Changes in Hardwood Sawtimber Growth, Mortality, and Removals in the Eastern United States
2021
An examination of changes in growth, mortality, and removals of hardwood sawtimber in the eastern United States within the first two decades of the 21st century found large variations among regions and species groups. Changes in growth ranged from a 17% increase in the Lake States region to a statistically insignificant 1% in the Southern region. Most regions had relatively large increases in mortality. High levels of ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in the Northeast, Lake States, and Central regions likely were a result of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Hardwood sawtimber removals declined in all regions except the Lake States and Central regions, with the largest relative declines occurring in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions. With the exception of ash, there were no indications of immediate declines in eastern sawtimber volume. However, continual increases in mortality, a resurgence of removals, and reduced growth could cause sawtimber volume to plateau in the coming decades. The findings from this study indicated that there likely would be variations in these plateaus among the species groups and regions.
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