USFS Inventory of the Maine Woods Mitch Lanksy Outlines Problems in 1995 USFS Inventory of the Maine Woods 1. Red spruce decline.
Red spruce is the most important species for both lumber and pulpwood.
The cut of red spruces was three times the volume of growth. It will take a long time to recover because of a decline in trees in smaller diameter classes. Decline in spruce-fir forest type. This has long-term implications in timber supply and more immediate implications for local timberlands taxation. Mixedwood and hardwood timberlands have lower assessed values under the tree-growth tax.