The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

The Status of North Carolina’s 

National Forests, 2002 

Sonja N. Oswalt and Tony G. Johnson

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Southern

Research Station

e-Resource 

Bulletin SRS–XX

The Status of North Carolina’s

National Forests, 2002

Sonja N. Oswalt and Tony G. Johnson

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Southern

Research Station

e-Resource

Bulletin SRS–115
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

The Authors

Sonja N. Oswalt, Forester, and Tony G. Johnson, Resource 

Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern 

Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis, Knoxville, TN 

37919.

April 2007

Southern Research Station

200 W.T. Weaver Blvd.

Asheville, NC 28804
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Foreword

This resource bulletin describes the principal findings of the seventh inventory of North Carolina’s National Forest resources. 

Data on the extent, condition, and classification of forest land 

and associated timber volumes, growth, removals, and mortality 

are described and interpreted. Data on selected nontimber forest 

attributes are also presented and interpreted. Field work for the 

seventh inventory began in January 1998 and was completed in 

December 2002. 

Surveys of our Nation’s forest resources are mandated by the 

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 

1978. These surveys are part of a continuing, nationwide undertaking by the regional experiment stations of the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service. Inventories of the 13 Southern States 

(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Virginia) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 

U.S. Virgin Islands are conducted by the Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Research Work Unit (FIA) 

operating from its headquarters in Knoxville, TN, and from offices 

in Asheville, NC, and Starkville, MS. The primary objective of these 

appraisals is to develop and maintain the resource information 

needed to formulate sound forest policies and programs. More information about Forest Service resource inventories is available in 

“Forest Service Resource Inventories: An Overview” (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1992). 

Tabular data included in FIA reports are designed to provide an array of forest resource statistics, but additional data can be obtained 

for those who require more specialized information. The forest 

resource data for Southern States can be accessed directly via the 

internet at: http://www.ncrs2.fs.fed.us/4801/FIADB/index.htm.
ii

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Additional information concerning any aspect of this survey may be 

obtained from:

Forest Inventory and Analysis

Southern Research Station

4700 Old Kingston Pike

Knoxville, TN 37919

Phone: 865-862-2000

Bill Burkman

Program Manager

Acknowledgments

The combined efforts of many people have made this evaluation of 

North Carolina’s National Forests possible. The Southern Research 

Station sincerely appreciates the dedication of Research Work 

Unit and Station personnel who participated in field and office work 

for this survey. The FIA gratefully acknowledges the cooperation 

and assistance provided by the North Carolina Division of Forest 

Resources in collecting field data. Appreciation is also expressed 

for the cooperation of the National Forests for providing access to 

sample locations. 
iii

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Contents

 i Foreword

 ii Acknowledgments

 1 Abstract

 1 Highlights

 2 Issues to Watch

 2 Scope and Intent

 2 Introduction

 3 Forest Attributes

 3 National Forest Land Area

 4 Forest Composition and Tree Species Diversity

 7 Forest Structure and Stand Density

 11 Forest Age and Stand Development

 14 Forest Productivity

 14 Forest Biomass

 16 Basal Area and Tree Volume on National Forest

 Timberland

 20 Wildlife Habitat

 20 Standing Dead Trees

 22 Forest Products

 22 Harvest and Product Output

 27 Growth, Removals, and Mortality

 29 Literature Cited

 33 Appendix

 34 Glossary

 45 Public Access to Forest Inventory and Analysis Data

 45 Inventory Methods

 47 Sample Accuracy

 49 Metric Equivalents

 50 Index of Tables

 52 Tables A.1–A.14
iv

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

The Status of North Carolina’s 

National Forests, 2002 

Sonja N. Oswalt and Tony G. Johnson

Abstract

This bulletin describes forest resources of the Pisgah/Cherokee, Nantahala, Croatan, 

and Uwharrie National Forests in the State of North Carolina. It is based on sampling 

conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research 

Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Research Work Unit. This bulletin addresses forest 

area estimates; timber growth, removals, and mortality; and timber product output.

Keywords: Annual removals, Croatan National Forest, forest land area, forest productivity, 

Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah/Cherokee National Forests, Uwharrie National Forest.

Highlights

•	 National forests occupy 1.2 million acres of North Carolina’s 

forest land, and include portions of 25 counties.

•	 In the Pisgah/Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, red 

maple is the most numerous tree species; in the Uwharrie and 

Croatan National Forests, loblolly pine is the most numerous 

tree species. 

•	 Most forest stands in North Carolina’s national forests are at 

least 50 years old, and mean stand age is greater in the Pisgah/

Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests than in the Uwharrie 

and Croatan National Forests.

•	 Live tree and growing-stock growth exceeds removals by 5 to 1, 

and sawtimber growth exceeds removals by 7 to 1.

•	 Live tree and growing-stock mortality exceeds removals by

3 to 1.

•	 Less than one-half of 1 percent of the total timber volume on 

national forest land in North Carolina is now harvested annually. 
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Issues to Watch

Increases in stand age and reductions in harvesting in North 

Carolina’s national forests may result in an increase in dead woody 

material, thereby contributing to wildfire severity.

Scope and Intent

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southern 

Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program 

collects data annually on the Nation’s forest land. These data 

provide insight into the availability of domestic timber resources, 

and they help identify and describe forest health issues, wildlife 

habitat availability, and the overall structure and composition of 

America’s forests. Data are combined at a statewide level on a 

cyclic schedule to produce summary reports about the condition of 

forest resources. 

Several laws require the Agency to administer National Forest 

System (NFS) lands for multiple uses, including recreation, range, 

timber, watershed health, and wildlife and fisheries (National 

Forest Management Act of 1976, Public Law 94–588). Inventory 

data are used to guide management decisions, communicate our 

understanding of the public’s forest resources, and describe the 

health of public lands across forested areas, States, and regions. 

On the basis of those concepts, we have prepared this summary of 

FIA data relating to NFS resources in the State of North Carolina. 

Statewide national forest data provide the highest level of statistical 

accuracy, and summaries of data for individual national forests will 

be less accurate than aggregate data summaries. At the end of this 

report we discuss data collection methods and statistical reliability. 

Introduction

The Forest Service administers four national forests in North 

Carolina: the Pisgah/Cherokee National Forest, the Nantahala 

National Forest, the Uwharrie National Forest, and the Croatan 

National Forest (fig. 1). The Cherokee National Forest lies mostly in 

Tennessee, but a small part of it is in North Carolina. In this report 
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

and in the report maps we have grouped this small section of the 

Cherokee National Forest with the Pisgah National Forest. 

Forest Attributes

National Forest Land Area

Background—Quantifying the amount of forest land that falls 

under Forest Service jurisdiction within a State is crucial for 

understanding the resource available for public use for wildlife, 

recreation, and timber supply. 

What we found—FIA collects data on four national forests in the 

State of North Carolina: the Pisgah National Forest, the Nantahala 

National Forest, the Uwharrie National Forest, and the Croatan 

National Forest. These four national forests occupy portions of 

25 counties and comprise about 7 percent of the total forested 

acreage in North Carolina. The NFS administers about 1.2 million 

acres of national forest in North Carolina. Most of North Carolina’s 

national forest land occupies moist slopes, coves, and small drains 

(fig. 2).

Figure 1—National forests in North Carolina.
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Forest Composition and Tree Species 

Diversity

Background—Forest composition is a key to understanding 

ecosystem processes in a given area. Tree species composition 

and diversity are related to site productivity, moisture, aspect, 

topography, and local climate (Barnes and others 1998). The 

presence or absence of tree species determines, in part, what 

types of animals, insects, and herbaceous plants can colonize a 

forest. 

What we found—We detected 86 tree species on all North Carolina 

national forests combined, or about 69 percent of the species 

detected on all forest land in North Carolina for the 2002 cycle. A

total of 53 species were found on the Pisgah/Cherokee National 

Forests combined, 57 species were recorded on the Nantahala 

National Forest, 39 species were recorded on the Uwharrie 

National Forest, and 35 species were recorded on the Croatan 

National Forest. Species detected often in the statewide inventory 

Figure 2—Area of forest land by physiographic class, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002.
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

but not detected on 

the national forests 

included water tupelo, 

willow oak, slash pine, 

and various riparian 

and ornamental 

species.

The forest cover on 

most of the combined 

national forest acreage 

belonged to the oakhickory forest-type 

group (fig. 3). Red 

maple was the most 

frequently recorded 

individual species, and 

occurred in 85 percent 

of all forested plots 

sampled. Chestnut oak 

and yellow-poplar were 

common also, and 

occurred in 60 and 47 

percent of all forested 

plots, respectively. 

Trumpet pitcher plants are part of the fascinating 

flora growing on the Croatan National Forest. 

(Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest Service, 1983.)

In the Pisgah/Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, red 

maple was the most numerous tree species; in the Uwharrie and 

Croatan National Forests, loblolly pine was the most numerous 

tree species. 

What this means—Tree species composition in North Carolina’s 

national forests reflects the diverse soils and topography across 

the State. The oak-hickory forests of the Pisgah/Cherokee and 

Nantahala National Forests are typical of the rugged terrain of the 

Appalachian Mountains and the rolling foothills of the Piedmont, 

while the pine forests of the Croatan and Uwharrie National 

Forests are typical of the transition into the sandy, rolling hills and 
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Figure 3—Area of forest land by forest-type group, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002.

flat soils of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Species not detected on 

the national forests, but detected statewide, are typical of linear 

or patchy landscape features like ridges, river drains, bays, and 

pocosins. These features may be underrepresented in North 

Carolina’s national forests, or they may be underrepresented in 

the sample because linear features are more difficult to detect 

using the FIA systematic sample design.

