Kentucky Forest Facts

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry)

Kentucky has an abundance of trees--about 12.4 million forested acres.

In Eastern Kentucky, forests are full of dense stands of hardwoods.  In Western Kentucky, you are more likely to see a riparian forest along a winding river.  In Central Kentucky, stately bur oaks often populate urban landscapes.

In Carroll County, we have over 27,000 forested acres--that is 30.4 percent of the total county.

Regardless of the species or climate, forests help all of us breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, and enjoy forest wildlife.  In addition, we also are able to utilize products from them every day.

Yellow Poplar Leaves (Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org)

Do you know our state tree?  The yellow-poplar replaced the Kentucky coffeetree as the state tree in 1994 due to its abundance and commercial importance to the state.  The Kentucky coffeetree is now considered the state heritage tree.

Due to our diverse climate and soil composition, many tree species grow in Kentucky, and they impact us in many ways.  Here is an interesting quiz about the impact trees and tree products have on our lives in Kentucky:

Kentucky has to replant many of the acres after tree harvesting.  True or false?

• False.  Sprouting from stumps and fallen seeds will quickly repopulate a harvested area.

Forest and related industries are important to Kentucky's economy.  True or false?

• True.  In Kentucky, 105 of 120 counties have some type of wood industry that employs approximately 51,000 people.

What percentage of Kentucky is forested?  35, 50, or 60 percent?

• Fifty percent, or more than 12 million acres, of Kentucky is forested.

The best time to view Kentucky's fall foliage usually is between the second and third weekends in October.  True or false?

• True.  For more information on times and locations to view fall foliage colors as October approaches, call 1-800-225-8747 or visit KentuckyTourism.com

Sun is the only energy required to grow a tree.  True or false?

• True.  Sun is the only energy needed for trees to grow.  As they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

How many products are produced from trees?  3500, 4700, or 5000?

• Some 5000 products are produced from trees, ranging from our homes and furnishings to the toothpaste we use.

How much paper does each person in the United States use on average every year?  250, 500, or 750 pounds?

• Each person in the United States uses 750 pounds of paper per year.

Nationwide, approximately how many tons (2000 pounds equals 1 ton) of paper are recycled?  Approximately 28, 40, 46, or 53 million tons?

• We recycle about 46 million tons of paper each year.

What percentage of a tree can be used to make wood and paper products?  50, 67, 75, or 100 percent?

• All of a tree (100 percent) can be used to make wood and paper products.

How interesting Kentucky Forests are!