Wood Products

Forests and forest products are an essential part of Pennsylvania’s economy. In this section, obtain detailed information on forest wood products, including hardwood lumber, paper, veneers, chemicals, and firewood. Tips on estimating lumber prices and calculating the green weight of wood are available as well.

Hardwood and Softwood Lumber

Forests cover almost 60% of Pennsylvania’s 28 million acres of land. These woodlands protect wildlife, provide clean air, and offer numerous recreational opportunities. PA forests are also known for growing some of the finest hardwood timber in the world.

The majority of the state’s forests (approximately 90%) are covered by mixed hardwoods. Some of the more commercially important types of hardwood in the Commonwealth are northern red oak, black cherry, yellow poplar, chestnut oak, and sugar maple. Many of these species are valuable for making lumber and can be recognized by their broad, flat leaves in summer. Pennsylvania’s hardwood lumber is used to produce numerous forest wood products, including furniture, kitchen cabinets, and factory-made wooden buildings.

Softwood trees are often referred to as evergreens or conifers. They have narrow leaves, and most species remain green all year round. Common softwood species include eastern white pine, red pine, and eastern hemlock. Softwood grading is often visual, and the softwood lumber grades are based on strength and appearance.

Estimating Timber Volume and Value

With 17 million acres of forestеd land, Pennsylvania has a significant timber resource. To assess and determine the value of standing timber, it is generally necessary to complete an inventory of the trees’ species, size, and volume.

Landowners considering selling timber are further advised to familiarize themselves with the board foot content – or volume – of the trees intended for harvest. To determine the volume of standing trees, foresters use timber ‘cruise’ assessment and utilize different measuring tools and volume tables. Join the Valuing Standing Timber course for comprehensive information on valuing timber and obtaining fair market pricing.

Information and recommendations on estimating timber value can be obtained through Penn State Extension. In this section, discover more about the grading of hardwood lumber and calculating the green weight of wood. In addition, find current stumpage prices for Pennsylvania in the quarterly Timber Market Report. The report provides prices for common tree species by state region.

Other Forest Wood Products

Along with lumber, forests can produce a wide array of other, non-timber products and services. These include paper products, veneer, and a range of fibers. Also, forests have good potential for producing woody biomass for energy by utilizing biomass harvesting methods for timber stand improvement. The performance of biomass fuel, however, can be affected by several characteristics, including heat value and moisture level.

Access Penn State Extension resources to learn more about non-wood products and the effects of using biomass as an energy source in the forest community. Further, discover how utilizing low-use wood in a sustainable way can create opportunities like using commercial-scale biomass heat and replacing coal with biochar.