Timber ranks first in East Texas and fifth statewide in the value of agricultural production.
The industry directly employs 61,000 people, ranking first among East Texas manufacturers. Most of East Texas forests are owned by families and individuals, not corporations or the government. Reforestation and improved forest management are keys to future economic growth in East Texas. The industry grew at an annual rate of 5.1 percent even during Texas' economically troublesome 1980s. Among southern states, Texas ranks 4th in forest industry output.