Keeping forests growing for the future

Trees are growing and dying every day

Because forests are dynamic living things, they are growing….and dying every day. Keeping track of forest growth, mortality and inventory is important to forest scientists and landowners who aim to keep forests growing for the future.

Growth is the result of location quality, species and competition for sunlight, moisture and soil nutrients.

Mortality may be caused by overcrowding, insects, disease and fire.

Inventory is the amount of wood in standing, live trees.

FOREST FACT: More than 90% of forest mortality in Idaho is on National Forest lands where forests are dying faster than they are growing. WOW!

FOREST FACT: Trees are dying from disease, fire and insects at a much faster rate than they are being logged in Idaho.

What are the rates of growth and mortality in Idaho forests?

This chart expresses forest inventory, growth and mortality percentages in National Forest-, other federal-, state- and private-owned lands. Note the high rate of net annual growth on private lands and the high rate of annual mortality on National Forest lands.

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This chart shows annual growth vs. annual mortality on Idaho Forests.

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This chart shows the number of living and dead trees on Idaho’s Forests.

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This chart shows the net annual growth vs. annual harvest in 2015 on Idaho’s non-reserved forests including National Forest, other federal, state and private lands.

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This chart shows the net annual growth vs. annual harvest in 2015 on Idaho’s reserved and non-reserved forests including National Forest, other federal, state and private lands.