The preponderance of red maple in the national forests of western 

North Carolina may be of interest to forest managers in the future. 

Researchers have noted the expansion of red maple in eastern 

forests in this century (Abrams 1998, Abrams and others 1995). 

Some researchers have documented increases in red maple basal 

area in stands where oak species have been attacked by the 

defoliating gypsy moth (Fajvan and Wood 1996). The competitive 

abilities of red maple and well-documented decreases in oak 

regeneration (Lorimer 1989, Oswalt and others 2004, Spetich 

and others 2001) in the Eastern United States may combine to 

produce changes in forest composition over time, and further 

expansion of red maple (Abrams 1998).
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Forest Structure and Stand Density

Background—National forest managers and others sometimes 

describe forests by the number and species of trees present within 

a designated boundary. They can use data about the diversity, 

size classes, and proportions of species present in a forest to 

determine which species are and are not regenerating, and this 

knowledge enables them to project future forest composition. 

They also can identify resources available for wildlife habitat, 

recreational activities, and timber harvesting. Information about 

forest structure and stand diversity, when combined with data 

about tree age, crown health, and damaged or deadwood, helps 

managers better describe and understand site productivity, forest 

health, and the status of wildlife resources.

What we found—There were 699.6 million live trees in North 

Carolina national forests in survey year 2002. This translates to 

an average of 567 trees per acre—slightly fewer than the State 

average of 741 trees per acre of forest land. The majority of the 

Trail riding is one way to experience the Uwharrie National Forest. (Photo by Bill 

Lea, USDA Forest Service, 2004.)
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

trees on the national forests were members of the soft hardwood 

species group (fig. 4). There were more live trees (368.4 million) 

in the smallest diameter class [1.0 to 2.9 inches diameter at 

breast height (d.b.h.)] than in any other. Abundance of live trees 

decreased dramatically with increasing size class. For example, 

there were only 134.0 million trees in the next larger size class (3.0 

to 4.9 inches). Ninety-two percent of live trees on North Carolina’s 

national forests were <11.0 inches d.b.h., and 72 percent were

<5.0 inches d.b.h. (fig. 5).

Patterns of forest structure and stand density in individual national 

forests were similar to these overall patterns. Seventy percent of 

live trees on the Pisgah/Cherokee National Forests, 72 percent 

on the Nantahala National Forest, and 72 percent on the Croatan 

National Forest were <5.0 inches in diameter, while 81 percent 

of live trees on the Uwharrie National Forest were <5.0 inches in 

diameter. 

Visitors to North Carolina’s Uwharrie National Forest participate in a variety of 

recreational activities—even panning for gold. (Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest 

Service, 1993.)
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Figure 5—Number of live trees on forest land by national forest and diameter 

class, North Carolina national forests, 2002.

Figure 4—Number of live trees on forest land by national forest and species 

group, North Carolina national forests, 2002.
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e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Numbers of most species on North Carolina’s national forests 

decreased with increasing diameter class. Numbers of live loblollyshortleaf pine trees peaked at the 5.0 to 6.9 inches diameter class, 

with lower numbers in both smaller and larger diameter classes. 

Numbers of cypress, spruce-balsam fir, and longleaf-slash pine 

also were not inversely related to diameter class, but these species 

are patchily distributed on the landscape, so the patterns observed 

may be a result of undersampling in those species groups on the 

national forests. Statewide data for these three species groups 

revealed more typical patterns. 

What this means—Inverse relationships between abundance and 

size class are common and expected; nutrient, water, and light 

requirements increase as trees grow, and competition for these 

Rhododendron thrive in the cool, humid air of 

Little Santeetlah Creek on the Nantahala National Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest 

Service, 2002.)

resources results in 

high mortality rates for 

seedlings and saplings.

Large numbers 

of small-diameter 

trees in individual 

species groups 

indicates successful 

regeneration across 

the landscape. In 

North Carolina’s 

national forests, most 

species groups follow 

the expected pattern 

of regeneration. The 

deviation from the 

typical pattern in 

the loblolly-shortleaf 

species group could be 

a result of management 

techniques, or a result 

of pine to hardwood 

forest conversion. 
11

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Although three other groups deviated from the inverse pattern, 

those three species groups are not evenly distributed on the 

landscape and our sampling design may not be able to adequately 

measure regeneration patterns in small populations at scales 

smaller than statewide. Comparisons with statewide diameter 

distributions support this argument. Statewide, all three species 

groups present typical diameter distribution patterns, although the 

diameter distribution curve for the cypress species group is not as 

smooth as that for other species groups. Cypress regeneration, 

however, is partially dependent on local hydrologic regimes in 

the river and wetland systems where the trees grow. Therefore, 

regeneration may be less predictable for this species group than 

for others. 

Forest Age and Stand Development

Background—Information about stand age, when combined 

with data on structure, density, regeneration, and health, helps 

managers understand a forest’s stage of development.

What we found—Seventy-five percent of the forest land in North 

Carolina’s national forests is occupied by stands 51 years old 

or older (fig. 6). More forest land is occupied by stands in the 

61- to 70-year age class than by stands in any other 10-year 

age class. In the Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests, the 

percentage of acreage in stands 1 to 50 years old is a little larger 

than the percentage of acreage in older stands (fig. 7). In the 

Pisgah/Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, however, the 

percentage of acreage in older stands is much greater than the 

percentage of acreage in stands that are 1 to 50 years old (fig. 7). 

About two-thirds of the forest land acreage on other public and 

private lands across North Carolina is occupied by stands < 51 

years old (fig. 6). 

About 26 percent of loblolly-shortleaf pine acreage was planted 

and only 4 percent of mixed oak-pine acreage was planted. 

Planted stands of all forest types constituted only 2 percent of 

North Carolina’s national forest lands acreage. 
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e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Figure 6—Area of forest land by ownership and stand-age class, 

expressed as a percentage, North Carolina national forests, 2002.

Figure 7—Area of North Carolina’s national forests by stand-age class, 

expressed as a percentage, North Carolina national forests, 2002.
13

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

What this means—Forest stands in the Pisgah/Cherokee 

and Nantahala National Forests are older than those in the 

Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests and those on private 

and other public forest land. Steep terrain may limit harvesting 

in mountainous areas, and this may allow stands in these areas 

to grow older than stands on the gentle terrain of the foothills 

and Coastal Plain. Also, the larger proportion of softwoods to 

hardwoods in the Coastal Plain may favor short-rotation harvesting 

of softwood pulpwood and poletimber over longer rotation 

harvesting of hardwood sawtimber. Moreover, the proximity of the 

two western North Carolina national forests to the Great Smoky 

Mountains National Park may influence management decisions 

favoring the pleasing aesthetics of a mature forest, while proximity 

to that park may have less influence on decisions about the 

management of private lands. 

National forest visitors enjoy the solitude in a grove of mature trees in the Joyce 

Kilmer Memorial Forest on the Cheoah District of the Nantahala National Forest. 

(Photo by Barry Nehr, USDA Forest Service, 1986.)
14

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Forest Productivity

Forest Biomass

Background—Forest biomass is the living material present 

in a forest system, and is a useful measure of tree and forest 

productivity. The amount of biomass present in a forest is an 

indication of the amount of carbon that may be available for 

release into the atmosphere by burning or sequestration through 

forest management (Brown and others 1999). The importance of 

measuring biomass has increased with rising global atmospheric 

carbon levels, and as the public has become increasingly 

concerned with air quality. The ability of living material to sequester 

carbon by capturing it from the atmosphere, thereby offsetting 

carbon produced by emissions from combustibles, is receiving 

much attention in the scientific community (Johnsen and others 

2001). Biomass estimates also provide information about the 

ability of individual species to collect nutrients and other resources, 

offering managers another measure of those species’ influence 

within particular forest communities (Spetich and Parker 1998).

What we found—North Carolina’s national forests contain a 

combined total of 88 million tons (gross dry weight) of aboveground 

biomass. This amounts to about 72 tons per acre of forest land, or 

9 percent of the statewide total. Sixty percent of total aboveground 

biomass in North Carolina’s national forests is in species in the 

hard hardwood major species group. In the Pisgah/Cherokee, 

Nantahala, and Uwharrie National Forests, the hard hardwoods 

have more biomass than any other major species group. In the 

Croatan National Forest, yellow pines have more biomass than any 

other major species group. The Pisgah/Cherokee National Forests 

have more aboveground biomass per acre than the other national 

forests, while the Croatan National Forest has least aboveground 

biomass (fig. 8). 

What this means—Per-acre biomass levels in the Pisgah/

Cherokee, Nantahala, and Uwharrie National Forests are higher 

than the State forest land average of 53 tons (fig. 8). Differences 
15

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Figure 8—Aboveground biomass on forest land by national forest and major 

species group, North Carolina national forests, 2002.

Verdant hardwood forests are 

lush and diverse in the summer on the Nantahala National Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, 

USDA Forest Service, 1999.)
16

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

between the national forest values and the State average may 

be caused by differences in site productivity (Brown and others 

1999), but they may also reflect differences in stage of ecosystem 

development. Forests that have just become established generally 

have little living plant biomass, whereas older forests typically 

have higher biomass levels (Barnes and others 1998, Brown and 

others 1999). Thus, if harvesting frequencies are lower for North 

Carolina’s national forests than for other forests in the State, the 

national forests may have more aboveground biomass even if their 

overall productivity is similar to that of other forests.

Basal Area and Tree Volume on National Forest 

Timberland

Background—In addition to biomass measurements, basal area 

and tree volume measurements can be used to understand forest 

composition and 

productivity. Basal 

area is the cross 

sectional area of a 

tree at 4.5 feet above 

the ground, and is 

generally expressed 

in square feet per 

acre. When measured 

across a forest stand, 

basal area can be 

used to gauge density 

per unit area (Barnes 

and others 1998). In 

practical application, 

silviculturists use 

basal area and site 

quality to determine the 

appropriate stocking 

density of forest 

stands. 

