Alabama Landscapes

Forestry

Forests cover 71% percent of Alabama (35,923 square miles), and all but 101 square miles is timberland (forest capable of producing 20 or more cubic feet of timber per year and not withdrawn from timber utilization: Figure T1).

Figure T1. Timber Farm,  H-31 south of Georgiana, Butler Co. Note the three sizes of trees, those in the foreground the youngest "crop." (Image © Mike Neilson)

In 2000  46% was hardwood, 35% softwood and 19% mixed hardwood and softwood

Most timber is harvested south of the Fall Line in the southwest of the state (for example pulpwood from pines: Figure T2), where it is a major part of many counties' economy . The least productive timber areas occur in the more rugged Cumberland Plateau and Valley and Ridge and in the valley of the Tennessee. River.

Figure T2.  Pine pulpwood production by county, 1997.  (Cartographic Research Laboratory, Dept. of Geography, University of Alabama)

Including the production of wood products and paper, forestry in Alabama generates $4 billion per year (3% of the State's GSP in 2002). 1987 data show that paper and paper products generate about 71% of all income from timberlands.

Trees are considered to be a renewable resource, because a tree (particularly a pine) reaches harvesting size in 20-30 years. However, it is possible to over-harvest a renewable resources, and this seems to be what's happening with Alabama's softwoods.  Figure T3 shows that removal (harvesting) of softwoods has been greater than their net growth since 1990, suggesting that this resource is shrinking.

Figure T3. Timber removal and growth, 1972-2000.

 There are 15 operating pulp and paper mills in Alabama. Most are found in southwest Alabama, close to the source of timber (Figure T4).

Figure T4.  Location of pulp and paper mills in Alabama

Two problems associated with these plants are:

• Smell: the Kraft pulping and recovery process releases reduced sulfur gases (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide)

• Water Pollution: a plant uses 16,000-17,000 gallons of water per ton of pulp produced and generates discolored, oxygen-deficient water that contains chlorinated organic compounds.

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