industry Employment 33,431

Statewide average compensation, all occupations: $36,498 annually

In forest industry: $49,730 annually

Forestry compensation exceeds that of average in 44 of 75 Arkansas Counties

Dr. Matt Pelkki AFRC

Forest Stand Origin by Acres (2010)Forest Stand Origin by Acres (2010)

Artificial (planted) Artificial (planted) 3.3 million acres3.3 million acresNatural Natural 15.4 million acres15.4 million acres

ChallengesChallenges

Red Oak BorerRed Oak Borer

• Native insect: always present• Record breaking numbers

– In the past 8 insects/tree– Some 600 insects/tree

• Several factors– Overstocked– Older low vigor stands– Shallow, rocky sites

• 1st noticed in Ozark National Forest

DamageDamage

• 2 year life cycle• Severe damage to

lumber/wood• Low populations may

not kill tree• Can weaken trees

Emerald Ash BorerEmerald Ash Borer

Wildfire

Wildfire Causes 10 year Average

Arson 35%Debris Burning 37%Misc. 11%Equipment Use 7%Lightning 4%

Not All fire is bad

SmokeyT and E Species

Rare and declining speciesRare and declining species(TNC)(TNC)

– 46% fire dependent– 42% fire independent– 12% fire sensitive