Study: Trees Used for Timber Projected to Decline 23% By 2100

The inventory of trees used for timber in the U.S. is projected to decline 23% by 2100, according to a study by researchers at North Carolina State University.

Researchers used computer modeling to project how 94 tree species in the continental U.S. will grow under six climate warming scenarios through 2100.

The study projects the largest losses will be in the Southeast and South-Central regions, home to the three most productive timber supply regions in the U.S.

“We found pretty high levels of sensitivity to warming and precipitation changes for productive pine species in the South, especially when climate change is combined with high forest product demand growth,” stated Justin Baker, the study’s lead author.

However, the study also projected gains in tree inventory in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Southwest regions.

“These are regions losing a lot of inventory right now due to pests and fire disturbance,” Baker added. “What you’re seeing is a higher level of replacement with climate adaptive species like juniper, which are more tolerant to future growing conditions.”

The full study can be found here.