Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Facts About New Hampshire Forests
1. How much forested land does New Hampshire have?
2. How old are New Hampshire Forests?
3. Who owns and cares for New Hampshire Forests?
4. Deforestation is a big concern. How much forested land does New Hampshire lose every year?
5. I see log trucks on the road all the time. All this harvesting must have some effect.
6. Can’t we just get our wood products from somewhere else and leave NH forests alone?
7. How much wood does the average person use in a year?
8. The population is growing. What guarantees that harvests won’t rise again to destructive levels?
9. After trees are cut, how do they grow back?
10. Are there any rules or regulations which govern the use of forestland in New Hampshire?
11. It sounds like New Hampshire’s forests are pretty healthy. Is that true?
12. I have noticed lots of dead white birch trees. What happened?
13. What about other dead trees? Is it just old age?
14. Is it generally true that the taller the tree, the older it is?
15. Why do leaves change color?
16. Most trees lose their leaves each fall, but some keep them over winter. Why is that?
17. Do forest animals prefer certain tree species, or is any type of forest O.K.?
18. Does anyone pay attention to trees in the cities?
1. How much forested land does New Hampshire have?
The Granite State is the second most forested state in the United States (trailing Maine). Forests occupy 84 percent, or 4.8 million acres.2. How old are New Hampshire Forests?
Although when settled by Europeans NH was mostly forested, at one time the state was almost devoid of trees (between mid 1800s and early 1900s) for both agricultural reasons; and as the demand of wood and wood products rose, logging and clearcutting became prevalent. While there are pockets of very old forests, there are few trees more than 150 years old in New Hampshire now.3. Who owns and cares for New Hampshire Forests?
23% is owned by National, State, and County entities. 68% is owned by families; individual land owners like farmers, homeowners, etc. and 9% is owned by Private Corporations.4. Deforestation is a big concern. How much forested land does New Hampshire lose every year?
The amount of land lost each year due to deforestation is a hard number to pin down, but forest cover has been steadily declining since the early 1980s. This loss is about 17,500 acres per year, mostly due to land development. (SPNHF)5. I see log trucks on the road all the time. All this harvesting must have some effect.
Logging is a major occupation here in New Hampshire however, a forest can be cut, regenerate itself and produce seedlings by 3 years, and have saplings by 5 years and a “forest” will be there within 30 years without any human help.6. Can’t we just get our wood products from somewhere else and leave NH forests alone?
Today we are faced with a growing population, increased consumption and more demands on resources. Timber harvesting in the United States is under strict environmental laws, unlike harvesting that occurs in some other parts of the world. Forestry provides paper and lumber that we all use. In addition, sustainable forest management for emerging technology such as bioenergy, biofuels, and substituting wood for products that require high amounts of fossil fuels to produce, may help decrease global warming.7. How much wood does the average person use in a year?
Every day, the average person in the USA will consume about 4.5 pounds of wood, that's a little over a third of a two-by-four. Over the course of a year, that adds up to a 16-18" tree, a hundred feet tall. And each year, the nation plants more than 5 new trees for each American. Wood is a renewable resource. As long as forests are not converted by development, harvesting trees does not result in an increase of carbon in the atmosphere.8. The population is growing. What guarantees that harvests won’t rise again to destructive levels?
Like any profession, modern forestry and wood production have become highly evolved. Many sensible practices, unheard of years ago are now common, like recycling and using fellerbunchers to lower the impact on the land. Technological developments allow wood products to be manufactured from smaller pieces of wood, thus using more of each tree and reducing waste. In addition, conservation and forest health are now top government priorities. Modern forest planning balances wood harvest with wildlife habitat, recreation, biological diversity, erosion control, and other needs.9. After trees are cut, how do they grow back?
Forests can regenerate when seeds drop or blow in from nearby trees, or when seeds are carried by birds or animals, by seedlings which can sprout from stumps or roots left after harvest, by existing seedlings that cannot thrive in the shade of larger trees, but once open to sunlight will grow quickly, or by the planting of seedlings. Pre harvest planning and proper harvest techniques will assure that one or more of these methods will succeed.10. Are there any rules or regulations which govern the use of forestland in New Hampshire?
