Family Forest Research Center

Forests provide and protect most of the Nation’s fresh water. Forests supply habitats for wildlife and fish, give us and our kids a place to get in touch with nature, and help us address the challenges of climate change. Forested lands offer vital economic products and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, education, and solitude. Forests that are privately owned offer special rewards for their owners – from providing private, scenic spaces and places to hunt and fish or just enjoy nature, to being an important asset that can be passed on to future generations.

Fifty-six percent of the 751 million acres of forest land in the United States is privately owned. Of this private forest land, 62 percent is owned by families and individuals in what we call “family forests.” The remaining private forest land is owned by corporations, conservation organizations, clubs, Native American tribes, and others.

Forty-four percent of forest land is publicly owned. The Federal government administers 76 percent of the public forest land. State forestry, park, and wildlife agencies account for most of the 21 percent of public forest land that is state owned. The remaining 3 percent of the public forest land is owned by local governments, such as counties and towns.

Whether you have “just trees” that shelter native plants and animals, a bit of “woods” behind your house where the kids play and you cut firewood, or a “tree farm” that earns your family income … if you have an acre or more of land with trees on at least 10 percent of it, you have a forest. If you own that forest as an individual, a couple, a family partnership, or some other grouping of unincorporated individuals, you are a family forest owner.

1. Beauty and scenery
2. Family heritage
3. Privacy
4. Nature protection
5. Connected to home or cabin
6. Investment
7. Hunting or fishing
8. Part of farm or ranch
9. Hiking, snowmobiling, and other recreation
10. Timber production

1. Insects or tree diseases
2. Keeping land intact for future generations
3. Wildfire
4. Trespassing
5. High property taxes
6. Vandalism or illegal dumping
7. Wind or ice storms
8. Air or water pollution
9. Undesirable plants and weeds
10. Development of nearby lands

Whatever the reasons for owning family forests, adequate planning and consideration of various management practices can help support the desired activities over time. Yet we found that only 1 in 5 acres of family forest land is owned by someone who has a written forest management plan, and only 2 in 5 acres are owned by people who have received forest management advice.

Most family forest owners plan minimal activity on their forest land in the next 5 years. However, 1 in 5 acres is owned by people who plan to sell or transfer some or all of their forest land in the next 5 years. Changes in land ownership and management are likely to occur as land is passed from one generation to the next. A third of family forest owners are 65 years or older.