According to Wood Resources International LLC, timber harvests have increased in U.S. by 10%, mostly due to higher production of wood pellets, softwood lumber and hardwood lumber.
Based on the information from official statistics in the US, timber harvests were practically the same in 2015 as in 2011 (around 355 million m3). However, analysis performed by Wood Resources International based on derived log consumption by the forest industry in the US and net log trade, indicated that the actual removals of industrial roundwood were closer to 411 million m3 in 2015, and in consequence 10% higher than in 2011.
Regarding, the wood pellet sector (mostly concentrated in the Southern States) has increased six-fold during last 5 years. Recall, that wood pellet production in SE USA is targeting mostly the European market. Read more about wood pellet market in SE U.S. and EU here:
The EU as the world’s largest wood pellet market
A rise in US forestland thanks to Europe
On the other hand, the increase in log consumption over last 5 years have been explained by higher lumber and wood pellet production. For instance, softwood lumber production was 21% higer in 2015 than in 2011, and while production of hardwood lumber increased 28% over the same period of time.
Orginal source of information: Wood Resources International LLC
Photo credit: Rafal Chudy