Maryland’s Forests: Past, Present, and Future Jonathan S. Kays regional Extension natural resources specialist Western Maryland Research and Education Center For centuries, Maryland’s forests have pro- areas of forest for agriculture, berry produc- vided wood, wildlife habitat, clean water and tion, and hunting, but these activities were air, aesthetic and recreational enjoyment, and primarily near settlements along the many other benefits. However, over the last Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Virgin for- few decades the State population has grown est covered almost the entire state. The tree rapidly and demands on forest resources have species of 17th century Maryland forests— increased. This fact sheet briefly describes oak, tulip-poplar, eastern hemlock, beech, Maryland’s past, present, and future forests loblolly pine, white pine, and American and attempts to impress upon all woodland chestnut—are similar to those growing today. owners that the forest is truly a renewable Forest composition, however, has changed natural resource whose future can be ensured dramatically. The original forests were pri- by sound forest stewardship. marily composed of hardwoods; at present, pine is more abundant due to planting The Past: Forest Clearing efforts and the reversion of abandoned farm- Cycles of Use and Neglect lands to forest. Many people think present-day forests have Colonists and the Forest never changed or been changed. In fact, The first European settlers saw the forest as most of Maryland’s forests have been harvest- a dense wilderness that impeded their agri- ed and regrown three to five times since cultural livelihood and harbored dangerous European settlement. These woodlands have animals and diseases. Timber was abundant, been shaped by other human activity as well. had little monetary value, and colonists A brief look at Maryland’s forest history indiscriminately cleared woodland (primarily shows how humans have affected the forests. by burning) to grow tobacco and other cash crops. Poor agricultural practices caused The Early Forest massive soil erosion and silted up what had This fact sheet is part of a series on woodland management. If you Maryland’s forests were virtually untouched been the deep-water harbors of the would like information on additional topics in the series, contact your before the arrival of the first European settlers Chesapeake Bay. county Extension office. in 1634 at St. Mary’s City. Prior to this, Native Colonization centered primarily around the Americans had cleared and burned small Chesapeake-Tidewater area until 1732. At this P95 Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland at College Park, and local governments. Thomas A. Fretz, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland at College Park. The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondis- crimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the 8 Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742. time, Lord Baltimore opened land to the west to for the Industrial Revolution. As forests were moderate to heavy gypsy moth defoliation, the means to improve tree growth, wildlife settlement—primarily to assert Maryland’s claim harvested, towns were established and then which has killed an estimated 428 million habitat and other forest benefits, while con- to lands disputed by neighboring Virginia. As set- abandoned, sometimes within a few years. board feet of oak timber. As a result, many oak tributing to the economic and aesthetic well tlements expanded, more wood was needed for forests have regenerated with other species— being of the region. structures, fences, and fuel. These demands were Agricultural Abandonment and species less amenable to wildlife and less valu- met by clearing Forest Regrowth able as timber. As the gypsy moth moves south The Future: Putting Forest Industrial Exploitation Clearing for agriculture reached its peak in into previously unaffected areas of Southern the mid 1800’s. After the Civil War, there was Maryland and the Eastern Shore defoliation, Stewardship Into Practice Iron furnaces. The first widespread indus- a gradual increase in the number of forested mortality, and changes in Maryland species Today the reawakening of interest in envi- trial exploitation of forests began in the early acres as agricultural land was abandoned composition will probably increase. ronmental issues has renewed interest in for- 1700’s. Iron was in short supply in the early and people moved to industrial centers for Because many factors affect the health of our est stewardship. Forest resources other than settlements and smelting iron ore required jobs. Additional land abandonment occurred forests, sound management and regular moni- wood products will gain attention as popula- large quantities of charcoal. In 1719 the after the Great Depression in the 1930’s. toring of private woodlands is needed to tions spread out and Maryland’s patchwork of Maryland Assembly offered 100 acres of land Fields reverted to pine and hardwood ensure that problems are discovered and treat- forests, farmlands, and cities becomes more to anyone who built an iron furnace. forests, many of which exist today. These ed in a timely manner. intimately interwoven. Throughout the 1700’s and 1800’s, large tracts 60- to 90-year-old even-aged forest stands The economic exploitation that character- of forest were clearcut to produce charcoal to Forest-Products Industry are rapidly reaching maturity. The species ized the early history of Maryland’s forests fire iron furnaces. The Principio Furnace, Forest products are a large industry in composition and size- and age-class distrib- has been replaced by a more informed style Maryland’s first iron furnace, was established Maryland. They play a vital role in maintain- ution that characterize many of today’s of woodland management. The use of profes- in 1719 in Cecil County and consumed ing a healthy, vigorous forest and meeting sional foresters and other resource managers forests are the results of natural succession 10,000 acres of woodland during its 100 the State’s wood-product needs. The industry to assist private woodland owners in forest as well as planned forest management and years of operation. employs more than 15,500 people, is the management planning and harvest decisions silvicultural practices. Steam engines, railroads, and canals. largest employer in Garrett and Allegany is becoming an accepted practice. Further, The invention of the steam engine in the The Conservation Movement Counties, and is the second largest employer the large private ownership of Maryland’s early 1800’s revolutionized the use of forest on the Eastern Shore. forests makes it clear that the stewardship resources. The 1850 introduction of the circu- By the late 1800’s, there was a burgeoning The forest products industry is diverse, practices implemented by these owners and lar saw, which was powered by steam, national conservation movement with leaders including sawmills, a paper mill, pulpwood managers will control the health and produc- allowed settlers to produce far more saw tim- such as Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and operations, family-owned logging companies, tivity for future generations. ber than water-powered mills. Forests that Gifford Pinchot. National attention focused firewood operators, whole-tree chippers, and previously had been inaccessible to logging on widescale timber harvesting and the lack veneer log buyers, as well as producers of References of concern for regeneration. This resulted in were opened to wholesale exploitation furniture, cabinets and other secondary Besley, F.S. 1916. The forests of Maryland. through the use of steam engines or narrow the formation of the National Park and Forest wood products. During an average year, mil- system and many State forestry agencies. Maryland State Board Forestry, 152 pp. gauge railroads. Forest products were no lions of board feet of hardwood and soft- Birch, T. U.S. Forest service, state & private longer restricted to local markets but could However, the widescale timber harvests that wood timber is harvested in Maryland. In occurred in that century and the early 1900’s forestry. Personal Communication. be transported to large industrial centers, 1993, the income from timber sold on Carroll, D., coordinator. 1990. Executive sum- were not nearly as damaging as the wildfires such as Baltimore and Williamsport. New Maryland woodlands, whether as stumpage mary: The governor’s task force on trees and that followed. Set by sparks from steam lumber markets followed the B&O Railroad, (price paid to the landowner for standing forests in Maryland. Office of the Governor. engines, fires decimated the seeds and young which was chartered in 1827 and reached St. trees) or cut and then sold, was estimated to Frieswyk, T.S., and D.M. DiGiovanny. 1988. growth that were to supply future forests. Louis in 1857. The C&O Canal, begun in be $29.3 million. This provided a direct eco- Forest statistics for Maryland–1976 and 1986. USDA 1826 and completed in 1852, also provided The Maryland State Board of Forestry was nomic benefit to Maryland workers. For Forest Service Resource Bulletin. NE-107, 157 pp. the means to transport timber products to organized in 1906, primarily to control forest every $1 paid to landowners for the sale of Powell, D.S., and N.P. Kingsley. 1980. The industrial areas. fires, and until 1944, forest wardens were not timber in 1993, $14 in direct wages and forest resources of Maryland.