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An Overview of the Forest Industry In Louisiana
Forests cover 48 percent, approximately 13.8 million acres, of Louisiana's land area. Fifty-nine of Louisiana's 64 parishes contain land capable of producing sufficient timber to support forest industry activities as well as provide habitat for wildlife, recreation, scenic beauty and all the other environmental benefits timberlands provide.
There are approximately 148,000 owners of Louisiana forestland. Private, non-industrial landowners own 62 percent of the state's forestland, forest products industries own 29 percent, and the public owns nine percent.
Forestry accounts for over two-thirds of the total value of all plant commodities grown in Louisiana. Forestry contributes 55 percent of the value of Louisiana’s land-based industries, which includes all plants, animals, fresh water and marine fisheries. Timber is manufactured throughout the state into building materials, paper and chemical products, furniture, fixtures and numerous other products used in every day life. Manufacturing residues are recovered for mulch, bedding, fuel and other products. Sawmills, panel plants, paper and pulp mills, chip mills, peeling plants, treating facilities and secondary manufacturers such as furniture companies, millwork and cabinet manufacturers are prevalent in Louisiana. Timberland owners harvest over 1 billion board feet of saw timber and 6 million cords of pulp and chip-n-saw wood harvested annually.
The forest resource supports 180 primary and 750 secondary wood-using companies. Louisiana's forest industry is the second largest manufacturing employer in the state. Over 19,000 people are employed in forest manufacturing with an estimated 5,000 employees harvesting and transporting timber.
Louisiana landowners reforest their land with over 100 million pine and hardwood tree seedlings annually. Louisiana is a state blessed with abundant natural resources. Timber and the practice of professional forestry has and will continue to provide many products and benefits our society depends on and enjoys.
Source: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
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