A pink ladyslipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) 

is a botanical gem in the Pisgah National Forest. 

(Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest Service, 2002.)
17

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Tree volume, like basal area and biomass, gauges tree or stand 

productivity. However, volume estimates typically quantify potential 

wood products. Individual tree volume is negatively related to 

the number of stems present in a stand. Typically, dense stands 

are composed of large numbers of small stems. As trees grow, 

competition for light, moisture, and nutrients results in the mortality 

of many seedlings and saplings. The surviving trees gain volume 

through growth (Barnes and others 1998). 

What we found—Basal area on North Carolina’s national 

forests averages about 122 square feet per acre of timberland. 

Of this, hardwoods account for about 96 square feet per acre 

and softwoods about 26 square feet per acre (fig. 9). Thirty-eight 

percent of national forest timberland is classified as fully stocked. 

Twenty-three percent is partially stocked, and 2 and 38 percent are 

poorly stocked and overstocked, respectively (fig. 10). 

Figure 9—Basal area on national forest timberland by species group and 

diameter class, North Carolina national forests, 2002.
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e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

The total volume of all live trees on North Carolina’s national 

forest timberland is about 2.8 billion cubic feet. Hard hardwoods 

comprise most of the total volume. North Carolina’s national 

forests contribute 8 percent of the State’s total live-tree volume. 

Growing stock on timberland accounts for 2.6 billion cubic feet, 

or 8 percent of total statewide growing-stock volume. Sawtimber 

volumes on national forest timberland equal 9.7 billion cubic feet, 

or about 9 percent of North Carolina’s sawtimber volume.

Overall growing-stock volume on North Carolina’s national forests 

has increased by about 5 percent since 1990 (fig. 11). Overall 

sawtimber volume has increased by 11 percent since that time. 

Table 1 shows volume, basal area, and biomass estimates 

for primary species groups on North Carolina’s national forest 

timberland.

What this means—National forests contribute a relatively large 

percentage of live-tree volume given the land base they occupy. 

Figure 10—Area of timberland by national forest and stocking class, North 

Carolina national forests, 2002.
19

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Figure 11—Growing- stock and sawtimber volume on timberland by year, North 

Carolina national forests, 2002.

Table 1—Estimates of volume, basal area, and bio‐

mass of all live trees on timberland by species group, 

North Carolina national forests, 2002

Species group Volume Basal area Biomass 

million ft3 million ft2 million tons

Softwoods 567.3 25.6 12.5

Hardwoods 2,219.4 95.8 68.4

 Total 2,786.7 121.4 80.9

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding. 

Following statewide trends, both growing-stock and sawtimber 

volumes have increased substantially since the last survey, 

though care must be taken to allow for error due to sample design 

changes when considering the amount of total increase. This 

reflects a positive growth/removals relationship and suggests that 

harvesting in North Carolina’s national forests has decreased. 

Live-tree volume has increased in the white-red-jack pine, sprucefir, and oak-hickory forest-type groups but has declined in the 
20

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

longleaf-slash pine, 

loblolly-shortleaf pine, 

oak-gum-cypress, and 

maple-beech-birch 

forest types.

Wildlife Habitat

Standing Dead 

Trees 

Background—

Standing dead trees 

(snags) are an 

important component 

of forested systems. 

Many wildlife species, 

particularly cavitynesting birds, depend 

on the presence of 

snags to complete 

at least a portion of 

their life cycles (Fan 

and others 2003, 

Mannan and others 

Longleaf pine reaches the edge of its natural 

growth range in North Carolina, growing here on 

the Uwharrie National Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, 

USDA Forest Service, 2004.)

1996, Ohmann and others 1994). It is estimated that cavity-nesting 

species make up nearly 45 percent of the avifauna in some forests 

(Mannan and others 1996). In addition, snags are important 

food sources for foraging woodpeckers and other insectivores 

(Conner and others 1994). The importance of snags to wildlife 

varies across the landscape, as does the density and distribution 

of snags (Mannan and others 1996, McComb and others 1986). 

For example, live deciduous trees in eastern forests often contain 

cavities, decreasing the reliance of some species on snags 

(Mannan and others 1996). In contrast, cavity-nesting animals 

living in coniferous forests of the West and Southwestern States 

may be more dependent on snags for life history needs (Mannan 

and others 1996). Snag size, forest type, climate, surrounding 
21

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

vegetation, and other characteristics also influence the suitability of 

snags for individual wildlife species. 

What we found—North Carolina’s national forests contain 7 

percent of all the snags on North Carolina forest land. There are 

a total of 23.5 million standing dead trees (19 snags per acre) on 

North Carolina’s national forests. Seventy-nine percent of snags 

are <11.0 inches d.b.h. The majority of snags in the Pisgah/

Cherokee, Croatan, and Uwharrie National Forests are yellow 

pines, while the majority of snags in the Nantahala National Forest 

are hard hardwoods (fig. 12). 

What this means—The large proportion (19 snags per acre) of 

standing dead trees on North Carolina’s national forest land is 

probably related to a combination of reduced removals and aging 

stands. While structural diversity is important, and standing dead 

trees enhance the structural diversity of the forest, high numbers 

of standing dead trees coupled with large amounts of deadwood 

on the ground may result in increased risk of wildfire. Additionally, 

Figure 12——Number of standing dead trees (snags) on forest land by national 

forest and species group, North Carolina national forests, 2002.
22

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

while the structural complexity provided by older forests is very 

important for some wildlife species, it may not be appropriate 

for species requiring the early successional habitat provided by 

disturbances. 

Forest Products

Harvest and Product Output

Background—Timber and other forest products are among 

the most important agricultural commodities produced in North 

Carolina (Brown 2004). In 2000, wood-based industries across the 

State employed more than 56,000 individuals, had a payroll of $1.8 

billion, and contributed $10.9 billion to the State’s economy (U.S. 

Bureau of the Census 2003). The 25 counties in North Carolina 

that contain national forest land contribute significantly to the 

State’s output of timber products. Two of the State’s 7 pulpmills 

are situated in these counties, as well as nearly 80 sawmills and 

veneer mills (fig. 13). 

Regrowth results in a lush understory 5 weeks after a large fire event on the

Croatan National Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest Service, 1994.)
23

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

What we found—There are two main sources of data about timber 

harvests and removals from national forests. National forests are 

unique in that they generate annual, publicly available timber cut 

and sold (NFS–TCS) reports for timber sales conducted on national 

forest lands. These reports track volume and value of timber sold, 

as well as volume of timber that is cut, loaded on a truck, and 

subsequently scaled at local mills. FIA estimates of removals are 

generated using a relatively small number of inventory plots, and 

estimates may differ significantly from harvest volumes reported in 

individual NFS–TCS reports. In addition, removals from inventory 

plots include volume that is cut and not utilized for a product, 

logging residues, and standing volume reclassified to a reserved 

status. Removals estimates from inventory data represent an 

average for the years 1990 through 2001, and are broad estimates 

only. NFS–TCS reports provide a much more accurate assessment 

of volumes sold or cut from national forests in any given year. 

Timber product output and assessment reports published by the 

USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, between 1990 

Figure 13—Primary wood-producing mills of North Carolina, 2003. (Mill locations are 

approximate. Some mills have been moved to facilitate visibility.)
24

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

and 2001 show that average product output for softwoods and 

hardwoods combined amounted to nearly 139 million cubic feet per 

year for the 25-county area that includes North Carolina’s national 

forests (Howell and Brown 2004, Johnson and Brown 1999). The 

25 counties accounted for 27 percent of the State’s timberland 

area and 16 percent of the State’s total timber product output for 

that time period. Thirteen percent of the State’s softwood product 

output and 21 percent of the hardwood output came from this 

area. Softwoods, mostly yellow pines, accounted for 51 percent of 

product output. Saw-log and veneer production combined made up 

56 percent of total product output, while pulpwood and composite 

panel production made up 36 percent of product output. Fuel wood 

made up the remaining 8 percent of product output for the 25-

county region.

NFS–TCS reports for 1990 through 2001 show an annual 

average of more than 6.9 million cubic feet (38.2 million board 

feet) harvested for products. This average amounted to 5 percent 

of total product output from the 25 counties containing national 

forest. Annual volumes ranged from 12.9 million cubic feet (71.1 

million board feet) in 1990 to 1.9 million cubic feet (10.2 million 

board beet) in 2001 (table 2). Harvest volume averaged nearly 9.2 

million cubic feet between 1990 and 1996 and then dropped to 

an average of just 3.8 million cubic feet between 1997 and 2001. 

Revenues generated from these sales averaged $1.7 million per 

year between 1990 and 2001. Sold and harvest reports indicated 

that 80 percent of this volume was harvested from the Nantahala/

Pisgah National Forests in the western part of the State, 10 

percent came from the Uwharrie National Forest, and 10 percent 

came from the Croatan National Forest. These reports also 

showed that 70 percent of the volume was harvested for saw logs 

or veneer and 30 percent for pulpwood. Only about 300,000 cubic 

feet per year is harvested for fuel wood.1 Volume harvested from 

North Carolina national forests accounted for nearly 5 percent of 

1

 Personal communication. 2005. Dale Remington, Forester, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa Street, 

Asheville, NC 28804. 
25

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

total national forest timber harvest volume from the entire southern 

region between 1990 and 2001. 

