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Forests

Know Florida

Circa 1937

Florida's forest future is a bright one. A long growing season, abundant moisture, and a variety of desired hardwood and softwood species give the State an enviable position among our neighbors. Sawmill operators, pulp men, turpentine operators, and landowners are abandoning the "cut-and-get-out" method of a few years back and are planting and protecting the woodlands for future use with the assistance of the Florida Forest and Park Service aided by Federal funds.

Florida's productive forest land totals 22 million acres, about 78 per cent being pine, 15 per cent hardwood, and 7 per cent cypress. About 13 million acres, or 60 per cent, is classed as second growth ranging in size from saplings to small saw logs.

The present timber stand is approximately 23 billion board feet as measured by the International rule; this takes into account pine and cypress having a diameter of 9 inches or larger at breast height, and hardwoods measuring 13 inches.

In terms of pulpwood, the volume is computed to be 116 million standard cords, trees over 5 inches in diameter in all pulping species being considered.

The Southern Forest Survey of 1934-35 revealed that 36 million longleaf or slash pine trees were being worked for turpentine, 56 million were resting or had been worked, and 700 million unworked trees ranging from one inch in diameter to turpentine size (9 inches) assure a future for the industry.

In 1934, Florida's forest resources were supporting 910 wood—using establishments and accounting for 7,230,000 man-days' employment. This figure is the equivalent of the full time employment of 36,000 people. Since 1934, the establishment of 4 new pulpmills has greatly increased the employment figure as well as the value of materials produced.

Value of Forest Products in Florida—1936

Kind of Product	Quantity		Estimated Value f.o.b. Loading Point
Lumber	938,000,000	board feet	$21,396,000
Cross ties	3,246,000	pieces	1,947,000
Poles and piling	182,000	pieces	182,000
Pulpwood	300,000	cords	7,500,000
Turpentine and oils	303,265	barrels	3,897,661
Rosin	505,157	barrels	6,066,289
Veneer	129,900,000	board feet	4,683,750
Fence posts	2,814,200	posts	140,710
Cooperage	68,600	cords	857,500
Fuelwood	1,307,400	cords	2,614,800
Miscellaneous	54,200	cords	108,400
			$49,394,110

Source:
Excerpt from "Florida Forest Facts" Know Florida, Issued by the State Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee, Circa 1937, pg. 2.

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