MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

FORESTS

Forestry Facts (DNR)
State Forests (by county)

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

In 2016, forests constituted 2.47 million acres (40%) of Maryland's land surface, with lumber, pulpwood, and piling being the chief forest products. Some 1.9 million acres of forests, 72% of the total, belong to private landowners, while 28% belong to the public, including the State.

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

[photo, Loblolly pine forest, Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), Maryland]

The fourth largest industry in the State, the forest industry has a value of about $4 billion. In 2015, the industry generated 5,178 forestry-related jobs, with a payroll of $244 million. In western Maryland, forestry provides the greatest source of revenue for Garrett and Allegany counties, and the largest number of forestry-related jobs in the State.

Loblolly pine forest, Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Maryland's Reforestation Law requires that any forests that are cleared for State-funded highway construction projects must be replaced (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-101 through 5-103). Enacted in 1991, the Maryland Forest Conservation Act ensures that forests, particularly those near water, including wetlands, on steep terrain, and within large wildlife areas are identified and protected during land development (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).

STATE FORESTS (by county)

Maryland has nine State forests. The Forest Service of the Department of Natural Resources oversees them along with the Chesapeake Forest Lands, five demonstration forests, one tree nursery, and sixteen fire towers totalling 218,399 acres. Demonstration forests show short- and long-term effects of sound forest and wildlife management practices.

ALLEGANY COUNTY