According to FIA inventory data, annual live removals from North 

Carolina national forests totaled 11.2 million cubic feet, or 42.1

million board feet, of sawtimber from 1990 through 2001. The 

apparent discrepancy between this figure and the 6.9 million cubic 

feet figure obtained from the NFS–TCS reports probably results 

from differences in the way unutilized material and logging residues 

(1.4 million cubic feet) are handled and from reclassification of some 

volume as reserved. In addition, error rates associated with removals 

are normally higher than those associated with other inventory 

attributes such as area, volume, and growth even at the State level. 

Stratifying removals by county or ownership increases the error rate 

dramatically. For instance, the error rate for removals at the State 

level with no stratification is ± 3.7 percent, whereas the error rate for 

removals just for the national forests ownership category is ± 33.2 

percent. If we keep these factors in mind, the differences between 

removals estimates that are based on NFS–TCS reports and those 

based on FIA inventory work do not seem unreasonable.

Table 2—Timber sold on North Carolina national 

forests,a 1990 to 2001

Date Volume Value

million bf million ft3 dollars

1990 71,054.72 12,919.04 1,463,305.53

1991 55,996.06 10,181.10 1,204,632.01

1992 69,716.54 12,675.73 1,854,165.80

1993 50,675.19 9,213.67 2,007,153.55

1994 36,802.66 6,691.39 1,430,761.50

1995 37,912.68 6,893.21 2,370,285.23

1996 30,550.19 5,554.58 1,824,041.26

1997 24,458.73 4,447.04 1,979,965.60

1998 26,141.40 4,752.98 1,895,139.10

1999 26,095.52 4,744.64 2,260,469.09

2000 18,574.01 3,377.09 1,257,016.86

2001 10,196.67 1,853.94 768,921.31

 Total 458,174.37 83,304.43 20,315,856.84

Average 38,181.20 6,942.04 1,692,988.07

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

a Data from U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Timber Cut & 

Sold reports.
26

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

At 6.6 million cubic feet, hardwood removals accounted for 

59 percent of all live removals from the national forests. By 

comparison, hardwoods accounted for 41 percent of removals for 

all ownerships across North Carolina (Brown 2004). Removals of 

hard hardwoods such as red oak, white oak, and hickory amounted 

to 4.8 million cubic feet, or 73 percent of total hardwood removals. 

The average d.b.h. for hardwood removals on national forest land 

was 14.8 inches with 64 percent of hardwood removals coming 

from the 14.0-inch diameter class and above on national forest 

lands (fig. 14). Softwood removals on national forest land, made up 

almost exclusively of yellow pines such as loblolly, shortleaf, and 

Virginia pine, amounted to 4.6 million cubic feet. For softwoods, 

the average d.b.h. for all live removals was 11.9 inches, and only 

32 percent of softwood removals were from the 14.0-inch and 

larger diameter classes.

What this means—North Carolina’s national forests occupy only 

7 percent of timberland statewide, but they continue to contribute 

significantly to the State’s timber products industry, especially 

Timber harvesting on the Uwharrie National Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, USDA

Forest Service, 2004.)
27

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

in the mountainous region. North Carolina national forests in 

the western portion of the State, which contribute primarily to 

the hardwood industry, generate high-value red oak, white oak, 

and yellow-poplar. Harvesting of hardwoods in the national 

forests leaves some deadwood on the ground for wildlife habitat. 

Hardwood diameter removals numbers are indicative of longer 

rotations for the high-value hardwood products, while softwood 

removals are very similar to those for land in the other ownership 

categories and include both saw-log and pulpwood products.

The current rate of harvesting in the State’s national forests, 

whether we use FIA results or volume information from the NFS–

TCS reports, is less than one-half of 1 percent of total volume per 

year.

Growth, Removals, and Mortality

Background—Growth, removals, and mortality estimates 

help managers and interested parties better understand forest 

Figure 14—Removals of all live trees on national forest and State-owned land by 

diameter class and species group, North Carolina, 2002.
28

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

resources and the changes that occur during any given year. The 

FIA Program uses data from a relatively small number of sample 

plots to estimate growth, removals, and mortality in the national 

forests. It is likely, therefore, that removals estimates generated 

using FIA data will differ from harvest volumes listed in sold and 

harvest reports for individual national forests. In addition, growth, 

removals, and mortality estimates are annual averages for the 

period since the previous inventory. So, the values we report are 

averages for years 1990 through 2001 and should not be expected 

to match harvest volumes for any single year. The following 

estimates are broad approximations only; those who are looking 

for more accurate assessments of timber utilization should refer 

to the sold and harvest reports. National forest sold and harvest 

reports are available on the USDA Forest Service Internet site 

under the category “Forest Management.”

What we found—The average net annual growth of all live trees 

on national forest timberland in North Carolina exceeded live-tree 

removals by 5 to 1. Also, average net annual growth of growing 

stock on the national forest timberland exceeded removals of 

growing-stock trees by a little over 5 to 1. Average sawtimber net 

annual growth exceeded sawtimber removals by a rate of nearly 7 

to 1. Additionally, average annual mortality rates were higher than 

rates of removal of both growing stock and sawtimber. Mortality 

exceeded removals in both growing stock and sawtimber by a little 

over 3 to 1. Mortality was highest in the oak-hickory forest-type 

group, but mortality and removals combined exceeded growth in 

the oak-cypress-gum forest type. On national forest timberland, 

the total volume of all live trees lost to mortality was 1.6 percent 

of the total live-tree inventory volume. In comparison, all live-tree 

wood volume lost to mortality statewide was equivalent to 1.3 

percent of total statewide live-tree inventory volume. There was 

more growing-stock growth in naturally regenerated oak-hickory 

and naturally regenerated white-red-jack pine forest-type groups 

than in any other naturally regenerated or planted forest-type 

group, and more growing-stock removals came from the naturally 

regenerated oak-hickory forest-type group than from any other. 
29

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

The national forests contributed 4.6 percent of all live-tree average 

net annual growth, statewide, and <1 percent of all live-tree 

average annual removals.

What this means—North Carolina’s national forests are growing 

faster than they are being harvested. As a result, stands are 

getting older, large numbers of standing dead trees are present, 

stocking is often higher than it would be for maximum sustainable 

timber production, and mortality rates frequently exceed removals. 

Aging forests can provide structurally complex habitat for wildlife 

and aesthetically pleasing backdrops for recreation. However, 

older forests may be prone to wildfire outbreaks as deadwood 

accumulates, and to disease outbreaks as older trees succumb to 

environmental stress. 

Literature Cited

Abrams, M. 1998. The red maple paradox: what explains the widespread expansion of red maple in eastern forests? Bioscience. 

48(5): 355-364.

Fishing is a relaxing way to spend a day in the shade on the Nantahala National 

Forest. (Photo by Bill Lea, USDA Forest Service, 1999.)
30

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Abrams, M.D.; Orwig, D.A.; Demeo, T.E. 1995. Dendroecological 

analysis of successional dynamics for a pre-settlement-origin 

white-pine-mixed-oak forest in the Southern Appalachians, USA. 

Journal of Ecology. 83(1): 123-133.

Barnes, B.V.; Zak, D.R.; Denton, S.R.; Spurr, S.H. 1998. Forest 

ecology. 4th ed. New York: John Wiley. 792 p.

Brown, M.J. 2004. Forest statistics for North Carolina, 2002. Resour. Bull. SRS–88. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 78 p.

Brown, S.L.; Schroeder, P.; Kern, J.S. 1999. Spatial distribution of 

biomass in forests of the Eastern USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 123: 81-90.

Conner, R.N.; Jones, S.D.; Jones, G.D. 1994. Snag condition and 

woodpecker foraging ecology in a bottomland hardwood forest. 

Wilson Bulletin. 106: 242-257.

Fajvan, M.A.; Wood, J.M. 1996. Stand structure and development 

after gypsy moth defoliation in the Appalachian Plateau. Forest 

Ecology and Management. 89(1-3): 79-88.

Fan, Z.; Larsen, D.R.; Shifley, S.R.; Thompson, F.R. 2003. Estimating cavity tree abundance by stand age and basal area, Missouri, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 179: 231-242.

Howell, M.; Brown, D.R. 2004. North Carolina’s timber industry—an 

assessment of timber product output and use, 2001. Resour. 

Bull. SRS–94. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 39 p.

Johnsen, K.H.; Wear, D.; Oren, R. [and others]. 2001. Meeting 

global policy commitments: carbon sequestration and southern 

pine forests. Journal of Forestry. 99: 14-21.

Johnson, T.G.; Brown, D.R. 1999. North Carolina’s timber industry—an assessment of timber product output and use, 1997. 

Resour. Bull. SRS–39. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 34 p.
31

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Lorimer, C.G. 1989. The oak regeneration problem: new evidence 

on causes and possible solutions. For. Resour. Anal. 8. Madison: 

WI: University of Wisconsin, Department of Forestry. 31 p.

Mannan, R.W.; Conner, R.N.; Marcot, B.; Peek, J.M. 1996. Managing forestlands for wildlife. In: Bookhout, T.A., ed. Research and 

management techniques for wildlife and habitats. 5th ed. Bethesda, MD: The Wildlife Society: 689-721.

McComb, W.C.; Bonney, S.A.; Sheffield, R.M.; Cost, N.D. 1986. 

Snag resources in Florida—are they sufficient for average populations of primary cavity-nesters? Wildlife Society Bulletin. 14: 

40-48.

Ohmann, J.L.; McComb, W.C.; Zumrawi, A.A. 1994. Snag abundance for primary cavity-nesting birds on nonfederal forest lands 

in Oregon and Washington. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 22: 607-620.

Oswalt, C.M.; Clatterbuck, W.K.; Scharbaum, S.E.; Houston, A.E. 

