Reed Noss has named this forest type as one of the most critical for preserving biological diversity. This region is believed to be the progenitor of all American deciduous forests, but it has been intensively logged, grazed, and burned with little regard for the next generation of forests or people. Intensive strip mining, timbering, pollution, and deep mining have scarred much of Appalachia's forests. Today Appalachian forests are under heavy pressure to provide pulpwood and hardwood for a variety of purposes. There are no certified sustainably harvested forests in Kentucky and few in Appalachia.
Many states have few environmental standards for logging.
Kentucky has no best management practices requirements. Landowners have very little protection from unscrupulous loggers. There are few consulting foresters working in Kentucky and other areas of central Appalachia. Landowners have little understanding of the current and future value of standing timber. The Appalachian forests suffered a devastating cut at the turn of the century, and forestry practices since then have not been ecologically sound and have lead to a significantly degraded forest resource.