Yes, the State of New Hampshire has a number of laws that address harvesting such as water quality and soil protection, fire protection and wildlife considerations. The White Mountain National forest has more detailed standards that address many other resource concerns. For private land owners, advice can be sought from the local Cooperative Extension office.11. It sounds like New Hampshire’s forests are pretty healthy. Is that true?
Yes. Overall, New Hampshire’s forests are in very good shape. Major threats like insect infestation and tree diseases are generally well controlled. However, with our global economy we are seeing increasing threats from non-native insects. Recent outbreaks in regions outside New England have threatened white ash and to name a few. Regionally there are current problems with insects like Saddle Prominent caterpillar, Bark Beetle, and Balsam Wooly Adelgid; and diseases like White Pine Blister Rust, which can damage or kill trees. However, the greatest threat to the forests statewide comes from converting forested land to housing, highways, and other development.12. I have noticed lots of dead white birch trees. What happened?
White or “paper” birches are among several species which are relatively short lived (70- 80 years). They are a sun-loving species and many of the trees you see today sprouted in the early 1900s after extensive logging and/or fire cleared the land. Now, these trees are simply at the end of their natural life. For some, their life span was shortened by recent ice storms and their weakened state invited insect damage from the bronze birch borer and the birch leaf miner.13. What about other dead trees? Is it just old age?
Not always. Forests are constantly changing and the death of individual trees is just part of “mother nature’s” forest management plan to make way for the new growth. Often a dead tree gives clues to what killed it…old age, crowding or competition for light from surrounding trees, high wind, flooding, drought, insect or animal damage, or disease caused by fungi.14. Is it generally true that the taller the tree, the older it is?
No. Different species grow to different heights at maturity and not all trees live to the same old age. Aspen grow to about 70 feet and are relatively short lived- 50 to 70 years; while white pine grow to 120 feet or more and live to 250 years. There can even be big differences in height among trees of the same species depending on the amount of sunlight, moisture, and soil nutrients the tree gets, the genetic makeup of the seed, and competition from neighboring trees.15. Why do leaves change color?
Less sunlight and cool (but not necessarily freezing) fall temperatures result in less production by leaves of green pigment (chlorophyll). Consequently, other leaf pigments like yellow (xanthopyll), orange (carotene) and red (anthocyanin) become more prominent. The intensity of the color in a leaf depends on the amount of sugar stored in the leaf and the amount of autumn sunlight it gets. Brown pigment (tannin) remains after all the other pigments have disappeared.16. Most trees lose their leaves each fall, but some keep them over winter. Why is that?
In the spring, new leaves and twigs grow out together and are firmly attached. In fall, a specialized layer of “abscission” cells form between each leaf and twig, cutting off water to the leaf and killing it. Then the abscission cells die and the leaf falls off. In the young oak trees, however, for reasons that are unclear, abscission cells form, but do not complete their work. Therefore, oak leaves often stay connected to the twig until pushed off by new leaf and twig growth in the spring.17. Do forest animals prefer certain tree species, or is any type of forest O.K.?
Most species of birds and animals have a preference for a forest type, and often prefer a specific tree species. Moose favor young hardwood forests for food and browse on willows, aspen, birch, and maples. Grouse and Snowshoe Hare prefer dense younger forests which exist after fire or harvest. A forest with oak trees is more favorable to squirrels and wild turkey than one without.18. Does anyone pay attention to trees in the cities?
Definitely. Many New England communities have active “urban forestry” programs. Urban foresters plant, prune and remove trees in order to promote several benefits: trees clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; cool by providing shade; prevent water pollution by holding soil in place and absorbing runoff; and trees beautify. Properly managed, city trees can thrive. Contact your state or community forestry department for more urban forestry questions.State Urban and Community Forestry Programs
Below are links to federally-supported. As you will see, the partnerships created through state and local projects are contributing to an engaged public committed to building healthy and viable communities for themselves and future generations.