2004. Growth and development of outplanted high-quality northern red oak seedlings and the effects of competing herbaceous 

productions within four overstory treatments—first-year results. 

In: Proceedings of the 12th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–71. Asheville, NC: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research 

Station: 559-564.

Spetich, M.A.; Dey, D.C.; Johnson, P.S.; Graney, D.L. 2001. Competitive capacity of Quercus rubra L. planted in Arkansas’ Boston 

Mountains. Forest Science. 48(3): 504-517.

Spetich, M.A.; Parker, G.R. 1998. Distribution of biomass in an 

Indiana old-growth forest from 1926-1992. American Midland 

Naturalist. 139: 90-107.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 1992. Forest Service resource inventories: an overview. Washington, D.C. 39 p.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 2003. Statistics for the United States and States by industry group; 2001 

and earlier years. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing 

Office. www.census.gov. [Data accessed November 2006]. 
32

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115
33

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Appendix
34

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Glossary

Afforestation. Area of land previously classified as nonforest that 

is converted to forest by tree planting or by natural reversion to 

forest.

Average annual mortality. Average annual volume of trees 5.0 

inches d.b.h. and larger that died from natural causes during the 

intersurvey period.

Average annual removals. Average annual volume of trees 5.0 

inches d.b.h. and larger removed from the inventory by harvesting, 

cultural operations (such as timber-stand improvement), land 

clearing, or changes in land use during the intersurvey period.

Average net annual growth. Average annual net change in 

volume of trees 5.0 inches d.b.h. and larger in the absence of 

cutting (gross growth minus mortality) during the intersurvey period.

Basal area. The area in square feet of the cross sec­tion at 

breast height of a single tree or of all the trees in a stand, usually 

expressed in square feet per acre.

Biomass. The aboveground fresh weight of solid wood and bark in 

live trees 1.0 inch d.b.h. and larger from the ground to the tip of the 

tree. All foliage is excluded. The weight of wood and bark in lateral 

limbs, secondary limbs, and twigs under 0.5 inch in diameter at 

the point of occur­rence is included for sapling-size trees but is 

excluded for poletimber and sawtimber-size trees.

Bole. That portion of a tree between a 1-foot stump and a 4-inch 

top d.o.b. in trees 5.0 inches d.b.h. and larger.

Census water. Streams, sloughs, estuaries, canals, and other 

moving bodies of water 200 feet wide and greater, and lakes, 

reservoirs, ponds, and other per­manent bod­ies of water 4.5 acres 

in area and greater.

Commercial species. Tree species currently or potentially suitable 

for industrial wood products. 
35

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

D.b.h. Tree diameter in inches (outside bark) at breast height (4.5 

feet aboveground).

Diameter class. A classification of trees based on tree d.b.h. The 

Forest Inventory and Analysis Program commonly uses 2-inch 

diameter classes, with the even inch as the approximate midpoint 

for a class. For example, the 6-inch class includes trees 5.0 

through 6.9 inches d.b.h.

D.o.b. (diameter outside bark). Stem diameter including bark.

Forest land. Land at least 10 percent stocked by forest trees of 

any size, or formerly having such tree cov­er and not currently 

developed for nonforest use. The minimum area considered for 

classification is 1 acre. Forested strips must be at least 120 feet 

wide.

Forest management type. A classification of timber­land based on 

forest type and stand origin.

Pine plantation. Stand that (a) has been artificially regen­erated 

by planting or direct seeding, (b) is classed as a member of 

the pine or other softwood forest type, and (c) has at least 10 

percent stocking.

Natural pine. Stand that (a) has not been artificially 

regenerated, (b) is classed as a member of the pine or other 

softwood forest type, and (c) has at least 10 percent stocking.

Oak-pine. Stand that has at least 10 percent stocking and is 

classed as a member of the oak-pine forest type.

Upland hardwood. Stand that has at least 10 percent stocking 

and classed as a member of the oak-hickory or maple-beechbirch forest type. 

Lowland hardwood. Stand that has at least 10 percent stocking 

and is classed as a member of the oak-gum-cypress, elm-ashcottonwood, palm, or other tropical forest type.

Nonstocked stands. Stands < 10 percent stocked with live trees.
36

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Forest type. A classification of forest land based on the species 

forming a plurality of live-tree stocking. Major eastern forest-type 

groups are:

White-red-jack pine. Forests in which eastern white pine, red 

pine, or jack pine, singly or in combination, constitute a plurality 

of the stocking. (Common asso­ciates include hemlock, birch, 

and maple.)

Spruce-fir. Forests in which spruce or true firs, singly or in 

combination, constitute a plurality of the stock­ing. (Common 

associates include maple, birch, and hem­lock.)

Longleaf-slash pine. Forests in which longleaf or slash pine, 

singly or in combination, constitute a plu­rality of the stocking. 

(Common associates in­clude oak, hickory, and gum.)

Loblolly-shortleaf pine. Forests in which loblolly pine, shortleaf 

pine, or other southern yellow pines, except longleaf or slash 

pine, singly or in combina­tion, con­stitute a plurality of the 

stocking. (Common associ­ates include oak, hickory, and gum.)

Oak-pine. Forests in which hardwoods (usually upland oaks) 

constitute a plurality of the stocking but in which pines account 

for 25 to 50 percent of the stocking. (Common associates 

include gum, hickory, and yellow-poplar.)

Oak-hickory. Forests in which upland oaks or hickory, singly 

or in combination, constitute a plurali­ty of the stocking, except 

where pines ac­count for 25 to 50 percent of stocking, in which 

case the stand is classi­fied as oak-pine. (Common associates 

in­clude yellow­-poplar, elm, maple, and black wal­nut.)

Oak-gum-cypress. Bottomland forests in which tupelo, 

blackgum, sweetgum, oaks, or southern cypress, singly or 

in combination, constitute a plurali­ty of the stocking, except 

where pines ac­count for 25 to 50 percent of stocking, in which 

case the stand is classi­fied as oak-pine. (Common associates 

include cotton­wood, willow, ash, elm, hackberry, and ma­ple.)
37

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Elm-ash-cottonwood. Forests in which elm, ash, or cottonwood, 

singly or in combination, constitute a plurality of the stocking. 

(Common associates in­clude willow, sycamore, beech, and 

maple.)

Maple-beech-birch. Forests in which maple, beech, or 

yellow birch, singly or in combination, constitute a plurality 

of the stocking. (Common associates in­clude hemlock, elm, 

basswood, and white pine.)

Nonstocked stands. Stands < 10 percent stocked with live trees.

Forested tract size. The area of forest within the contiguous tract 

containing each Forest Inventory and Analysis Program sample 

plot.

Fresh weight. Mass of tree component at time of cutting. 

Gross growth. Annual increase in vol­ume of trees 5.0 inches 

d.b.h. and larger in the absence of cutting and mortality. (Gross 

growth includes survivor growth, ingrowth, growth on ingrowth, 

growth on removals before removal, and growth on mortality before 

death.)

Growing‐stock trees. Living trees of commercial species 

classified as sawtimber, poletimber, saplings, and seedlings. 

Trees must contain at least one 12-foot or two 8-foot logs in the 

saw-log portion, currently or potentially (if too small to qualify), 

to be classed as growing stock. The log(s) must meet dimension 

and merchantability standards to qualify. Trees must also have, 

currently or potentially, one-third of their gross board-foot volume in 

sound wood.

Growing‐stock volume. The cubic-foot volume of sound wood in 

growing-stock trees at least 5.0 inches d.b.h. from a 1-foot stump 

to a minimum 4.0-inch top d.o.b. of the central stem.

Hardwoods. Dicotyledonous trees, usu­ally broadleaf and 

deciduous.
38

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Soft hardwoods. Hardwood species with an average 

specific gravity of 0.50 or less, such as gums, yellow-poplar, 

cottonwoods, red maple, basswoods, and willows. 

Hard hardwoods. Hardwood species with an average specific 

gravity > 0.50, such as oaks, hard maples, hickories, and 

beech.

Industrial wood. All roundwood products except fuel wood.

Land area. The area of dry land and land temporarily or partly 

covered by water, such as marshes, swamps, and river floodplains 

(omitting tidal flats below mean high tide), streams, sloughs, 

estuaries, and canals < 200 feet wide, and lakes, reser­voirs, and 

ponds < 4.5 acres in area.

Live trees. All living trees. All size classes, all tree classes, and 

both commercial and noncommercial species are included. 

Log grade. A classification of logs based on external 

characteristics indicating quality or value.

Logging residues. The unused merchantable portion of growingstock trees cut or destroyed during logging oper­ations.

Net annual change. Net annual increase or decrease in volume of 

live trees at least 5.0 inches d.b.h. Net annual change is equal to 

net annual growth minus average annual removals.

Noncommercial species. Tree species of typically small size, 

poor form, or inferior quality that nor­mally do not develop into trees 

suitable for industrial wood prod­ucts.

Nonforest land. Land that has never supported forests and 

land formerly forested where timber production is precluded by 

development for other uses.

Nonstocked stands. Stands < 10 percent stocked with live trees.

Other forest land. Forest land other than timberland and 

productive reserved forest land. It includes available and reserved 

forest land incapable of producing annually 20 cubic feet per acre 
39

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

of industrial wood under natural conditions, because of adverse 

site conditions such as sterile soils, dry climate, poor drainage, 

high elevation, steepness, or rockiness.

Other removals. The growing-stock volume of trees removed 

from the inventory by cultural operations such as timber stand 

improvement, land clearing, and other changes in land use, 

resulting in the removal of the trees from timberland.

Ownership. The property owned by one ownership unit, including 

all parcels of land in the United States. 

