Supporting Our Economy
Contributing more than any other individual agricultural commodity in the state, the forestry sector adds on the order of $13.5 billion annually to Kentucky’s economy. With all 120 Kentucky counties able to boast woodlands and 110 of them hosting forest industries, it is no surprise that the 12.4 million acres of forests in the state are an economic engine. Of those woodlands, 88% are privately owned, meaning Kentuckians are contributing to Kentucky through their forests.
Kentucky forest industries employ more than 25,000 people, many in small, family-owned businesses. Add to that indirect and induced employment, and the number of jobs that arise from our woodlands climbs to more than 49,000. Those jobs result in $3.2 billion in wages, which directly benefit employees’ local communities through taxes and purchases.
The forest sector annually accounts for county, state, and federal tax contributions of $970 million. A total of $114 million go to counties and local municipalities each year, which is an important addition to many local budgets.
The impact of one well-managed wooded acre can be felt from landowners through production. A woodland owner can often expect to generate $1,033 per acre, while logging firms, which are frequently family-owned operations, can see $814 per acre. Sawmills in the state, many of which are also family-owned, process the harvested timber into a variety of high-demand products like pulp and paper, flooring, barrels, and cabinets and can generate another $17,925 from one acre. Any wood residue is used to create mulch or charcoal, generating another $2,127. All in all, from trees to products, more than $22,000 can be generated from a single acre of woodland.
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources prepares its undergraduates for this important career field with courses in economics, forest management, and wood products. Graduate students focus on scientific research to keep our forests, and consequently, our economy, healthy.
White Oak
One of the most important hardwood species in eastern woodlands is the long-lived white oak. White oak benefits hundreds of species of wildlife and insects, captures carbon long-term, and provides a wider range of wood products than most other oaks. White oak can end up as pulpwood for paper production, in pallets and railroad ties, and as veneer, furniture, cabinets, flooring, and other high-end solid wood products. Its wood also has properties that make it particularly suited for bourbon barrels, long one of Kentucky’s signature industries. And while each barrel is used only once in the bourbon-making process, they find continued use in the aging of wines and Scotch and Irish whiskies. White oak, however, is slow-growing and often cannot out-compete competitor species in the forest. FNR is determined to keep white oak thriving in our woodlands through scientific research and by developing and teaching strong management practices. The department did the first sequencing of the white oak genome and has recently completed a large white oak genetic study that captures the species’ diversity throughout its range.
Forestry and Natural Resources Department
forestry.department@uky.edu
(859) 257-7596
Forestry and Natural Resources Extension
forestry.extension@uky.edu
(859) 257-7597
