Michigan Timberland Highlights

Acreage:

• 18.6 million acres in 1993 - a 7% increase since 1980.
• Timberland acreage is fifth largest in the United States.
• Located primarily in northern 2/3 of the state.
• Ownership: federal-14%, state-21%, forest industry-8%, farmer-4%, nonindustry private-53%
• Softwoods represent 25%, hardwoods represent 75% of total acreage.
• Maple-birch and aspen are the predominant forest types; pine, oak-hickory and elm-ash-soft maple follow in abundance.
• Sawtimber stands represent 46%; poletimber stands represent 30%; and seedling/sapling stands represent 24% of the total timberland acreage.

• Growing stock net inventory volume is 26.9 billion cubic feet in 1993 (29% softwoods and 71% hardwoods), a 35% increase since 1980.
• Sawtimber volume is 72 billion board feet in 1993 (33% softwoods and 67% hardwoods), a 55% increase since 1980.
• Pine, maple, and aspen are the predominant tree species groups, although a myriad of other species are also present.
• Net annual growth of growing stock and sawtimber is 830 million cubic feet and 3.1 billion board feet respectively in 1993 (36% and 72% increases since 1980).

• Growing stock harvests in 1990 totaled 322 million cubic feet, a 35% increase since 1978.
• Sawtimber harvests in 1990 totaled 1 billion board feet, a 22% increase since 1978.
• Aspen, maple, pine and oak are the principle tree species groups harvested.

• In 1993, growing stock growth is estimated to exceed harvests by over 150% (508 million cubic feet).
• In 1993, sawtimber growth is estimated to exceed harvests by 210% (2.1 billion board feet).
• Both mixed hardwoods and softwoods are underutilized; maple and pine are the principal species present in these broad groupings.

• The timberland base has the potential to grow 1.3 billion cubic feet annually (over a 50% increase above current levels).
• Use of genetically improved tree species strains will permit even greater productivity gains (over 200 cubic feet per acre).
• FMD is ready to utilize a "Forest Development Fund", to improve timber growth and yields on a portion of their forest lands.