Minnesota Tree Facts

Every year in Minnesota, three times as much wood is grown as is harvested.

In fact, the last 30 years alone have seen a 60 percent increase in the amount of wood across the state. According to the U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 7.4 million new cords of wood are grown each year in the state, doubling the 3.7 million cords that are harvested. This is another example of how scientific forest management works to ensure there will be a healthy balance between wood products and the forest lands and wildlife we all enjoy. In Minnesota, less than 1% of forest land is harvested each year. Fully one-third of Minnesota – 17 million acres! – is covered by beautiful forestlands, providing recreation, wildlife habitat and a renewable supply of timber resources. Yet only 1 percent of these forests (approximately 185,000 acres) are harvested each year to provide material for paper products, home construction, furniture and hundreds of other products we use every day. What things come from Minnesota trees? 28,000 people in Minnesota's forest products industry make paper for books, magazines, brochures, computer printers and more. They make lumber, siding panels and engineered wood products for building homes, including oriented strand board. They also make industrial packaging for many commercial applications. To learn which Minnesota companies produce these products that are used all over the world, click on the various products in this photo.