National forest land. Federal land that has been legal­ly 

designated as national forests or purchase units, and other 

land under the administration of the Forest Ser­vice, including 

experimental areas and Bankhead–­Jones Title III land.

Forest industry land. Land owned by companies or indi­viduals 

operating primary wood-using plants.

Nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF). Privately owned land 

that is not forest industry land. 

Corporate. Owned by corporations, includ­ing incorporated 

farm ownerships.

Individual. All lands owned by individuals, including farm 

operators.

Other public. An ownership class that includes all public lands 

except national forests.

Miscellaneous Federal land. Federal land other than national forests.

State, county, and municipal land. Land owned by States, 

counties, and local public agencies or municipalities or land 

leased to these governmental units for 50 years or more.

Plant residues. Wood material generated in the pro­duc­tion of 

timber products at primary manufacturing plants.
40

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Coarse residues. Material, such as slabs, edgings, trim, veneer 

cores and ends, suitable for chipping.

Fine residues. Material, such as sawdust, shav­ings, and veneer 

chippings, not suitable for chipping.

Plant byproducts. Residues (coarse or fine) used in the manufacture of industrial prod­ucts or for consumer use or as fuel. 

Unused plant residues. Residues (coarse or fine) not used for 

any product, including fuel.

Poletimber‐size trees. Softwoods 5.0 to 8.9 inches d.b.h. and 

hardwoods 5.0 to 10.9 inches d.b.h.

Primary wood-using plants. Industries receiving roundwood or 

chips from roundwood for the manufacture of products, such as 

veneer, pulp, and lumber.

Productive-reserved forest land. Forest land sufficiently 

produc­tive to qualify as timberland but withdrawn by statute or 

administrative regulation from production of timber that is utilized.

Reforestation. Area of land previously classified as forest that is 

regenerated by tree planting or natural regeneration.

Rotten trees. Live trees of commercial species not containing at 

least one 12-foot saw log, or two noncontiguous saw logs, each 8 

feet in length or longer, now or pro­spectively, primarily because of 

rot or missing sec­tions, and with less than one-third of the gross 

board-foot tree volume in sound material.

Rough trees. Live trees of commercial species not containing at 

least one 12-foot saw log, or two noncontiguous saw logs, each 

8 feet in length or longer, now or pro­spectively, primarily because 

of roughness, poor form, splits, and cracks, and with less than 

one-third of the gross board-foot tree volume in sound material; 

and live trees of noncommercial species.

Roundwood chipped. Any timber cut primarily for pulp­wood, 

delivered to nonpulpmills, chipped, and then sold to pulpmills as 
41

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

residues, including chipped tops, jump sections, whole trees, and 

pulpwood sticks.

Roundwood products. Any primary product such as lumber, 

poles, pilings, pulp, or fuel wood that is produced from roundwood.

Roundwood (roundwood logs). Logs, bolts, or other round 

sections cut from trees for industrial or consumer uses.

Salvable dead trees. Standing or downed dead trees that were 

formerly growing stock and are considered merchantable. Trees 

must be at least 5.0 inches d.b.h. to qualify.

Saplings. Live trees 1.0 to 5.0 inches d.b.h.

Saw log. A log meeting minimum standards of diame­ter, length, 

and defect, including logs at least 8 feet long, sound and straight, 

with a minimum diame­ter inside bark for softwoods of 6 inches (8 

inches for hard­woods).

Saw‐log portion. The part of the bole of sawtimber trees between 

a 1-foot stump and the saw-log top. 

Saw‐log top. The point on the bole of sawtimber trees above 

which a conventional saw log cannot be pro­duced. The minimum 

saw-log top is 7.0 inches d.o.b. for softwoods and 9.0 inches d.o.b. 

for hardwoods.

Sawtimber‐size trees. Softwoods 9.0 inches d.b.h. and larger and 

hardwoods 11.0 inches d.b.h. and larger.

Sawtimber volume. Growing-stock volume in the saw­-log portion 

of sawtimber-size trees in board feet (Internation­al 1/4-inch rule).

Seedlings. Trees < 1.0 inch d.b.h. and > 1 foot tall for hardwoods, 

> 6 inches tall for softwood, and > 0.5 inch in diameter at ground 

level for longleaf pine. 

Select red oaks. The group consisting of cherrybark, Shumard, 

and northern red oaks. Other red oak species are included in the 

“other red oaks” group.
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e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Select white oaks. The group consisting of white, swamp 

chestnut, swamp white, chinkapin, Durand, and bur oaks. Other 

white oak species are included in the “other white oaks” group.

Site class. A classification of forest land in terms of potential 

capacity to grow crops of industrial wood based on fully stocked 

natural stands. 

Softwoods. Coniferous trees, usually evergreen, having leaves 

that are needles or scalelike.

Yellow pines. Loblolly, longleaf, slash, pond, shortleaf, pitch, 

Virginia, sand, spruce, and Table Mountain pines.

Other softwoods. Cypress, eastern redcedar, white-cedar, 

eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, spruce, and fir.

Stand age. The average age of dominant and codominant trees in 

the stand.

Stand origin. A classification of forest stands describing their 

means of origin.

Planted. Planted or artificially seeded.

Natural. No evidence of artificial regeneration.

Stand‐size class. A classification of forest land based on the 

diameter class distribution of live trees in the stand.

Sawtimber stands. Stands at least 10 percent stocked with live 

trees, with one-half or more of total stocking in sawtimber and 

poletimber trees, and with sawtimber stocking at least equal to 

poletimber stocking.

Poletimber stands. Stands at least 10 percent stocked with live 

trees, with one-half or more of total stocking in poletimber and 

sawtimber trees, and with poletimber stocking greater than 

sawtimber stocking.

Sapling-seedling stands. Stands at least 10 percent stocked 

with live trees and with more than one-half of total stocking in 

saplings and seedlings.

Nonstocked stands. Stands < 10 percent stocked with live trees.
43

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Stocking. The degree of occupancy of land by trees, measured 

by basal area or the number of trees in a stand and spacing in 

the stand, compared with a mini­mum standard, depending on tree 

size, required to fully utilize the growth potential of the land.

Density of trees and basal area per acre required for full stocking: 

D.b.h. Trees per acre Basal area (ft2

)

class for full stocking per acre

Seedlings 600 —

2 560 —

4 460 —

6 340 67

8 240 84

10 155 85

12 115 90

14 90 96

16 72 101

18 60 106

20 51 111

 — = not applicable. 

Timberland. Forest land capable of producing 20 cubic feet of 

industrial wood per acre per year and not withdrawn from timber 

utilization.

Timber products. Roundwood products and byprod­ucts.

Tree. Woody plant having at maturity one erect perennial stem or 

trunk at least 3.0 inches d.b.h., a more or less defi­nitely formed 

crown of foliage, and a height of at least 13 feet.

Tree grade. A classification of the saw-log portion of sawtimber 

trees based on: (a) the grade of the butt log or (b) the ability of the 

tree to produce at least one 12-foot or two 8-foot logs in the upper 

section of the saw-log portion. Tree grade is an indicator of quality; 

grade 1 is the best quality.
44

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Upper‐stem portion. The part of the main stem or fork of 

sawtimber trees above the saw-log top to a minimum top diameter 

of 4.0 inches outside bark or to the point where the main stem or 

fork breaks into limbs.

Volume of live trees. The cubic-foot volume of sound wood in live 

trees at least 5.0 inches d.b.h. from a 1-foot stump to a minimum 

4.0-inch top d.o.b. of the central stem.

Volume of saw-log portion of sawtimber trees. The cubic-foot 

volume of sound wood in the saw-log portion of sawtimber trees. 

Volume is the net result after deductions for rot, sweep, and other 

defects that affect use for lumber.
45

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Public Access to Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Data

Data collected by the Forest Service FIA Program are made available 

to the public via the Internet. To access data, go to

the Forest Service FIA Web site at http://www.fia.fs.fed.us and enter the 

“Online Databases” section. The data are stored in a way that permits 

individual users to select and download data so they can produce their 

own estimates and summaries. Users can also access an online table 

generator to easily query the data within the Internet forum.

Inventory Methods

Data collection for the 2002 inventory was based on a statistically valid 

fixed-radius plot design that is described in Forest Service FIA manual 

version 3.1 Sampling for the 2002 inventory was in multiple parts or 

“phases.” Phase 1 sampling utilized aerial photographs and geographic 

information systems to generate initial estimates of forest and nonforest 

areas. For national forests, initial area estimates were enumerated 

based on national forest records to ensure maximum accuracy. Global 

Positioning System devices were then used to locate and record the 

center of each ground sample plot. 

Phase 2 of the data collection process involved field measurements 

made at each sample location where the plot design sampled forest 

land. The plot design consisted of a cluster of four 24.0-foot radius 

subplots spaced and arranged to form an equilateral triangle, with 

subplot 1 falling in the center (fig. A.1). Subplots were spaced 120 

feet from the center of subplot 1. Each subplot was mapped for forest 

conditions, including land use, forest type, stand-size class, stand 

origin, stand density, and broad ownership category. All trees 5.0-

inches d.b.h. and larger were measured within each subplot. Plots and 

subplot locations were fixed, and plots were not rotated or moved for any 

reason. Plots straddling forest and nonforest conditions were mapped, 

and trees in the forested area were measured. Each plot contained four 

1

 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 1998. Field Instructions for the southern forest 

inventory. Version 3. On file with: Southern Research Station, Forestry Inventory and Analysis, 

4700 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.
46

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

microplots, which were located at subplot centers. In the microplots, 

crew members collected data about all live trees 1.0 inches in diameter 

through 4.9 inches in diameter. Equations for each of the major species 

in the State were used to compute individual tree volumes.

Growth, removal, and mortality estimates were determined based on 

the remeasurement of permanent sample plots established in the 1990 

inventory. The plot design for the 1990 inventory was based on a cluster 

of 10 points. In that inventory, variable plots were systematically spaced 

within a single forest condition at three to five points. At each point, 

trees 5.0 inches d.b.h. and larger were selected for measurement on a 

variable-radius plot defined by a 37.5-factor prism. Trees <5.0 inches 

d.b.h. were tallied on a fixed-radius plot around points 1 through 3. Thus, 

the values we report for the latest inventory are an average yearly mean 

for 1993 through 1999. 

Figure A.1—Layout of fixed-radius plot used in 2002 

North Carolina survey.
47

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

All field data were submitted to the Southern Research Station in 

Asheville, NC, for editing, processing, and storage. Final estimates 

were based on statistical summaries of the data and represent only 

a portion of the data collected. 

Sample Accuracy

FIA data are collected nationwide to provide reliable statistics 

for forest resources at the State and survey unit levels. Because 

sample sizes for the individual national forests and species 

groups were small, readers should regard the summary statistics 

presented in this report as estimates only and should understand 

that the summary calculations involved sampling error. 

Sampling errors are a measure of the reliability of inventory 

statistics. These sampling errors mean that the chances are 

two out of three that the true population value is within the limits 

indicated by a confidence interval. Sampling errors (in percent) 

and associated confidence intervals around the sample estimates 

for timberland area, inventory volumes, and components of change 

are presented in the following tabulation:

Sample estimate and Sampling

Item confidence interval error

percent

All live (million cubic feet)

Inventory 2,786.7 ± 90.4 3.24

Net annual growth 56.4 ± 6.1 10.75

 Annual removals 11.2 ± 3.7 33.20

 Annual mortality 43.8 ± 3.7 8.46

Growing stock (million cubic feet)

Inventory 2,569.5 ± 89.8 3.49

Net annual growth 59.1 ± 5.9 9.94

 Annual removals 11.0 ± 1.2 10.51

 Annual mortality 34.8 ± 3.5 10.10

Sawtimber (million board feet)

Inventory 9,737.9 ± 476.2 4.89

Net annual growth 282.6 ± 27.5 9.73

 Annual removals 42.1 ± 14.6 34.78

 Annual mortality 121.7 ± 13.5 11.08
48

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Sampling error increases as the area or volume considered 

decreases in magnitude. Sampling errors and associated 

confidence intervals are often unacceptably high for small 

components of the total resource. Statistical confidence may be 

computed for any subdivision of survey unit or State totals using 

the following formula. Sampling errors obtained by this method are 

only approximations of reliability because this process assumes 

constant variance across all subdivisions of totals.

where

SEs = sampling error for subdivision of survey unit or State total

SEt = sampling error for survey unit or State total

Xs = sum of values for the variable of interest (area or volume) 

for subdivision of survey unit or State

Xt = total area or volume for survey unit or State

For example, the estimate of sampling error for softwood live-tree 

volume on North Carolina national forest timberland is computed 

as:

Thus, the sampling error is 7.19 percent, and the resulting 

confidence interval (two times out of three) for softwood live-tree 

volume on North Carolina’s national forest timberland is 567.3 ± 

40.8 million board feet.

Forest areas of the Pisgah/Cherokee, Nantahala, Croatan, and 

Uwharrie National Forests are reported without associated error 

values because forest area for each of these national forests are 

taken from known NFS land area records. The subdivisions and 

classifications associated with forest area (forest type, stand age, 

etc.) do have some measurement/classification error; however, this 

error may not be measured with the above formula.

= 7.19

567.3

2,786.7

SE = 3.24 s
49

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Metric Equivalents

1 acre = 4046.86 m2 or 0.404686 ha

1 cubic foot = 0.028317 m3

1 inch = 2.54 cm or 0.0254 m

Breast height = 1.4 m above the ground level

1 square foot = 929.03 cm2 or 0.0929 m2

1 square foot per acre basal area = 0.229568 m2/ha

1 pound = 0.454 kg

1 ton = 0.907 mt
50

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Index of Tables

Table A.1—Area of forest land by national forest and forest-type 

group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.2—Area of forest land by forest-type group and stand

origin, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.3—Number of live trees on forest land by species group 

and diameter class, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.4—Number of growing-stock trees on forest land by species 

group and diameter class, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.5—Aboveground dry weight biomass estimates on forest 

land by species group and national forest, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002

Table A.6—Volume of sawtimber on timberland by species group 

and diameter class > 9.0 inches d.b.h., North Carolina national 

forests, 2002

Table A.7—Volume of growing stock on timberland by species 

group and diameter class > 5.0 inches d.b.h., North Carolina

national forests, 2002

Table A.8—Area of forest land by stand–age class and forest–type 

group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.9—Number of standing dead trees on forest land by 

species group and diameter class, North Carolina national forests, 

2002

Table A.10—Area of timberland by national forest and forest-type 

group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.11—Area of timberland by national forest and stand-size 

class, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Table A.12—Area of timberland by national forest and site class, 

North Carolina National forests, 2002
51

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Table A.13—Net annual growth and removals of live trees, growing 

stock, and sawtimber on timberland by species group, North 

Carolina national forests, 1990 to 2001

Table A.14—Mortality of growing stock and sawtimber on timberland by species group, North Carolina national forests, 2002
52

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Table A.1—Area of forest land by national forest and forest-type group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Forest-type group

National forest

All

groups

Whitered-jack

pine

Longleafslash

pine

Sprucefir

Loblollyshortleaf

pine

OakpineOakhickoryOak-gumcypressElm-ashcottonwood

Maplebeechbirch

thousand acres

Pisgah/Cherokee 419.2 19.1 — 3.8 8.2 39.7 324.2 — — 24.4

Nantahala 608.9 25.8 — 5.5 4.5 29.3 522.1 — — 21.7

Croatan 158.9 — 2.5 — 55.5 66.0 17.0 15.6 2.4 —

Uwharrie 45.9 — — — 8.9 9.5 27.5 — — —

 Total 1,233.0 44.9 2.5 9.2 77.2 144.5 890.8 15.6 2.4 46.1

 Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

 — = no sample for the cell.

Table A.2—Area of forest land by forest-type 

group and stand origin, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002

Stand origin

Forest-type group All Planted Natural

thousand acres

Softwood types

 White-red-jack pine 44.9 2.6 42.3

 Longleaf-slash pine 2.5 — 2.5

 Loblolly-shortleaf pine 77.2 20.2 57.0

 Spruce-fir 9.2 — 9.2

 Total softwoods 133.7 22.8 110.9

Hardwood types

 Oak-pine 144.5 5.8 138.6

 Oak-hickory 890.8 — 890.8

 Oak-gum-cypress 15.6 — 15.6

 Elm-ash-cottonwood 2.4 — 2.4

 Maple-beech-birch 46.1 — 46.1

 Total hardwoods 1,099.2 5.8 1,093.4

All groups 1,232.9 28.6 1,204.3

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to 

rounding. 

— = no sample for the cell.
53

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Table A.3—Number of live trees on forest land by species group and diameter class, North Carolina national forests, 

2002

Diameter class (inches at breast height)

Species group

All

classes

1.0 –

2.9

 3.0 –

 4.9

 5.0 –

 6.9

 7.0 –

 8.9

9.0 –

10.9

11.0 –

12.9

13.0 –

14.9

15.0 –

16.9

17.0 –

18.9

19.0 –

20.9

21.0 –

28.9

29.0 and

larger

thousand trees

Softwood

 Yellow pine 59,997 19,657 12,155 9,375 6,257 4,256 3,194 2,049 1,212 745 684 348 65

 Other softwoods 35,511 15,705 9,006 4,198 2,651 1,168 968 465 438 326 189 285 112

 All softwoods 95,508 35,362 21,161 13,573 8,908 5,424 4,162 2,514 1,650 1,071 873 633 177

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 312,031 195,188 54,762 24,663 14,075 8,701 4,999 3,503 2,062 1,591 956 1,290 241

 Hard hardwood 292,024 137,801 58,057 29,335 21,325 14,002 10,142 7,080 4,523 3,965 2,076 2,973 745

 All hardwoods 604,055 332,989 112,819 53,998 35,400 22,703 15,141 10,583 6,585 5,556 3,032 4,263 986

All species 699,563 368,351 133,980 67,571 44,308 28,127 19,303 13,097 8,235 6,627 3,905 4,896 1,163

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Table A.4—Number of growing-stock trees on forest land by species group and diameter class, North Carolina

national forests, 2002

Diameter class (inches at breast height)

Species group

All

classes

1.0 –

2.9

3.0 –

4.9

 5.0 –

6.9

7.0 –

8.9

9.0 –

10.9

11.0 –

12.9

13.0 –

14.9

15.0 –

16.9

17.0 –

18.9

19.0 –

20.9

21.0 –

28.9

29.0 and

larger

thousand trees

Softwood

 Yellow pine 46,651 10,379 9,332 8,629 5,872 4,192 3,163 2,049 1,212 726 684 348 65

 Other softwoods 25,279 6,903 8,188 3,878 2,588 1,122 944 444 354 326 189 285 58

 All softwoods 71,930 17,282 17,520 12,507 8,460 5,314 4,107 2,493 1,566 1,052 873 633 123

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 136,109 51,901 32,344 18,998 11,844 7,553 4,430 3,231 1,947 1,544 926 1,171 220

 Hard hardwood 141,337 35,307 28,576 20,820 17,102 11,668 8,627 6,274 4,178 3,609 1,896 2,694 586

 All hardwoods 277,446 87,208 60,920 39,818 28,946 19,221 13,057 9,505 6,125 5,153 2,822 3,865 806

All species 349,376 104,490 78,440 52,325 37,406 24,535 17,164 11,998 7,691 6,205 3,695 4,498 929

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.
54

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Table A.5—Aboveground dry weight biomass estimates on forest 

land by species group and national forest, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002

National forest

Species group

Pisgah/

Cherokee Nantahala Croatan Uwharrie

tons

Softwood 

 Yellow pine 2,243,329 2,607,463 3,931,262 727,906

 Other softwoods 909,258 2,600,690 158,611 5,712

 All softwoods 3,152,587 5,208,153 4,089,873 733,618

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 9,084,609 10,915,088 1,541,196 583,655

 Hard hardwood 21,147,199 29,407,956 786,147 1,579,653

 All hardwoods 30,231,808 40,323,044 2,327,343 2,163,308

All species 33,384,395 45,531,197 6,417,217 2,896,926

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Table A.6—Volume of sawtimber on timberland by species group and diameter class > 9.0 inches d.b.h.,

North Carolina national forests, 2002

Diameter class (inches at breast height)

Species group

All

classes

9.0 –

10.9

11.0 –

12.9

13.0 –

14.9

15.0 –

16.9

17.0 –

18.9

19.0 –

20.9

21.0 –

28.9

29.0 and

larger

million board feet

Softwood

 Yellow pine 1,852.9 182.2 262.2 306.0 282.3 225.6 288.0 249.0 57.6

 Other softwoods 707.3 33.8 59.7 48.0 71.3 84.6 72.3 176.5 161.1

 All softwoods 2,560.2 216.0 321.9 354.0 353.6 310.2 360.3 425.5 218.6

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 2,700.2 — 267.7 378.3 347.7 406.5 357.6 718.3 224.1

 Hard hardwood 4,477.5 — 480.9 548.1 595.5 682.4 503.9 1,117.6 549.3

 All hardwoods 7,177.7 — 748.6 926.3 943.2 1,088.8 861.4 1,835.9 773.4

All species 9,737.8 216.0 1,070.6 1,280.3 1,296.8 1,399.1 1,221.7 2,261.4 992.0

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

— = no sample for the cell.
55

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Table A.7—Volume of growing stock on timberland by species group and diameter class > 5.0 inches d.b.h., North 

Carolina national forests, 2002

Diameter class (inches at breast height)

Species group

All

classes

5.0 –

6.9

7.0 –

8.9

9.0 –

10.9

11.0 –

12.9

13.0 –

14.9

15.0 –

16.9

17.0 –

18.9

19.0 –

20.9

21.0 –

28.9

29.0 and

larger

million cubic feet

Softwood

 Yellow pine 407.5 21.7 35.9 49.4 58.1 60.1 50.4 38.6 46.7 38.0 8.5

 Other softwoods 148.3 7.6 12.5 9.7 14.1 10.0 13.8 15.4 12.7 29.0 23.6

 All softwoods 555.9 29.2 48.4 59.1 72.2 70.1 64.3 54.0 59.5 67.0 32.1

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 756.4 53.2 73.5 85.9 78.0 91.4 75.1 79.1 65.5 119.3 35.3

 Hard hardwood 1,257.2 54.6 96.4 123.4 140.6 139.9 138.1 148.0 103.4 214.9 97.9

 All hardwoods 2,013.6 107.8 170.0 209.3 218.6 231.4 213.1 227.1 169.0 334.2 133.2

All species 2,569.5 137.0 218.4 268.5 290.8 301.4 277.4 281.2 228.4 401.2 165.3

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Table A.8—Area of forest land by stand–age class and forest–type group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Forest-type group

Stand-age

class

All

groups

Whitered-jack

pine

Sprucefir

Longleafslash

pine

Loblollyshortleaf

pine

OakpineOakhickoryOak-gum

cypress

Elm-ashcottonwood

Maplebeechbirch

thousand acres

0 – 10 37.5 3.6 — — 1.0 7.8 21.0 4.1 — —

11 – 20 84.1 1.4 — — 11.3 16.8 47.3 — — 7.2

21 – 30 52.1 — — — 7.3 29.6 14.3 0.3 — 0.6

31 – 40 56.5 8.4 — — 14.0 1.2 27.8 1.6 — 3.5

41 – 50 81.0 8.2 — — 16.3 5.9 44.1 1.0 — 5.5

51 – 60 150.4 7.5 9.2 0.2 13.1 23.6 91.1 4.4 — 1.3

61 – 70 227.3 8.1 — 1.3 1.6 32.5 176.7 — — 7.2

71 – 80 138.4 3.1 — — 4.7 9.4 110.1 — 2.4 8.7

81 – 90 160.0 2.3 — 1.0 — 12.9 143.8 — — —

91 – 100 69.4 — — — 7.8 1.2 46.7 4.1 — 9.6

> 100 176.2 2.4 — — — 3.5 167.8 — — 2.4

 All classes 1,233.0 44.9 9.2 2.5 77.2 144.5 890.8 15.6 2.4 46.1

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

— = no sample for the cell.
56

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

Table A.9—Number of standing dead 

trees on forest land by species group and 

diameter class, North Carolina national 

forests, 2002

Diameter classa

Species group

All

classes

5.0 –

10.9 > 11.0

million trees

Softwood

 Yellow pine 8.98 7.32 1.65

 Other softwoods 0.75 0.59 0.16

 All softwoods 9.72 7.91 1.81

Hardwood

 Soft hardwood 4.83 4.38 0.45

 Hard hardwood 8.91 6.35 2.56

 All hardwoods 13.74 10.73 3.00

All species 23.46 18.65 4.81

a Inches at breast height.

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals 

due to rounding.

Table A.10—Area of timberland by national forest and forest-type group, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Forest-type group

National forest

All

groups

Whitered-jack

pine

Sprucefir

Longleafslash

pine

Loblollyshortleaf

pine

OakpineOakhickoryOak-gumcypressElm-ashcottonwood

Maplebeechbirch

thousand acres

Pisgah/Cherokee 380.0 19.1 3.8 — 8.2 39.7 292.1 — — 17.2

Nantahala 563.6 25.8 5.5 — 4.5 27.5 480.9 — — 19.4

Croatan 121.1 — — 2.5 51.8 31.9 17.0 15.6 2.4 —

Uwharrie 40.7 — — — 8.9 9.5 22.3 — — —

 Total 1,105.4 44.9 9.2 2.5 73.4 108.6 812.3 15.6 2.4 36.5

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

— = no sample for the cell.
57

The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Table A.11—Area of timberland by national forest and stand-size 

class, North Carolina national forests, 2002

Stand-size class

National forest

All

classes Sawtimber Poletimber

Saplingseedling

thousand acres

Pisgah/Cherokee 380.0 262.4 51.3 66.3

Nantahala 563.6 365.1 131.1 67.4

Croatan 121.1 49.0 26.7 45.4

Uwharrie 40.7 24.4 10.1 6.2

 Total 1,105.4 700.9 219.1 185.4

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Table A.12—Area of timberland by national forest and site class, North Carolina National 

forests, 2002

Site class

National forest

All

classes

20 to 49

cf/ac/yr

50 to 84

cf/ac/yr

85 to 119

cf/ac/yr

120 to 164

cf/ac/yr

165 to 224

cf/ac/yr

thousand acres

Pisgah/Cherokee 380.0 77.8 158.4 100.4 39.9 3.5

Nantahala 563.6 168.8 192.8 112.5 80.5 9.0

Croatan 121.1 46.5 19.7 37.6 16.2 1.2

Uwharrie 40.7 5.4 18.4 15.4 1.6 —

 Total 1,105.4 298.6 389.2 265.8 138.2 13.7

Numbers in rows and columns may not sum to totals due to rounding.

— = no sample for the cell.

Table A.13—Net annual growth and removals 

of live trees, growing stock, and sawtimber on 

timberland by species group, North Carolina 

national forests, 1990 to 2001

Species

group

All live

trees

Growing

stock Sawtimber

million cubic feet mmbf

Growth

 Softwood 15.5 15.9 84.5

 Hardwood 40.9 43.2 198.1

Removals

 Softwood 4.6 4.6 42.1

 Hardwood 6.6 6.3 24.7

Table A.14—Mortality of growing stock 

and sawtimber on timberland by species 

group, North Carolina national forests, 

2002

Species group

Growing

stock

Sawtimber

mmcf mmbf

Softwood 14.5 50.1

Hardwood 20.3 71.6
58

e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115
The Status of North Carolina’s National Forests, 2002

Oswalt, Sonja N.; Johnson, Tony G. 2007. The status of North Carolina’s national forests, 

2002. e-Resour. Bull. SRS–115. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 

Southern Research Station. 57 p.

This bulletin describes forest resources of the Pisgah/Cherokee, Nantahala, Croatan, and 

Uwharrie National Forests in the State of North Carolina. It is based on sampling conducted by 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory 

and Analysis Research Work Unit. This bulletin addresses forest area estimates; timber growth, 

removals and mortality; and timber product output.

Keywords: Annual removals, Croatan National Forest, forest land area, forest productivity,

Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah/Cherokee National Forests, Uwharrie National Forest.
e-Resource Bulletin SRS–115

The Forest Service, United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), is dedicated to the principle 

of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest 

resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, 

and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with 

the States and private forest owners, and management of 

the National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives—as 

directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service 

to a growing Nation.

The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial 

status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of 

an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance 

program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 

communication of program information (Braille, large print, 

audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 

(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, 

Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) 

or (202) 720-6382 ( TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer.