The lumber industry in America is vibrant. According to Statista, the US has over 750 million acres of forest cover, about two-thirds of which is timberland. Most of it is owned privately. The United States produces over 11.5 billion cubic feet of industrial roundwood annually. This is used to make lumber, plywood, veneer, and pulp products.
The states with the highest lumber production in the country are in the West. Oregon is number one, producing 16 percent of the country’s lumber. Washington is second, followed by Georgia, Alabama, and California.
While the West has dominated lumber production for many years, recent trends show production is moving south. Over the last decade, dozens of mills have closed in the West because of wildfires, beetle invasions, stricter regulations, and higher production costs. Many mills moved South where costs are lower and regulations less inhibitive. In 2021 alone, net lumber capacity in the South increased by 4.39 million board feet; in the West, it reduced by 0.11 million.
Southern states benefitting from increased lumber industry investment include Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Today, the South produces 38 percent of US lumber. Experts predict this percentage will rise as more producers move South.
The states with the highest lumber production in the country are in the West. Oregon is number one, producing 16 percent of the country’s lumber. Washington is second, followed by Georgia, Alabama, and California.
While the West has dominated lumber production for many years, recent trends show production is moving south. Over the last decade, dozens of mills have closed in the West because of wildfires, beetle invasions, stricter regulations, and higher production costs. Many mills moved South where costs are lower and regulations less inhibitive. In 2021 alone, net lumber capacity in the South increased by 4.39 million board feet; in the West, it reduced by 0.11 million.
Southern states benefitting from increased lumber industry investment include Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Today, the South produces 38 percent of US lumber. Experts predict this percentage will rise as more producers move South.