Forest Facts

• In Kentucky, the forest industry directly employs over 30,000 people, which ranks it third in manufacturing employment in the state.
• Forest industry contributes $4.5 billion annually to Kentucky's economy.
• Kentucky has 11.7 million acres of forest land - 47% of the state's land base.
• Hardwoods account for 90% of Kentucky's forest.
• Valuable hardwood trees in Kentucky include red oak, white oak, yellow poplar, ash, cherry and walnut.
• In 1997, Kentucky ranked second nationally in estimated hardwood lumber production.
• Eighty-nine percent of Kentucky's forest land is owned by private landowners.
• Kentucky has more forested acres today than it did in 1950.
• Kentucky's Forest Conservation Act requires commercial loggers to be trained as Master Loggers and to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality.