2005 Fact Sheet www.gatrees.org 
 
Forestland Of Georgia's 37 million acres of land area, 24.7 million acres is forestland. Of this 24.7 million acres, 24.3 million acres are available for commercial use and consists of 43.7 % pines, 38.6 % hardwoods, 17.1 % oak/pine, and 0.6 % non-stocked. The most prevalent hardwood forest types are oak, maple, yellow poplar, and sweetgum. Loblolly and slash are the primary pine forest types. 
GA's Seven FIA Panel Results - 2003 
Ownership The majority of Georgia's commercially available forestland is owned by private non-industrial landowners. 
Private Non-industrial Landowners 17.96 million acres 
Forest Industry 4.55 million acres 
Government 1.83 million acres 
GA's Seven FIA Panel Results - 2003 
 
Contribution to the Economy Timber is the highest valued vegetative crop in Georgia. In 2005, Georgia's forest resource had a total direct and indirect economic impact of 20.2 billion dollars (the direct economic impact was 12.7 billion dollars). Forestry directly creates 65,706 jobs statewide and supports a total of 136,022 jobs. 
Economic Development Institute 
20% Georgia Institute of Technology Industry 
Community Forestry Over 70% of Georgia's population lives in urban areas. Forests in urban communities: 
 reduce cooling & heating costs & modify local climate  add up to 15% to residential property value  improve mental & physical health of people  provide privacy and a sense of security  provide clean water and reduce soil erosion  provide clean air and reduce air pollution  create wildlife and plant diversity 
Forest Fire Protection  Georgia has about 8,700 forest fires each year that damage or destroy about 38,000 forest acres.  Georgia firefighters have the best fire suppression record in the Southeast with the average size fire consuming less than five acres.  Careless burning of debris is the leading cause of wildfires in Georgia. 
Based on USFS Annual Forest Fire Statistics 
 
Reforestation Trees are a renewable resource providing clean air, 
clean water, and abundant products.  Between 1983 and 2002, Georgians have replanted nearly 7.85 million acres in trees... that's 1,075 acres a day or 698,750 trees per day.  Approximately 1.78 trees are planted for every one harvested to ensure that future forests will continue to support our economy and environment.  An estimated 80,000 acres of forestland are naturally regenerated each year. 
 
Fires by cause 
Woods Arson 18% 
Debris Burning 
51% 
 
Lightning 4% Machine Use 11% 
Misc 6% Railroad 2% Smoking 3% Campfire 1% Children 4% 
 
GFC FY2004 Fire Summary