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Trees Growing
Today, forests cover one third of Minnesota. There are more trees in our state now than when your
grandparents were born!Animals need YOUNG forests to survive
Young forests are important for many species of wildlife, including:
- Snowshoe hares
- Beaver
- Deer
- Moose
But, young forests grow fast and are only available to wildlife for a short time.
Maintaining forests keeps animals healthy
Forest management and other habitat management practices work to make sure wildlife in Minnesota forests stays healthy over the long term.
And they’re doing a great job. In fact, there’s almost twice as much timber in Minnesota forests today as in 1936.*
* U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
Q:
What’s the most common deciduous tree in MN?
A:
Aspen.
This tree is great at naturally reproducing. It also has dense regrowth characteristics and a short life span, which helps create and maintain young forests. -
Mature Forest
Aspen, birch, spruce, pine and other species create
diverse forests and provide materials for a large
number of everyday products.
Trees in all sizes and shapes
More than 20 species of trees grow in Minnesota, with lifespans as short as 40 years and up to 100 years for Eastern White Pine, Red (Norway) Pine and Northern White Cedar.
Learn more about each tree at:
Over-Mature Forest
Just as humans have life spans, trees do, too. Trees die of natural causes such as insects, disease, blowdown and fire, resulting in most of their wood being useless for making products. But removing trees through careful harvesting allows the wood to be made into many products we use every day.
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Harvesting
Less than 1% of Minnesota’s forestland is harvested
each year by skillful loggers who use
modern equipment and methods.Tree harvesting is one of the most useful and vital ways to keep forests healthy and sustainable, especially since the modern equipment used in the logging process minimizes the impact on the environment.
See the story of a family logging business
Q:
How many years would it take to harvest all of Minnesota’s forests?
A:
Since less than 1% is harvested each year, it would take over 100 years! But because forests are always replenished after harvesting, the forests will always be here!
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Forest Products
Trees provide wood for homes, paper for books, sap for soap, material for clothing and much more. Can you think of other things that come from trees?
Minnesota forests provide paper for books, magazines, brochures, computer printers and more, plus lumber, siding panels and engineered wood products – including oriented strand board, for building homes.
Also made from Minnesota trees are utility poles, pallets, industrial packaging, recycled pulp for many commercial applications, and specialized cellulose, which is used to make textile and consumer goods.
Q:
How many products are made from trees?
A:
More than 5,000!
And that includes everything from lumber and paper to smartphone screens, crayons and football helmets!Minnesota Forests’ Products
Pulpwood
Books
Calendars
Menus
Postage Stamps
Telephone Directories
Cellophane*
Film*
Shatterproof Glass
Wood Fiber
Textiles (clothing such as rayon)
Food and beverage products
Wraps
Cosmetics
Wash and wipe products
Medical supplies
Communication products such as cellphone screens
Saps, Gums & Resins
Crayons*
Hair Spray*
Shaving Cream*
Eyeglass Frames*
Maple Syrup*
Chewing Gum*
Medicine*
Paint*
Football Helmets*
Leaves and needles
Pine Oil
Cedar Oil
Trunk
Toothpicks
Furniture
Plywood
Veneer
Shingles*
Musical Instruments
Shoe Heels
Popsicle Sticks
Bark
Dyes
Adhesives*
Flavorings*
Mulch
Fuel
Sawdust
Composition Board
Filler for Linoleum
Plastics*
Soil Conditioner
Fuel Briquettes
Pulp
Roots
Oil
Tea
*Made from cellulose, oils and resins, the natural wood chemicals that are by-products of the papermaking process.
Source: TAPPI Public Outreach and American Forest & Paper Association
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Regrowth
Each year, more than 20 million seedlings are planted
in Minnesota, and millions of other trees grow from
seeds or regenerate naturally. Three times as much
wood is grown as is harvested!Each of us can help add to Minnesota’s forests by planting a seedling at home or elsewhere. Every year, free seedlings are available at the Minnesota Forest Industries booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
Q:
What is the Minnesota state tree?
A:
The Red Pine,
also known as the
Norway Pine. -
Health Monitoring
Landowners, foresters and loggers care for Minnesota’s forests, helping maintain a healthy environment for wildlife, recreation and more!
Among the most important careers in the forest is that of “forester.” He or she is responsible for planning and producing a healthy and sustainable forest, including such elements as timber, water and wildlife.
Some foresters work for private companies (for example, paper and wood manufacturers), while others work for such government agencies as the Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Forest Service.
Other career opportunities in the forest include loggers, conservationists, researchers, teachers and more.
Q:
Minnesota’s forest products companies help create jobs in how many communities throughout the state?
A:
300.