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Ohio's forests grow into multibillion-dollar industry

By Seth Teter

It's hard to imagine Ohio's Hocking Valley as Gailen Maxwell remembers it.

"It really was a pitiful looking region," said the 80-year-old, calling it "overworked, overgrown and overmined."

He understands that people had to make a living from the land, which meant clearing it through strip-mining and agriculture. But Maxwell prefers the vast forests that now cover the area. He works nearly every day managing his family's 2,000-acre tree farm in Perry County.

Maxwell estimates he has planted by hand more than 200,000 trees on the farm. Even more amazing is that it seems he'd notice if one went missing. He recalls stories about individual oak, walnut and white pine trees while walking through the sprawling property.

"I was born and raised here," he said. "You get to know it pretty well."

Through the efforts of farmers and woodland stewards such as Maxwell, the state has been able to reclaim much of Ohio's forestland since it was cleared by early settlers. It's estimated only 10 percent of the state was forested in 1910. Today, that number stands at 30 percent or 8.1 million acres. Ohio's forests are now growing at more than twice the rate at which they are being harvested.

According to a new study from Ohio State University, the state's forest products industry contributes $15.1 billion to the economy and employs more than 119,000 people. The figure is derived from products such as lumber, furniture and paper. It also recognizes the contributions of segments such as maple syrup and Christmas trees.

"Forests are unique in that their values go beyond dollars and cents," said John Dorka, chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry, upon release of the report.

Maxwell is one of 1,850 private woodland owners who participate in Ohio's Tree Farm Program. He prefers conservation to preservation because he believes in using the land and doing so wisely. He keeps a binder of color-coded maps, maintenance schedules and soil information. He occasionally allows managed harvests and works diligently to protect his trees from wildlife, disease and trespassing ATV riders.

Maxwell is admittedly proud of the work he has accomplished. But his reason for devoting a lifetime to the forest is simple.

"I just love the outdoors," he said.

Other findings of the report include:

• Ohio harvests 300 to 400 board feet of timber, grows 1 billion board feet annually.
• More than 3.7 million hunting, fishing and wildlife enthusiasts spend more than 2.3 billion in Ohio.
• Hardwoods make up 96 percent of Ohio's tree species.
• 87 percent of Ohio forestland is privately owned by 397,000 families.
• More than 350,000 acres of private forestland is under a management plan.

Caption: At 80 years old, Gailen Maxwell manages the family's tree farm in Perry County.