Some Useful Facts About West Virginia's Hardwood Forests

Who Owns West Virginia's Forests?

Issue:

Why should I worry about West Virginia's forests?  I only own a few acres.  Talk to the big timber companies, they own thousands of acres.

Facts:

  • The majority, 83%, of West Virginia's forests are owned by farmers, individuals and other nonindustrial private landowners.
  • The government, at various levels, owns slightly more than 10% of West Virginia's forestland.
  • Wood product companies, including sawmills and finished product manufacturing firms, own only 7% of the forestland in West Virginia.
  • Therefore, wood product companies rely heavily on nonindustrial private landowners for their wood supply and could not survive without them.
  • Currently, more than 80% of the timber harvested in West Virginia comes from nonindustrail private landowners.